I hate getting into endless arguments about abortion. For one, it's not likely to change any minds, but mostly because my views on abortion cannot be summed up in a simple yes or no answer.

Abortion disgusts me. Period. So does war, so does the death penalty, so does poverty. But I also realize we live in an imperfect world, and sometimes we must accept the consequences of that. If there were no murder, no hate, there would be no need for the death penalty. If there were no human conflict, no need for war. If every person saw themselves as their brother's keeper, there would be no poverty. And if there never, ever was a medically advisable case of abortion, no abortion.

Sure, it's nice to be sanctimonious and say "I'm against abortion in every circumstance". But if I said that, I know I'd be lying. See. if my wife were in a position where either she or the baby had to be sacrificed, and she was not conscious to make that decision, I would unflinchingly ask the doctors to save my wife's life at all cost.

Sure I'd weep over the lost child. Sure, I would hate being put in that position. And yes, I pray that God never ever puts me in a place where I HAVE to make that decision.

But I wouldn't regret it. Ever.

See, I have six other children. And every one of those children need a mommy. I consider myself a pretty durn good dad, but I would have a very rough time trying to take the task on alone. And those six children would live their lives with the pain of having lost a mother when it wasn't necessary for it to happen.

Now I will admit at the outset that these situations are a small minority of the abortions performed in the United States. But because these situations are thinkable, because they CAN exist, I believe abortion should be legal. I personally wouldn't want a ream of papers shoved in my face to absolve the doctor of liability in the aforementioned hypothetical situation. In fact, the person shoving the papers in my face would probably be lying prostate 5 seconds after the fact.

But I am not prochoice. Far from it. I believe a woman's choice starts BEFORE conception, and that if she gets pregnant, she should see it through to whatever end. UNLESS the very rare medical exception or an instance of rape or incest occurs. Asking a victim of rape or incest to carry a baby to term is an unthinkable request of someone who's been through so much already, and I, for one, could never demand it of them. If THEY feel they should bring their baby to term, then I would fully support them, but I believe it is an oppressive demand to place on them in a time of crisis.

But in any event the abortion should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars. Abortion goes CONTRARY to the general welfare interests of the nation by decreasing the population, something that may be good for the environment, but is NEVER good for a nation's best interests. And abortions funded with taxpayer dollars will almost inevitably become a growth industry, meaning that many babies would be aborted needlessly and for reasons other than the health of the mother.

So here I sit, not quite anti abortion, not quite prochoice. But I think I'm more normal than most in that regard.