It’s great to see how easily somebody is swayed by right-wing rhetoric such as the words “innocent children.” The same words are used to describe juveniles on death row by the left-wing, so your point is lost on those who are educated enough to disregard political jargon. For his ability to sway Mr. Bussa’s opinion so well, I congratulate Mr. Bush for his influence on those who have no clue whatsoever about either side of a very controversial issue. Being pro-life is a viable choice. But remember, Mr. Bussa, it isn’t your body and I’m not sure you have the right to choose for the women you sleep with and accidentally impregnate. That’s the first problem I have with your offensive column in The Lantern on Monday.
My second problem with your column is the language you choose to describe a procedure you hardly understand as you are not a doctor and you’ve probably received your “facts” from articles printed in such medical journals as The Columbus Dispatch. “Whack a baby upside the head?”
In regards to the health of the mother, have you ever heard of a condition called encephalitis? The baby’s head swells to the point where it is all spinal fluid and there is no brain tissue (thus rendering the child dead). Without this “whacking a baby upside the head”, a mother would miscarry the head of this dead child, possibly rupturing her uterus and allowing poisonous spinal fluid to leak into her reproductive system. So in other words, it is imperative for a health clause to be present when banning a procedure.
This is not a black and white issue. There are two sides to it, and if you honestly believe that every person electing to get a late term abortion is misguided and “cracked out,” then go ahead and vote for Mr. Bush in 2004. Just remember that when there are no abortion rights for rape victims, no birth control for your girlfriends, and no education about safe sex in secondary schools, it was partly your doing by putting these “crusaders” in office. It’s a slippery slope, and not one I’m planning to fall down without a fight.
Lisa Freedman2003 OSU graduate in political science
