So... I am knee-deep in a discussion on choice.

[uppityperson]

34. Let's be real here. Thank you for making your views known.

Abortion waiting periods can and do stop women from getting an abortion by imposing further economic and time issues.

"What both waiting periods can do, however, is prevent someone from making a drastic decision." What the FUCK does that mean? I know of NO pregnant woman who wakes up one day and says, "oh, I think I'll get my nails done and have an abortion today".

"For the vast majority of abortions there is probably already a built in waiting period where the woman considers her options." You think? Yes, the decision can be easy or difficult. For some it is made quickly, others not so quickly. But to impose a FURTHER time component is asinine.

Here is what happens. Woman finds she's pregnant. She considers the options. She decides to get an abortion. Whether that decision was made easily, quickly or not is none of our business. She calls around, finds a doctor, makes an appointment, typically within a week or 2. Maybe if she is very very lucky, very lucky, the next day.

If there is no waiting period, she goes to the appointment and has the abortion.

If there is a waiting period it is different, more costly in time and money. Since this hypothetical woman lives several hundred miles from the nearest clinic, she drives, gets a friend to drive her, takes public transportation. Or even if she lives locally. She has her appointment and then has to return the next day, or 3 days later to make sure she's "not making a drastic decision". Where does she stay? How does she get back and forth? Why should she be made to wait for another 1-3 days? To make sure? Really really sure? Well, then mandate counseling to make really really sure. Have you ever had a friend who had an abortion? Talk to her.

"prevent someone from making a drastic decision"? There are all sorts of reasons women get abortions. It can be a difficult decision, one regretted. Or it can be an easy decision, not thought of again. It can be empowering (she gets her life going in a positive direction) or heart breaking (she truly wanted a child but due to varied factors can not now do so). But I know of no abortion done suddenly, on a whim. And yes, I have worked with clinics that do abortions.

Thank you for understanding that parental notification causes more problems than it solves. Some parents COULD be notified, but none SHOULD be notified as you write.

Finally, comparing getting an abortion to buying a gun, even as far as reasons for waiting periods, is in no way an apt comparison and quite offensive.