[GovernmentShrinker]

And if the child in question had been described as 3 or 4 or maybe even 5 years old, the story might be believable (except that the follow-on analysis described as having occurred on the spot would require an unusually precocious preschooler). I don't believe for a second that a non-retarded 9 year old from any literate family has never heard the word "abortion" and has no idea what it means. This country is awash in abortion debate; there are abortion bumper stickers (pro and con) galore, kids at school go to various churches many of which make a big deal about abortion, kids at school have parents who participate in pro and anti abortion demonstrations and organizations (many of which are visible to passengers in passing vehicles). This story is about as believable as Mary Mapes' perennial insistence that the Rathergate memo was authentic.

[jwalsh07]

So what? My grandchildren know what abortion is, they have attended the March for Life, each and every one and the oldest is 7. Their questions were the same as this youngsters, made up or not. I know that's anecdotal but I'll bet large majorities of kids ask the same questions. Like I said, sometimes the babes have wisdom. And when it comes to abortion they are far ahead of the ostentatious "pro choice" bs.

[LauraleeBraswell]

I still believed in Santa Clause at nine years old. I sure as hell didn't know what an abortion was. I didn't know what that was until I was like 11 or 12.

[MHGinTN]

You stood this strawman up for your aim: "I don't believe for a second that a non-retarded 9 year old from any literate family has never heard the word "abortion" and has no idea what it means." The story doesn't assert that the child heard the word first at that dinner setting. You're making a nice try at abortion apologetics though ... BTW, I have a nine year old granddaughter and she has heard the word but really has been protected from learning the horrors of what it is. Frankly, I don't think Nat is a liar, but from your insinuations, you call him a liar! Is that a wise move, especially at FR?

[VeritatisSplendor]

My nine year old just learned what abortion was this last year. He is shielded - we don't have television, and we watch what we say in front of the children.

I can see an abortionist shielding her child from the ugly realities - the way pro-abortion people explain abortion to children is usually along the lines of sparing women an unwanted pregnancy - the children don't always make the connection. A baby-sitter once told my daughter that Bob Dole was bad because he wanted to force women to be pregnant - my daughter thought Bob Dole was a very bad man until she learned exactly what that meant. 180 deg. about face.

Nat Hentoff has never never set off my BS meter - and I don't always agree with him - I believe him to be a man of great integrity.

Mrs VS

[victim soul]

I find it humorous that you attack an anectodal story (the typical modus operandi of the pro-aborts) while trying to diffuse the real message of Mr. Hentoff's piece:

Our Supreme Court devalued slaves' humanity and did so again to our own posterity in Roe v Wade.

Both are grievious, immoral errors and hopefully Roe v Wade will some day soon be corrected.

American children in the womb are only devalued because their parents do not want them and a perverted medical system allows and performs the killing.

"A nation that kills its children is a nation withouot hope." Pope John Paul II.