Where Will Protestors Be After the Baby Is Born?

When first hearing the term "partial birth abortion," my mind conjured up images of a tiny baby fighting its way through the birth canal and just as it sticks its little head into the world, a doctor plunges a syringe full of poison into its neck and it dies.

Based on that mental image, anyone would think the act barbaric, but I decided to postpone my final judgment until I learned more about this method of abortion.

Despite my resolve to become informed, the last time I dedicated a substantial amount of thought to partial birth abortion was late October when the U.S. Senate passed a bill proposing a ban on the practice of late term abortions. When the bill reached his desk, President George W. Bush - a long time participant in conservative anti-abortion sentiment - had his chance to secure a stronghold in the abortion fight and signed the ban into existence on Nov. 5.

"Partial birth" is a term recently developed by pro-life advocates in general reference to the abortion method medically known as Intact Dilation and Extraction. The procedure, is usually performed on women who are between 14 and 20 weeks pregnant and cannot or do not wish to carry the fetus to full-term.

Not unlike my initial mental image, the procedure does involve the partial delivery of a fetus that is dead by the time it fully leaves the womb. A description of the procedure was found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intact_dilation_and_extraction.

"In the two to three day procedure, the cervix is dilated. The fetus is delivered feet-first. The surgeon inserts a sharp object into the back of the fetus' head and inserts a vacuum tube through which the brains and its fluids are extracted. The head of the fetus contracts at this point and allows the fetus to be more easily removed from the womb."

Though one can understand the position of those who think Intact Dilation and Extraction should be regulated, the problem with the Partial Birth Abortion Act is it makes no exception for the cases in which the woman's life will be compromised by carrying the fetus to full term.

It is evident that supporters of this ban, much like all other anti-abortionists, refuse to view abortion issues with any long-term considerations. They will fight to bring a child into the world even if it will kill its mother during childbirth. But where will they be as the motherless child is thrust into a world of neglect?

They will fight to legally force an unwed, impoverished teenager to carry her child to full-term. But where will they be as both mother and child struggle to scratch out a meager existence?

An article on CNN.com describes a scene where supporters of the Partial Birth Abortion Act look on with satisfaction as Bush signs the bill saying, "Today at last the American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child."

Bush's mission statement - the rallying cry of pro-life advocates who make arguments about "saving the children" - is nothing but a farce. Saving unwanted fetuses does not equal saving children.

I'd like to see Bush and his "good ol' down home" conservative compatriots spend a few days trying to save a few unwanted fetuses who have become unwanted adolescents hardened by years of neglect and abuse. Surely, that would prove more difficult than sitting on high horses of wealth, privilege and religious beliefs and trying to have a hand in other people's lives.

Though abortion might not seem like a gift from God - even more so in late-term abortions where the technique is a little unnerving - there is always a case where it is the best solution and a no exceptions ban will do more harm than good.

Bush should take a lesson from the ramifications of his No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, where high school officials often prefer convincing less advanced students to drop out of school and enter a GED program rather than put a blot on the school's apparent progressiveness.

Instead of finding ways legally to force women to bring unwanted children into the world, Bush should concentrate on finding ways to ensure that the ones who are already here are truly getting what they need.