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The debate regarding the legality and morality of abortion generates a tremednous amount of emotional energy from both sides of the debate. Those in favor and those opposed to the legality of abortion are passionate about what they believe in, adn each side feels they are doing what is in the best interests of the mother, the potential child, and our society. The abortion issue is a reflection of our society as a whole, which is why so many people insist on taking a position about it. Many of these people will never have an abortion, many will never be in a position were it is necessary to consider it as an option. Yet, because the abortion issue strikes at the heart of our society, they become advocates for one side or another.

We need to be clear in what it is we are choosing to debate. The language of the debate has become murky as each side tries to sway those of us who are undecided to their cause. The issue is essentially whether or not a woman has a right to choose to abort an unwanted pregnancy. Should that option be legal, and under what limitations? The current laws make the legality of abortion a matter for each state to decide. More often than not, abortions are legal during the first three months of the pregnancy. Different techniques are debated, circumstances are weighed, some pre-requisits are considered, but generally that is the extent of abortion law.

The langauge that has made the issue murky include terms like "pro-life". This is used by groups opposed to legalized abortion to suggest that those in favor of legalized abortion are "pro-death". Those in favor of legalized abortion are not necessarilly going to have an abortion themselves, they merely want to make sure the option is available to others. Still, being "pro-abortion" creates that connotation, so they have decided to call themselves "pro-choice". Abortion clinics have begun calling themselves "family planning centers", which in my opinion is a bit of a stretch.

This kind of hypocrisy is not limited to the language used. The myth of the back-alley abortion is used by both sides to evoke an emotional response. However, just before we had legalized abortion, most abortions were performed in secret by a doctor in an office. Should abortions become illegal again, it is likely that they will be performed in that manner again. The more zealous "pro-life" individuals have no qualms about suggesting the death-penalty for abortion doctors and have, in the past, murdered doctors and bombed

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