This is making rounds on the web (or, at least the parts of the internet I read). While I admire anyone who calls out the recent Republican push to sign any/all/lots of ridiculous/over the top/irrational/meaningless pledges, I do not admire the logic inherent in the pledge. I found it was a great example of how the 'pro-choice' ideology works. Instead of picking it apart, I thought I'd make a 'Pro-Life' Pledge. Here goes:
The 'Pro-Life' Pledge:
1. Women* should have access to abortion in cases of rape and health of the mother.
2. Women have the right to choose their sexual partners, to say no, and choose when they're ready to start having consensual sex.
3. Women should have access to contraceptives, and the information to properly use them.
4. Women should have the choice to, or not to, use contraceptives, and use them knowing they're not 100% effective.
5. 'Pro-life' means that 'personhood' begins at fertilization; or, personhood is the capacity to feel pain, think consciously, rationally, and live independently or have the expectation to do so in the future.
6. 'Pro-choice' is a misnomer; my 'pro-life' stance offers all the same choices as 'pro-choice' save one.
7. The 'pro-life' stance has merit without discussing God, religion, or imposing any but the most humanistic of morality on others.
8. While abortion is in most cases inexcusable, I will never win minds with poor rhetoric, offensive language, or attacks on others.
* I say 'women', but in reality I very much mean 'women and their sexual partners'. Since the abortion debate centers on women, that's the terminology I use. Reality is, men are just as responsible for the pregnancy as women. Don't let my language be some sort of cop-out for men, or a hang up on the 'pledge' itself.
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