THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511080005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Once again, vociferous opponents of abortion have turned to coercive, destructive attacks rather than persuasive, constructive responses that would do what most Americans want done: lessen the need for most abortions.
The House of Representatives, led by a Republican majority and supported by 73 Democratic congressmen, has passed a bill to presume that a late-term or ``partial-birth'' abortion is a crime. Not a procedure that reasonable people agree can and should be justified for medical reasons; not a procedure that reasonable people want to discourage for any but justifiable reasons; not a horrific decision faced and made by some 450 families a year who need compassionate support instead of righteous condemnation; but a crime, grounds for criminal prosecution of physicians and penalties and civil suits as well.
Unless physicians can prove they ``reasonably believed'' the procedure was the only way to save the mother's life, they can be fined or imprisoned for up to two years.
This legislation would apply in a fraction of a percent of the million-plus abortions performed in this country each year. Only two physicians in the entire nation specialize in this procedure now. It is a horrendous procedure, absolutely. It is also a response to a horrendous predicament that can spare a mother and her family tremendous trauma, and sometimes offer what comfort can be found in contributing to lifesaving, lifegiving medical re-search.
Let us grant that most supporters of this legislation are sincere in their opposition to abortion. But let us note as well that the authors of this legislation openly acknowledge it as step one in their campaign to outlaw abortion, period, by trying to hold the rest of the nation's business hostage to it. Let these legislators note, and the Republican Party particularly, that their campaign is out of step with public sentiment and willfully ignorant of the realities of abortion.
This legislation is the sort of politicizing, polarizing tactic that highlights less the horrors of abortion than the enormous gulf between the few extremists and the great commonsensical, compassionate American middle: between abolishing abortion, which is not possible, and reducing the need for it, which is. This extremist bill, this extremist tactic will hurt House Republicans far more than it will help them. Worse, it will anguish families already anguished enough. by CNB