From 1973 to 1987, over 22 million abortions were performed. Pro-lifers would call it a terrible waste of human life. True, 22 million lives were taken, but I believe we would be better off without them. Webster's dictionary defines abortion as "the expulsion of a non-viable fetus." Abortion may perhaps be the most controversial topic right now. I'm sure by now you've heard of all the different types of abortion. Nearly all abortions performed in the United States are surgical abortions, in which the fetus is removed by aspiration or other means. (Drugs offer another option, which will be discussed later in this report.) During an aspiration abortion, the fetus is dismembered and eliminated through a small tube. This process only takes about 10 minutes and the mother experiences very little to no physical discomfort. Pro-lifers are quick to say that emotional trauma and guilt haunt every woman after she has an abortion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay However, during my research, I found numerous women who have led (and continue to lead) meaningful and free lives after their abortions. I think the mother's mental state depends a lot on her personal feelings about the abortion and the actual experience she had before and during the abortion. I have found that most of the time they use some strategy to make their opinions known. One tactic used by pro-lifers to convince people of their opinions is to play on fear and emotions. Their graphic descriptions and gruesome images are a crude attempt to "scare" people into having abortions, while their pious speeches and sobs try to make us feel sorry for them and the unborn. Another popular strategy of pro-lifers is to protest things like "Life begins at conception! The fetus is human!" Science has proven these facts, and pro-choice advocates are not trying to deny them at all. However, those who are pro-choice believe that the rights of the parents (i.e. the mother) trump the rights of the unborn child. None of these tactics work for pro-choice people like me. True, pro-lifers have the right to express their opinion (just like me), but I find some of their methods (as discussed in the next section) to be very unorthodox. In April 1994 a new law was introduced. The Freedom of Access to Clinics Act (also known as FACE or FACEA) protects women who seek abortions and the facilities that perform them. Specifically, FACE protects reproductive health services staff and patients from violent threats, assaults, vandalism, and blockades. FACE was signed into law by President Clinton on May 26, 1994, but angry pro-lifers continue to violate this law. Consequences for first-time offenders cannot exceed one year in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. Repeat offenders face a maximum prison sentence of 3 years and/or a fine of $250,000. If damage occurs the sentence increases to 10 years. If death results from the crime, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. I think it's time for FACEA. Pro-lifers have had enough with their "demonstrations" in front of clinics nationwide. Many news clips showed pro-life supporters throwing objects at women as they entered a clinic. In one extreme case, an off-duty police officer (acting as a bodyguard) and the husband of a woman seeking an abortion are,.