I have seen quite a few diaries on the subject of abortion since Samuel Alito was nominated to the Supreme Court. There were some disturbing and touching stories posted on dKos.
As someone who, for the most part, has always hated abortion, I think that I need to make something clear: pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion.
Carrying out a pregnancy is a choice that a woman has to make. For nine months she will be sharing her body with her child, and she needs to be the one to make that choice. Legally, I think that abortion has to be an option open to women.
Morally, though, I think abortion in many cases is wrong. Obviously, in situations of rape, incest, etc. abortions are usually necessary and there is no shame in getting one in that context, but the fact is that most abortions can be prevented. Unfortunately, Republicans have routinely tried to deny contraceptives to the public.
If the government and/or the right wing wants to decrease the number of abortions, they should stop condemning the use of contraception and provide government funding so that people who do not have access to contraceptions can get them. Republicans, as usual, don't understand science very well. This time, it is the science of birth control that escapes them. If life begins at conception, then the solution is to prevent conception if you don't want to become pregnant.
This whole "culture of life" thing that the right talks about is a bunch of bullshit. Apparently the Republicans think that the only time someone can't kill an innocent person is when that person is in his mother's womb. After that, according to them, it's all fair game. Think about it. They have pushed for the execution of juveniles and the mentally ill. Red states like Texas have execution fetishes in which hundreds of innocent people die. The GOP tries to create war. It gives weapons to oppressive governments. Never let a conservative tell you that you are a killer.
It is alright to oppose something morally but not have it outlawed. For example, many people are sober but don't push for prohibition laws. So you don't have to support abortion support freedom for women and Americans in general.
I would be interested to hear the opinions of all of you.