Hysterically yours, Planned Parenthood

I don't know about that, a friend's daughter had an ultrasound early in her pregnancy and the doctors discovered she had a tumor. So I wouldn't discount them out-of-hand.

And by the way, I don't wave around signs.

That's good, but I've seen many, many wave around signs outside the local abortion clinic in my town (which is the only clinic in my whole state, and which is fighting for its life under the weight of politically-motivated lawsuits to remain open).

It's their Constitutional right of free speech to protest abortion, but I still get to say I think that doing so in the vicinity of women about to undergo an emotionally wrenching and life-altering procedure is a dick move.

I am pro-life, although I make exceptions for early abortions performed to save the woman's life or in cases of rape and incest. Past the first trimester, I think the so-called "blob of cells" has developed into a human being. My opinion, of course. And I do belong to two non-Christian pro-life groups. But neither take part in sign carrying, as we believe any changes to the issue has to be accomplished through legislation, not theatrics or turf wars.

My main issue here is with Planned Parenthood as I know from personal experience how very hypocritical they are.

" As horrible as it would be to become pregnant as a result of rape and/or incest, is the murder of a baby the answer? Two wrongs do not make a right. The child who is a result of rape/incest could be given in adoption to a loving family unable to have children on their own. Again, the baby is completely innocent and should not be punished for the evil acts of its father." https://www.gotquestions.org/abortion-Bible.html

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First, I say again, a fetus is an /unborn/ baby, I dare you to deny that.

And secondly, something occurred to me yesterday. In a way, yes, you can say a fetus is not a baby, but only in the same way you can say a baby is not a teenager, and a teenager is not an adult. All of them are human beings, though.

But at only one of those stages of our lives are we physically attached to our mothers and biologically dependent upon them for literally everything.

I *do* deny that a fetus is an “unborn baby.” A fetus is a fetus. A baby isn’t a baby until it exits the womb and becomes a person. The “unborn” language is trying to make an end-run around that very critical process.

Oh please, so you're ok with abortion right up until the second it's born?

And please again, a baby doesn't become a "person" for at least half a year, often more. So post-natal abortion is ok with you?

Yes, the unborn baby is physically attached to the mother, but that's natural, and while it may often have deleterious effects on the mother's, it is rarely dangerous (in which case, of course abortion should be allowed if desired. Also in **pe cases).

And even then, that's only for nine months. In most cases, the child is afterwards /financially/ attached to the father. Many a man has worked himself to death (figuratively and literally) trying to provide for his family. Would you agree that men should be allowed what has been termed /financial/ abortions? Especially in cases when the women chose to get pregnant without the man's consent?

Also, calling the "unborn baby" term an "end-run" in no way refutes its accuracy. Calling it an end-run implicitly means you can't deny that. All you're saying is "it's true, but I don't like it, so I don't accept it."

(reposted, in case you couldn't see the reply to your deleted original comment.)

Oops, I deleted my comment again to fix a typo and failed to copy it first. It was pretty long but I'll repeat it:

People become persons when recognized as such under the United States. That's the moment of birth, when you receive your name, birth certificate, citizenship, and SSN. I realize that's a bit circular, but the attitudes of the U.S. government are at least as strong grounding for my opinions as anything you've provided. Someone in a debate with me, can't remember if it was you, cited Carl Sagan for the proposition that personhood arrives when a fetus first gains mental functions. That may be a philosophically appealing thought, but Sagan's never held elected office or been responsible for drafting legislation, or been a judge and in the difficult position of adjudicating real issues of life and death. The U.S. government however is the sum total of hundreds and thousands of legislators and judges who have been put in that very position.

I am actually okay with banning abortion in the third trimester. I wouldn't say the fetus is a person at that point, but that it's claim to life overcomes the mother's say in the matter.

No, I don't accept that "unborn baby" is accurate terminology that I simply don't like. It's a mischaracterization and an end-run.

"which is their right to do under state and federal law." The Constitution explicitly FORBIDS depriving people of life without due process.

"seeking a safe medical procedure" There is nothing medical about murder.