The Courage of Your Convictions, Part II

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
This week's Newsweek includes an article profiling a late-term abortion doctor named LeRoy Carhart. He was an associate of Dr. George Hiller, the late-term abortion doctor who was assassinated in a Wichita church.

Dr. Carhart has experienced his own share of intimidation and threats. His farm was burned to the ground in 1991, killing many animals. His practice, employees and family members routinely receive threats, and his place of business takes appropriate precautions every day.

You might think that after his associate of 21 years was gunned down, he might consider retirement, or keeping a lower profile if he felt compelled to continue his work. Instead, he has redoubled his efforts to ensure women who need abortions have access to safe and legal procedures. He intends to open a clinic to serve the women previously seen by Dr. Hiller. He's teaching as many doctors as are willing to learn how to perform late-term abortions. He frequently speaks in public, and has championed his work to the Supreme Court - twice.

Which is not to insinuate that he takes his work lightly, or that the decisions he takes on don't carry their own special burden. He considers each request carefully, weighing the emotional and physical health of the mother with the viability of the fetus. He second guesses himself. He agonizes. But he doesn't think he's doing anything wrong.

He maintains medical licenses in seven states, so that if a doctor is hurt, retires or is killed, the women in that area will have someone else to to turn to. As he says, "If not you, who? If not now, when?" He's fully aware that his choice to continue this work may result in his death, and it's a risk he's willing to take.

Like most Americans, I believe that Roe v Wade is an important precedent, and should remain the law of the land. And like most Americans, I'm still deeply ambivalent about abortion, especially late-term abortion. It's one of the few true ethical dilemmas we face in our modern world, and I think those (on both sides of the argument) who insist that the issue is black and white lack subtlety at best, and are a bit rabid to boot.*

But I'm glad Dr. Carhart has the courage of his convictions. There are many, many women who need his help, and the help of those whom he'll train. I sincerely hope for his continued safety, and that the hypocrisy of those who claim to be "pro-life" while simultaneously taking the life of others will be outweighed by wiser heads. Good luck, Dr. Carhart - I'm afraid you'll need it.


*I'll be wielding the Shovel of Doom™ with abandon today, folks. In spite of how this topic brings out the screechy in all of us, I expect the discourse to remain civilized. In the words of the always fabulous Wil, "Don't be a dick."

2 comments:

Steve Buchheit said...

"I'm still deeply ambivalent about abortion"

And that's the problem. The opposition to abortion isn't. They see a bright line. The advocates of abortion "can see both sides." For the choice side, "choice" includes the choice to not have an abortion. Then it becomes an argument of attrition.

ntsc said...

I'm not ambivalent about abortion, I don't approve of it but do understand the necessity.

That said, I will never carry a fetus, it is totally the choice of the mother, not me and certainly not society as a whole.