Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Roe v. Wade and Bristol Palin

Bristol Palin's pregnancy is big. It brings to light the issue of Roe v. Wade. Should McCain become president, I have no doubt that the Supreme Court will visit this divisive issue. Should McCain become president, and should one of the chairs become vacant, he would undoubtedly pick a pro-life justice to fill that seat.

But, pro-life vs. pro-choice is not really about abortion vs. anything. Pro-lifers would have us believe that if you are against "pro-life" you are for abortion. But that is not true. What if Bristol Palin had been a victim of rape? Should she not have the choice to terminate that unwelcome pregnancy? What if Bristol Palin had been a victim of incest? Should she not have the choice to terminate that unwelcome pregnancy? What if the pregnancy threatened her life? No choice there either? Are 17 year old girls and 18 year old boys prepared for what it means to be a parent? This isn't ice hockey or cheer leading. This is 24/7.

Why have some Americans decided that such a private life altering decision be left to the politics of those sitting on the Supreme Court of the United States? Why should a sitting president have the power to decide that his choice for a vacant Supreme Court seat could possibly influence a woman's life for years to come? Why would anyone in their right mind leave such a decision to John McCain? And Sarah Palin.

Just asking.