I have mixed emotions on abortion. But at the end of the day it may be the best or only option for some situations, and should therefore be up to the individual and not the government IMO. I just don't think it's something to brag about or celebrate if one chooses to do such a thing.
But I've never understood comparing abortion to the death penalty. I am 100% in favor of the death penalty as punishment for certain crimes committed by adults. As long as they were tried and convicted by a jury of their peers, I'm all for it for certain crimes. In fact I believe the excessive appeals process should be trimmed down considerably to make the process quicker and less expensive.
And if you want to take the government out of it and let it be a matter handled privately, I'm sure family members of many victims of capital crimes would gladly assume the role of executioner instead of letting the state do it.
Guys like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Tookie Williams, and many others have shown themselves to be inhuman monsters incapable of remorse, empathy, rehabilitation, or redemption. They've actually EARNED such a fate.
Shouldn't these animals be euthanized?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Channon_Christian_and_Christopher_Newsom
You've provided some excellent examples of people who did not deserve to go on living, regardless of whether they were locked up or not. Unfortunately on rare occasion, an innocent person is convicted of a capital crime. There are innocent people who've been executed. I'm against the death penalty.
As for abortion, it strikes me as ironic that so many men have such strong opinions regarding it. Men cannot get pregnant. With respect to this, they cannot fully understand all the ramifications of what for many is probably the most difficult decision a woman could ever make.
On a personal level, my wife and I wanted both our children. Abortion was the farthest thing from our minds. My wife had an easy time with pregnancy, the fetuses were healthy and the births went relatively well. Our babies were healthy and grew to be healthy adults. If I were young, I'd do it all again and I suspect my wife would too. Having said this, we didn't have much financial stability when either of our two children were born, but we managed and it all turned out well in the end.
If folks are using abortion as a rather inconvenient form of contraception, then shame on them. I posted information about the Catholic church's doctrine on contraception. Fortunately, many priests take a different stance with their parishioners when it comes to birth control. I know people who chose to not have children for various reasons. I see nothing wrong with this decision as long as it is thoughtfully made and not just something someone choses as a matter of convenience. Raising children is serious business. It is at minimum an 18 year commitment. Almost anyone can pop out babies, being a good parent is a bit more of a task and a huge commitment. I've seen what sometimes happens when people don't live up to that commitment and it is often very sad.
