Abortion Ruling Seen As Landmark
Johnny Desmond, the nine-week old fetus who captured the world's attention with his pioneering stand for fetal rights, was cut out of his mother's uterus and transferred to a special incubator early this afternoon by two surgeons at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
It was the bittersweet climax to a long but ultimately successful legal struggle waged by the fetus to be granted the right to abort his mother, 19-year old Lori Desmond of Sacramento, California. In the end, the outcome rested on two major decisions: the decision of the Supreme Court to award Johnny the right to choose, and Johnny's subsequent decision to exercise his new right and abort.
Judge Lee, who has become the Supreme Court's unofficial spokesperson with regard to the controversial decision, explained the Supreme Court's reasoning several hours after it was handed down late last night.
"The fetus, Jonathan H. Desmond, had no say in his conception. He was not asked whether he wanted to be conceived, or by whom. He was simply thrust into a situation and given no choice but to accept the circumstances. Our decision was to grant him the power to change those circumstances."
"Furthermore," Lee went on, "Jonathan Desmond had sufficient grounds to argue that his mother, Lorianna Desmond, would be a danger to his person and a detriment to his future. For example, blood tests performed on Lorianna Desmond indicated that she was a habitual smoker of both cigarettes and marijuana, and several witnesses testified that she had consumed alcohol even after she had learned of her pregnancy. In addition, her lack of an education beyond the high school level limited her chances of raising her income beyond what we deemed necessary as the minimal level for supporting a child. Therefore, it is the opinion of this court that rather than be forced to accept these limitations and burdens imposed on his life, Jonathan Desmond be free to seek alternatives."
One reporter, who works for NBC but wished not to be identified by name, described the emotional scene that followed the official announcement of the decision.
"It was haunting and solemn and beautiful," she said, "When the doors slid open and doctors walked out, a hush fell over all of us—the journalists, the protesters, the friends and family. We were all in this together and equally. And when it was announced that Johnny was alive and doing well, we all responded. Several of the people beside me started to cry, and others hugged or exchanged handshakes. Some groups even lit small candles and sang songs, both joyful and melancholy."
And the reactions have not stopped pouring in since. From bloggers to politicians, it seems that everyone in America has an opinion on the abortion of Lori Desmond, and they just have to share it with the public.
Speaking on CNN, Michael Hellman, a former fetus and the current President of the NOF, the National Organization of Fetuses, stated that while he was sorry to hear about Lori Desmond's abortion, he applauded the Supreme Court's decision as well as Johnny Desmond's courage to do what he thought was right. Hellman also warned against misinterpreting the entire issue.
"This decision does not change the fact of abortion. It simply legislates that abortions can be done safely, cleanly and inside a hospital. If you'll recall, two months ago there was a case in Florida where a fetus had aborted its mother by having a rusty nail fed to it through its mother's digestive system while the mother was asleep, and then proceeding to tear, rip and claw itself of out her body. It was gruesome, barbaric and impossible to justify in a country such as the United States. At least now, the mother will be put to death humanely."
He then produced a colourful graph that proved abortions were good.
However, in another CNN interview, aired five minutes later as per the rules of balanced coverage, Lillian Thomas, one of the leaders of the Woman's Right to Live movement, unequivocally condemned the decision.
"Not only did the Supreme Court act with moral repugnance, but, more importantly, I take their decision as a personal slap in the face. I don't think they even gave a thought to how their stupid little decision would affect me and my organization."
When interviewer Wolf Blitzer asked Thomas why she was against the abortion, Thomas went on the offensive.
"As a woman, I feel obliged to take the side of women in every debate on whatever topic. Even if a woman brutally murders her entire family with a pick-axe, I will support her as a strong and independent female rebelling against a repressive patriarchal system. It's what I do. If I didn't, I wouldn't have this job, and would probably have to find real work."
As the news spread, it soon reached even the most remote corners of the country, where it was quickly consumed and put to self-serving use.
"Although I am not a woman or a fetus, do not have any children, am not married, and will not be affected by the Supreme Court's decision in any way," campaigned minor Presidential hopeful Stewart Kennedy in Alaska, "I would just like to say, for the record, that this issue is very close to my heart, and that my campaign supports the rights of fetuses to choose a good life."
"Kennedy in oh-eight is for fetuses great!" he shouted.
There were also reactions from those away from the battle's front lines, but close to its heart.
"I am saddened by this news and wish the Desmond family strength as they cope during this difficult time," said one of the Desmonds' neighbours, the owner of a local lumber yard. "And, to help them heal, the next two hundred customers at Willy's Lumber Yard get 5-10% off!"
Lori Desmond's parents, meanwhile, released a joint statement that confirmed their grief and called the Supreme Court's decision tantamount to murder.
"Our daughter was a living, breathing human being," the statement read, "By granting her fetus the right to abort, the United States legal system has shown itself to be complicit in the murder of one of its citizens. Therefore, when we mourn today, we mourn not only for the life of a daughter who was taken from us, but for the lives of all future aborted mothers, and for the clouded future of our once great country."
Johnny Desmond, who has yet to speak publicly about his decision, is set to make his first public appearance on Larry King Live in January.
It was the bittersweet climax to a long but ultimately successful legal struggle waged by the fetus to be granted the right to abort his mother, 19-year old Lori Desmond of Sacramento, California. In the end, the outcome rested on two major decisions: the decision of the Supreme Court to award Johnny the right to choose, and Johnny's subsequent decision to exercise his new right and abort.
Judge Lee, who has become the Supreme Court's unofficial spokesperson with regard to the controversial decision, explained the Supreme Court's reasoning several hours after it was handed down late last night.
"The fetus, Jonathan H. Desmond, had no say in his conception. He was not asked whether he wanted to be conceived, or by whom. He was simply thrust into a situation and given no choice but to accept the circumstances. Our decision was to grant him the power to change those circumstances."
"Furthermore," Lee went on, "Jonathan Desmond had sufficient grounds to argue that his mother, Lorianna Desmond, would be a danger to his person and a detriment to his future. For example, blood tests performed on Lorianna Desmond indicated that she was a habitual smoker of both cigarettes and marijuana, and several witnesses testified that she had consumed alcohol even after she had learned of her pregnancy. In addition, her lack of an education beyond the high school level limited her chances of raising her income beyond what we deemed necessary as the minimal level for supporting a child. Therefore, it is the opinion of this court that rather than be forced to accept these limitations and burdens imposed on his life, Jonathan Desmond be free to seek alternatives."
One reporter, who works for NBC but wished not to be identified by name, described the emotional scene that followed the official announcement of the decision.
"It was haunting and solemn and beautiful," she said, "When the doors slid open and doctors walked out, a hush fell over all of us—the journalists, the protesters, the friends and family. We were all in this together and equally. And when it was announced that Johnny was alive and doing well, we all responded. Several of the people beside me started to cry, and others hugged or exchanged handshakes. Some groups even lit small candles and sang songs, both joyful and melancholy."
And the reactions have not stopped pouring in since. From bloggers to politicians, it seems that everyone in America has an opinion on the abortion of Lori Desmond, and they just have to share it with the public.
Speaking on CNN, Michael Hellman, a former fetus and the current President of the NOF, the National Organization of Fetuses, stated that while he was sorry to hear about Lori Desmond's abortion, he applauded the Supreme Court's decision as well as Johnny Desmond's courage to do what he thought was right. Hellman also warned against misinterpreting the entire issue.
"This decision does not change the fact of abortion. It simply legislates that abortions can be done safely, cleanly and inside a hospital. If you'll recall, two months ago there was a case in Florida where a fetus had aborted its mother by having a rusty nail fed to it through its mother's digestive system while the mother was asleep, and then proceeding to tear, rip and claw itself of out her body. It was gruesome, barbaric and impossible to justify in a country such as the United States. At least now, the mother will be put to death humanely."
He then produced a colourful graph that proved abortions were good.
However, in another CNN interview, aired five minutes later as per the rules of balanced coverage, Lillian Thomas, one of the leaders of the Woman's Right to Live movement, unequivocally condemned the decision.
"Not only did the Supreme Court act with moral repugnance, but, more importantly, I take their decision as a personal slap in the face. I don't think they even gave a thought to how their stupid little decision would affect me and my organization."
When interviewer Wolf Blitzer asked Thomas why she was against the abortion, Thomas went on the offensive.
"As a woman, I feel obliged to take the side of women in every debate on whatever topic. Even if a woman brutally murders her entire family with a pick-axe, I will support her as a strong and independent female rebelling against a repressive patriarchal system. It's what I do. If I didn't, I wouldn't have this job, and would probably have to find real work."
As the news spread, it soon reached even the most remote corners of the country, where it was quickly consumed and put to self-serving use.
"Although I am not a woman or a fetus, do not have any children, am not married, and will not be affected by the Supreme Court's decision in any way," campaigned minor Presidential hopeful Stewart Kennedy in Alaska, "I would just like to say, for the record, that this issue is very close to my heart, and that my campaign supports the rights of fetuses to choose a good life."
"Kennedy in oh-eight is for fetuses great!" he shouted.
There were also reactions from those away from the battle's front lines, but close to its heart.
"I am saddened by this news and wish the Desmond family strength as they cope during this difficult time," said one of the Desmonds' neighbours, the owner of a local lumber yard. "And, to help them heal, the next two hundred customers at Willy's Lumber Yard get 5-10% off!"
Lori Desmond's parents, meanwhile, released a joint statement that confirmed their grief and called the Supreme Court's decision tantamount to murder.
"Our daughter was a living, breathing human being," the statement read, "By granting her fetus the right to abort, the United States legal system has shown itself to be complicit in the murder of one of its citizens. Therefore, when we mourn today, we mourn not only for the life of a daughter who was taken from us, but for the lives of all future aborted mothers, and for the clouded future of our once great country."
Johnny Desmond, who has yet to speak publicly about his decision, is set to make his first public appearance on Larry King Live in January.
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