Abortion: Definition of "Homicide"

I was quite shocked when I discovered these laws. They have to do with crimes of homicide of an unborn child. Each state has its own rules, laws, regulations, etc. Here is an example of one, which is from my home state of Minnesota:

Since 1986 the killing of an "unborn child" at any stage of prenatal development is murder (first, second, or third degree) or manslaughter (first or second degree). It is also a felony to cause the death of an "unborn child" during the commission of a felony. Minn. Stat. Ann. §§609.266, 609.2661- 609.2665, 609.268(1) (West 1987). The death of an "unborn child" through operation of a motor vehicle is criminal vehicular operation. Minn. Stat. Ann. §609.21 (West 1999).

States with similar laws: Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Other states consider the death of a "viable child" to be a crime:

Florida: The unlawful killing of an "unborn quick child" is murder in the same degree as if committed against the mother. [Fla. Stat. Ann. § 782.09 (West 2005)]. Other provisions cover the killing of an "unborn quick child" as manslaughter [Fla. Stat. Ann § 782.09 (West 2005)], vehicular homicide [Fla. Stat. Ann. § 782.071 (West 1999)], and DUI manslaughter [Fla. Stat. Ann. § 316.193 (West 2005)]. Under Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 316.193 and 782.09, the term "unborn quick child" is the same as the term "viable fetus," which is defined in the following way: "... a fetus is viable when it becomes capable of meaningful
life outside the womb through standard medical measures." [Fla. Stat. Ann § 782.071 (West 2005)].

States with similar laws: Arkansas, California, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington.

[Source: http://www.nrlc.org/Unborn_victims/Statehomicidelaws092302.html ]

So, here's my question: Doesn't it seem like, in these states, abortion is technically already illegal? (In the second list of states, late-term abortions only.) I don't quite understand how abortionists are getting away with it.

You don't have to have picked a side to see that there seems to be some sort of problem here.

Nowhere in these laws does it say that it matters if the mother wants the child or not. It just says that causing its death is a crime.

Abortion: Rape, Incest, and Birth Defects

I could talk for hours strait about all the reasons why abortion is wrong. Seriously. So I said to myself, "Self, you should write all these reasons in your blog." So here I go.

Today I shall talk about rape, incest, and birth defects. These are some of the touchier subjects having to do with abortion. Even many pro-life people believe these circumstances should be exceptions. But I am here to tell you that they are not. And here's why.

First of all, I would like to say that I would not wish any of these situations upon anyone. People affected by them need our prayers and care. This care, however, should not include abortion.

Second, perhaps not many people know that these are not reasons why many women get abortions. In fact, only 1% of abortions in the United States are performed because of rape or incest, and another 1% are performed because of fetal abnormalities. Therefore, if this is your argument for keeping abortion legal, you're missing the big picture. Most abortions are performed as a form of birth control, because a baby would be inconvenient.
[Source: http://www.abortiontv.com/Misc/AbortionStatistics.htm#Why Abortions Are Performed]


Rape:

Okay, so we all know rape is awful, horrendous, disgusting, horrible, and various other negative adjectives. Besides the immediate physical effects of rape, the psychological and emotional effects cause many women to require professional help. Possible effects include eating disorders, nightmares, insomnia, sexual problems, depression, anxiety, phobias, withdrawl from friends and family, self-injury, rage, and suicide. Tragically, one-third of people who have been raped consider suicide, and 17% actually attempt to kill themselves. Rape is truly a heinous crime.
[Sources: http://www.rainn.org/get-information/effects-of-sexual-assault/rape-trauma-syndrome , http://www.paar.net/103]

As bad as rape is, I have to make one point (pay very close attention!!): Abortion does not make you un-raped. I cannot stress this enough. An abortion only adds to the trauma caused by the rape. In fact, the symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome (a scientifically documented condition) are nearly identical to those of rape. These include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, social withdrawl, nightmares, anxiety, forgetfullness, fatigue, irritability, depression, eating disorders, alcohol/drug abuse, increase in tobacco use, sexual dysfunction, child neglect/abuse, chronic relationship problems, and suicidal thoughts/suicide.
[Sources: http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/post-abortion-symptoms-faq.htm , http://www.abortionfacts.com/reardon/post_abortion_syndrome_character.asp]

Here's the thing: just because that child was concieved during an evil crime, that does not mean the baby itself is evil! Rape has horrible effects on a woman; why should it go further and punish an unborn child who has done nothing wrong? You might think that baby is "unwanted" because it was concieved in rape, but this is simply untrue. Millions of couples (that's right, millions) are waiting to adopt because they cannot concieve. A rape victim can transcend their trauma by creating something beautiful from something evil: by giving a couple a beautiful child that otherwise would not be there for them to love and care for.


Birth Defects:

I suppose this can include any sort of fetal abnormalities like Down's syndrome, mental retardation, chronic or terminal diseases, congenital defects, etc. Fun fact: in children who are prenatally diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, 90% or more are aborted. Go ahead, read that sentence again. Soak it in. 90%. Now, why do you think this is so? Mercy on the child? Do the parents tell themselves, "Who would want to live with Down's Syndrome?" Who are they to judge that? Honestly, I think that they are really thinking, "How am I going to raise a child with Down's Syndrome?? I don't want to do that!" So they don't. In other words, they are being selfish. I'll say it again: SELFISH.
[source: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/65500197/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0]

Again, I would like to point out that maybe the pregnant parents do not want to raise a child with Down's Syndrome, or any other birth defect for that matter, but there are millions of couples waiting to adopt who would be happy to raise one of these children.

Now, Down's Syndrome is not terminal, but what about in the case of deadly diseases? Would it be better to end the child's life before it is born? Here I would like to refer you to this story of a young couple and their son Eliot. Eliot had Edward's Syndrome, a genetic disorder which is fatal. His parents could have aborted him, but they didn't. Judge for yourself if they should have or not. http://infectingtheworldwithlove.blogspot.com/2009/01/99-days-to-live.html Be sure to watch the video. (There is a link to it at the bottom of the post.)


Incest:

I saved this for last because it is essentically a combination of the previous two issues, since it is rape by a family member which has the potential for many fetal abnormalities.


If I am not being objective, politely let me know. But I believe these are all valid arguments. I have included sources to back up my argument. If I have convinced you, please let me know.

Whether you are pro-life or not, I am praying for you.

Squirrely Thoughts

Living on campus has given me a new appreciation for squirrels.

Don't get me wrong, they're still technically vicious wild rodents that carry diseases and things. I avoid getting too close to them.

But honestly, they're kind of adorable. The ones on campus have probably been there their whole lives so they are used to being in close proximity with people. They won't get too close, but they're pretty comfortable being 5 feet away from me if I don't act like I want to eat them.

They are devious little creatures. They like to hang out under benches and tables and in trash cans because they're smart and they know where food is.

Except I saw one squirrel who decided that a ball of plastic wrap would be a nice treat. I tried to scare it so it wouldn't choke and die, but it shoved the plastic in its mouth and ran off. I yelled after it, "Hey! Don't blame me when you fall out of that tree after you choke! ...stupid squirrel."

The other day I saw a squirrel gathering... nuts or acorns or something... and I saw that it had a flabby belly and big nipples and I was like "awww... it has babies!" My brother said that back home two baby squirrels fell out of their nest so their mom picked them up in her mouth and hid them under a leaf while she built a new nest. Also, apparently baby squirrels cry. Who'da thunk it??

I feel like no one else appreciates the squirrels, much less notice their existence. Except, of course, when they jump out of a trash can when we walk by and scare the living daylights out of us.

Academia

Here's what I think. Say there is a question that needs to be answered.

Math is like this: You can solve the problem a couple different ways, but you get the same answer no matter what.

English is like this: Everyone's answers are different and some of them might not be correct but most of them are because they involve opinions. All you have to do is back up your answer and you can say whatever you want. But if you can't back up your opinion, then you just sound stupid and everything you say is wrong.

Science is like this: I can do the exact same thing 20 different times and get completely different results each time. And then I change the procedure and get a billion different variations, most of which are wrong anyways. So my final answer is only a theory which hasn't been proven, it just hasn't been disproven my the experiments.

Well, that sounded a little whiny. Honestly, science is my favorite, probably because it is a bit annoying. It's hard to discover something new, and extremely rewarding when it does happen. But math is a lot easier because there's one right answer and that's it. Ta Daa.

And here is a cute picture that I think is funny.

WTF, ITF?!

So. Before I left the nest and went off to college, I studied Tae Kwon Do in my lovely hometown. I started about 3 years ago and went through some colorful belts. I was at red belt when I left.

So. There is a Tae Kwon Do club at my university so I figured I would join since I like the martial art. Plus, I really don't enjoy any other form of exercise, which is kind of important if I want to be healthy.

So. I'm no expert, but I know some stuff about different styles of martial arts and things like that. The style I practiced back home was a branch of taekwondo called the International Taekwondo Federation and a branch of the ITF called Choong Sil Taekwondo. I won't get too detailed past that, but there you have it.

So. I go to a student recreational center for a class and I learn that they are from the other branch of taekwondo called the World Taekwondo Federation [which is, entertainingly, commonly refered to at the WTF]. Anyone that starts there begins as a white belt, regardless of past experience. I don't mind this, especially since the WTF has completely different forms/patterns and stuff. So after watching one class I decide to join.

So. Here's what I'm getting at. It can't speak for all of the ITF or all of the WTF, but the two schools that I have attended are SO DIFFERENT!!! I mean, it's called taekwondo, but I feel like I'm learning a completely different martial art. And now I would like to point out some differences between the two styles. [Again, I can't speak for each organization as a whole. Just as a disclaimer.]

1. Importance of Tecniques: ITF-- focus on accuracy, self-control, and proper execution. Then one adds power and speed. WTF-- the first thing you work on is speed and power. power is most important. proper execution is important, but my instructor said today "if you have a question about your move, the answer is power." haha

2. Back Stance: ITF-- "back stance" is an L-stance. feet make a 90 degree angle. weight distribution is roughly 40% on front leg, 60% on back leg. WTF-- back stance has heels in line with eachother. feet make 130 degree angle. front leg's heel does not touch the ground. weight distribution is roughly 10% on front leg, 90% on back leg.

3. Chambering: ITF-- when doing a series of blocks, the arm that just blocked moves to help chamber (ie: prepare for) the next block. WTF-- the arm that just blocked stays where it is until the next block is done.

4. Even the bowing is different!! ITF-- to bow ("kyung nae") the feet are together and parallel. hands flat to side of leg. bow keeping the eyes up. WTF-- heels are together with feet making 45 degree angle. hands are in fists at side. bow and lower your eyes. [I think this is stupid. Who takes their eyes off their opponent??!]

5. Side Kick (lead leg): ITF-- back foot steps next to front foot. front foot kicks. land. ta daa. WTF--back foot steps in front of and over front foot ie: for a moment your legs are crossed. front (now back) foot kicks. land. ta da. [again, I think this is silly because if a person kicked you in your center of gravity when your legs were crossed, you would fall over. I believe they do this to gain more momentum and speed and, therefore, power.

6. Knifehand Guarding Blocks: I really don't know if I can explain it in words, but the two styles are completely different. I'm having the most trouble adjusting to this new way of chambering. (I know this is just in the school I'm at, not the whole WTF.)

There are a million other things that are different. Honestly, the only thing that isn't different at all is the front stance and a generic punch. Everything else is at least slightly different.

Well, that was kind of therapeutic, almost venting about how learning new things is hard. Hope that wasn't totally boring or over your head.

Postcards and the Sun

I sent a postcard to PostSecret today. I made three. I wanted to send them all, but then [somehow] I decided that I'd have a better chance of one getting online if I sent them in different weeks. Honestly, I don't know how logic came to that conclusion, but whatever.

The weather today was glorious. I was lying in the grass with my hands behind my head, soaking in the sunshine, thinking "I must have been a cat in another life." And I wrote this little poem in my head:

This sunny day.
The warmth of the sun.
The feel of the grass.
The shade of this tree.
Nothing else is important.

It was extra wonderful because it has been raining in Nashville every day for two weeks. No joke. But now it is clear clear clear!! Hoorah. I want to climb a tree soon... It shall be done!!

First Post

So, this blog is going to be about what I think. I'm not sure what about. Probably whatever I want. People think a lot, you know.

At any rate, this should be fun. Hopefully I'll be interesting too.

So, some background information on me: [ie: things you have to deal with if you read my blog]

• I'm Catholic. So I believe in God and all that jazz. If you don't, that's fine. But we don't have to talk about it.
• I don't like politics, really. I feel like people focus more on pleasing their party than on the good of the nation.
• I'm not really politically correct. Deal with it.
• I'm pretty morbid. I like things that you think are gross.
• I don't like stupid people. At all. So don't post stupid comments. Or I will judge you.
• I'll try not to bash your beliefs, as long as you try not to bash mine.

Well, now that we've got that out of the way, the fun can begin.