To the Editor:
Brown has been known for political indoctrination and elements of extremism in the past. But when I read that 42 percent of Brunonians support abortions at any time during pregnancy, I was shocked ("Poll: Majority of students plan to vote for Obama," Oct. 31). Let me point out that I am a pro-choicer myself. I believe in a woman's right to choose during the first trimester, and I also believe one can make an argument for aborting during the second trimester. However, if someone advocates unrestricted abortions during the third trimester - meaning even if the health of the mother and the child is not in danger - the pro-choice community should make it clear that this is not something we consider a respectable position. In the third trimester (months 7-9), babies can dream, they are most likely conscious, and they can survive when they are born instead of aborted. Such late abortions have been used in China to kill girls due to the country's one-child policies, and feminists all over the world have condemned this as murder. In fact, late-term abortion without special circumstances is illegal and/or considered murder in the United States and in almost any country in the world. Just like the Republican Party must distance itself from right wing extremists, Brown should do the same with people who advocate killing a baby capable of living on its own in the last trimester. We must make clear that this is not a pro-choice position. This opinion should be deemed unacceptable in the University dialogue, just like the University has taken an admirable stance against other inhuman "opinions" such as racism and sexism.
Michael Schmitz '10
