Terminology

I've always thought that the proper terms were pro-choice and pro-life. These terms were chosen by the groups themselves and most accurately describe the ideology that they represent.

But lately I've been seeing "anti-choice" slung around... when did this happen? Presumably around the same time FOX News started using "homocide bombers" instead of suicide bombers.

Maybe Jude can help with this one. But it seems a little juvenile to characterize your oponents position simply as being the opposite yours, as though it had no merits of its own. If you want people to respect your postion, respect theirs.

All this brings me to this article in the NYT about the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Much of the article is right on point with its analysis. The Bush administration is in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade and granting rights to the unborn is a big step in this direction. But the law can also be seen as pro-choice, as this NYT reader points out (first letter).

Anyway, help me out, Jude. And tell me if the right-wingers believe that the unborn should have rights and that protecting potential life is a legitimate state interest or if it is an "agenda to control women's bodies" (fourth letter).

P.S. If you haven't signed up for the New York Times - DO IT