Political prowess: abortion
By Jessica Mae, Behind the Scenes Staff Writer
May 5, 2007 | 7:06 a.m.
An April 18 ruling by the Supreme Court, which upheld a law banning late-term abortions is considered a victory by pro-life supporters; however, the divided 5-4 ruling suggests the abortion debate continues to fume, even on Ohio University's campus.
The Roe v. Wade decision is a key ruling that most students are familiar with from their high school U.S. History courses. However, the recent appointments of Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, as well as the April ruling, worry pro-choice supporters that in the future the Roe v. Wade decision will be overturned.
Although the Supreme Court House is miles away from Athens, students at OU are not indifferent to this political, and perhaps social debate. In a survey of 68 OU students, 18 students responded that they were pro-life and 50 were pro-choice.
Views from Religion
Education major Steffanie Call, a Mormon, draws her views about abortion from religion.
"The baby can’t choose for itself, so it’s unfair to end their life," Call commented.
Call is very religious and bases her views on the Ten Commandments as well as her own morals.
"If you have an abortion, God knows, and he will judge you for taking a life," Call said.
Call does, however, understand the reality of unwanted pregnancies, but feels there are other alternatives for the mother.
"There are so many private adoption agencies that can help, and I’ve heard that families looking to adopt will even pay the mother her whole pregnancy and give her whatever she needs. There are other ways besides taking the baby’s life," Call remarked.
View from Democrats and Republicans
OU Dems President Rob Dorans declared "we are the pro-choice party." However, it’s not always so simple. As in every party, Democratic politicians and citizens are divided on this issue, reflecting the greater division of the population not only of the U.S., but the world as well.
"From the National Committee (of the Democratic Party) all the way down to County Committees, we believe in the right to privacy and if you choose to have an abortion it isn’t the government’s business," Dorans said.
Dorans draws his views from former President Bill Clinton, who said that abortions should be "safe, legal, and rare" and the OU Dems work to find and support candidates who also follow that philosophy.
Dorans also wants clear up the misconception that pro-choice supporters want abortions.
"Unfortunately a lot of people don’t understand what pro-choice means. Pro-choice does not equal pro-abortion," Dorans explained.
Dorans adds that keeping someone from having an abortion just because he or she finds it morally wrong is completely unfair and not just.
"What I think needs to be stressed is birth control education and provide birth control so that there are less abortions," said Dorans.
OU Republicans president Jordan Carr disagrees with Dorans and the pro-choice supporters, but similar to the Democratic party, acknowledges the differing views within the Republican party.
"In general, the Republican party tries to espouse a view of the sanctity (of life) and the pro-life movement is the embodiment of that," Carr said.
Carr remarked that Republicans never want to see the loss of lives of the innocent, and that abortion clearly takes an innocent person’s life.
"What could be more innocent than a child? Especially one that isn’t even born; abortion is morally wrong," Carr explained.
Carr also describes the differentiation within the Republican Party.
"Hardcore pro-life supporters would like to see the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some think it isn’t possible and just want to work within the states, and others, while against abortion, don’t think the government should tell people what to do," Carr said.
View from a Pro-choice Supporter
Graduate student Kevin Kondik is very supportive of the pro-choice movement and stresses the freedom for people to do what they want without the government constantly interfering.
"I am in favor of abortion, certainly when it pertains to rape. I don’t think any God wants a child to be born from a rape and although I do admire women who raise a child from rape, they should have the choice to have the baby, give it to adoption, keep it or have an abortion," Kondik explained.
Kondik’s support for abortion is not simply limited to those women who have been raped but unwanted pregnancies in general.
"Children are brought into this world when they shouldn’t be and there are a lot of unwanted pregnancies. People are going to have sex no matter what and if a pregnancy results, the family should have the option to terminate the pregnancy," Kondik said.
Despite Kondik’s more liberal views, he looks at abortion as a last resort.
"Absolutely there should be more birth control and it should be available without a prescription so we don’t even get to the point where an abortion would be an option," Kondik remarked.
Abortion is not an issue that can be unraveled in the span of a Speakeasy article, nor should it be. Views on abortion are personal and ought not to be taken lightly, without thought or information. With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the future laws on abortions are uncertain, making this a critical time for all citizens to either support pro-life politicians or lobby politicians to prevent the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The next article takes a look at gun control, an issue made more volatile by the recent shooting at Virginia Tech University.