Partial Minds Went Into Partial-Birth Abortion Act
A News Perspective
Jennifer Cunningham
Issue date: 11/20/03 Section: Campus News
On November 5th, President Bush signed into law the Partial Abortion Ban Act of 2003. What he claimed was, "a terrible form of violence...against children who are inches from birth", partial birth abortion, is now illegal.
Just before signing the controversial bill, Bush thanked all of those who helped create the bill, listing names like John, Tommy, Rick, Mike, Steve, Henry, Jim, Tom, Bart. Missing something, oh that's right - women! All those who participated in the creation of this bill were men. Women, those that this bill will affect, were not included. A decision that women have to make in their real lives has now been made for them by a group of religious, conservative men.
Bush said that the signing of this bill "reflects the compassion and humanity of America." With the creation of this bill, Bush has shown that he is more concerned with the life of the unborn child than that of the pregnant mother.
Life isn't perfect. Sometimes things go wrong and tough decisions must be made. Pediatrician and former Surgeon General, Doctor C. Everett Koop, stated that "the majority of partial birth abortions are not required by medical emergency." Partial birth abortions account for only 1% of all abortions in America. Usually, they are performed because the pregnancy is not safe for the mother and/or the fetus. Problems such as prenatal hemorrhage, preeclampsia, toxemia, placental abruption, hydrocephalus, polyhydramnia are all disorders which place the mother and/or the fetus at severe risk of their health or their lives. I would call a risk of death a medical emergency.
"The most basic duty of government is to defend the life of the innocent," said Bush. Apparently, he believes that the mother is less innocent than the unborn child.
One of the arguments made for the bill was that teens would try to find a way around a medical exemption (if one was made) in order to "fit into a prom dress." Most women know well before the sixth month of pregnancy whether she wants to have the child or not. It isn't a decision made based on a dress or made last minute. Even a teen that becomes pregnant can count and can figure how big she'll be by the time of the prom, if that is her concern.
Planned Parenthood responded to the bill saying, "The so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 will bring an end to providing the best and safest health care for women. This dangerous ban prevents women, in consultation with their families and trusted doctors, from making decisions about their own health. Women, in consultation with their families and doctors - not politicians - should decide the best and safest medical treatment."
Something must be done about this. Many women will die as a result of this; many will face greater hardships in their lives. But Bush wasn't thinking about these women when he signed this bill nor does he care apparently. If he had, he would've made a medical exemption to the bill. He's not the one who will have to personally suffer or raise a handicapped child, so what does he care. Women need to stand up for their rights and for their health because the men in this administration obviously aren't.
Just before signing the controversial bill, Bush thanked all of those who helped create the bill, listing names like John, Tommy, Rick, Mike, Steve, Henry, Jim, Tom, Bart. Missing something, oh that's right - women! All those who participated in the creation of this bill were men. Women, those that this bill will affect, were not included. A decision that women have to make in their real lives has now been made for them by a group of religious, conservative men.
Bush said that the signing of this bill "reflects the compassion and humanity of America." With the creation of this bill, Bush has shown that he is more concerned with the life of the unborn child than that of the pregnant mother.
Life isn't perfect. Sometimes things go wrong and tough decisions must be made. Pediatrician and former Surgeon General, Doctor C. Everett Koop, stated that "the majority of partial birth abortions are not required by medical emergency." Partial birth abortions account for only 1% of all abortions in America. Usually, they are performed because the pregnancy is not safe for the mother and/or the fetus. Problems such as prenatal hemorrhage, preeclampsia, toxemia, placental abruption, hydrocephalus, polyhydramnia are all disorders which place the mother and/or the fetus at severe risk of their health or their lives. I would call a risk of death a medical emergency.
"The most basic duty of government is to defend the life of the innocent," said Bush. Apparently, he believes that the mother is less innocent than the unborn child.
One of the arguments made for the bill was that teens would try to find a way around a medical exemption (if one was made) in order to "fit into a prom dress." Most women know well before the sixth month of pregnancy whether she wants to have the child or not. It isn't a decision made based on a dress or made last minute. Even a teen that becomes pregnant can count and can figure how big she'll be by the time of the prom, if that is her concern.
Planned Parenthood responded to the bill saying, "The so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 will bring an end to providing the best and safest health care for women. This dangerous ban prevents women, in consultation with their families and trusted doctors, from making decisions about their own health. Women, in consultation with their families and doctors - not politicians - should decide the best and safest medical treatment."
Something must be done about this. Many women will die as a result of this; many will face greater hardships in their lives. But Bush wasn't thinking about these women when he signed this bill nor does he care apparently. If he had, he would've made a medical exemption to the bill. He's not the one who will have to personally suffer or raise a handicapped child, so what does he care. Women need to stand up for their rights and for their health because the men in this administration obviously aren't.