A slightly different sort of family / privacy right case

[Judith Baer]

Bill Funk wrote:

I wonder how many mothers will now choose to have abortions
rather than bear a child and give it up for adoption, knowing they have
no right of confidentiality.  This Oregon law, like so many laws passed
by citizen initiative, is seriously flawed, even if it isn't
unconstitutional.

 OK, I'm going out on a limb here.  Fire away--but I'm going to suggest that
more abortions in those circumstances wouldn't be a bad thing.  I've always
been appalled by the idea that women could be expected, or even merely
encouraged, to have babies and give them up.  I thought George Bush's
remarks in the 2nd 1988 candidate debate were reprehensible--especially
considering the fact that as he spoke, Joel Steinberg was on trial for (and
later convicted of) the murder of his "adopted" daughter, whose mother had
trustingly surrendered her.  After all, how does any mother know her child
won't end up with Joel Steinberg or Mommie Dearest?

Judy Baer
Political Science
Texas A&M University