Antiabortionists' actions go beyond the issue -- they infect rational dialog on many other issues as well.
A recently reported story from Kansas: “Kansas doctor struggles to offer abortions” was concerning enough it itself – but it has much broader ramifications that should be discussed. The story described the tribulations Dr. Mila Means faced as she attempted to replace the murdered Dr. George Tiller, as the only practitioner who would perform abortions in Kansas and surrounding areas. Dr. Means stated: “I anticipated the normal protest, but didn’t anticipate the intensity of the movement…They saw Dr. Tiller’s murder as a victory.”
While it is a legitimate moral and personal issue to oppose abortion, the actions of those who hold this position go well beyond the issue itself. It is a metaphor about what is wrong in our country’s political scene on many other issues. It contains all the elements of rigidity…overzealousness…hypocrisy…the debate about an “intrusive” government…and lack of communication or even rational discussion.
Foremost among these, is the subject of murder itself. Apparently the antiabortionists feel it is alright to murder a fine, upstanding, professional human, while professing objection to killing the unborn. The random killing between gang members is outrageous….but, Scott Roeder (Tiller’s killer) is somehow a hero. Indeed, as the story points out, it is the friends and supporters of Roeder now threatening Means.
Then there is the constant babble about the proliferation of government regulations that intrude into our lives. Never the less, this year, Kansas lawmakers introduced a host of new bills dealing with antiabortion. A bill to stop tax deductions for abortion-related expenses (this from the folks who want more deductions for everything); a provision that would require patients to hear their fetuses heartbeat; and a law that shields physicians if they do not inform patients of problems in their pregnancies (meaning they could deliver babies the patient might not want to have). These types of laws are being introduced in a great many other states by precisely the same people that so loudly claim we are being “over-regulated”. Apparently the inconsistency of these actions escapes those who oppose abortion, but do not want to have our food, environment, and financial community regulated.
On the same track, those on the right who are driving the antiabortion campaign also rail against “intrusive” government. At the same time they are suggesting government interference with absolutely the most personal activity possible – the right to manage one’s own body. The most egregious of these laws (now modified) was Virginia’s demand that every pregnant woman who seeks an abortion must have an ultrasound inserted in her vigina – even against her will! Fortunately that was over the top for most all of the public, and even some of the most ardent abortion foes, so it was softened. But not by much, and the inconsistency of that position vis a vis government intrusion still escapes many antiabortionists.
Most all Americans fear terrorism in our country, and authorities at all levels of government are on the alert. Recently a letter was sent to an individual warning her to check under her car before turning the key. What American would not be appalled at such a threat – and the assumption would immediately be that it might be some Islamist extremist who would send such a letter. It wasn’t. It came from an abortion foe, and was sent to Dr. Means. In its content, it is absolutely no different from a threat made by a terrorist of any stripe. As Dr. Means pointed out: “Radically insane people if they want to kill you, they will!” While the large majority of antiabortionists would say those who make such threats are on the fringe, that did not save Dr. Tiller. Moreover, we hear no voices of outrage from the abortion foes at large about such actions, and lack of those voices only validates that threats are an acceptable part of getting the antiabortion agenda into law.
Speaking of law, another point of hypocrisy is that major segments of these antiabortion adherents are avid “law and order” supporters. Well, abortion in our country is the law, but not to these folks. They are willing to either pass laws that circumvent, erode, or flat out challenge Roe v Wade in their effort to win their way. If you want to be an aggressive “law and order” supporter you cannot pick and choose the laws you wish to see obeyed.
Finally, we come to the rigidity of the antiabortion position; and that is truly what is wrong with American politics today. Folks of both parties – but particularly the Republican Party and its pandering to the right – have destroyed the ability of our political leaders to have cogent dialog and discussion on issues facing our nation. And that is the larger tragedy of the Kansas antiabortion fight. It is a metaphor for our dysfunctional Congress…the vitriol of attacks on our leaders…and the failure to get good governance to lead our nation through difficult times and perilous waters. That is why what is happening in Kansas should concern us all.