Legal Commentary

The Shame Policy

By Big Tent Democrat

Scott Lemieux writes about Will Saletan and his strange ruminations on the choice issue. After Saletan reasserts his pro-choice view, he then writes:

If you cause an unintended pregnancy and an abortion because you didn't want to wear a condom, you should be ashamed.

Lemieux writes "[Saletan] has argued that shaming people who get abortions is a good pro-choice tactic, which makes no sense at all." It really does not make sense. Suppose you actually believed that Saletan made sense with this shame thing. How precisely does he plan to enact this "policy of shame?" Is he planning on organizing a finger wagging group outside of abortion clinics? Will they stand next to the folks holding "Baby Killer" signs? More . . .

Saletan just does not seem to get it. Once you accept the premise that the issue is one of choice, of privacy, then the public policy part of the discussion is over. I imagine Saletan feels better continually writing these silly pieces, but in terms of forwarding a discussion regarding choice, abortion or contraception policies, he really is just making a fool of himself. As Lemieux notes:

[T]he problem is that Saletan generally frames legal-abortion-while-pushing-contraception is some sort of centrist alternative to the pro-choice position, while it is the pro-choice position. Even those of use who don't think abortion is immoral think that minimizing unwanted pregnancies is a good thing. It's opponents of abortion, not its supporters, who have undermined efforts to reduce unwanted pregnancies.

If Saletan really cares about this issue, then he is screeching at the wrong people. Not surprisingly, Sully finds Saletan's piece important and filled with insights:

Will Saletan is one of the few writers who openly straddles the line on abortion. And that is why he is worth reading

I wonder how Sully would feel if folks stood outside his residence holding up signs about the "shame" of his personal choices.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 29, 2009 (boomark / email).