The "back alley abortion" myth

[themuzicman]

http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=3110&department=CWA&categoryid=life

In Aborting America, Dr. Bernard Nathanson admits:

In NARAL, we generally emphasized the drama of the individual case, not the mass statistics, but when we spoke of the latter, it was always 5,000 to 10,000 deaths a year. I confess that I knew the figures were totally false, and I suppose that the others did too if they stopped to think of it. But in the morality of our revolution, it was a useful figure, widely accepted, so why go out of our way to correct it with honest statistics?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports only 39 deaths as a result of abortion in 1972. Nathanson believes that the actual total, allowing for under-reporting, was no more than 500. While any death is a tragedy, the estimated 500 is a far cry from the so-called epidemic of deaths from back-alley abortions that fueled America's acceptance of the procedure.

© source where applicable

So, can we dispense with this claim yet? There was never an epidemic of "back alley" abortions, even when abortion was illegal, and there won't be, if abortion is made illegal again.

Michael

[Ytaker]

So, can we dispense with this claim yet? There was never an epidemic of "back alley" abortions, even when abortion was illegal, and there won't be, if abortion is made illegal again.

Michael

It's interesting to not on the graph of deaths that the number of deaths goes up in the year abortion in legalised, though it then continues to plumet as healthcare got better and better (and stronger antibiotics were found) . Most illegal abortions were done by trained physicians.

[Snarf]

http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=3110&department=CWA&categoryid=life

In Aborting America, Dr. Bernard Nathanson admits:

In NARAL, we generally emphasized the drama of the individual case, not the mass statistics, but when we spoke of the latter, it was always 5,000 to 10,000 deaths a year. I confess that I knew the figures were totally false, and I suppose that the others did too if they stopped to think of it. But in the morality of our revolution, it was a useful figure, widely accepted, so why go out of our way to correct it with honest statistics?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports only 39 deaths as a result of abortion in 1972. Nathanson believes that the actual total, allowing for under-reporting, was no more than 500. While any death is a tragedy, the estimated 500 is a far cry from the so-called epidemic of deaths from back-alley abortions that fueled America's acceptance of the procedure.

© source where applicable

So, can we dispense with this claim yet? There was never an epidemic of "back alley" abortions, even when abortion was illegal, and there won't be, if abortion is made illegal again.

Michael

I enjoy reading the futile bleatings of pro-lifers still sore about losing in 1973-face it the tyranny of control over women's bodies ain't gonna come back.

[Meh_Gerbil]

I enjoy reading the futile bleatings of pro-lifers still sore about losing in 1973-face it the tyranny of control over women's bodies ain't gonna come back.

Actually, Roe vs. Wade is being undermined all over the USA.

[Ytaker]

I enjoy reading the futile bleatings of pro-lifers still sore about losing in 1973-face it the tyranny of control over women's bodies ain't gonna come back.

Norma McCorvey (alias Jane Roe) disagrees. She believes that she was manipulated into the case by Sarah Weddington, and has turned pro-life. The laws for the protection of the unborn might come back.

Does it not worry you that the case was passed by duplicitous methods and lies, not honest scientific and philosophical discussion and fact?

[Snarf]

Actually, Roe vs. Wade is being undermined all over the USA.

You've been saying that for years-unfortunately for pro-lifers two factors exist:

1) The majority of Americans favor legalized abortion
2) Supreme Court decisions since 1973 have upheld the woman's fundamental right to an abortion

Won't change anytime soon, as it shouldn't

[Snarf]

Norma McCorvey (alias Jane Roe) disagrees. She believes that she was manipulated into the case by Sarah Weddington, and has turned pro-life. The laws for the protection of the unborn might come back.

Does it not worry you that the case was passed by duplicitous methods and lies, not honest scientific and philosophical discussion and fact?

I don't believe her, plain and simple. To have gone throught the whole process took quite a bit of dedication and action on Norma's part-she can save her "I'm a victim" speech for the choir. If she had not become born-again, would you believe her? Be honest.

I really don't know what duplicitous methods and lies you are talking about but I'm sure it went on; but in fairness I have certainly seen pro-lifers telling lies for the cause-I don't believe in the sincerity of any political extremist.
What helps tip the scales are that pro-lifers have also been known to engage in murder to further their fanatical cause-even the whackiest of the feminist nutcases like Dworkin didn't use murder to advance their cause.

[Piebald]

the tyranny of control over women's bodies

[attachment=1]
Curses! After thousands of years my reign of tyranny has finally been overthrown. You win this round, Mommy.

[Bill the Cat]

even the whackiest of the feminist nutcases like Dworkin didn't use murder to advance their cause.

Because murder IS their cause...

[Snarf]

Because murder IS their cause...

Please prove your assertion...

[Bill the Cat]

Please prove your assertion...

I've already been around and around with you on this, and you will never be convinced that an unborn baby is a person. No amount of forensic or scientific data will convince your accepting eyes that it should not be perfectly legal to kill a child in-utero, no matter what stage of development. No amount of doctor testimony will convince you. You are a willing tool of a money making machine. I value the potential life of the unborn. You value the cash making ability of the "doctors". Because of that difference, I will make my assertation again. You can dismiss it all you like, I really don't care.

Abortion is murder.

[Mujibur]

What helps tip the scales are that pro-lifers have also been known to engage in murder to further their fanatical cause-even the whackiest of the feminist nutcases like Dworkin didn't use murder to advance their cause.

On the other hand, most pro-lifers would consider every time an abortion is carried out as "using murder". So, which side is guilty of committing more murders?

[Meh_Gerbil]

You've been saying that for years-unfortunately for pro-lifers two factors exist:

1) The majority of Americans favor legalized abortion
2) Supreme Court decisions since 1973 have upheld the woman's fundamental right to an abortion

Won't change anytime soon, as it shouldn't

Whatever you say.

[Snarf]

I've already been around and around with you on this, and you will never be convinced that an unborn baby is a person. No amount of forensic or scientific data will convince your accepting eyes that it should not be perfectly legal to kill a child in-utero, no matter what stage of development. No amount of doctor testimony will convince you. You are a willing tool of a money making machine. I value the potential life of the unborn. You value the cash making ability of the "doctors". Because of that difference, I will make my assertation again. You can dismiss it all you like, I really don't care.

Abortion is murder.

And how do you value the life of the unborn? Do you support social services to help poor people who can't take care of their babies, or do you dismiss their suffering as "well it was their choice." Do you give money to help children? Do you do something to help the child's life after they are born?

Or do they cease to be deserving of your care once they are born?

Or do you just parade around mindlessly chanting pro-life, because it's what your pastor says, and because it gives you a feeling of power to try and force women to undergo a pregnancy that they don't want, just so you can show off your spiritual brownie points?

[Snarf]

On the other hand, most pro-lifers would consider every time an abortion is carried out as "using murder". So, which side is guilty of committing more murders?

Depends on how one defines "murder." I consider the death penalty to be murder too, but lots of pro-lifers seem to like it. Lots of pro-lifers also used to lynch African-Americans too, I guess they are really pro-'whatever form of human life I think is justified, (beep) the rest'