Originally Posted By Dabob2 <If they're so concerned about protecting the 'unborn', how come they have no interest in protecting the 'born'? > Barney Frank, in a great moment on the House floor, once said that "too many conservatives seem to believe that life begins at conception, and ends at birth."
Originally Posted By DAR Post 11 I feel sympathy for that situation. What I don't have any sympathy whatsoever is a woman who drinks, smokes or uses illicit drugs during her pregnancy. And I'd hope everyone would agree with me but you never know with people around here.
Originally Posted By Mr X I would certainly agree with you if you were correct, DAR. Perhaps you have no sympathy for a woman who drinks or smokes during pregnancy (I'll leave out drugs and stick to legal stuff), and I would certainly agree that it's not a good thing... But would you criminalize it? Do you think it should be against the law for a pregnant woman to drink or smoke? If so, what ELSE would you forbid pregnant women from doing? Eating poorly is certainly detrimental to the health of any fetus. Would you suggest that all pregnant women be required by law to follow a medically prescribed diet? If so, what would you suggest the penalty be? A miscarriage due to ingesting too many cookies, 5-10 years in prison? Do you SEE where this is going, DAR? If a woman is pregnant and drinks a glass of wine, has she committed a punishable crime? YES OR NO, DAR.
Originally Posted By DAR It depends on when it is during the pregnancy. A friend of mine was told by her doctor that at the end of her pregnancy it was actually okay to have one, repeat, one, repeat again, one glass of wine. But she never did. As for this: "Do you think it should be against the law for a pregnant woman to drink or smoke?" It probably shouldn't be against the law but if it leads to health problems or complications during the pregnancy then I have a big time problem with it morally. Okay ladies tell me that I have no right to be offended if a woman smokes or drinks during her pregnancy.
Originally Posted By Mr X DAR, I agree with you that it is morally reprehensible. So aren't a lot of things (like guys sleeping around and bringing herpes back to their faithful wives...that's a moral horror story if ever there was one, BUT not a criminal offense as far as I know). So, be offended all you want. The question is, should it be criminalized. What say you?
Originally Posted By DAR I already answered but I'll answer again: It probably shouldn't be against the law
Originally Posted By Mr X Wrong, DAR. It DEFINITELY shouldn't be against the law. Unless you are willing to accept laws which dictate how we treat our own bodies, male or female, pregnant or otherwise. Anything less is unjust. And a gross violation of basic privacy.
Originally Posted By Mr X It's a scary day for women in Utah (and frankly, a scary prospect for ANY American woman...if it could happen there, it could happen in your state too). <a href="http://www.alternet.org/story/145956/utah_governor_signs_controversial_law_charging_women_and_girls_with_murder_for_miscarriages" target="_blank">http://www.alternet.org/story/...arriages</a> The Governor of Utah has signed the bill into law. *sigh*
Originally Posted By Labuda First, I will NEVER spend even an instant in Utah. Never, ever, ever will I give money to that state. This new law is reprehensible. As for this, DAR: "As for this: "Do you think it should be against the law for a pregnant woman to drink or smoke?" It probably shouldn't be against the law but if it leads to health problems or complications during the pregnancy then I have a big time problem with it morally. Okay ladies tell me that I have no right to be offended if a woman smokes or drinks during her pregnancy." I'll say you have no right to be offended if the woman's doctor advises her not to stop smoking. Sure, I freaked every time I saw my friend Melanie have a cigarette during her pregnancy, but per her doctor, she was NOT supposed to quit smoking entirely because it would have been too much of a shock to her system.
Originally Posted By mele <<Okay ladies tell me that I have no right to be offended if a woman smokes or drinks during her pregnancy.>> Why feel the need to feel so offended? Does feeling like a judgmental old lady fulfill some sort of need? Pull the panties out of your butt and move on. You don't have to make judgment calls on every single thing.
Originally Posted By Labuda "You don't have to make judgment calls on every single thing." But maybe his life is more fun when he does.
