I am about to go on a tirade that could
possibly get me in a lot of trouble. It shouldn't. It is nothing more than my
opinion - however, with all the 'internet spying' going on and rules about what
one can and cannot do with 'social media' and still retain ones job or life
..............
However, there are
a few things in this world on which I not only have an opinion but very strong
feelings about.
This is one of
those.
I am grateful that
I lived in the time I did. When I needed an abortion, it was obtainable. That
may well not be true in the very near term. Many southern states have enacted
legislation that, while couched in terms which would have one believe that it is
solely for the support of women's health, are in reality, intended to, and in
fact DO, limit or completely abolish access to legal abortions.
The age-old
argument, of course, is the question of when human life becomes viable. For the
thinking minds of the anti-abortion supporters, I have a question - why is this
the ONLY or even the PRIMARY determinant ?
I would agree that
human life is viable immediately upon conception. I would also agree that
fetus' can feel pain. I also, unconditionally believe that life is precious.
ALL LIFE. NO exceptions. I also believe that no one life is MORE or LESS
precious or valuable than any other.
I can also agree
with those who feel that the right to abortion is seriously misused in this
country. Many treat it as if it were nothing more than a normal part of life -
casual. Rather the same way many look at divorce - a way to try marriage out
and see if it works. The rights to abortion allow, and even promote - excessive
promiscuity - and I would certainly agree that is not a good thing any more
than excessive indulgence in any enjoyable pastime is a good thing.
All that said - I
still firmly believe that women should retain the right to a legal, and
therefore reasonably safe abortion performed by qualified physicians in a clinical
environment at a cost that is not so exorbitant as to prevent the majority from
obtaining same. I believe we need to remember that there is always good and bad
in everything - every freedom we have has its ups or good points - and also its
bad or down side.... NOTHING is perfect. We will never have a law that is
perfect for everyone. The 'majority rules' always leaves out the
minority............
My personal
reasoning here is much the same as my reasoning for animal rights activists
standing down a bit AND for the right of a person to terminate their own
life.......... Don't see the link there? I'm not surprised. Its a tough
one.
Consider adopting a
rescue animal. The reason for the application and the review thereof is to
screen out those who are not good 'potential pet parents'. This is good -
to catch some (but DEFINITELY not all) people who are animal abusers. But - it
also lets out those with nothing more than love to give. Its easy to feed,
house, and love an animal. Vet bills, however, get extremely expensive. So,
there are pet parents out there who could and would love to give an animal a
'forever home' but will not be allowed to because they cannot afford the vet
bills. With all the rescue animals in shelters, and many more still on the
'street', it doesn't make logical sense that financial support should be a
determining factor. While animal welfare agencies intents are pure and good,
the reality leaves so many adoptable animals without 'forever homes' and people
without furry companions. Is remaining in a shelter for the rest of their lives
really better than allowing them to go to a loving family who cannot afford vet
bills?
Now consider the
right to die - again, we are making a decision for a person without truly
looking at all the sides and all the information. If a person is terminally ill
and their demise is imminent - say within a few months, why is it the right of
the law to determine that this person is NOT allowed to CHOOSE to end their
life? It seems rather strange to me that those who have never been in that
position are the ones who have the right to make the decision that everyone
must live until they die naturally. This stems from that 'under God'
theory. Most Christian religions believe that only the "Highest Power"
(whatever you choose to call Him or Her, God, Allah, Yahweh, Mother Earth,
etc...) has the right to choose when one passes from this life. Nice in theory
- BUT, if the quality of life is so horrible that one spends their days in
agony, or incapable of doing the things they love, perhaps even incapable of
doing ANYTHING, why is it necessary for life to continue?
The common thread
in all these subjects is Quality Of Life.
I think we can all
more or less agree that the length of a life, or 'quantity', is not nearly as important
as the quality of that life. This begs the question of what constitutes
'quality' - and that is exactly where this debate, as well as the other two
which I have mentioned, needs to start.
What is 'quality of
life'?
The answer to that
question is a very individualized, and for many - a highly personal one. For
each person, it is based on many things including socioeconomic status,
spiritual belief system, ethnic background, education, and general awareness of
the world around us. No two people will ever view anything, be it an issue or a
person or a picture in exactly the same way. No two people reading this blog
will read it the exact same way. I would hope not - but, it is entirely
possible that after reading this blog - some of you will not come here again.
My purpose is dual.
It is both to express my opinion and, perhaps if I am fortunate - my words will
encourage a re-thinking of those whose minds are made up one way or another. It
is NOT to denigrate nor deride ANYONE or their personal beliefs.
________________________
1 comment:
Thank you for sharing your beliefs and opinions. Many who "spy" are cowards...and fools among a whole list of other things. I certainly admire your braver, your honesty and your straightforwardness. Subjects like these are never easy to just throw out there no matter what side of the fence you're on and just for the record, I totally agree with you!
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