Tangled in crossfire. Barely escaping the ambush on the left, just missing the deathblow to the right, and now the onslaught comes from above. It is a call to arms. Take your mark, aim and fire.

The 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade last week sparked controversy once again over the highly emotional issue of abortion. I was indifferent until I decided to use the topic for a column. I could have argued on both sides due to my mixed feelings. Not any more. It doesn’t seem to be so highly charged on campus, but the Internet and newspaper editorials are full of mudslinging and name-calling.

After embracing reverence for life during his campaign, President Bush has taken several steps down the long and rocky “pro-life” road with the battle cry “abortion is morally wrong.” Let’s review. Women’s access to safe contraception and information about abortion has been increasingly difficult to obtain. The increase in anti-choice executive orders, regulations, legal briefs and the possible appointment of just one more pro-life U.S. Supreme Court judge have raised eyebrows as well as the efforts in denying federal employees insurance coverage for contraceptives.

That gray-haired conservative old men believe its their job to dictate to me my childbearing rights; that gray-haired conservative old men seem to believe reversing Roe v. Wade will actually decrease or altogether stop the rate of abortions performed in this country is downright frightening. If a woman is in a desperate situation, she will find a way — be it illegal or unsafe — to get it done. Then she suffers either physically (a serious infection from which she could die) or legally. Listen to that heavy metal gate slam shut. Are those handcuffs tight enough? Aren’t our federal prisons full enough?

Thousands of innocent lives will be lost and wasted if Roe v. Wade is reversed.

Ladies, we can picket, chant and shake our fists at those gray-haired conservative old men trying to make decisions for us, but doesn’t the right to choose sometimes begin with choosing to walk away from a “no strings attached” sexual encounter? Saying no is important. But what fun is that? Aren’t we entitled to some sexual freedom and expression, or is there an element of personal responsibility that we’re trying to ignore?

Consider the emotionally devastating effects of an abortion, trumpets a heading from the Feminists For Life Web site, a national organization based in Washington, D.C. “If you choose to have an abortion, the risks associated with this choice include injury to the bowel, urinary tract and possible problems with having children in the future,” said Dr. Pamela Eleashia Smith, OB/GYN with public health training and 11 years of clinical experience.

I know of a 31-year-old widow who has a nine-year old daughter and dated a guy 10 years her junior. She ended up pregnant. He signed away all custody rights and walked. She never considered abortion. She had very little financial or emotional support, yet she knew she could not live with herself if she killed her unborn child.

Keeping abortions legal does not mean that pregnant women whose circumstances are less than ideal will form a stampede to their nearest clinic.

“We must respect and support the right of every woman to make personal choices regarding pregnancy, childbearing and abortion. It is not which choice she makes, but rather that she is free to make the choice that is right for her.” That statement, from the Web site of ProChoiceAmerica.org, says it all. This encompasses victims of rape, incest and prenatal testing that detects severe fetal abnormalities.

The pro-choice movement is not about encouraging promiscuity and abortion; rather it’s about providing objective information and education and services in a non-judgmental way. It is not about protecting the special interests and agendas of Washington bigwigs. It’s about protecting and respecting women. Both sides argue that women deserve to make “informed choices,” but often, the information about the choices is biased.

Tangled in crossfire. Barely escaping the ambush on the left, just missing the deathblow to the right, and now the onslaught from above.

While leaders and groups from both sides waste time throwing rocks at each other, women are crying for help. When the issue is reduced to absolute right and absolute wrong, there is a price to pay, and women are led to slaughter.

Leslie Heuer is a graduate student in English from Des Moines.