Terror and abortion closely tied

by Letters Editor · October 16, 2014

From Tony Meehan, Cape Town

The majority of South Africans were shocked and stunned recently at the decapitation of an American journalist. The executioner, known as Jihadi John, was shown sawing into his victim�s neck on a public video.

“…the High Court of South Africa, has determined that the �right to life� only applies to people and not to foetuses. “

Moments later, the severed head is unceremoniously placed on the dead man�s body. Although I have not seen the video, the above was extensively covered in the world�s media.

Understandably, the majority of South Africans were shocked. However, earlier this year, this same majority voted in a government which is as culpable as the world�s terrorists.

In South Africa, a mother whose baby is less than 13 weeks into gestation can have it murdered and sucked from her womb and the body incinerated. No reason is required.

If a baby is between 13 and 20 weeks of life and proving to be inconvenient for the mother, he or she can be destroyed. If, in the mother�s opinion, her economic and social situation is not conducive to giving birth, a doctor (protector of life?) will abort the baby, both tearing and cutting it into pieces. Because the skull is too large to be suctioned through the tube with the other body pieces, it will be crushed with forceps and then removed.

Unfortunately, many South Africans are quite happy with this situation because the Constitution, as interpreted by the High Court of South Africa, has determined that the �right to life� only applies to people and not to foetuses. How na�ve! What quibbling over semantics! What else can they be? What would they become if they were allowed their �right to life�?

If the dullards are uncertain, why don�t they give the babies a chance to prove that they are, in fact, �people�? It will only take a few months.

Surely, this would be fairer than the cold-blooded murder of a real person who has been technically condemned to death by words in a constitution and, in my opinion, the wrongful interpretation thereof.

Jihadi John killed a man and the world was appalled.

However, there can be no more horrific and sinful a deed than for a mother to kill her own child; and moreover, for a government which promulgates and supports such morally despicable conduct.