Everybody wants to know the why to everything. Sometimes the why is obvious, sometimes it remains unknown. And sometimes the why is a lie.

I mean that the reason why is known but is hidden in a plausible explanation for the benefit or detriment of others (or yourself). There are innumerable examples throughout history to justify wars – even though there are two sides to everything and as Elizabeth Zelvin wrote in A Matter of Perspective, “History is written by the victors. The losers write it too, with spin.” Spin is a big component of justification. What you believe is emphasized more and given a positive spin so that you receive support or empathy, especially if you are on the losing end.

I keep coming back to the abortion issue because it is the most controversial and personal issue to date. When one side is more persuasive and gets more support or empathy, it determines whether or not it is an issue. I still personally believe that it is personal and does not belong in the public realm at all because the outcome will more heavily affect the mother-to-be and child, and no one else. The chances of the public raising and supporting the child are very low, so the public should not have a say about the issue. And there’s the position of a case of rape or incest. And what about the very hard choice of saving the life of the mother or the child? Did that get any support or empathy?

My argument for the right of a person’s choice is agreed to by some but the opposite is agreed to by others and they have their arguments for why a child should never be aborted.

All arguments should be made with yourself if you are the person to be affected; arguments should be made with others who may be affected (like a spouse); and arguments and advocacy should be asserted to or for a position if the public may be affected.

In both these cases, the “winner” has to accept responsibility for all the outcomes.