Attack at Planned Parenthood Clinic

[Aractus]

Tib there are a few things I have to take issue with.

I would argue the fetus already has the right to use someone else's body, because the reproductive system is specifically "designed" for that purpose.

I think we can pretty much agree on that, however for a foetus to have a right to life it also has to be uniquely living (nor merely made up of a bunch of living cells). By 8 weeks of gestation the human foetus is indistinguishable from an animal foetus, and brain activity doesn't begin until after ~20 weeks of gestation. If an adult human being is alive with no brain activity it is legal grounds for unplugging them from life-support, and it doesn't require any provisions for euthanasia. Therefore, before 20 weeks of gestation we can reasonably say that the foetus is not yet fully alive. So I do have an ethical problem from 20 weeks (and note that in most places abortion is legal up to 22 weeks), however it should be noted that the majority of abortions are performed before 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Very comfortable, if done for the right reasons. In fact, the government already does tell me what I cannot do with my private parts: it's illegal to piss in public. I'm fine with that; I understand why it's illegal.

Really? Why is public urination illegal Tib?

The problem with criminalising abortion is the same problem with criminalising other victimless crimes, such as prostitution. People are still going to do it - yes perhaps only a fraction of those who would do it when it's legal, but those who opt to do it illegally will have to use less than safe practises, run the risk of infection or other medical complications, and worst of all they might be gaoled for the offence. Even if you don't believe that people should ever choose abortions, we live in the real world and letting people have that choice, and proving a safe environment without labelling them as criminals is much better than the alternative.