Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

Matthew Dulin        Ray Hafner       Geronimo Rodriguez
         Shaun Salnave          Cara Sarelli

30 Years Under Roe v. Wade

Today marks the 30^th anniversary of one of the most controversial cases ever to face the Supreme Court and American society as a whole.

Roe v. Wade, touted by womenis rights groups as one of their penultimate victories of the 20^th century, is still a bone of contention and a mark of division among Americans.

Citing protection of privacy rights, the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that made abortion illegal except when a motheris life is at stake. The case has set the precedent for more than 20 other cases in the years since, each one reinforcing a womanis right to choose.

Roe was a reflection of the changing times taking place in the late i60s, as nationwide efforts were underway to reform the criminal abortion laws in effect in nearly every state. Health care providers, women's rights advocates, clergy members, and the legal community lobbied state legislatures and went to court to overturn statutes that had been in place since before the turn of the century, when laws banned abortions after "quickening," when the baby was supposed to be "more alive."

Whether you agree with it or not, one cannot deny that at the very least, permitting abortions has helped promote reproductive education and has posed the question, "What would you do?" causing Americans to reevaluate their moral judgements. Peopleis lives were dramatically altered once abortion was deemed permissible. It has also eradicated so-called "back alley abortions" that were available to desperate women before Roe v. Wade.

President George W. Bush continued the Republican executive tradition of naming Jan. 19 -- the third Sunday of the month -- as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. In a letter declaring the national observance, Bush called on America to be a "nation of compassion" and urged people to respect and value life above all.

Weire not going to go into how hypocritical that might seem as our Commander-in-Chief sets more pieces on the senseless game board of war. Thatis for another editorial.

In the meantime, before he does anything rash regarding Roe v. Wade, President Bush needs to make sure his decisions are based from a mandate from the populace -- something some would say Bush has been lacking all along -- and not dictated by the GOP. 

Of course, many freedoms often lead to excess -- as some women have several abortions within a short time span. We support the right to choice, but we also shake our heads in dismay when the choice is made too lightly.