Behind Bars for Babies

This year we had a debate resolution about protecting the rights of unborn children...most speakers went in negation assuming the resolution simply meant abortion...I think the issue is way deeper than that...
here is the speech I used at districts on this topic
We have all heard the arguments for and against abortion, pro-life versus pro-choice. But senators, I come to you today not solely on the premise of choosing one side or the other. While I do support this bill, it is not merely because I disagree with abortions. We must look at the fact that no where within this bill is the word abortion mentioned therefore, this is not the only argument we can focus on. Because, when we look to other circumstances in conjunction with abortion, we can see the extreme need to protect the rights of these unborn children, I cannot allow for this bill to fail.
My first point is, we must protect the murder of unborn children. On December 11, 2004 the jury in the Scott Peterson murder trial in Redwood City, California handed down a recommendation that Peterson be put to death. The 32-year-old fertilizer salesman was convicted four weeks before of murdering his wife and unborn son. This man was charged with a double homicide in a state that doesn't protect human life. According to the California state legislature, the state where the murder occurred, the only right to life protection is in the prevention of minors having an abortion without parental consent. If we don't pass this bill, we will be sentencing a man based on a committing two crimes, when only one is an actual crime. We must pass this bill to set precedent for future cases. Such as that of recently discovered pregnant marine Maria Lauterbach who was murdered. If this bill were to be passed, then murderer Cesar Laurean could be charged with double homicide ensuring an appropriate sentence and that justice is fully served to the family. Furthermore, according to the National Organization for Women, homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women. In some cases, the woman has been abused for years, and the violence escalates to murder after she's pregnant. In others, pregnancy itself sparks emotions that can lead to murderous rages."Violence in intimate relationships is all about power," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. "There are fewer times when you can have power over a woman than when she's pregnant. She's vulnerable. It's an easier time to threaten her." This can be seen in the case of 24 year-old Evelyn Hernandez who was murdered one week from delivery by her notoriously abusive husband. These children nor mothers did anything to deserve murder, we must pass this bill to ensure the protection of unborn children in such instances.
My second point is that we must protect the untimely death of babies because of maternal neglect. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 2,000 children die each year of abuse and neglect. We have seen it, all too many news reports that the tragedy of abuse crosses all social, economic and geographic lines. And now our urban centers are confronting another increasing tragedy -- use of illegal drugs and alcohol by pregnant mothers. In New York City, for instance, according to the 1994 Child Fatality Review Panel, a full 25 percent of the child fatality cases reviewed by the Panel occurred among children exposed to drugs while still in the womb. According to Health Scout News from February 8, 2007, alcohol consumption has been linked to fetal death, especially during the first trimester. As one Danish study found, the risk can be increased by nearly double when alcohol is involved. By passing this bill, we are allowing an outlet to take action against such neglect. Currently, there is no law prohibiting a pregnant mother from drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. We must protect these unborn children by holding the mothers accountable for such harmful actions as this bill would do.
Finally, we must look to the harms of willful fetus termination, or abortion. According to writer Ellie Dillon, " Abortion was supposed to reduce teen pregnancy. But the unmarried teen pregnancy rate has risen from 49.4 per thousand in 1972 to 99.2 per thousand in 1990. Abortion has encouraged irresponsible behavior and sex without any consequences. We were told abortion would "empower" women and let them make their own choices. But research has shown that 80 percent of women are pressured by their husbands or boyfriends or by their parents to abort their baby. Is this empowerment?" When we have more pregnant teens seeking abortion that is pressured by a generally older (median age of 22) male, we cannot view this as responsible action. Especially when according to physiciansforlife.org, nearly 80% of women express regrets about their abortion and suffer from some form of post partum depression. Not to mention, there are many physical risks to a woman that chooses to have an abortion. According to the Elliot Institute, these risks include infection, perforation of the uterus, hemorrhage, cervical incompetence, cancer, and even death. By passing this bill we will reap dual benefits. We will protect the rights of these unborn children as well as the health of their mothers.
In conclusion, we must look at the right to life in all circumstances, not just abortion. Not passing this bill would mean allowing murders to get off on lesser charges. It would mean condoning the substance abuse of pregnant women. And it would mean fostering the right to irresponsible, dangerous, and regretful decisions of abortion. Because I feel that every individual has the right to life, I must urge you to pass this bill and ensure those responsible for fetal death are finally held accountable.

as you can see this goes well beyond abortion...I think more people need to look at these aspects before making a choice on whether or not they support anti-abortion laws