Overheard on CNN.com: More states increase abortion restrictions
April 14th, 2011
05:27 PM ET

Overheard on CNN.com: More states increase abortion restrictions

"Even with the best birth control, women become inadvertently pregnant. Pro-lifers will tell that young woman she must have that baby, then ignore the suffering of the unwanted child who lives in abject poverty for life. I wonder how many conservatives have spoken out against a national health care system to provide medical care for the children of single mothers."–Aginghippy

More states restrict abortions; group says trend 'unparalleled'

Arizona recently banned public funding to train physicians to perform abortions; the state also banned tax credits for donations to Planned Parenthood. Kansas joined Nebraska in banning abortions after 21 weeks because of “fetal pain.” Many CNN.com readers said the new laws showed church entanglement with state policies.

pfriedkin said, "The push for these laws are purely the work of Christian extremists. Their "social" agenda is really a religious agenda and an attempt for force everyone to do what they say." Jilli asked, "Can burkhas be far behind?"

AngryDeuce said, "This is why churches should not get tax-free status: the money they claim is going to help the needy is going to lobbyist groups and perverting our political system with their beliefs. You want tax-exempt status, you show me the soup kitchen or homeless shelter it is funding. One penny goes to politics, and you lose your tax-free card for 5 years. That's how it ought to be."

Many questioned why states would withhold funding for abortions when society might have to pay for the future problems that might cause.  casselli said, "Is the GOP going to support all of these unwanted babies? What is going to happen when some of these women that will not take care of these babies start having them instead of having that procedure?"

Guest said, "I'd rather my tax money pay for an abortion than for the child's maintenance for 21 years."

Thrillhouse said, "Legalized and accessible abortion has shown a strong correlation with reduced crime rates. Right or wrong, there are very real consequences of forcing individuals to have unwanted children."

But others were more concerned about who pays the bill now. When enalunar said, "Keep your politics out of my uterus!" TK1957 answered, "Keep my tax dollars out of your uterus too." And frespech said, "Keep your mind in control of your uterus."

FREEDOM4 said, "You want birth control? Pay for it yourself. You want an abortion? Pay for it yourself. The taxpayers are maxxed out. We're willing to pay to care for the elderly, the sick and the disabled, but that's it. If you're an able-bodied person, pay for your own sex life."

18 years after Waco, Davidians believe Koresh was God

Nearly 20 years ago, 76 followers of self-proclaimed prophet David Koresh lost their lives during an FBI raid. The group was stockpiling machine guns and Koresh had engaged in sexual acts with underage Davidian girls, according to many sources. Some survivors still await Koresh’s return.

ZooperDoink said, "America's not a melting pot, it's a cereal bowl. Full of nuts, fruits, and flakes."

MarkDudier said, "He was more like a pedophile with a Jesus complex."

s33k3r75 said, "As crazy as this is, people have a fundamental right to join a cult and believe what they want. But no one has a right to rape underage kids or send their kids to be raped by the cult leader."

SadPanda said, "Have you ever noticed that the common denominator in cults and the like is that the leader gets to have sex with all the women? It's never about finding God or anything else, it's just so the main guy can fulfill some weird fantasies he never got to experience living in his mom's basement."

flippin said, "It's so sad how some are so easily brainwashed. And it's scary that someone like Koresh can so easily convince so many that he is God. He was a space cadet, a hypocrite, a sleeze, a liar, a pedophile, a thief, a murderer. Yet all these people were convinced he was God in the flesh. So much that they let their children be abused, suffer, and ultimately be killed in a fire."

Pleo said, "Given the enormity of the tragedy, and the loss of loved ones, it's easier for some of these people to believe they were right and their loved ones "died for Jesus,” than it is for them to accept the truth that they were duped by a charismatic cult leader. Very sad story."

tadam74811 said, "Koresh was as insane as Charles Manson, and unfortunately his followers were blinded by the craziness that sometimes accompanies religious fervor."

iRichard said, "Jim Jones, Terry Jones, Westboro, and Islamic extremists are all examples of the danger of radical religion. Our forefathers certainly knew what they were doing when they separated church and state."

Zsa Zsa Gabor to become new mother at 94, husband says

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, wants to have a child “with” his 94-year old wife, using a donated egg, surrogate mother, and artificial insemination. lienn said, "Please tell me this is a joke!!!" CosMcOldGuy said, "Madness! Leave the poor old lady alone. She had a great run."

TheSwan1213 said, "A 67-year-old man (adopted as an adult to become a prince) wants to have a child with a 94-year-old one-legged bed-bound former actress? These people are nuts!!"

tovia said, "If his plan is for all three of them to wear diapers at the same time, then his timing is impeccable."

citizenUSA said, "So baby's first outing will be her mother's funeral."

AndyDaniel said, "I would bet that Zsa Zsa Gabor is not even aware of this statement by her husband, who in the past has done several bizarre things for publicity, including claiming to be the father or Anna Nicole Smith's baby, and claiming he was robbed and handcuffed naked to his car by a group of women. This will go exactly nowhere."

After expressing shock, many CNN.com readers began to speculate about the real purpose for pursuing paternity.

rebeyeh said, "So, technically it wouldn't be Zsa Zsa's natural offspring if they're using an egg donor and his sperm. She already has an heir, her daughter; this guy is afraid he won't get a penny when she dies."

kowalski66 said, "He is pretty shrewd, if you ask me! He is worried about the inheritance, and a baby with his seed will help seal the deal." TNopinion agreed, "I guess he's thinking if they have a joint child together, said child will inherit half the fortune and he will claim it by proxy."

LordPet said, "I suppose it's a way to make it harder for Francesca Hilton to contest the will." sD1 said, "Sounds like her daughter needs to be visiting a lawyer on Zsa-Zsa's behalf and soon."

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.

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soundoff (187 Responses)
  1. FED UP!

    So how many of those right wing conservatives that are against abortions support all of the wars??? I guess that is not murder. That definition of murder is different.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:04 pm | Report abuse |
  2. raven

    Btw, Hi Philip! and my sista!

    April 14, 2011 at 8:04 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Philip

    Abortion isn't one of those 'men are from mars, women are from venus' moments banasy. If men had wombs I'd still say Yes! Let the child live. It's not about who is or isn't responsible for the child. It's about life and death. The giving of life triumphs over the giving of death.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:05 pm | Report abuse |
  4. raven

    I usually stay well clear of these kinda debates because there really IS no where to draw the line. Its one of those issues where people tend to think in black and white. I still would rather a woman take a pill the day after being careless (or reckless if youd rather use that term) than be resentful of a kid she didnt want.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:10 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Illuminati

    It is still murder even if the name is changed to abortion.
    All those who performed abortions or participated in abortion need to be tried for murder.
    I am for abortion if it is retroactive for the abortionists.
    Get all of the abortionists and give them an abortion now a few years later.
    I am also for DNA screening to see if someont could be potentially an abortionist when they become an adult.
    Then that would be a good abortionl

    April 14, 2011 at 8:15 pm | Report abuse |
  6. raven

    I rest my case.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:17 pm | Report abuse |
  7. banasy

    *You'd* say yes, Philip. *You* would. I believe that, absolutely. But *you* cannot ever, ever speak for the woman in that predicament. And nobody else has that right, either.

    This is my opinion: If a fetus can sustain life outside the womb, then it's a being. A human being. *Then* it becomes murder.

    Until then, it's the pregnant woman's choice what to do with an unwanted pregnancy. Not yours. Not mine. NOT the government's.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:23 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Philip

    I just wish that a pregnant woman wasn't the one who makes the decision. If we had an female President, I'm sure she would have someone else in charge of 'the button' (decision to launch nuclear attack) Maybe if we had a panel of knowledgable people decide the childs future. But really, most cases involve people who wanted to play but didn't want to pay nine months later. There are other instances to be sure. But the lions share of abortions are so they can keep playing without having to worry about paying. Sure would be great if life worked that way...do whatever you want and it won't cost you. Place your hand on the fire and it doesn't burn. But that's not how life works. That's how death works.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:24 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Philip

    And of course I was speaking of a pregnant President who was experiencing the emotions human's experience while pregnant. "Shall we launch the nukes Maddam President?" Wherez my gaddam pickles and icecream!

    April 14, 2011 at 8:29 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Philip

    Oh OK...let's have pregnant women make all the tuff decisions. We've tried just about everything else. What have we got to lose?

    April 14, 2011 at 8:33 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Arthur Conan Doyle

    "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner." (note he doesn't say 'pregnant' woman)

    April 14, 2011 at 8:41 pm | Report abuse |
  12. banasy

    Philip, I hope you're not saying that a woman cannot run this country. Because that would be a very bad assumption.

    as for your portrayal of a pregnant President, stereotype much? Perhaps this is why women want to be the ones who make the decisions concerning their own bodies.

    April 14, 2011 at 8:44 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Dim Mak

    @Phillip: Partial birth abortions are sometimes needed for situations like kidney failure or other terminal complications. 2 doctors must sign off on them, so it's not like a woman 6 months into pregnancy can just say "You know what doc? This baby is going to cramp my style. Can you suck out it's brains and deliver the carcass?" Regardless of what propaganda you might have heard PBAs are not used for convenience purposes. @banasy: I agree about the morning after pill too. It's a proven oopsie preventer.

    April 14, 2011 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
  14. lizzy10

    I don't believe in abortion, but it is legal. I can pray that women will not have one, but I would never deny the right to one. Life begins at conception, you're not having a rock, you're having a baby. This country was founded on separation of church and state, I believe in that. I can't understand people who feel it's ok to bomb clinics and kill doctors-I also can't understand people who believe that a baby isn't a person until outside the mothers body.

    April 14, 2011 at 9:05 pm | Report abuse |
  15. banasy

    @lizzy10: They're opinions. You believe life begins at conception; I don't. Yes, the fetus *is* alive, but I wouldn't call it life. I don't understand how some people believe that life begins at conception, and not when the fetus can live on it's own. They're opinions...and one is not any more valid than the other.

    I personally dislike abortions; but I can't tell anybody else what to do with their body. And neither should anybody else.

    Education is key; but their trying to pull funding for that, aren't they?

    April 14, 2011 at 9:15 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      banasy, your belief is not the definition of life...you must have fell asleep in your 3rd grade earth science class. It's considered alive if it grows, requires nutrients and exchanges energy, response and/or movement. The ovum and sperm are living cells but a fertilized egg is considered life. This isn't acts of faith but basic scientific biology 101!

      April 14, 2011 at 10:06 pm | Report abuse |
    • lizzy10

      banasy-it's not an opinion, it is a belief. That is the problem with abortion, beliefs. An opinion can be changed, a belief is forever.

      April 15, 2011 at 8:04 pm | Report abuse |
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