Conservatives, Republicans and other critics have said making another morning-after pill available -- one that works even longer after sex -- will further promote promiscuity.

Do as I say do not as I do... unless you're going to do it with me.

Hypocrites.

Eris,

Don't forget that Conservatives LOVE to tell you what to do with YOUR family . . . but you need to ignore everything regarding their own family. "I will tell you what to do, but don't you dare tell me what to do."

Again, Hypocrites

Whoa, whoa...generalizations abound in your posts. I'm no hypocrite. I'm Conservative, Republican, AND have never participated in promiscuous acts. So by your argument, does that mean I'm completely entitled to condemn this pill? Because I think that's what you're implying if this is your only argument.

My point? Don't generalize. It makes you less persuasive.

Johnny please, republicans don't want government involved in their lives, but want the government involved in the reproductive choices of women...that's what the hypocrisy is about.

So lets get this one on the record. If you're "conservative" then you believe that you can beat a million years of evolutionary based behavior that as far as anyone can tell, without question, is responsible for the existence of over 6 billion people on the planet earth - with abstinence, aka: your will alone. Hmmm. Maybe then that explains it, people have sex because they have no will power. Is that the crux of the "conservative" movement? That you just need to believe in god, have faith and "jesus" will give you the will power?

What year is this? Are we in the dark ages again? Hard to tell sometimes.

When my little girl becomes a teenager she's carrying whatever form of birth control, slash, morning after pill, slash whatever is available then in her purse or her back pocket, or where ever she can find room for it on her person. If belief in a religious deity was all that it took to keep people from having sex then churches would be out of business - cause there wouldn't be enough parishioners in attendance to tithe enough to keep the electricity turned on.

At the end of the day, it would appear that the world remains locked into an epic struggle between the sun worshipers and the rest of us just looking to find a few sensible answers and understandings as to the point of our brief little existence. Sun worshipers on the right, everyone else on the left.

This is just another issue that helps us tell ourselves apart from one another. What's the difference between someone who's "conservative" versus someone who's "liberal"?

Answer: At the end of the day, the "liberal" can at least admit that he doesn't know everything, whereas the "conservatives" got a tent revival going, working his heart out to convince everyone in attendance that he's got all the answers if only they'd all just believe.

This should be, from historical perspective, the age of enlightenment, but instead its looking more and more everyday like the age of stupid.

Chalk up this story, and its blogged responses as prime examples.

Unconvinced,

Of course a religious deity is all you need to find the strength and will power to abstain from sex. Every conservative, religious person knows that. Just ask the conservative poster family, the Palin's . . . oh wait, CRAP! Ummmmm . . . ok, just ask the priests in Catholic . . . ahhh CRAP!

Well this sure beats the heck out of the female condom they were trying to promote on the internet last week. Still wish men would wear condoms. I mean, don't people care about STDs?

Johnny367

It's odd you would assume that I mean anyone other than those who are behaving promiscuously and are still against it. If you're not then it would automatically not apply to you.

Eric, I'll give that piece of hypocrisy to you. To some degree, you are correct (though certainly not all conservatives and Republicans fall into the category named in the post).

As for Eris, well, seems like he/she bolded Republicans and Conservatives (but not "other critics") for a reason. And there's no way your response can defend that comment.

I don't have to defend my response nor am I. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to say considering the many times Republicans and conservatives have run their campaigns off "family values" only to be caught with their pants down.

Republicans and conservatives were "bolded" because of this.

As for "other critics" I can't speak of them because I don't know specifically who they are.

If you fit the definition of a hypocrite then by all means be offended.

Abortion is legal.

It really isn't an abortion more like a miscarriage.

actually, there is not necessarily even a fertilized egg. This will cause a change in hormones and menstration. No way to know if there is even a fertilized egg. Too early, but will allow those that have had unprotected sex to end that menstrual cycle.

Absolutely. We should continue to find pharmaceutical ways to allow all people to avoid any personal responsibility whatsoever. Do whatever you want and don't worry about consequences, there's a pill for that.

Damn humanity.

the one true.... - it is an option for women whose birth control method fails or who have been raped. Many women who are raped are too traumitized to report it right away and only later worry about pregnancy. Of course some people will use it as birth control but those people probably shouldn't be raising a child anyway. Of course I'm sure you've found a way to make the fathers of unplanned babies stay with the women throughout their pregnancy and do the right thing, true? If you haven't, don't put the women down who have to live with the results of an unplanned pregnancy.

the one,

Isn't it responsible to take the pill and prevent an UNWANTED child from coming into this world? Isn't it responsible to recognize that you can not raise or support a child, so you take the precautions to prevent conception?

Or you can just continue to crap out unwanted children, fail to support them, fail to raise them . . . and call that responsibility. Real smart, buddy.

@ the one true - it's more responsible for a woman who does not want to have a child to go to her doctor and get a prescription for this drug than it is to wait until a pregnancy occurs then abort it or, worse yet, carry an unwanted child to term and then neglect or mistreat it. This is NOT an abortion pill - it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg to begin with and also changes the lining of the uterus. From your comment it appears that you would rather see a woman punished for having sex by making her carry a child to term "that will teach her"! By your logic any man who has sex for any purpose other than reproduction should have his dick rot and fall off "that will teach him"!

Ooooh harsh! But I do agree!

It must be hard walking around us mortals, when you are obviously a perfect human being.

It must be nice that, being the perfect being that you are, you will never EVER forget to take a daily pill. No, you have never made the mistake of forgetting. Others may accidentally forget one day, but not you. I am truly impressed.

It must also be nice to know that you are so perfect, nothing will ever break in your presence. Nope, condoms around you suddenly become indestructible . . . as if your mere presence infuses them with an unnatural strength. There must be a way to use this power to fight crime. I am amazed.

Lastly, it must be wonderful to know that nothing will ever catch you by surprise. Other people may find themselves in an unexpected predicament, but not you. No, you are always prepared and never caught up in the moment. Emotions and hormones will never get the best of you, because you are able to foresee the future and all that shall happen.

That's quite an endorsement.

Thoughts: In an earlier post you talk about responsibility. Now, this post almost excuses lack of responsibility within a facetious attack on another's efforts to be responsible. Parsing in progress?

You earlier mentioned an UNWANTED child. Do you realize how cruel and judgmental this sounds (although, to your credit, you have the spine to say what others think, but don't say)? How will you ever completely know if you were UNWANTED--and that your parents would have appreciated a "morning after pill?" I write this rhetorically; I want to believe that your parents love(d) you--regardless of whether your birth was inconvenient or not, and that you are a good person.

Carlito,

No matter how responsible someone is, we are all human and make mistakes . . . well, everyone except the original poster, apparently. You see, in my sarcastic response I illustrated that the majority of us humans make mistakes, and this pill is the responsible choice.

It should be no shock to accept the fact that there are many MANY unwanted children in the world. The current foster/adoption system is a very sad place, full of children who feel completely empty and unwanted. I have family that works in this field so I know first hand. Conservatives love to wear rose colored glasses and believe every child is "wanted", will be loved, and will go on to lead successful lives. They are wrong and need a reality check.

Or maybe you shouldn't have so many hot babes!

Maybe they are hot babes because of the irritation and burning of STDs. (I usually try to be considerately serious, but couldn't resist. May we all enjoy robust health).

bandit,

They only work within 5 days...if said hot babe tells you shes pregnant within that time...its not yours and Carlito is right...get a STD test...shes probably hot.

All we ask is that you accept that it is a legal right guaranteed by the law.

It cannot be abortion if no eggs are released to be fertilized in the first place. Did you TAKE high school biology?

Medical abortion? What planet......

If I conceive the thought of a child in my head, then dismiss that thought, I expect I have killed yet another child.

I have been in enough movie theatres and restaurants to know that some folks should take a test before even thinking about conceiving. I want babies to be like luxury vehicles. If you can afford one and you are willing to take responsibility for the next 18 years, then you may procreate.

Andie, what you say is all too true. Yet, many men support the morning-after pill, contraceptives, and especially abortion--not because they necessarily support women, but because it allows them to "cut and run. divesting themselves of any consequences."

Honestly, I think it comes down to those who think sex is only for procreation . . . and those who think sex is for recreation.

The procreation camp wants you to suffer the consequences and "responsibilities" of sex, because it should be used for child-bearing. This primarily stems from the Christian morals that, throughout history, views sex as an unclean act. Thus, you can not enjoy sex unless you are married and ready to raise a child.

The recreation camp wants to be able to enjoy sex, without changing their entire life by having a child. They view sex as a basic, natural instinct that every human AND animal on the planet has. And they want to be able to enjoy the pleasures of sex without it resulting in a baby.

Similar to what Carlito said, I am a man that supports pills, contraceptives, abortion, etc. I support it because I do not want children, I enjoy sex, and I think people should have the right to enjoy it without ruining their lives. I only "cut and run" sometimes ;)

Many years ago people could not have known that sex leads to children. I mean, there's a nine month delay. Do you think cave people knew? No, they did not. So having sex in early human history had nothing to do with having children. Having sex was done because it was fun. The same reason that apes do it. The same reason that dogs do it.

It is only recent human history in which humans knew what causes a child to be born. Before that time sex was for recreation. With the extent of environmental damage in the world and all the overpopulation it makes sense that we cut the birth rate. Condoms and birth control pills do that and allow us to continue doing what we have been doing since humans evolve: having sex for recreation.

You are incorrect. Ella is not 98% effective because it "keeps an egg from being released by the ovaries." Ella and Plan B can be used any time during a woman's cycle, including AFTER OVULATION because they also prevents implantation of a fertilized egg. The article also states that Ella is related to the abortion pill, and can/does terminate early pregnancies following implantation.

I really don't care what the moral implications are, just fact checking.

Thank you for clarifying. Please also inform of the risk of uncontrolled, severe bleeding as a result of the use of these "Plan B" contraceptives! Are we really thinking responsibly about the woman?

Well on the other end of the spectrum you have the evangelicals who will keep having babies that they cannot afford 'cuz the Bible says so, will live off food stamps, WIC, and other social(ist) programs they so claim to abhor, further draining resources, and have no means to help their many, many kids get off to college to get an education (did you hear...college rates are DROPPING in the US)...and continue the downward intelligence spiral of the party of conservatives...

Heather, have you been watching the Duggars again? LOL In regards to the lack of education, I mean

I do watch the Duggars but they are not who I am referring to here (though their agreement with TLC probably provides the cash flow so that they can do some pretty neat stuff with all those kids). I am referring to families of 5, 6, 7, plus kids who are desperately poor who take the literal interpretation of the Bible. God will provide...you with food stamps, I guess.

I have a lot of will power, Johnny. When a hottie asks me if I want to have a roll in the hay with her, I say, "Sure Will!" Now that's "will power."

Must be nice in your ivory tower, Johnny. I'm married and have been for 12 years. Before we were married, there was one occasion the condom broke. Yes yes, what a loose and wanton woman I must be. This was before the morning after pill was available. And so we waited. Not pleasant. I would think taking the morning after pill or ella is actually more responsible than people give it credit for. Recognizing the situation right away and taking care of it. Not waiting then wondering "gosh what do I do now?"

Ivy, I agree. I don't understand how people think this will just make more women (mostly) just turn into sexual deviants who care nothing about protected sex and getting pregnant because they have an option that will likely fix the mistake. Abortion is a horrible enough experience to make most anyone rethink their sexual habits, but the morning-after-pills are not exactly a walk in the park either. Not to mention costs. There are always some idiots who will do whatever they feel like when they feel like and overuse such services, but most women don't want to ever have to.

Do you think birth control pills are wrong as well? Birth control pills prevent ovulation from occuring too and a woman knowing takes them at the same time everyday for years until she and her spouse/significant other decide on families. I understand what you are saying about conception but this pill is to prevent OVULATION which also prevents conception. If ovulation does not occur conception will not occur. This is just fact on how our bodies work while taking even JUST BASIC BIRTH CONTROL. I think to call a woman who was for example molested or raped who took a pill to prevent ovulation a murderer is a bit extreme. I understand that you do not think its a method of birth control and you are entitled to your opinion. I am a woman of faith, and read my bible but ALL birth control was not really addressed in it. Everyone takes birth control pills and runs with it to murder in some conservative circles. Its just my opinion that its a bit extreme.

Yes, your god gave you the choice to be an idiot.

Honeybee: I thought maybe you should be informed that it is impossible to see and hear your baby's heartbeat "12 days after conception". The baby's heart doesn't even begin to form until 5 weeks after conception. In reality, the egg isn't even implanted into the uterus until about 6-12 days after fertilization (aka intercourse).

What a magical doctor you must have had to provide you with such insight into your 12 day old "pregnancy".

No u/s would show a hb at 12d. Maybe 8 weeks if you're lucky, but not 12d. The fertilized egg is still a small mass of cells, and would still be burrowing into your uterus.

We have been through these arguments for years. The people against this pill are just plain wrong and for the most part they are the cause of a lot of social ills. I for one am sick of them. They have wrecked this country trying to force their morals on the rest of us and at the same time the have neglected children born to poor mothers - except when it comes to jail them later on in life. Then it's lock them up and throw away the key.

So, I have not been rude hear, but the history on this issue is clear and the facts speak for themselves: people against this pill should not take it. Everyone else, you are free and right in using this. Just remember as another poster pointed out that STDs can cause a lot of problems. It really is best to stick to one partner because it causes less disease to be spread. Condoms can help but they are not fool proof. Just be careful.

Chris, the issue is not everyone believes as you. You believe life begins at conception. Others do not. It is not sustainable life. A large percentage of conceptus end in miscarriage. Is that mourned the same as a still born? I don't think so. Many women are not even aware they had a miscarriage at that stage. Also, don't many of the christian religions believe in original sin? If so, how can they call this an innocent life yet insist on original sin? As a non-christian I am not certain on this but I do recall it in discussions from college. Isn't it the religions that scream the loudest about being pro-life yet will also consign an unbaptized newborn to limbo because they are unclean or not innocent?

The point of pro-choice or pro-birth will always be separate so why can't each side live and let live? There is really no need for the name calling and violence at all. No one forces you to have an abortion and no one should force you not to have one... Each side would be better off simply leaving each other alone and caring for people.

And by the way, you can ask some people who are very handicapped and have been that way from birth, there are those who will tell you they will they had not been born....it is a matter of perspective as there are those who are glad they were. No one truly knows what another person thinks.

Meezermom59,

Clearly not all believe as I, life would be boring if we didn't have these differences. I fullheartedly agree that there is no need for name calling or violence. I especially agree that we would all be better off caring for one another. However if we all left each other alone there would be no exchange of ideas which limits our ability to learn and grow. I think it's healthy to debate the differences as long as it is done in a civil way with an open mind. We don't have to agree with one another but we can still walk in love towards everyone.

Yes, Christians believe in the concept of original sin, however most do not believe that an unbaptized newborn is consigned to limbo (Catholic Christians do believe in the concept of pergitory, but even that (as far as I understand) is not an eternal limbo). Actually most christian to not place saving power in the act of baptism. It is a symbol that we have died to ourself (placed under water) and raised up to new life in Christ (coming out of the water). It is a public pronouncemnet of our faith (for we are saved through faith not saved through the act of baptism). As for infants, young children and those cognitively incapable of understanding submitting ones life to God, most Christians believe that they will be saved. Jesus said "the kindom of heaven belongs to such as these" when ministering to children. Obviously as with any faith no one has the answers to all of life's hard questions, but I do trust that God is good, just, and sovreign.

I believe all human life is sacred, wether we will to be here are not I believe everyone of us has existed for a purpose. As for sustainalbe life, the embryo is sustainable if it's allowed to implant. Even an older infant's life is not "sustainable" on it's own without someone to feed and care for him/her.

I'm all for agreeing to disagree, but I love the exchange of ideas. I do believe in the concept of right and wrong, but I am fully aware that what is truely right or wrong is often not clear. No one can clearly demonstrate exactly when a life is truely a life, so I will always error on the side of caution. You never know, that child one person didn't think they could handle bringing into the world, could be the best thing that ever happened to them.

I'm typing way too much, gotta stop. At least we can agree on going out and helping each other.

Amen!

K, that made me laugh a little but it brings up a valid point.

Can we take religion out of the argument? Huh, just once? And not argue about when life begins and what a soul might be? Because ultimately this is what the argument boils down to. Sex and morality are always going to be intertwined, and sometimes they shouldn't be. Hell, check the research, the Catholic Church didn't consider abortion a sin unless you were past the point you could feel the baby move, or quickening. It started occurring in the 19th century, when the women's rights movement began taking hold. THEN it was a big to do. Strange, women might want to have control of their own bodies and maybe not want to die in childbirth, and suddenly right after sex it might be a sin. Whatever.

Sure. Take religion out of it. The fact remains that when an egg and sperm are united, a creature with distinct DNA and chromosomal structure is formed. This creature may or may not implant in the lining of the uterus of a woman. This creature may or may not come to full term, but it is has distinct and separate make-up from either parent. I know many women who have lost babies (embryos, if you will?) to miscarriage, and their response has been to mourn the loss. As far as quickening, you are correct. However, with the marvels of our scientific advancement we are able to "see" the beating heart of an unborn child much earlier than quickening would occur.