Joy:

I agree completely.  As a child who has been adopted (and who therefore
could be considered by some as an abortion averted), I nonetheless support
any position that makes what women do with their bodies their business.

It's surprising that in this case those who have made this decision can't
make the parallel and ask themselves whether THEY would rather be
sterilized.

Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: - Joy - <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 7:02 PM
Subject: Sterilization (was Re: My Job)


> Mag asked:
> "I read today  about two cases in Florida where mentally challenged women
> are having abortions after being raped. Gov. Jeb bush signed these orders.
> What do you think ought to be done in cases like this? He is also ordering
> them to be sterilized. "
>
> This is a really tough question, and an awful situation to have to deal
> with.  I feel like the women should be the ones who decide whether they
want
> to continue the pregnancy, care for the child, give it up for adoption, or
> have an abortion.  If they aren't competent enough to make the decision,
> their guardian (is this the right term?) should make it for them.  Or is
the
> state actually their legal guardian?  If so, it should be one of the
people
> who was involved with their day to day care, who knows their abilities and
> what would be best for their physical and mental health, who makes such a
> huge decision, not the governor.
>
> I find it ironic and slightly hypocritical that Bush, who opposes abortion
> so strongly, would sign these orders.  If you think that abortion is
wrong,
> why is it okay when the mother is mentally challenged?
>
> In my opinion, the sterilization order is absolutely reprehensible.  I
agree
> with Kat here... It seems like some sort of a punishment for being raped.
> No one, no matter how "disabled" they are, should be sterilized unless
they
> choose it, after being given information that they can understand about
the
> consequences and other options for avoiding pregnancy.  It's a very
slippery
> slope.  Once we say that sterilizing those with severe mental retardation
is
> okay, it could lead to people with CP, then people with impaired vision...
> until we end up with some kind of master race, where only those who are
> absolutely "perfect" are allowed to reproduce.
>
> Thanks to everyone who offered their congratulations about my job, by the
> way!
>
> ~Joy~
>