This AP story on the future of the pro-life movement brings out an important bias in the media’s usual coverage of the life issues.
As background, consider that one of the new myths that surfaced during this past election is that the Democratic Party is pro-life. The logic goes like this:
We are not pro-abortion because everyone admits abortion is bad and we want fewer abortions. Hence, we are pro-life.
Putting it in logical terms, the argument goes like this:
D is not A;
Hence, D is L.
This is obviously a fallacy. Just because someone opposes in abortion in theory does not mean that they are pro-life. To be pro-life means, essentially, that one can affirm the inalienable dignity of every person (no matter how small) and hence believe abortion is murder. And, as such, should be illegal.
Logic aside, it is ironic (read: deceptive) for the media to continually label pro-lifers as being “anti-abortion” while at the same time highlighting the claims that pro-abortion advocates are also “anti-abortion.”
Consider this quote:
“The hardline, divisive tactics they’ve used have been resoundingly rejected,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We’ll probably see some splintering within the conservative community. …I’d hope some of the folks on the right, if their goal is to reduce the need for abortions, would link arms with us.”
In other words, Planned Parenthood is “anti-abortion” in that they want to reduce the need for abortions.
So, which is it, AP?
Are the pro-lifers “anti-abortion” or is Planned Parenthood “anti-abortion,” not to mention Barack Obama?
Leave a Comment