I feel the need for more balance here. Julia O'Connell said:

"...As one of the one in three American women who have had abortions, the last thing I would consider "true sisterhood" would be to encourage other women to go through the post-abortion suffering that I and many other women I know have experienced. "True sisterhood," rather, might more compassionately and wisely comprise helping women who are contemplating abortion find alternatives through adoption, or helping to support vulnerable single mothers (which I have done and continue to do on an individual basis, for those who want "credentials")..."

In 1983, I chose to not have an abortion. On February 11, 1984, as a 16-year old, I gave birth to a boy who was adopted in March of 1984. I am sorry that she suffered after her abortion, but I suffered a great deal both before and after the adoption was finalized. I took a lot of shit for being a pregnant teenager, and I have the intense and unending grief of not knowing my son. I support abortions for women who want them and think that those people who think adoption is "the answer" are thinking in overly-simplistic, non-realistic ways. Women need easy access to ALL options when dealing with unplanned, unwanted pregnancies, no matter how old they are, how much money they have, or where they live. That's truly worth working towards.

Instead of venting about parental rights or critizing the courageous people of Haven, the focus should go back to the reason why women even have to make these trips to New York: legislation. Is Mr. Congressman going to support the children produced by these unwanted pregnancies? Or is Mr. President going to make sure that these children have ready access to a good education, health care, food and shelter? What about the girl who is raped by her father as and receives no emotional support from her mother--should she have to tell them?

Jeffrey's points are valid--to an extent--but I think his articulate prose would be best used in a campaign aimed at changing the policies that make this situation what it is.

While I've long admired Katha Pollitt's writing on other subjects, I must disagree with her suggestion that the way to alleviate "suffering" is to have every woman who's had an abortion financially enable other women to do the same. As one of the one in three American women who have had abortions, the last thing I would consider "true sisterhood" would be to encourage other women to go through the post-abortion suffering that I and many other women I know have experienced. "True sisterhood," rather, might more compassionately and wisely comprise helping women who are contemplating abortion find alternatives through adoption, or helping to support vulnerable single mothers (which I have done and continue to do on an individual basis, for those who want "credentials"), and working for legislation that would restore enforcement of child support (a recent victim of the heinous post-Katrina budget cuts) and repair our tattered social services network. The first-wave feminists condemned abortion categorically -- Susan B. Anthony called it "child murder." Why is being complicit in the taking of a life now considered the indispensable badge of feminism? As feminists, we should value all life, and not resort to violence as a solution to problems, no matter how intractable.

you wrote:

"And how many young women who might be disowned, or injured, by their oh-so-"traditional-values"-oriented parents have you helped thru their crises?

Hmm?"

That's funny - you equate "traditional values" with my stating that parents might want to know if their child is getting a surgical procedure - I guess in your "progressive" world, kids need no guidance, nor should parents be concerned about their medical well being - i.e. their health. Call me old fashioned, but I think that minor children should probably only get a surgical procedure with their parents knowledge (i don't have kids, so I'm shooting from the hip). BTW, I have escorted women through protests to get an abortion. But aside from that, I just offer up wisdon that folks like you very much need...

Also BTW - if you read my post, you may realize that I'm concerned for choice - that extremist language (i.e - if 12 year olds can't get unfettered abortion, then it's time again for the back alley - or the equation of inconvenience, such as traveling out of state for abortion, to the holocaust of the American slave trade), only puts the cause back, makes it easy to convince red staters that the left really does enjoy killing babies...

It's articles like this one that make Broadsheet actually seem worthwhile. As entertaining as catty Martha Stewart antics might be, and as difficult as it might be for Farhad to resist the temptation to figuratively suck Oprah's toes, I'd rather see Broadsheet be dedicated to real matters of concern and interest, like this. Keep it up!

Jeffrey, thanks for the condescension, but the issue is not taking minors across state lines. (Last I checked, abortion clinics were kinda down on kidnapping.) It's about what happens when they go on their own. Those in states with more restrictive notification laws lose the option to go another state. Adding delays, making doctors adhere to notification standards that their own state doesn't require them to--these are additional obstacles to what is a legal procedure.

As for the underground railroad analogy: it's more the notion of leaving a state where something is criminalized for one where it is legalized. I don't think the words "the new slavery" appeared in the original piece. But I have to ask: is that the standard? Does something really have to be as bad as a centuries-long atrocity in order for us to have a right to object? Please, just let us know what the threshold is.

Thanks for your wonderful summary of Debbie Nathan's article about the Haven Coalition.

If any readers are interested in joining Haven as hosts, or in helping in any other capacity, we are always seeking new volunteers. Please send us an email at havencoalition@yahoo.com, and one of Haven's coordinator's will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!

Sara D, Co-Coordinator

Suzanne R, Co-Coordinator

Haven Coalition

havencoalition@yahoo.com