There are hardly many topics that can raise such debate, and invoke such passionate discussion, as does abortion. Whether one is "pro-life" or "pro-choice", the clear and definitive line between the pros and cons of abortion predictably leads to a standstill of opinion. Each side is sure that their view is the right view, and the nature of the abortion issue does not allow for a middle ground. Abortion arguments, however, are even further broadened and complicated by the sub-issues they include. One such sub-issue is partial-birth abortion.
             Partial-birth abortions are those that are performed in the late second or third trimester of pregnancy. The procedure usually calls for the abortionist to turn the unborn baby into the "breech" (or "feet first") position, then pulling the child from the mother until all but the head is exposed. Scissors are then jabbed into the base of the baby's skull where a catheter is inserted to suction out the baby's brain, effectively collapsing the skull and allowing for the easy removal of the dead baby from the mother.
             To date, about forty states have deemed partial-birth abortions illegal, though, on the federal level, attempts by Congress to ban this practice had been repeatedly vetoed by Bill Clinton. Current president George W. Bush indicated during the election campaign that he would fight for the abolition of these abortions, though no action has been taken as of yet. Furthermore, the Federal Supreme Court struck down a ban on partial-birth abortions in July of 2000, deeming it unconstitutional, perhaps feeling a need to protect Roe v. Wade.
             The Catholic Church, of course, is strongly opposed to partial-birth abortions, and has consistently presented a strong lobbying presence in Washington D.C., pledging to continue their efforts until the procedure is banned. In his homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday, January 18, 1998, the ...