An Exemplary Appreciation of God and Life

Yesterday, the American Thinker blog published some commentary of mine regarding Rachel Maddow and her defense of late-term abortions. In the comment section, a poor woman who has apparently endured a late-term abortion for medical reasons scolded my article and applauded Maddow for supporting late-term abortions, which she claims are "never made callously or flippantly."

When writing social commentary, one has a tendency to use broad brushstrokes, and in some cases generalizations come across as all-or-nothing statements. I never meant to imply that late-term abortions should never be permissible in situations where the mother's life might be jeopardized or when the child might endure prolonged suffering. She is right- many late-term abortions are done for medical reasons, and in those situations a late-term abortion would, and should be, permissible by law. And in those cases, a late-term abortion would not be morally abhorrent.

But then, I read the response of a commenter by the handle of Tomstiles69. I do not believe I have ever read anything more touching or more exemplary of the wonder that is the human spirit. Please read the comments below.


kcmb 17 hours ago

"But where early-term abortions might allow for a moral gray area, it is clear that anyone with a conscience would abhor the practice of late-term abortions, not just Christian theocrats."

I have to disagree with this. I think there's a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about the vast majority of what some call "late term abortions." The truth is that a large number of these later abortions are done for medical reasons--either due to serious complications with the mother's health or due to serious fetal anomalies. Walk a mile in the shoes of a parent who has just been told their baby will die shortly after birth. The decision to abort in the 2nd or 3rd trimester is never an easy one, and it is never one made callously or flippantly. It's a decision made to prevent needless suffering. I applaud Rachel Maddow for going to bat for those of us who've had to endure a "late term abortion."

tomstine69 11 hours ago

It is NOT true that "a large number of these abortions are done for medical reasons. The vast majority of late term abortions are elective - social reasons. Our Natalia died 4 weeks after birth - blind, one nostril, couldn't eat without a tube, and basically no brain. We were told early on of her condition and fate but when abortion was suggested it did not even occur to us to consider it. That time in our lives was difficult with many questions and sadness. We went from resenting this imperfect damaged life that God had allowed into our lives to knowing at her graveside funeral 4 weeks after she was born that God had given us his best. That statement might seems preposterous to someone who hasn't walked a mile in the shoes of a parent who has just been told their baby will die shortly after birth and still choose to love and protect that precious life for the short time that they are priveleged to have the that honor.

Whether or not you believe in God, what Tom describes here exemplifies the very best of humanity- the very best that we can ever be. A love and understanding that these words fall miles short of conveying.

William Sullivan