2008 Woodie Awards
Argument on abortion may be old, not decided
Tired topic means one court's decision not final judgment on subject
Maritza Carroway
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Viewpoints
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The topic of abortion has been criticized by many as being an old and outdated topic of discussion. What many fail to realize is that just because an issue seems old, outdated or over-debated does not mean that the issue has been settled.
Admittedly, abortion is an old issue. In fact, it's practically ancient, dating back to at least 4 B.C. (possibly much further). Great philosophers such as Aristotle and Hippocrates have differed on the issue of abortion. The classic Hippocratic Oath states, "I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy." Civil rights issues have never been solved overnight; many of our history's finest victories in civil rights took generations to bring about.
Some might argue that Roe v. Wade decided the abortion issue long ago and there is no reason to keep talking about it. On the contrary, a court decision is never final, despite what we all might think. Many court decisions were made during civil rights movements, which have since been overturned because, finally, someone in charge saw it was wrong.
Take for example the Dred Scott decision. Scott was a slave who tried to sue for his freedom; his case was dismissed with the explanation that because Scott was a slave, he was not a U.S. citizen and was the property of his owner. Imagine if that court decision would have been final.
Similarly, Roe v. Wade decided a fetus could be aborted by a woman under any circumstance until the "point at which the fetus becomes 'viable,' that is, potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid. Viability is usually placed at about 28 weeks but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks." The fetus is seen as being in full ownership of the mother (what about the father?) and therefore until it "exists" the owner (mother?) may do with it as she pleases.
Abortion isn't the only "outdated" topic in politics: equality for all persons regardless of race or gender, taxes and immigration are all issues that mankind has struggled with for years. Laws have been placed in order to regulate or reform in any of these areas. But these laws are still never settled because, though the court system may have settled them, they were never settled in the minds of citizens.
Discussions like these were taking place long before we got here, and they will continue to take place long after us. In the meantime, we talk about them, disagree on them and take action.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
facepalm.jpg
posted 2/19/08 @ 3:53 AM EST
Oh look, a baby Leake-in-Training.
Alicia
posted 2/19/08 @ 8:19 AM EST
Not quite Leake-esque. She actually provided some factual information to back up her argument. Also, she used far too few negative words to describe abortion; "the senseless genocide of unborn children" was nowhere to be found in this article. (Continued…)
Ben Bullock
posted 2/19/08 @ 8:22 AM EST
She wasn't giving argument for or against abortion, as our friend Mr. Leake so eloquently did. She was simply refuting claims that it is an old issue. (Continued…)
Robert Curriden
posted 2/19/08 @ 8:41 AM EST
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
I have to agree; Mr. Leake wouldn't have bothered with all this troublesome factual information.
I do see a few insinuations that could be argued with and addressed, but at the end of the day, she is right, and has proven her case. (Continued…)
jeff hanifer
posted 2/19/08 @ 10:36 AM EST
Liberals aren't mad about this column because its purpose is not to pass a moral judgement on abortion. Its purpose is to show that the supreme court has been wrong before and could be overturned. (Continued…)
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