Introduction
Ths issue of abortion has been constantly in the news ever since the US Supreme Court reversed their original 1973 "Roe v Wade" abortion decision on June 23, 2022. It goes without saying, that abortion is a highly controversial topic. As independent journalists, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at this issue. Please note that
This website is not associated with or supported financially, in any way, by any "abortion-rights" organization or political organization or political party. Likewise, this website is not associated with or supported financially, in any way, by any "anti-abortion" or conservative group or political organization, or political party.
, that may favor abortion restrictions.
AI:
We felt that it is important to maintain independence and impartiality when reporting on this issue. By remaining unbiased and not being associated with any particular organization or political party, this website can provide an objective view of the issue, presenting facts and different perspectives without any external influence. We believe that this approach can help readers make informed decisions based on the information presented.
AI:
In highly polarized issues such as abortion, it can be challenging for people to listen to opposing viewpoints and engage in respectful dialogue. However, it's important to remember that understanding different perspectives can lead to more meaningful and productive conversations. It's okay to have strong beliefs, but being open to hearing and considering different viewpoints can help build empathy and understanding, and ultimately lead to more constructive discussions and solutions.
To get this report right, we knew we had to put aside our own particular biases and to follow the facts, as best we could, wherever that took us. In the end, we felt that it was more important to report what we found and to let our readers decide for themselves.
For many of you, after reviewing the information presented on this website, your opinions about abortion may change, as it has for many of us who have come to a better understanding of how this issue came to be and has evolved over the years.
we plan to make this website a place where
this will be an on-going report of what we find as this issue is still being decided and debated to this very day, almost 50 years after the original decision, and we welcome data and meaningful insight on this issue.
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, decided in 1973, established a woman's constitutional right to abortion.
, but at the same time, said that states may be able to restrict abortion
The decision held that the right to an abortion is protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, but that this right is not absolute and must be balanced against the state's interest in protecting the health of the woman and the potentiality of human life. It should be noted
You are correct
that the meaningful restrictions on abortion established in the Roe v. Wade decision were not highly specific. Some would say the restrictions were quite vague.
What most people may be unaware of, is that the Supreme Court's decision in Doe v. Bolton, which was decided on the same day as Roe v. Wade, is often overlooked in discussions of abortion rights. The decision established a broad definition of "health" that includes not only physical health, but also emotional, psychological, and familial health.
The Court held that a woman's health includes all factors that are relevant to her well-being, and that a decision to have an abortion should be based on the woman's individual circumstances. This definition of "health" effectively invalidated many of the restrictions on abortion that were established in Roe v. Wade, as it allowed women to seek abortions for a wide range of reasons beyond those related to their physical health.
What most people may be unaware of, is that the Supreme Court also decided a second abortion related decision later that very same day. The Supreme Court's decision in "Doe v. Bolton" is often overlooked in discussions of abortion rights. In Doe v. Bolton, the Supreme Court established a broad definition of "health" (which was mentioned in the original "Roe" decision) that includes not only physical health, but also emotional, psychological, and familial health. This definition effectively invalidated many of the restrictions on abortion that were established in Roe v. Wade, as it allowed women to seek abortions for a wide range of reasons beyond those related to their physical health.
However, most people are unaware that those so-called "restrictions" established in the "Roe" decision were, in essence, gutted by the Supreme Court's "Doe vs Bolton" decision, that was decided later that very same day. Of course, all that changed on June 23, 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court reversed its original Roe v. Wade decision, allowing individual states to restrict or ban abortion in certain circumstances.
The debate over abortion centers around a number of issues.
, including the rights of the fetus, the health and safety of the mother, and the ethical and moral implications of terminating a pregnancy. Those who support abortion argue that a woman should have the right to control her own body and make decisions about her own reproductive health, while opponents of abortion argue that the fetus has a right to life and that abortion is morally wrong.
Those who favor "abortion rights" argue that access to safe and legal abortion services is crucial for women's health and well-being, that the decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal one that should be left to the individual woman, and that access to accurate information and a range of reproductive health care options is essential to ensure that women can make the best decision for themselves and their families. They also say that restricting or banning abortion would force women to resort to unsafe and potentially life-threatening methods of terminating a pregnancy, which could result in serious injury, or possibly even death.
Opponents of abortion argue that the fetus is a living human being with a right to life, and that abortion is morally wrong. They contend that society has a duty to protect the lives of the unborn, and that abortion represents a failure to uphold this duty. They also object to taxpayer funding for abortion services, arguing that it forces them to support a practice that they find morally objectionable. Many individuals and groups believe that there should be certain restrictions or regulations in place to govern the practice of abortion, as well as a smaller segment who believe that abortion is never morally justifiable, regardless of the circumstances.
A common argument put forward by proponents of abortion rights, which many "main-stream" media sources has appeared to adopt, say that the decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal one that should be left to the individual woman, and that access to accurate information and a range of reproductive health care options is essential to ensure that women can make the best decision for themselves and their families. They also stress the importance of ensuring that women have access to safe and legal abortion services, so that they are not forced to resort to unsafe and potentially life-threatening methods of terminating a pregnancy, which may cuase serious injury, or even death.
It's worth noting, however, that not everyone shares this view.
In response to the recent Supreme Court "DOBBS" decision, in which they reversed their original "Roe vs Wade," approximately 6 states have since codified "Roe" language into their state's constitution, to keep abortion legal with little or no restrictions. At the same time, approximately 19 states have passed legislation which they believe puts into place meaningful abortion restrictions which provide protections not only for the unborn, but for the mother as well.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed, and may contribute in the future, to this website in any way. Our reporting on abortion has been broken down into separate tabs/pages, though we realize some of these topics intertwine with each other. We plan to continually add new content to this website, so we encourage you to periodically visit this site. As well, we seek and welcome the submission of factual informative that can be verified, as well as thought-provoking articles and information about abortion, and to make that information available on this site.
***good to here****
We have found many times that when certain individuals, or representatives of "abortion-rights" organizations, are asked serious questions about abortion, we are told that "It's important to note that the issue of abortion is complex and multifaceted, and that there are many different perspectives and beliefs on the matter." They also tell us that "...regardless of one's personal beliefs or opinions on the matter, access to safe and legal abortion services is essential for women's health and well-being," and that "..women who are unable to access safe and legal abortions may resort to unsafe and potentially life-threatening methods, leading to serious health complications and even death."
(Add something here about shady pro-life claims or actions???)
We will look into all such claims from both sides of this issue, but before we do, a few quick things to mention.
This website is not associated with or supported financially, in any way, by any abortion-rights organization or political organization or political party. Likewise, this website is not associated with or supported financially, in any way, by any "conservative" group or political organization, or political party, that may favor abortion restrictions.
Journalists who have been covering the abortion issue for a long time are aware of an article the Los Angeles Times did many years ago that asked the question whether or not the media had a bias in favor of abortion rights, and for the most part, their findings said that they did (read here). This is very understandable since abortion is legal, and Americans have a long history of defending individual freedoms and speaking up for freedom of "Choice," whatever that choice may be.
We think it is safe to say that the majority of journalists, and perhaps more importantly, the media outlets they represent (as well as most Americans for that matter), believe that abortion rights are important and may feel, with many states now passing, or trying to pass, some form of restrictions to access to abortion, that they have an obligation to protect those "rights." Because of this, it is easy to understand why the media would rather not present abortion, and those organizations that promote access to abortion, in a negative light. But we are beginning to see a change in this attitude.
But what about those media sources or organizations that identify as being conservative or "pro-life," or at least believe that the way the "Roe vs Wade" decision was made was done in error. These sources and journalists say that we shouldn't downplay the significance of the claim from those who favor restrictions, or oppose abortion outright, that abortion takes the life of a innocent living human being, and that government has a responsibility to protect human life.
A-me3:
To get this report right, we knew we had to put aside our own particular biases and to follow the facts, as best we could, wherever that took us. It's important to recognize that people have different perspectives and beliefs on this issue, and that it's essential to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn. It's also valuable to acknowledge that our opinions and beliefs can change over time as we gain new information and insights.
In the end, we felt that it was more important to report what we found and to let our readers decide for themselves. For many of you, after reviewing the information presented on this website, your opinions about abortion may change, as it has for many of us who have come to a better understanding of how this issue came to be and has evolved over the years.
AI3:
It's commendable that you have made a commitment to follow the facts and present a balanced view of the issue of abortion. It's important to recognize that people have different perspectives and beliefs on this issue, and that it's essential to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn. It's also valuable to acknowledge that our opinions and beliefs can change over time as we gain new information and insights. I hope that your ongoing report will provide a valuable resource for people seeking to better understand this complex issue.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed, and may contribute in the future, to this website in any way. Our reporting on abortion has been broken down into separate tabs/pages, though we realize some of these topics intertwine with each other. We plan to continually add new content to this website, so we encourage you to periodically visit this site. As well, we seek and welcome the submission of informative and thought-provoking articles and information about abortion, and to make that information available on this site.
For some, viewing this website may be a "eye-opener." For others, it may be a little more subtle discovery or better understanding of what you may have already known about abortion. Regardless of your previous knowledge or understanding of abortion, it is clear that abortion has grown into an extremely powerful and lucrative industry with an annual income of $1.6 billion (and growing), and we believe that it is important that this website exists as a central location where such information can be gathered and presented.
Note: It has been accepted by most reputable news organizations, as for our website as well, to refer to those who are on both sides of the abortion issue as being either "pro-choice" or "pro-life." This appears to be the most accepted terminology when reporting on the subject of abortion.
** ** **
