O'Hehir's review of "Unborn in the USA" has certainly whetted my appetite to see this movie, which I will probably hate. Though I am a man and have always been uncomfortable with the "idea" of abortion, I have never been arrogant enough to tell another person how to live their life. As a result, I am strongly Pro-Choice.

That said, I think there are legitimate concerns expressed by the Pro-Life camp. Late-term abortions, parental notification for minors, and the ability of a fetus to feel pain during the procedure are all valid concerns they rightfully raise.

Unfortunately, their tactics are so onerous and despicable, I find it increasingly hard to listen. While their protests may be constitutionally protected, they so often rely on subterfuge, intimidation, and misogynistic behavior that, like the woman in the movie, I often feel the urge to respond with my fists rather than my words.

The Pro-Life movement would probably gain more legitimacy if their stance were not so rigidly black and white. If they would accept the findings of nearly the entire medical and education establishments that Safe Sex programs which cover protection in addition to abstinence are the most effective forms of preventing unwanted pregnancies, perhaps we could have a discussion. If they would voice stronger support for social service programs that would assist women who are thinking about abortion because they do not have the means with which to provide for a child, perhaps we could have a discussion. If they would acknowledge that women are not purely incubators for children and recognize that a woman's health, physical or mental, MUST come before that of the fetus, perhaps we can have a discussion.

I'm not holding my breath. The religious conservatism that has infected modern politics only sees good and evil, right and wrong, yes and no. Abortion is rarely such, and those of us who recognize the grays will continue to fight their simplistic and childish views. If they need Biblical support in order to compromise, I can cherry-pick a verse as well: "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (I Corinthians ch. XIII, v. 11)

"I have never been arrogant enough to tell another person how to live their life. As a result, I am strongly Pro-Choice."

"Unfortunately, their tactics are so onerous and despicable, I find it increasingly hard to listen. While their protests may be constitutionally protected, they so often rely on subterfuge, intimidation, and misogynistic behavior that, like the woman in the movie, I often feel the urge to respond with my fists rather than my words."

This is actually all quite understandable. The thundering irrationality of a moral belief system which says that human life has intrinsic value but also that a human fetus should be cut out of its mother's womb and tossed in the trash if it poses a personal inconvenience to a grown adult would be enough to eventually drive anyone to violence.

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (I Corinthians ch. XIII, v. 11)"

uh, i really don't think paul was discussing abortion here. and what in this passage justifies striking a child?

good film review. if it ever plays this burg i'll see it.

Anonymous wrote:

"The thundering irrationality of a moral belief system which says that human life has intrinsic value but also that a human fetus should be cut out of its mother's womb and tossed in the trash if it poses a personal inconvenience to a grown adult would be enough to eventually drive anyone to violence."

Probably one of the more thorny and interesting aspects of the abortion discussion is that it is not just about a moral theory; it is also about legal theories and a whole discourse of rights that BOTH sides rely on, albeit differently. "Human life", "human fetus", and "grown adult" would be the key words in this argument. Anyway, a moral theory that says "human life has intrinsic value" is one that would also be anti death penalty, and anti war except in the most absolutely necessary cases, and yet, these contradictions often plague the most strident pro-lifer's views. It is often more complex than a single moral theory in action, on both sides.

I would see this movie, and I think there's something worthwhile in a documentary that only portrays one side, if the goal is to fully explain that perspective (without propagandizing), and to expose it. I have never been afraid of knowing the true facts of the abortion procedure, but I am curious about the posters mentioned. What evidence is there that these images are actually aborted fetuses? And if they are, are they the common aborted fetus at the local Planned Parenthood? The ones I have seen at pro-life protests and such appear to be quite far along in gestation, which is not the typical abortion.

So many excellent movies reviewed!

I am at the point where I wish Salon would stop covering anything regarding abortion. No one’s mind it changed. Until that happy day, I wish that Salon writers would make an effort not to use language that is loaded and favorable to a specific position - unless the writer states plainly that she is promulgating a specific point of view and is making no effort to write as a disinterested observer.

Mr. O'Hehir, just because someone describes himself as anti legal abortion does not mean that person is therefore pro life. Pro life is not synonymous with anti legal abortion. I am pro legal abortion. I refer to those who would outlaw abortion as anti legal abortion. It describes both of us accurately and without prejudice. Perhaps Salon writers could follow my lead?

I recommend the documentaries, “Soldiers in the Army of God” and “On Hostile Ground” as excellent, dispassionate explorations of the anti legal abortion movement in the US. They are both available from Netflex.