re: #183 goddamnedfrank

If you conflate sentience with life and the soul then yes, you are. Try thinking about what distinguishes these terms. I’ll start you off with the fact that the first is actually relevant to a discussion of comparative rights, and since it requires a functioning central nervous system it doesn’t begin at conception. If you’re going to be against any restriction on abortion, a position that goes beyond Roe v. Wade, then you should be able to intelligently state why. That requires a discussion of comparative rights, which necessitates a discussion of when rights attach. As long as you’re simplistically tossing in significant terms like sentience / self awareness with nebulous concepts like life and the soul you’re allowing your opponents to define the terms of the argument before you’ve even begun to articulate your position.

I need re-read this later. It’s not sinking in. I know it’s not personal, but I’m little confused as to how everyone here can be outraged at the shit Ryan and Akin say, but you’re telling me I’m wrong to acknowledge it.

Is there some sort of “right” way I should be angry about this stuff? These guys are trying to control women’s bodies and take away their rights. I mean, Jesus Christ, what the fuck am I missing here?