Abortion: still a dirty word

Guardian (U.K.) ^ | 5/25/02 | Julie Burchill

[hchutch]

The fact is that we're making a lot of headway on this course.

I've freepmailed an idea to ya.

[Lorianne]

Sad beyond belief. I'm grief striken over the loss of our humanity as exhibited in this article.

[Tomalak]

Perhaps you would share your idea with the rest of the class?

[so_real]

"I love babies," I said, surprised at the simplicity of my statement. And then immediately, perfectly naturally, "I'm so glad I had all those abortions."

The first thing that popped into my mind ..... Isn't that like Ted Bundy saying something like: "I love attractive young women. I'm so glad I killed all those girls."?

This woman is sick ... For practicing abortion as birth control, she would make a fine candidate for a murder trial.

[cgk]

the illusion that abortion is a serious, murderous, life-changing act. It isn't - unless your life is so sadly lacking in incident and interest that you make it so.

This is one of the saddest & sickest pieces I've read in awhile. 5 dead babies? All in the name of "being alone with her boyf," and "overpopulation". The ILLUSION that it is murder? Not only will she have to answer to God, she may have her dues come 'round with a bout of breast cancer that will slowly kill her painfully.

These people have no souls, and more than likely no hope of ever waking up in this world. Babies and Tonsils are compared by them like some pretentious art house movie title. Bread and Tulips. Angels and Insects. Walking and Talking. How about Truth & Consequences?
Unbelievable.

Mrs Kus

[MamaSwami]

Hmmmm... this woman has gotten herself pregnant five times and represents herself as "intelligent"????? Geeesh... Not only does she not have a conscience, she's just plain stupid!

[Salvation]

It's all about HER isn't it.

How true! Not about the babies at all. Pure selfishness.

[Salvation]

Is this what the writer needs to know about abortion?

[ladtx]

I sat here and tried to put into words what this woman is, and am at a total loss for words. There is nothing I can say to condemn her anymore than what she has said about herself. I feel sorry for someone who lives in such a painfully small world.

[LadyDoc]

Hannah Arendt has a phrase that describes this type of "nice" well balanced person who does terrible things without any qualms of conscience: The banality of evil.

[wontbackdown]

Click the following link and listen to the clip about abortion. Abortion

[madprof98]

Yes, the banality of evil. Seeing this over and over is what turned my own thinking on abortion--and many other issues that go hand-in-hand with it. Over the years I had many students who wanted to talk about their abortion experiences. Some were remorseful, occasionally so much so that they could not move on with their lives. I was touched by them but even more deeply affected by those who had been hardened by their experience, as this woman obviously has been. In some cases, it seemed as if they had dehumanized themselves. That is what this woman has made of herself: she has cast off her humanity.

[Tomalak]

I so agree with you. That phrase is famous because it is contrary to everything history and Hollywood seem - at first glance - to tell us. But how true it is. Evil is not just about monstrous dictators with their plans to kill millions. It is also about the simple lack of interest in other people, and in right and wrong, that can be taken to these extremes when necessary.

I would strongly recommend the short story "The Devil" by Guy de Maupassant. It brilliantly helped me to understand this sort of evil: the sort that stems from uncontrolled greed and complete indifference.

[DennisR]

"Yet I remember, as a child in the early 1970s, hearing Diane, the waitress heroine of the decidedly reactionary soap Crossroads, saying matter-of-factly to a miserably pregnant woman, 'Abortion's not a dirty word, you know!'"

Sounds like this person watches way too much of the tellie.

[Tomalak]

In some cases, it seemed as if they had dehumanized themselves.

Agreed. And what a monstrous sort of life she must have. That she does not realise this matters not a jot. She makes me think of those bullies and thugs who sneer at anyone with an interest in books or shows common curteousy to others, while all the while really believing that they are better off because they are devoid of both.

[Tomalak]

I was touched by them but even more deeply affected by those who had been hardened by their experience

Yes. None deserve more pity than those who believe all morality is weakness.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I seriously doubt this mindset is limited to California and New York. That's a bit unfair.

[Tomalak]

The saddest thing about it all? The fact that every person who was shocked by this article will be less shocked by a similar piece in the future. In that sense, Burchill has already won.

[B Knotts]

I had a choice, and I chose life - mine.

I don't wish to condescend, but isn't that the credo of the culture of death?

[DennisR]

You may wish to email the paper. I did. See instructions.