That moment in his address to Congress when the Pope . . .

[Hortensis]

11. Too sweeping, AllFields. I'm surrounded by conservatives everywhere

I look, and I have to speak up for some principled friends, who really do care. For them there are two lives to protect, and it is possible to hold intelligent and courteous conversation on the subject.

That said, there are PLENTY of others I strongly doubt. Interestingly, I suspect most of those have literally no idea what their "beliefs" truly are. Position on abortion, like religion, is a group identity proclaimed by the label they wear and point to proudly.

I am never so discourteous, or foolish, as to ask those sorts why, for instance, if abortion is murder, it's okay to murder children conceived in incest or rape. First, they can't answer, or won't answer because the Old Testament answer is very "socially unacceptable." Second, the question identifies ME immediately as one who supports murdering sweet little babies and I'd lose all credibility forever on every subject.

Of the three types of conservatives, the first are the good ones; they dislike change but aren't too negative about those who are different. The second is social/religious and need to attack everyone who is different -- those are the troublemakers.

(The third is economically oriented, but may lean to either group above.)