Dear Eileen, we're concerned about your husband

Dear Eileen,
We're concerned about your husband. During a recent conversation he seemed fixated on the topic of abortion.

In a rapid fire manner, he pretty much shot off the following questions to us:

Do you agree or disagree that a woman's right to choose to have an abortion is guaranteed by the US Constitution?

Do you agree or disagree that the confirmation of a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court should be filibustered on the Senate floor because of the nominee's opinion on abortion?

Do you agree or disagree that nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court should be confirmed only if their position on abortion is pro-choice?

Do you agree or disagree that states should pass laws to require parental notification in order for a girl under the age of 18 to have an abortion?

Do you agree or disagree that states should pass laws to require parental notification in order for a girl under the age of 16 to have an abortion?

The United States prohibits foreign aid money being used for abortions in countries where the abortion is done because of the sex of the fetus. Do you agree or disagree with this prohibition?


Do you agree or disagree that abortion ends a human life?

In some states, if a pregnant woman is murdered, the person committing the murder is guilty of two murders, the woman and her child. Do you agree or disagree with this law?

Do you agree or disagree that federal or state governments should finance abortions for poor women?

Do you agree or disagree that private insurance plans should be required to finance abortions in cases where the woman's life is not endangered?

Which of the following two statements comes closer to your own view - A or B?
Statement A. Parents are responsible for the welfare and health of their children. A parent should be notified if their minor daughter is seeking to have an abortion.
Statement B. There are lots of reasons why a minor might not want to tell her parents that she is seeking an abortion. There should be no mandatory parental notification for a minor seeking an abortion.

Two federal judges struck down a law prohibiting partial-birth abortion, which was passed overwhelmingly in Congress and was signed into law by President Bush, because the health of the mother was not included as an exception. Do you agree or disagree that Congress should pass another Partial-Birth Abortion law to make the procedure illegal?

Do you agree or disagree that a federal law or state laws be passed similar to the one already in place in four states, that would restrict the coverage of abortion in private insurance plans only to cases in which the woman's life is in danger if the pregnancy is carried to term?

Do you agree or disagree that a federal law or state laws should be enacted mandating that women be given counseling prior to an abortion that includes information on at least one of the following: the purported link between abortion and breast cancer, the ability of a fetus to feel pain, long-term mental health consequences for the woman and/or the availability of services and funding should the woman decide to carry the pregnancy to term?

Do you agree or disagree that a federal law or state laws should be enacted to require a woman seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours from when she goes for the abortion to when the procedure is performed so that she receives counseling?

Do you agree or disagree that more state laws should be passed, similar to the recent law passed in Missouri, which allows civil lawsuits to be filed against anyone who helps a teen obtain an abortion without parental consent?

Abortion rights groups are backing lawsuits against pharmacies who refuse to sell the "morning-after pill." Do you agree or disagree that pharmacies and pharmacists be protected against such lawsuits?

Do you think that the "morning-after" abortion pill, commercially known as Plan B, should be available over the counter or should it be available only by prescription?

Eileen, is there something we need to know?

Sincerely,
The Third Estate Sunday Review


Note that "Eileen" is Eileen Patricia McMahon, the wife of James Zogby. No, we're not worried or concerned about either Zogby. Just our way of noting that the most recent Zogby Poll, begun on March 10th, focuses on abortion and reproductive issues. Look for the results when they come out to see if there's been a major shift in public support for abortion or whether recent steps by state governments (South Dakota, Tennessee, et al) are out of line with the people of the United States. (We would argue the "out of line" angel.)

If you've spaced out this week, here's one example, from Democracy Now!, of recent state efforts to limit reproductive freedom:

South Dakota Gov. Signs Near-Total Abortion Ban
In South Dakota, Governor Mike Rounds has signed legislation to ban all abortions in the state, unless they're performed to save the life of the woman. Rounds said he expects a lengthy court battle over the new law. The measure comes as a similar effort is moving ahead in the state of Mississippi.