Of course, fewer abortions ought to be the goal of both sides. The culture has seemed to move away from the radical pro choice mantra which sought to act like having an abortion has no moral difference to having a lance removed. Both sides need to address the cultural acceptance of casual sex, which is a main driver in the need for abortion. I remember many years ago, as a teen, having an abortion was relatively cheap and easy. That made casual sex easier, and the need for birth control less important. What was missing then, was the taboo that makes us all avoid behaviors that are morally wrong. If both sides can work to bring back the taboo of unmarried pregnancy, we all would be better off.

This piece is a nice start on encouraging honest and thoughtful conversation about the topic. There are a couple of angles that need to be brought into the equation sooner rather than later. First, there is the fundamental problem that making abortions illegal will not eliminate them, it will only make them less safe, by forcing them into the shadows of society. It will create a massive black market, populated by people who could, potentially, be less scrupulous than those who now take the care necessary to provide legal procedures. Another piece of the puzzle which needs more attention is that there are many people who have had to terminate pregnancies who are older, married, and stable citizens. Those pregnancies have needed termination because of physical challenges for the mother. The decision was made with great heartache, and not on a whim. Social stigma has left those people in an unsupportive system. The common image that all abortions are helping irresponsible teenagers is a fallacy.

As long as sex is considered to be primarily a source of pleasure and secondarily a source of life, it does no good to ban abortion. Consider what we would be like if food was considered primarily a source of pleasure and secondarily a source of nutrition. Without appitites, we would neither eat nor procreat, however those appetites are necessary for both. It is when we misunderstand their purpose that we get in trouble. Put these in the right order and there would be very few unwanted pregnancies.

Once the forced birth movement admits that their real priority is controlling female sexuality, then perhaps a real conversation could begin, but I doubt it.

The 65 year old may not be interrested in procreation, however the point is that unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortions are the result of sex for pleasure but without procreation as an option. As long as that attitude exists, then there will be unwanted pregnancies, and then abortions. When that attitude changes, then unwanted pregnancies will deminish. I assume that we are not worried about the 65 year old.

This individual is an excellent writer. He is making a cogent point while discussing some of the unrealistic expectations of anti-abortion activists. Well done.

you will not get help from this administration because Pres. Obama believes in late term abortion, he voted 3 times to save the life of a baby born after an abortion.  But then the baby was not killed by a crazy gunman but a doctor and mother's choice.

Good article, only comment I have is rather trivial, but important because your statement:

"the equivalent of asking NRA members to say “yes, let’s get automatic weapons off the street.” " is inaccurate.

"Automatic" weapons have been rigidly controlled for years and years.  Licensing is extremely strict.  I believe the regulations came into effect about 1934 and were further refined around 1964.  Automatic weapons that may be "on the street" have either been stolen from government stockpiles or smuggled into the country.  Rarely, one is stolen from a fully licensed owner.

I am sure you meant to say "semi-automatic", and then you would in fact meet with extreme resistance from NRA members, for good reason.

ObamaCare should have a big impact on public health issues--from less controversial items such as communicable diseases to unwanted pregnancies--becuase it makes preventative measures like vaccination and contraception available without a copay.  The next problem is distribution and education: making sure people can get the services they need and that they know how to use them.

kate2468 says this "attitude" has not changed for thousands of years but I would assert that it changed with the advent of easy birth control.  No more jousting works too.

The language of sex in this country, at this time, is stilted and awkward. It seems to be either adolescent, or one sided, or judgemental. If we agree that noone wants an abortion, can we then agree that everyone wants sex. If that is the case we should be comfortable role modeling positive sexual behavior. Otherwise the power of sex in a loving relationship is apt to be perverted by public misconception and inaccurate language. This is an issue for society to deal with, not avoid, or snicker about, or not discuss in mixed company. Your privacy can be maintained while talking about and teaching positive sexual relationships. That is what's needed to cut down on unwanted pregnancies, sexual assaults, etc. Try it, you'll find that others are willing to talk about this, as they too have been stymied by our off-track culture.