It was inevitable that pro-life/pro-choice would come up on this board, and I've been thinking a while about what I'd say at that time since it is something I feel strongly about. Here it is:

1. Harldy anyone is ambivalent about it, and often one's opinions are held vehemently.
2. There isn't really a way to make a mutually satisfactory compromise.
3. The community we have here is too valuable to throw away over an issue that has been separating friends and making enemies for more than 30 years.

I don't expect it will surprise many that I'm one of the many flavors on the pro-life side. Like many pro-life people I do believe that there is an overriding moral standard that we are held accountable to, instead of each person deciding for themselves what is right and wrong. It is not my job to enforce it, however, and I've seen in my own life and in others' how trying to usurp that role ruins relationships. I have a hunch that is why some pro-lifers come across so obnoxiously. I find it much more profitable to let people be people and accept the fact that sometimes they will do things that sadden or madden me, beside I do it to other people all the time. I can relate to KBecks, I also hope Alison doesn't terminate a pregnancy, but what if she does? If I denounce her I lose twice, I'd be cutting myself off from her friendship and support and also the atmosphere of this community would suffer greatly. What would I gain by making a stink about her choice? I really can't see any good that would come of it at all.

At the risk of sounding flippant, I'd like to ask that we agree to disagree and commit to not argue it here. It will of course come up because selective reduction is an option that many of us will need to consider at some point. It would be impossible to hide what one's decision was as the board follows the subsequent treatments, but we needn't belabor the moral aspects of it. I think we should all let that slide for the sake of the community.

- Joe