Citizen activism mostly doesn’t often get much media attention. But turn to today’s edition of USA Today (1/25/13) and you see coverage of a protest that hasn’t even happened yet. That’s a little odd; but the paper’s point in covering this weekend’s anti-choice “March for Life” is is to note that, 40 years after the Roe v. Wade decision, the country is divided on abortion rights. Natalie DiBlasio reports:
Americans remain divided on abortion, according to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll. Significantly more Americans — 53 percent to 29 percent — want the decision kept in place rather than overturned. And 18 percent have no opinion, the highest level of uncertainty Gallup has recorded on the issue.
That’s an odd way of describing a 24-point spread in public opinion; it’d make more sense to see numbers like that and conclude that the public supports a woman’s right to an abortion.
This is actually a pretty widespread phenomenon in Roe anniversary coverage. On NBC Nightly News (1/22/13), anchor Brian Williams told viewers, “Tonight, what Americans now think about one of the most divisive issues of our time.”
And what did they think? Correspondent Andrea Mitchell reported later in the broadcast:
Today, seven out of 10 people in our new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll don’t want Roe v. Wade overturned.
If you think public opinion polling is a way to measure public division, and you trust your own polls, then that would make it one of the least divisive policy issues of our time. There are obviously other factors at play when it comes to reproductive rights, but it remains striking how often media are willing to talk about choice in the context of “divisiveness.”
For more on this, see Rose Aguilar’s recent column or her appearance on this week’s CounterSpin.
PRO-LIFE/ANTI-WELFARE
I would have more respect for Republicans if with their pro-life stance
they would say “have your baby and we will assist you in anyway we can to bring-up your child.” But, no, they are against any welfare and sit in judgement of the less fortunate.
Something tells me this issue wouldn’t be considered “divisive” if those numbers were reversed.
What could that something be?
Empiricism, perhaps?
@R.G. Longval,
So you’re telling me that women that dropped out of high school, refuse to work, and have six different children by six different men deserve for my taxes to cover a free ride for them? Or even better, the women who have 6 children and can’t work because they are “disabled” and who are so “poor” they need government assistance and drive brand new mustangs and always have a new phone attached to their ear? Absolutely not. Oh, and by the way, I am pro-choice.
Yeah, there are two sides, roughly 60/30 with the other 10% swinging back and forth. The two sides are not even.
Thousands flood Tahrir Square (Egypt) in protest on 2nd year anniversary of the revolution (REPORTED CNN). Hundreds of thousands walk in Washington on 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade (UNDER REPORTED CNN). Conclusion: bias exists in media reporting.
What else have we come to expect from those who can not tell the truth. If they report the facts they will soon be out of job, as we would come to realize we don’t high paid, expensive parrots telling the same shit over and over. However, as long as they are able to keep stirring the pot so nothing can be seen clearly, they steal every dime they want and no one is the wiser.
With the abortion issue, it depends on how you ask the question, no? This way? http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/01/201312214212291687.html
Or this way? http://www.gallup.com/poll/1576/abortion.aspx
@A.S.N.
Some people get their thoughts from the likes of Sean Hannity or Bill O-Reilly or better yet Rush Limbaugh. An individual who gets their inspiration for their comments from others have never been taught to think for themselves. I’m not judging. I feel sorrow for them and their parroting ways.
You made all that crazy shit up, didn’t you, A.S.N? I defy you to give us just one example of the women you cite. The biggest lie is that your pro-choice, but the part about the Mustangs (??!!) really is excessive, don’t you think? Anyway, liar, get hoppin’ on those examples.
to Tim N
I believe that A.S.N. is pro-choice. Abortion eliminates future rug-rats.
And that’s less money for A.S.N.’s taxes to go to. I wish A.S.N. would
count the blessings that A.S.N. has been gifted with, like an income
and the taxes that come with income.
Abortion is something that will always divide people.How could it not be so.Some believe it is the murder/life termination,of the most innocent among us.Some believe it is not…or even if it is they either don’t care ,or believe that the choice of the mother is all that matters ,and the child is non consequential.Id say that sets the stage for honest disagreement wouldn’t you?And further I would say any country that does not have disagreement on this issue is packed chocked full with inhuman creatures.
I think it is a lie to paste pro-life individuals with the general stereotype that they do not care for children “after they are born”… The fact is, the middle ground, or I would say “progressive ground” is not embraced by either party. Look, the impulse to “advocate for, save or protect” a life should not generally be characterized negatively. And, I do find it interesting that President Carter’s call to the Democratic Party does not warrant mention here. Despite what the polls or pundits report, there is a large disaffected populace that do not understand how the reporting of this issue is played out at the extremes. Finally, the Supreme Court, was all male. What to make of that; surely more than one interpretation.
i am writing to agree with the editorial on the walk. I think this motivates womans and young girls to think twice about doing an abortion and also mens to support their love ones. I also like the fact that they put this article everywhere so people can read about and go to the walk.
Regarding Roe v. Wade: Media slant or Gallup Polls don’t make something right or wrong. A majority may find abortion convenient. But, it is unwise to confuse convenience with principle.
It was convenient to live within a system that disregarded the principles of good banking; but it was not right. Only a minority warned of the consequences; indeed, it was difficult to find voices opposed to the financial boom before the crash of 2007-8.
The question of principle is at stake in the abortion debate. Is it right to sever human life? For many, the answer depends on the definition of when life begins.
As a scientist, I found the clearest and most unambiguous expression of when life begins, at the The Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person; see: http://www.westchesterinstitute.net/images/wi_whitepaper_life_print.pdf
As long as the issue of abortion can generate huge demonstrations on both sides, it makes for a great news story and the reporters are in the news business, Is good for business.Grow up.
A 53% support, against a 29% opposition, to maintaining abortion rights, is hardly a “split.” 50 to 45 is a split. 50 to 40 is a split. Even 50 to 38 is a split. But 53 to 29, is no longer a split, it’s a clear majority in favor. Of course, if you’re a literalist, 99 to 1 is a split.