For a number of years—yes, years—a daily protest has been staged at an abortion clinic on the 2000 block of Coffee Road in Modesto. Protestors often have gruesome signs showing an aborted fetus and shake them at passing motorists.
Many folks are weary of the perpetual argument over whether abortion should be legal. Those involved in the discussion exert considerable energy and enthusiasm for the side they represent. Every possible case has been made by both sides. Except for advocating legislation and government intervention, neither side has made a proposal that will end the argument.
If everyone who spends time arguing about whether or not abortion should be legal expended as much effort to reduce the demand for abortion, the argument about legality would eventually become moot. If there is no demand for abortion, then it doesn’t matter whether or not abortion is legal.
This begs the question, if people are so passionate about the issue, why don’t they take action to resolve it in a manner that doesn’t involve police powers or coercion?
Here in the San Joaquin Valley, no mechanism other than the daily protest in front of a clinic exists to reduce demand for abortion.
If adoptions were easier to be had, and there is no shortage of people who want to adopt, perhaps young women seeking abortion might choose to place the baby with a deserving couple? Why can’t abortion clinics have a list of parents who want to adopt so that they can counsel their clients and encourage adoption instead of abortion?
Would it be possible to pay pregnant mothers who want an abortion to carry the baby to full term and then allow the baby to be adopted? If medical costs were covered up to the baby’s birth, would a pregnant mother be less likely to have an abortion?
Lack of adequate birth control is often the reason cited for unwanted pregnancy. Could early sex education be upgraded? Could birth control devices and contraceptives be made more readily available? Aren’t these suggestions relatively low cost?
Many wealthy people live in the Great Valley. We have the resources to provide for young women with unwanted pregnancies. One of the great tragedies of our society is that we are too busy arguing about whether abortion should be legal to reduce demand for the procedure.
The answers are there if folks are genuinely concerned about the problem.
Unfortunately the Church that organizes this protest is also against birth control.
GIVE NIGHT WORKERS SOME QUIET
There is another problem with noise of car horns being used by cars passing by to show support for anti-abortion protesters on Coffee Rd near abortion clinic. They have the right to protest but not to cause disruptive noise.
The people who work rotating shifts and live nearby, have trouble sleeping due to the honking. Memorial Hospital is also nearby and within hearing range. I may be mistaken but believe this unnecessary honking is illegal The police have more important problems to deal with but a few citations would do a lot to stop the noise. The catholic church across from old Orchard Supply on Oakdale Rd is the likely source of these individuals. and word would spread of possible citation..