Breaking news: Conservative rhetoric has decided to prove that all lives matter by killing some to conserve others.
On Nov. 27, three people and a police officer were killed in a domestic terrorist attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado. While authorities have not determined what the motive of the shooting was, many speculate the white male shooter killed three people to prove that abortions are not an appropriate medical treatment for women.
Despite the controversy over Planned Parenthood allegedly selling fetal tissue from abortions, Planned Parenthood is a health clinic that provides an extensive list of services.
Abortion services are but one of the services provided by Planned Parenthood, others include STD treatment and testing, contraception, cancer screening and prevention, pregnancy testing and prenatal services, as well as adoption referral and family practice services. With this list of services, I simply don’t understand why Planned Parenthood is being attacked for its abortion services when it offers other assistance alongside.
Planned Parenthood has become the face of the abortion controversy for pro-life advocates even though it’s a service provided by numerous clinics.
There was a lot to be said about the politics of the arrest that occurred after the shooting. The white 57-year-old male was taken into custody alive after a “rampage in the parking lot,” according to officers, and killing three and wounding nine. What’s ironic about the situation is that he was not only arrested alive, he was simply labeled a shooter. If he was black, he would have most likely been shot dead and labeled a terrorist if he was a Muslim.
My favorite comment concerning the incident was by Twitter user BRios82 that stated, “Conservative logic: Life is precious. Now let’s shoot inside a Planned Parenthood & try to kill people because only abortion is murder.” It makes perfect sense to kill someone after birth for invalid reasons, but it’s outrageous and uncouth to abort a fetus due to valid reasons and circumstances.
Due to the volatile aftermath of the shooting, the Senate officially passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood on Dec. 3. No abortion clinic has been funded by the federal government since 1977 when the Hyde Amendment was first implemented.
The Hyde Amendment is a legislative provision barring the use of certain federal funds to pay for abortions with exceptions for incest and rape. The federal government refused to cover abortion in public insurance programs so it was only a matter of time before funding for Planned Parenthood ended despite the numerous other services it offers.
The fact that there is even discussion in the Senate about defunding Planned Parenthood when money cannot go to abortion services because of the Amendment is ridiculous. Stopping federal funding would do nothing but hurt the thousands of women who depend on their services. The Senate could not possibly come up with a valid reason to take away affordable health services without completely contradicting themselves.
According to CNN politics, 58 percent of Americans oppose abortion in all or most cases. Whether you are pro-life or just believe a woman should have the right of choice, it is not up to you to decide what choice another woman should make.
No woman, no person should take advice from someone who doesn’t have to live with the consequences. Mind your damn business. No matter the situation or circumstance, an abortion is not likely to be a decision made out of spite.
Some say a child’s life begins the moment it is conceived; others feel life begins the moment it is born. According to Merriam Webster, the meaning of life is the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
Take that definition and interpret it as you please, but do not impose your interpretations and ideals onto any woman who has to live with her choice.
Opinion Editor, Monica Houston
Monica is a transfer student from Norfolk State University studying English. Her dog, Furby, is an in-office celebrity and frequently attends production and meetings with Monica.
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