My impression of the whole debate over parental notification is that most of those who support are worried about their own children. Parents -- especially parents who are more conservative, forbid their children from ever having sex and warn about the dire consequences that will await them if they do -- are rightly concerned that their children won't share any aspect of their sex lives with their them, including an unplanned pregnancy. So this law is very literally about fear of loss of control of their own families.

Most of these families would probably find acceptable ways to deal with an unplanned pregnancy. In fact, in most of these families, the child would probably tell the parents.

But some people will be very badly hurt by this law, and those people will be the young girls in the worst family situations. The parents who have the healthiest relationships with the children don't need the law, but the parents who are likely to beat, imprision, harshly punish or abandon the child will almost certainly be the ones notified.

Besides, if a sexual predator who is having a relationship with a young girl knows that a legal abortion will lead to his being caught, does that make him more likely to be a good father? More likely to care for the baby and its mother? Or more likely to attempt an unsafe, illegal, life-threatening abortion or just "do away" with the problem (and the girl) altogether?

No matter what the outcome, those in the worst situations will end up being hurt because parents want the added peace of mind and assurance of control. Advocates of the law don't want to admit this, but they really do consider these unfortunate children collateral damage in pursuit of their own security. It's a frightening thought.

Planned parenthood does protect sexual predators, but this should not be shocking being that all that work there are happy to kill unwanted children.

Do you really think anyone *likes* abortions, getting one or performing one? Do you think people like getting and giving colonoscopies too? It's a medical procedure and no one likes medical procedures, except if they're, y'know, WEIRD.

If you feel that this medical procedure is sinful or whatever, don't have one. It's that simple. Some religious groups think that getting and giving blood is sinful - shall we accomodate their beliefs along with yours? Or shall we do what we've always done - let them practice their beliefs and refuse to participate in the practice while allowing others who think they're nuts to get and give blood at will?

It is the Catholic Church that protects sexual predators.

You pro-abortion people need to see a film on what goes on when an abortion is done. There are a lot of former abortion providers that have switched sides, I wonder why? How many non-abortion providers have joined the lucrative abortion business.

1st trimester procedure:"In this method, the abortionist must first paralyze the cervical muscle ring (womb opening) and then stretch it open. This is difficult because it is hard or "green" and not ready to open. He then inserts a hollow plastic tube, which has a knife-like edge on the tip, into the uterus. The suction tears the baby’s body into pieces. He then cuts the deeply rooted placenta from the inner wall of the uterus. The scraps are sucked out into a bottle (see color photo in back of book). The suction is 29 times more powerful than a home vacuum cleaner."

2nd trimester:"A pliers-like instrument is used because the baby’s bones are calcified, as is the skull. There is no anesthetic for the baby. The abortionist inserts the instrument up into the uterus, seizes a leg or other part of the body, and, with a twisting motion, tears it from the baby’s body. This is repeated again and again. The spine must be snapped, and the skull crushed to remove them. The nurse’s job is to reassemble the body parts to be sure that all are removed."

3rd trimester:"A more recently developed method here is the partial birth abortion, also called "brain suction" or "D&X" methods.

- These are done after 4 or 5 months.

- 80% of babies are normal.

- Most babies are viable.

This is like a breech delivery. The entire infant is delivered except the head. A scissors is jammed into the base of the skull. A tube is inserted into the skull, and the brain is sucked out. The now-dead infant is pulled out."

Taken from abortionfacts.com

What is this world coming to.

Leo, it seems that abortionfacts.com is owned by Heritage House '76, Inc., a company that sells fetus-themed tchotchkes to the anti-choice community.

Could you provide a medical or government source for your "80% of [3rd trimester aborted] babies are normal" figure? Preferably something that notes the percentage of women whose lives were at risk, as well.

There are a lot of former abortion providers that have switched sides, I wonder why?

That's easy. Eventually the death threats and harassment gets to be too much, and they give up. The doctors who manage to stick it out are remarkably brave people.

No one ever said that abortion was pleasant or easy or not a tramatizing thing. Life is difficult and things aren't so pretty. Birth isn't so clean and fabulous either, and death.. Well try and watch your best friend being eaten by cancer as I did this year. Leo, how about a period? Ever have one? Didn't think so. Ever seen blood splattered on the bathroom floor as you try and find a tampon. Didn't think so. How about having a screaming 6 month old, shitting itself and drooling with baby vomit and sour milk. Not so pretty either. Life is dirty and difficult and morally complex. Nothing is as easy as people like you wish it was. How many kids have you taken out of foster care? Better yet, how many kids of color are you supporting? None, right? Thought so. Much easier and a lot safer to talk about the evils of a medical experience then the harsh and horrible realities of the real world.

--Susan McIntosh