This guy is taking it way to far IMO by discussing using "deadly force" on a pregnant mother. I do however will admit that I side much more on the "pro-life" movement if you will. But its frustrating that people like me tend to get demagogued on the issue and de-legitimized. It however does not help at all when someone like Todd akin makes such an idiotic and completely ignorant statement regarding rape victims.
There are two main arguments. One says that abortion is a woman's choice because it is regarding the health of her body. One says its not a matter of choice when it involves another human life. I tend to see those in favor of abortion talk about the life in the mother as just a fetus, or a clump of cells that should not be regarded as a human being until they are born. Its true that fetus is the technical term for it, but I find its misused to try to un-humanize the life inside the mother. It is many times used to try to further the argument that the "fetus" is just part of the mother so therefore its their choice to put an end to it if they want.
The debate comes down to what the person considers to be human life and also a little bit of what value they place on human life in general. I think when those in favor of abortion hear the argument against it from me all they hear is that I want to take the choice of a woman's health preferences away. They dont fully grasp my value system in that I consider the "fetus" in development process inside the womb to be fully a human being and at the same level of importance as a living, breathing innocent and decent human adult. it dosnt make sense to those who consider all abortions acceptable. Most of them value it as just a "fetus" or clump of developing cells with no value until it develops enough to be born from the mothers womb whereas i consider the fetus to be fully human and entitled to the right to life given its formation as a human being in development.
I think it comes down to ones value system. One considers the life of the unborn more important than the mothers choice. One considers a mothers choice to be able to terminate the life more important than the right to life of the unborn.
So do i consider myself an "extremist" on the issue? Of course not because my personal value system tells me so. Some people like to put me in a box as not caring for a woman's right to health choices. I simply see this matter completely differently given the involvement of another human life. Of course i am for a woman doing whatever she desires with her body. I only have concern when it is regarding the life of an unborn human being. Now in cases of when the life of the mother is at risk of course i would say do whatever is necessary to try to save both lives. I would err on saving the life of my wife however if given the absolute choice.
It mainly comes down to ones values and understanding how the other side interprets the issue of abortion. There is certainly I think a lot of mischaracterization on both sides of the argument and it will never get close to some kind of resolution until each side understands eachothers values and can translate that into some kind of common ground. Im however not expecting that to transpire anytime in the near future as long as the mischaracterization and misunderstanding exists.
