Words matter, and neither "reduce the need for abortion" nor "reduce the number of abortions" is good common-ground language. Pro-lifers deny that most abortions are needed. Pro-choicers oppose coercive means of reducing the number of abortions. A better description of the desired joint effort would be to "reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies." This implies a commitment, through comprehensive family planning programs (abstinence *plus* contraception, not ineffective abstinence-only education), to prevent unwanted conceptions. It also implies a commitment to provide more social and economic support to familes with children so a higher proportion of pregnant women--even women whose pregnancies were initially unplanned--will *want* (as opposed to be *forced*) to give birth to their children and either raise them themselves or give them up for adoption.

Agreed. Hard to see how reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies could be seen as anything but pro-life (be pro-life! support unwanted pregnancies!), though armies of so-called pro-lifers will certainly try.

Perhaps even better language would refer to "wanted children", eg., "doing everything possible to ensure that every child is a wanted child." This would provide more room for the adoption option (someone's "unwanted pregnancy" may be someone else's "wanted child").

A better phrase is "reduce the number of UNINTENDED conceptions".

This word choice emphasizes before-the-fact volition on the part of both parties to a conception and puts the responsibility on both parties to take measures to prevent it from occuring.

Using the word "unwanted" seems to me to infer some degree of inattention or indifference until after-the-fact.

Using the word "pregnancy" seems to focus the responsibility on the woman (It take two to cause a conception but it only takes one to support a pregnancy).

How do you reduce the number of pregnancies when a lot of these people see 'the pill' as a method of abortion. When they see any form of birth control as aborting a fetus. That is how utterly ridiculous a lot of them actually are. They are very authoritarian minded people who only see things one way their way. I don't believe it's the actual issue of abortion that really bothers them. If it were they would be all for contraceptives and even sex education. But, it is more a religious control issue which is what makes them so dangerous. Abortion is simply the vehicle to acheive those goals.

You can not reason with or find common ground with people like that. When their views are not remotely realistic. When they have literally no respect for someone else's beliefs'. That's what a lot of the issue boils down to respecting someone else's belief's even though you don't agree with them. It's all part of becoming an adult you learn there is a lot in this world you can do literally nothing about no matter how loud you scream and terrorize. You learn to push it back in your mind and go on.

I watched Rachel Maddow last night and one of their groups is going to pick abortion providers today with their 'The Pill Kills' signs. It's going to take place during Dr Tiller's funeral. A lot of them are being driven by religious fanaticism. So regardless of how the issue plays out. I don't see a lot of these people being satisfied with any compromises. Because religious fanaticism isn't going away very soon in this country. That is what these people are all about!