Oh Lilith, how very strong of you to share something that personal. I was going to keep my nose out of this thread, but i now feel that i can share too.

Although i am sure that my story is not unique, i am sure that there are other's out there that come close. My child was conceived through force from an unknown man (i still have difficulties with saying the "R" word) When i found out that i was PG, i knew that I couldn't live with myself if i terminated. I had the questions of deformity, diseases, and other complications but I knew that i could love the child however the child was born. My ex, whom i didn't tell about my baby's conception until many years later, has chosen to remain my child's father and is as active in my child's life as distance allows. As far as he is concerned he is my child's "daddy" and that is all there is to it. (I know he lurks, so props to you ex) Everyonce in a while i see certain looks that my child does that gives me the heebie jeebies, but i don't love my child ANY less for it, and both of my children are miracles to me.

I used to be of the opinion that no abortions should happen unless the mother's physical life, and not lifestyle, was threatened. I was waaaaaaaaaaay Pro-Life and did some demonstrations back when i was a teen. Today, i still lean towards pro-life, but after "walking" in other's shoes, i no longer have the heart to condemn. Every woman who becomes pregnant, unless they spontaniously miscarry, makes the choice to carry it or terminate, some are just more obvious than others.

It is my opinion that Bush won his presidency on these Supreme Court nominations. People knew that there were going to be vacancies in this term and who ever was elected had the chance to sway the S C to his ideals and beliefs. I agree that S C nominations should be done differently, by a popular American vote (leave the electoral college out) perhaps? Thusly, the American public having more say in how their Constitution is upheld.