Abortion: Where do Pro-lifers go from Here?

Throughout the past four years the pro-lifers, including our outspoken president George W. Bush have tirelessly and uncompromisingly fought for an overturning of the 1989 Roe v. Wade decision. With a marginally conservative Congress and very supportive president, it seemed that if ever the possibility was realistic, it was then. Yet, despite their valiant and constant efforts, somehow, the right to lifers seemed to miss their eight year window of opportunity to right the wrongs of what they saw as national murder. Indeed this reality must have come as a shocking blow, yet undoubtedly the future is sure to lower pro-life confidence levels even more. As we are all well aware, both the law making and law enforcing branches of government have been freshly reorganized to take on a new and unsympathetic attitude toward the pro-life movement. In short, the future seems dim...

With little to no hope for overriding Roe V. Wade or even limiting the availability of abortions to the public, what is the pro-life camp to do? Most of those who hold this anti-abortion viewpoint draw it from very deep spiritual or ethical convictions that will not be easily compromised. However, few promising options will be offered for pro-lifers for at least four years, probably more. To many, it would be an unrealistic, unproductive, and ultimately wasteful endeavor to continue to fight for something that simply can not happen. These pragmatics offer more reasonable options. Drawing from the statistic that clearly links abortion to poverty, they suggest that pro-lifers divert their efforts to social, rather than legal battles. They argue that if poverty were limited, abortions would in turn decrease.

In my opinion, this suggestion on it's own is a good one. It can not be disproved that more abortions occur in places where mothers have fewer financial options. Undoubtedly increased emphasis on social justice would limit the number of abortions annually, ultimately saving hundreds, even thousands of lives. Indeed the results of this very tangible possibility are obvious and promising. For this reason I feel that, given new political circumstances, this new avenue needs to be further explored. However, this does not mean that the seemingly impossible goal of eliminating the practice of abortion should be abandoned. All social movements suffer setbacks, but only those that persevere ultimately succeed.

What's With The Dog?

Now it may just be me and my innate unfamiliarity with the post election intentions of president elects, but throughout the past week I have found myself increasingly enthralled with the amount of cold hard print, web space and airtime that have been so outlandishly devoted to the supposedly pressing question of naming the promised and long awaited presidential pooch. I have repeatedly found this topic making headlines all over the media, taking its place among articles discussing such pressing national controversies as the economic crisis, war in the Middle East, and the proposed Fairness Doctrine. As a proud dog owner I can certainly enthusiastically relate to the Obama family and their anticipation of their very first pawed pet. Indeed they should continue to joyously proclaim their search for that perfect puppy. However, I just can't help but wonder if the front page is the best place to do it.

In his prophetic book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, the late author and media expert Dr. Neil Postman addressed the pressing problem of a growing number of simply irrelevant and unnecessary news items that the media chooses flash before us day after day. His reason for this influx of "junk" information is the media's late shift toward an entertainment industry. They have made it their primary goal to provide a source of sensory stimulation, not productive discourse. In my opinion this entire discussion regarding Obama's dog search is just that. Sure, it may tug at the heartstrings of some Americans and impress those dog lovers in the crowd. However, I believe this topic is taking up space in the media that should be reserved for more pressing matters. The president is adopting a dog. Good for him! Moving on.....