Last night was a very politically poignant night in my opinion.  President Bush had his chance to make the speech of his life and in my opinion, he did.  He was relaxed, well spoken, emotional, open about all the issues and, above all to me, seemed like a real, genuine person.  Then, at the After Hours show for MSNBC, Janeane Garofalo, comedienne turned actress turned "political commentator" chimes in and spews forth her wacked out (IMO) view that it was all just a scam and she just "feels" she's being lied to.

Janeane really didn't get my attention at first (other than for a little chuckle) because she said exactly the sort of things I expected from her and her Air America buddy.  Then she commented on something that just got me infuriated.  She was saying that the language being used by the Republicans was misleading.  I didn't see it but gave her a fair listen...that lasted until she said (not a direct quote because it was about 2AM and I don't remember verbatum) "There is no such thing as partial birth abortion.  It is dilation and extraction.  Calling it Partial birth abortion is like calling an appendectomy an organ ripping."  Wow!  What a load of crap!  If anyone is trying to use misleading language it would be Ms. Garofalo.  Technically, you could call child birth "dilation and extraction".  Since Ms. Garofalo has never experienced child birth, I will ask this, how does she think the "dilation" occurs?  I'll tell you, labor!  Partial birth abortion is exactly that, the woman is induced, the fetus is brought to the point of birth, oh sorry Ms. Garofalo "extraction", then it is killed or terminated or whatever other term you want to use for ending that fetuses possibility for living.

Let me be clear, I am not a person who feels there could never be a need for such a procedure.  I am well aware that there are horrible defects that can't be detected until late in a pregnancy.  The procedure was developed originally because of hydrocephalus, a condition that causes fluid to build in the fetuses brain.  In such a case, the woman could not deliver the fetus vaginally and the D&X or Dilation & Extraction or Partial Birth Abortion saves the woman from the dangers she would incur with a C-section.

I see Partial Birth Abortion as a very accurate term.  The woman is induced (dilated), the fetus is brought out (birthed or extracted) usually feet first, then the brain is sucked out to collapse the fetal skull which allows an easier delivery.  You can argue that it isn't "abortion" if the fetus isn't viable.  I would agree with that asessment.  However, to my knowledge, there are no records available showing the causes for this procedure.  If it has ever been used to "extract" a viable fetus, it is Partial Birth Abortion.  My money says that it has and therefore, I don't see how anyone can dismiss the term.

I have brought two lives into this world via natural childbirth.  I have also had two miscarriages.  I was very upset the first time I miscarried and had to have a D&C.  My paperwork said "incomplete abortion".  I wanted that baby so the word "abortion" struck me with pain but the truth was, that was what was happening to my body.  My body was trying to abort the fetus because something was wrong.  Sometimes the reality is painful to hear but you have to call it out truthfully.  I do however, find it odd that doctors would call my situation an incomplete abortion but argue that the D&X procedure can't be called "abortion" because it involves a fetus that is not viable.  I tend to think that mine couldn't have ever been viable if my body ejected them.  Mine also occurred by the beginning of the fourth month.

Ms. Garofalo, who are you kidding now?  You really should have stuck to comedy and acting.