Abortion

Abortion is offered to all if in the cases of rape or abuse etc. But really what are the issues surrounding abortion?

The word abortion means the “intentional destruction of a foetus or
the inducing of a premature expulsion from the womb to cause death.”
Abortion is a major issue in the world today. People in many countries
have abortions each year even if it is going against their religion.
For example last year on the coast of Dublin there was an abortion
ship, which is on international water where people can get an abortion
if they like. There are many arguments for and against abortion

Arguments for abortion
======================

People for abortion are often labelled Pro-Choice groups. These
include The National Abortion Campaign Lobby. Pro-Choice groups
believe that it is the right of any woman to terminate her pregnancy
if she wishes. Groups which are Pro-Choice believe that abortion
should be made legal and be offered to all women. The arguments they
make for abortion are as follows: -

The embryo in the womb is not an actual human being!

This argument is based on the belief that the embryo is just a cluster
of cells which is not a person but only has the potential to be a
human being.

A woman should have the right to terminate her pregnancy if she
wishes!

This argument is based on the belief that a woman has absolute right
over her own body. In this argument the embryo in the womb is not
considered to have any rights whatsoever.

Abortion should be legalised to stop unsafe and unsanitary back street
abortions.

This is one of the strongest arguments for abortion. In modern day
society girls can get abortions anywhere if they really wish. These
back street abortions are very dangerous and could maybe even lead to
the mother dying as well as the child dying. So for this reason Pro
Choice believe abortions should be allowed.

Woman may not have the facilities and the money to raise a child!

This argument is based on the fact that bringing up a child can be a
financial burden. Pro Choice believe that if a mother feels she will
not be able to care for the child then it is irresponsible on her part
to bring a child into the world.

A woman has become pregnant as the result of rape or her life is at
risk if she has the child!

Pro Choice argue that it is unfair to force mother to go through the
trauma of pregnancy to have a child which will make her feel hurt as
it will remind her of the rape. Pro choice groups also argue that if a
mothers life is at risk then she shouldn’t have to go through with
pregnancy because it would leave any other children she has
motherless.

The child maybe born with physical or mental abnormality!

This argument is based on a warped value system that says that a
person with a mental or physical handicap is worth less than a person
who has no disability.

Arguments against abortion

Groups, which, are staunchly against abortion, are called Pro-Life
groups. They include such groups are CURA and SPUC. These groups
recognise the value of all human life, including the unborn child.
These groups try to provide as much support as they can for mothers
before and after the birth of the child. Below are some reasons why
they are so strongly against abortion.

Human life is sacred!

The Pro-Life argument is that all human life is sacred. They believe
that this life begins from the moment of conception and anything that
takes away this life is tantamount to murder. If it is wrong to kill a
baby of 2 months, in the eyes of Pro-Life people it is equally wrong
to kill a two-month-old embryo. They see every human life both within
the womb and out of the womb as sacred and from God.

Child should not be punished for its parent’s irresponsibility!

The Pro-Life argument here is based on the embryos right to life
irrespective of the situation his/her parents find themselves in. If
the conception of the child is due to casual sex, the parents should
have no rights to decide if the child should live or not. They would
probably only be having an abortion for their own convenience and not
value the unborn child’s life at all.

Woman should not be allowed to put her career before her life of her
child!

In today’s society many woman are career orientated and the untimely
arrival of a child may ruin their career prospects. If a career woman
becomes pregnant she may look for an abortion as a way of dealing with
an unwanted child. The Pro-Life movement believe that no human
situation can justify the taking of an innocent life. Obviously a
person in this situation may need counselling or help in knowing how
to reconcile her pregnancy with her career.

Abortion may have physical or mental side affects for the woman!

Many women who go through with an abortion sometimes suffer from
depression as a result of it. Pro-Life groups try to inform the public
of these realities while Pro-Choice groups pay little attention to
this

Abortion is murder!

This is what Pro-Life people see abortion as. They believe if we are
able to justify abortion then we could just as easily excuse murder as
in both cases you’re killing with intent.

So to conclude I feel that abortion is completely immoral and in
nearly all cases I think that it cannot be justified. But when the
mother’s life is a risk it should be allowed because the death of the
mother would leave other children without a mother and this will mean
that all their lives will be hugely affected.

Songs you don’t want to hear …

When you split up wih someone there is always the one song that you don’t want to hear, for me it is this one.

It truly sums up my feelings of losing my lover, best friend and soul mate. Please read the words.

Please Remember by Leann Rhymes

And your left with yesterday
Left with the memories
I, I’ll always think of you and smile
And be happy for the time
I had you with me
Though we go our separate ways
I won’t forget so don’t forget
the memories we’ve made

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
and you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
And we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me

Goodbye, there’s just no sadder word to say
And it’s sad to walk away
with just the memories
Who’s to know what might have been
We’ll leave behind a life and time
We’ll never know again

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
and you were there for me
And remember, Please remember me

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
And we were wild and free
Then remember, please remember me

And how we laughed and how we smiled
And how this world was yours and mine
and how no dream was out of reach
I stood by you, you stood by me
We took each day and made it shine
We wrote our names across the sky
We ran so fast, we ran so free
I had you and you had me

Please remember, please remember

Nativity and tha abolishment of the story

I am not a believer of the christian faith but there seems to be a lack of the traditional story being performed in schools in todays society.

We have schools that  cater for all religions and ethnics, as a mark of respect in the community that I live in several schools did not perform the nativity. It is an old tale that needs to be told onwards to continue the faith that many people believe in. In my local newspaper a letter was sent in, no name and address was provided but this is what it said- I have omitted the schools name for security reasons.

Letter dated 28th December:

“Having just attended ******** Primary Schools’ production of Golden Arrow, this normally passive grandmother feels a simmering and very un-christian like fury and a deep, deep sadess at the relentless erasing of our beliefs, culture and traditions by the P/C brigade.

Of course we must cater for all backgrounds, we do, our children learn and are involved in many ethnic traditions in the appropiate month of their celebrations.

December is the month we christians celebrate the birth of jesus christ or, if one is not religious, a story of peace and goodwill.

Our believes, our traditions that ethnic children must learn about just as our children learn about theirs, all learning together and respecting one anothers equally.

I find it ironic that Golden Arrow is about an an indian chiefs son who turns his back on hunting and killing to become a great storyteller, yet our children are pervented from enacting the greatest story on earth.

I say to the many disgruntled parents, instead of grumbling in the playground, strike back by putting on your won nativity. I’m sure the church would be only too happy to facilite your production.

At the very least direct your complaint to the school governors.

Incidentally, afters ********** play, the headmistress said to us all “judging by your happy smiling faces you obviously all enjoyed it”.

No no no no no it was the children that we were smiling at, they really did well yet I for one was appalled. “

I feel that the writer hit the nail on the head why is there a decline that could potentially either make or break a childs christmas. If they are going to ban the nativity, why don’t we tell the children that St Nicholas does not really exist.

Support our troops

A friend sent me this, was one of those where it was better shared than kept to myself.

A Poem from Ops Sec, Iraq

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
ON A QUIET IRAQI PATROL,
JUST ME AND A FEW OTHERS,
OUT HERE IN THE COLD.

  THE SNOW WAS FALLING,
ON THIS COLD WINTERS NIGHT,
WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN,
THERE APPEARED A DIM LIGHT.

IT SEEMED TO BE RISING,
FROM THE EAST IT APPEARED,
I TOLD ALL THE OTHERS,
TO STAY QUIET AND NEAR.

WE HAVE VISITORS,
  EITHER FRIENDLY OR FOE,
WE CALLED OUR COMMANDER,
HE SAID TO LAY LOW.

THE LIGHT GOT BRIGHTER,
AND THE SNOW SLOWED DOWN,
  WE CROUCHED UNDER COVER,
NOT MAKING A SOUND,

NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE,
KNEW WE WERE OUT HERE,
  THE SOUND OF A CHINOOK,
WAS NOW GETTING NEAR.

LIGHTS FROM THE CHOPPER
LIT UP ALL AROUND,
THEN SOMEONE APPEARED,
REPELLING TO THE GROUND.

WITH NO COMMUNICATION,
FROM THE BIRD IN THE SKY,
  THE CHOPPER JUST HOVERED
WITH IT’S BLINDING LIGHTS

.
THEN CAME THE VOICE,
AND A JOLLY HO HO HO,
  FROM BACK IN MY YOUTH,
THAT SOUND I WOULD KNOW

.
WE COULDN’T BELIEVE,
THE SIGHT THAT WAS THERE,
  DRESSED IN A RED SUIT,
WITH SNOW WHITE HAIR.

HIS SACK WAS FULL,
AND HE HAD A BIG SMILE,
  THE NIGHT WAS STILL,
FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE,
THAT SANTA WITH HIS SACK,
BROUGHT CHRISTMAS TO US,
OUT HERE  IN IRAQ.

The Mccanns

Everyone has an opionion on this and here is my two penny worth ..

The parents were in the wrong to begin with, and are now suffering the consequences. But they should not have their other two children. They should have been done for neglect but the time has past for this to be so. No parent should leave any child alone.

As to Robert Murat, his career is over via the accusations. If he is found not guilty ad released, how can he obtain a future?

Coming into a new life …

As 2008 is ready to step into our lives, I took a moment last night to reflect on what 2007 was.
There was alot of memories created and alot of heartache caused. But as a whole I was pleased as to how it went.
I had many years happiness with John until things went wrong and we both wanted different things from life. There
will always be those memoreis and time will heal all wounds and I am hoping 2008 will be the new change I need.
Alot of oppurtunities have cropped up in the last few weeks of 2007, like having a date come through for my knee
operation and also I have been given the biggest chance to take part in a major musical.
The major loss I had was something so unique and special. I lost a part of me, a big part that I will never get back.
I never said anything because I was so scared and I am so sorry.

Spare a thought …

After spending the last five years with my family, my ex and I are finally facing Christmas alone with our own parents. It was one in which would show many things the main one of being separate. There was every option for him to be with us at this special time of year. He chose to go his own way and spend it with his mother and I praise him for that. I feel that she would be great if she ever became an MP for parliament.  Our opinions somewhat differed as we were always chalk and cheese.

I will be spending it with my family this year in Northampton. A town in which holds so many memories yet so many friends and family. Seeing family and friends faces as they open gifts from me, will be a great joy but it seems a shame to be celebrating something that seems so distant. I say this with such sadness that it almost brings tears to my eyes to think of those that will never see Christmas as a time to celebrate.

Out in the big wide world, are many casualties. They fall into all types, for example, families torn apart due to marriage issues or deaths, families that will never see their sons/daughters/partners again due to loved ones killed at war, etc.

I nearly became of those. I nearly lost two really good friends due the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. To be put in a position where you do not know if you will ever see them again is one I would not rather be put in myself. The elderly who have no one to celebrate Christmas with, little or poor heating that will not see them through the cold; these are contributing factors that make Christmas an often depressing time.

So this Christmas spare a thought for those less fortunate than yourself, show the one you love you really care and make Christmas for what it means to you – religious or non-religious.

Another year – mixed feelings

As I type this, I have officially become another year older and will be another year wiser. But it does not feel that way. What it feels like is that I have lost all sense of who I am and who I want to be.

After knowing what I always wanted in life I went out and sought as much as I could. I had the correct job suited to me, and up to late a man in my life. However everything can’t always go right and I seem to have got caught out on one front- the man. After years of being together, it was not meant to be and the worst thing is I miss him more than ever. He will never know because I don’t think he realises how much I truly loved him and still do with all my heart. He should be with me now and not in separate beds in separate apartments. I cannot switch off and let go, I do not want to let go of what we had and could still have.

I look around my family, watch them silently sleep. They look so peaceful and knowing what to do. I know they are the world to me, a world that seems so distant when I am at home. Coming home for visits is the one grasp of reality that I guess I will never let go off. Seeing my sister grow up and do girly things like shopping etc should be on a regular basis and not in between when I can. I miss all this and much more.

The feeling of emptiness is overcoming with the fact I have grown into another year of my life, another chapter entered and to what- nothing. There is an empty room, walls painted black and all I want to do is scream “please someone take me under your wing and help me”

I have found a soul mate, a lover and a best friend although it feels like he is slipping away from me. I want to grasp what I had and take it back again, get life going as it should be. Moving into the next chapter of my life with someone is always better than being alone.

What can the next year being, good luck I hope and also a meaningful chapter in my life. Something to take me onto a brighter future. Something I can take hold of and be proud, and have an achievement in life that I have reached.

Fate is one of those things that you either believe in or you don’t. I didn’t wholly believe in fate but there has been too much of a coincidence with recent events.  To say I believe in fate now is impossible, I cannot commit to that statement. I have faith in that there in something which determines the life that we lead. For many it is religion and for those atheists out there, well it could be down to pure luck or bad luck which is often the case.

Life is like walking down a country lane as my Nan was always telling me; it is what you make of it and how much you use it to your advantage. Now my Nan is on the other side, what she says is true. At the time being a teenager, it was weird having words of wisdom been spoken but you do not realise just how much that it means to you later in life.

Opportunities arise in life, and you have to take a gamble as to whether you take them or not. That gamble is the biggest gamble that we take in life. Sometimes it pans out and sometimes we get cut short but you have to make the most of that gamble. In my life I have taken many a gamble and now I would give anything back to turn back the clock. To seize lost opportunities like not going to University straight away, to recapturing long lost loves that never leave you are my goals. I am literally chasing backwards to try and gain these back but without making the same mistakes again.

To have the opportunity to be held by you, kissed by your soft lips, to be able to say I love you and have it felt is something that I miss. The feeling of closeness and the feeling of the bonds and bridges we built is something that is there and always will be. I know it as do you.

Watching my sister sleep in the same room as me is truly a miracle in itself. All these things I miss so much and I apologise for anything that I have done wrong. All I want to do is to correct everything and go back to being us. I want us to be happy and being with you does that to me. The bonds we formed will never fade and the love I feel for you is so strong that I do not want to let them fade.

There is a saying people come and go in your life but keep hold of the good pennies. To me you are the best penny I could ever carry in my purse, the one I always love in my heart and the memories will always remain in my mind. Please do not throw all what we still have away.

I love you now and forever more xx

A toast to life – cheers!!

After spending a good night out with the girls I got thinking about the meaning of life. Is there a purpose to what we do, and how we go about our daily routines?

Life can be defined in many ways but the one main definition that stands out is:

“The property of plants and animals (ending at death) that enables them to use food, grow, reproduce, etc”

But is this the extent to what we have been reduced to? Is this what we are living for? What about the finer things that makes us unique when it comes to life?

As we go about our daily life we form unique friendship and special bonds to make ourselves known. We learn to make special bonds that pull us together to form a community. But most of all we have family. Family to me is the foremost and important key to anyone’s livelihoods.

Family is what makes us what we are, family is the key that helps and guides us through whatever life may throw at us.

Most of all after the last few months, my family have been the key stone to help me where I am now. After a tricky break with my ex-boyfriend, I couldn’t see a way forward. To me my world was misty and so thick with fog I couldn’t see my way through. After being confused, and not thinking straight, my family was there for me.

Despite all his short fallings, my ex and I had fun whilst it lasted. We shared many moments in which I will always cherish and memories were formed. But things were not to be, and this is not really the place to discuss his short fallings. I couldn’t see a way forward but now I almost have a rosy path painted in front of me. One thing missing-him. When you are together with someone you consider them your life. To me he was.

When I think of where I want to be in life, the answer is I do not physically know and am unable to put together a plan that will enable me to fulfil that query.

Life is what we make of it, it can be full of fun and then it could be full of depressive thoughts. The one thing keeping me going is the love shown to me by my family and also the support from friends. Without them I would be no one at the moment, I would be facing the world with uncertain doubt of what would come next.

So here’s to all my family and friends- a big cheers and a hearty hug!!