Is it really middle ground if someone else is taking away your right to make decisions about your body? Vikram Mansharamani’s recent My Turn “Abortion’s middle ground,” should be one more reason for women to be concerned about having others control their bodies. Whose middle ground is being referred to? The writers, yours, pro-choice advocates, those who would restrict all abortions, even when the mothers life is at risk? Is the middle ground concern for the mother’s health or when her life is at risk? Is it when the threat of death is imminent or immediate? Would rape and incest allow for a pregnancy to be terminated? Would the rapist or family member be allowed to sue for parental rights?
If the writer’s middle ground rules were codified and violated who would be held responsible and punished? In a previous column I wrote the reason many anti-choice advocates would not hold women accountable for their actions was because they lacked respect for women and feel they are unable to make responsible decisions. There was a second reason anti-choice advocates were reluctant to punish women for having an abortion. It was not politically acceptable. But since Roe was overturned there are groups of anti-choice advocates who have been emboldened. Who want to assign personhood rights to fetuses from conception. Who advocate punishing all those who would terminate a pregnancy, for any reason. My middle ground, women can consult with and seek advice from anyone they want, but it is their choice.
Allan Herschlag
Concord