France, like many European countries, takes a stricter line on abortion than does the United States: Abortion on demand is permitted only through the 12th week of pregnancy. Whether to restrict abortion at the 12th week or the eighth week is a very different discussion than the one we are presently having. Abortion is an absolute evil, but abortion opponents need not fall into the trap of political absolutism. Any enduring political settlement will require consensus, and that can only be worked out through the democratic process. The question for abortion opponents is this: Shall we act on our desire to punish, or on our desire to stop the killing?

Source: Washington Post April 25, 2018 23:48 UTC