Thread:AllianceScoutAiothai/@comment-24660155-20190620030745

To clear the air after recent controversies, and as a sign of good will, I wanted to open up a new political debate thread. Feel free to debate whatever you like in this thread as long as you remain respectful. I'll start by sharing my position on a very hot button topic: abortion.

While I list myself as "pro-choice in at least some cases" on my profile, let me be clear that I am something of a moderate on abortion, taking a JEB Bush/John Kasich-esque position. I stand completely opposed to the idea of late-term abortion aside from cases in which the mother's life is in danger. I'm not a fan of aborting a baby over a down syndrome diagnosis either having known an individual with down syndrome who leads a very productive life, and I see the merits of placing a ban on abortion after a certain point. While I will not commit here and now to supporting the controversial "heart beat" bills, I must concede that there is a very solid argument for life beginning at the first heart beat. By 9 weeks, a baby is fully developed, and I don't see why banning abortion after that point is considered so radical. At risk of sounding calloused, I must wonder why a woman who has been raped wouldn't terminate the pregnancy within the first month or so of the assault? While the pro-life have a reputation for being overly extreme, the pro-choice are not without their own hardline positions such as allowing abortion during labor which I find appalling.

I'm interested to hear what the rest of you have to say, as I understand both sides of the debate, and respect most views on the issue. 