by betty warner

Created on: February 19, 2008

This question will never go away. As long as there is the age old debate of morality verses legality. How much regulation are we willing to extend to our legislature? How much are we wiling to take charge of our behavior? Where is the line in the sand that measures that fatal next step? We all know that our social behavior invariably is intrinsic to issues affecting our legal, health, and criminal justice systems. This conflict continues to fuel this debate.

I contend that behavior or actions are a choice regardless of any extenuating circumstances. It comes down to how clear we are as to what our real rights are. Are we in control of our bodies and any attachments there of? I hope that does not sound too callus. The government or other organizations should not be able to tell a person not to pierce an eyeball, have plastic surgery, or keep five digits on each hand. I shutter to think what life would be like if at any given day the federal government would send me a formal request for my right kidney. In that same vein, I would not like notification in any form from the government or other appointed organization that I must have an unwanted baby. It needs to be my right, my choice to procreate or not simply because it is my body. Come on, people.

The beginning of life and the end of life has always been a moralistic and scientific debate. Trying to determine whether to abort or pull the plug is murder or not will probably up for discussion. They jury is still out believe it or not. It all comes down to what one chooses to believe. We should all have a choice. It does not mean that there will be praise and hand clapping for the choices we make. Choice does not come without responsibility and consequences. The leverage of those consequences rest squarely on the shoulders of the entity or entities that one is accountable to.

The issue of is not only just one of social and scientific ramifications, it is one of fiduciary concern. It is one of those hard things that we must consider when we embrace our democracy in real terms of human rights. If choice is my right then it has to be defended and supported. It is directly connected to my right to freedom and liberty and justice.

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