CBS boldly takes a moderate stand re Choice/abortion with ex-ABC's doctor Tim JOHNSON

[UTUSN]

Last edited Sun Nov 12, 2023, 05:42 PM - Edit history (1)

It's been noted here at DU how the label "abortion" has overrun "Choice" in reporting over the recent election. Even Hillary used it almost exclusively on The View last week.

So his "middle ground" started off with the personal distaste for abortion, then hit all the right notes about considered Choice, and especially not dictated by men in power imposing according to their theocratic beliefs.

In the scorched earth divide that reigns, a common sense middle ground seems unreachable, as with gun control middle ground (i.e., a Drivers License type system).

********QUOTE**********

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-tim-johnson-on-finding-a-middle-ground-in-the-abortion-debate/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab8c&linkId=247810968

SUNDAY MORNING
Dr. Tim Johnson on finding a middle-ground in the abortion debate

.... Being pro-choice is far more complicated. It involves the emotional issue of when life begins, and what choices are accordingly morally acceptable. When does life in the womb reach a stage when abortion would be more logically thought of as "murder" or "evil," and therefore prohibited? For many of us, that stage occurs when the developing fetus is capable of living on its own outside the womb.

And I do support women who, before that stage, thoughtfully conclude that another life to support will be destructive to her and/or her family. ....

I also vigorously disagree with those who would force a woman to experience the terrible trauma of completing a pregnancy caused by incest or rape.

Finally, I do believe that abortion is a decision best made by a woman and her family – not by a group of strangers (usually men) making legislative or legal decisions. Under our clear constitutional separation of church and state, it certainly should not be made by those in power based on their own religious beliefs. We are all entitled to our own religious considerations, but we should not impose them by law on others who may believe very differently. ....

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[TwilightZone]

1. Middle ground is the only tenable option at present.

Assuming a solution is even possible in current politics.

As for Dr. Johnson's stance, it seems more on the progressive or liberal side than moderate, though it's certainly more moderate than what the GOP is trying to accomplish.

His personal distaste of abortion is fine, as long as he doesn't think that gives him the right to force that on others, and he clearly doesn't. As you noted, he hits all the right notes, and I think that's pretty liberal in the current climate.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

2. "I do believe that abortion is a decision best made by a woman and her family" - NO.

It's the pregnant person's decision. "And her family" is a weasel statement.

[cilla4progress]

3. Agree!

...

[UTUSN]

4. Agree, which is one of the reasons I experienced trepidation when he started out,

getting the red flags ready to fly as to where he was headed.

[Warpy]

6. It should be the preganat woman's decision in consultation with her DOCTOR

because we can't always consult our nearest and dearest because sometimes their personal beliefs get in the way.

Plus, that distinction is especially true in later pregnancies that start to go wrong. I've taken care of a few women having late abortions for tragic reasons, all would have died without them.

[GopherGal]

7. I would say it's the decision of the woman and she may consult whomever she chooses...

.. be it her doctor, her partner, her family, a midwife, her spiritual advisor, her three best girlfriends...

But unless she wants to, she doesn't have to take the advice of her congressman, clergymen (of religions -- her own or otherwise), hospital lawyers, or people with nothing better to do on their weekends than camp out outside Planned Parenthood and harass women.

[kwolf68]

8. Correct

And if the women chooses to confide in her family, doctors or even the clergy that's HER CHOICE. Party of "limited government" falls flat again.

[BlueBloodedAmerican]

5. Readily Available Birth Control

Is one of the most important points he makes in order to avoid abortions altogether.

This is one of the best abortion discussions I’ve ever seen. Dr. Johnson speaks from a lifetime of experience from his medical and clerical viewpoints and perfectly encapsulates my personal pro-choice views. I nodded in agreement through his whole speech.

Well worth watching.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. "For many of us, that stage occurs when the developing fetus is capable of living on its own outside the womb."

Okay, as soon as he says that, he's created a barrier -- one past which he says an abortion is "evil" and "murder," just like the antis say it is at all stages. And as soon as he creates that barrier, it brings into existence hundreds of exceptions -- or what many people would call exceptions. And those people then are stigmatized and find it harder to get the care they need, right when they need it.

There is no "middle ground" or "compromise" on abortion. People have the autonomy to make decisions about their own health care, or they don't.

[UTUSN]

10. "for many of us" / him. His weaseling is to try to get around the divide.

Same as how Catholics for choice say their *personal* opposition to abortion is superseded by their not imposing their own personal belief on others.

As I said, my ears alarmedly perked up when he started, but he went on to put it all in the realm of individual's Choice.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

12. From what I understand from your excerpts, he put it in the realm of the person's choice with restrictions.

Namely, gestational age and the made-up status of "viability/trimesters" that Roe established. But I didn't watch the video, so I could be wrong.

[ananda]

11. The word debate is wrong, and "moderate" doesn't exist.

These are terms Republicans use to get us to accept
a slight moderation while still taking away many
healthcare options for women.

NOT ACCEPTABLE. PERIOD.

[UTUSN]

13. So the word "impasse" is all there is.

As one with Dem/Lib DNA, I'm not in a debate and didn't get/need an approved dictionary, lol.

*** MY use of the word "moderate" was coupled with "bold" as a dig at CBS playing it safe.