Abortion Debate and the New Pill

Thomas’ anti-abortion piece was an unfortunate example of the transparent hypocrisy all too often used by those who want to impose their personal moral views on other members of our free society.

Thomas pretends to be distressed that “the United States has never had a national debate on abortion” and pretends to prefer a decision by the people, rather than “non-elected” federal judges.

It is clear to anyone who has been living on this planet for the past two decades that the United States has had a long-term, in-depth and soul-wrenching debate on abortion. It is also clear that the people have decided the issue--again and again. Opinion polls consistently show that a substantial majority of Americans, including many who personally oppose abortion, believe in the right of individuals to make that personal moral decision for themselves. Thomas’ apparent unwillingness to accept that does not change the facts.

Speaking from a position of self-justified moral authority, Thomas is totally indifferent to any pain that would result from his views being imposed on others without their consent. He dismisses out of hand the very real suffering of many unwanted or unplanned for children; and he objects to an abortion-inducing drug because it “would be less traumatic to a pregnant woman’s body than surgical abortion.” In other words, those who choose to depart from his moral views should be made to suffer. This is a voice of tyranny, unsuited to a free society.

Rather than pretending to be distressed that there has been no debate, it would have been far more honest for Thomas to admit that the only debate he wants is one in which everyone agrees with him.

K. PHILLIP KNIERIM

Los Angeles