Couple Puts Abortion Decision to Online Vote

File this one under wisdom of the crowd taken to the extreme. A Minnesota couple says it will base its decision whether to abort a fetus on the outcome of an online vote.

A scan of the Arnolds' baby posted on their website

/ http://www.birthornot.com/

Alisha Arnold, of Apple Valley, Minn., who is 17 weeks pregnant, told the Minneapolis StarTribune that she had suffered three miscarriages and that she and her husband Peter were unsure whether they were prepared to have a child. Thus the decision to create a website where people can vote as well as monitor ting the progress of the pregnancy.

The obvious question is whether this is on the level or another in a long line of online gotchas to hoodwink a sometimes gullible media. The Arnolds were not immediately available for comment, but the couple's website has struck a nerve with a very interested public.

On the site's bulletin board, one person writing under the nickname "Spounge" called it "a sick joke." Another, calling herself "Dini," slammed the idea as "a cowardly way of making a decision."

None of this came as a surprise to the Arnolds. Indeed, in a recent post, Pete Arnold wrote that there was no shortage of emotion surrounding their decision.

"Though there are indeed many hateful. For every ten comments that are negative or spiteful there is one that is positive enough to blow them out of the water. We have even had multiple people (accounting for approximately 6% of those who have sent us a message) who have offered to adopt if the vote result is Abort.We have had multiple interviews today."

"The entire experience has been rather dizzying, and we are both surprised and impressed at how many have taken interest. Most of the interviewers have been very nice and professional, which is something I had not expected. Two radio talking heads we talked to were pretty clear in their attempts to steer the conversation, which we expected. I have been honestly surprised by how all of the local, national, and international media we have talked to so far has been shockingly "professional". One thing is cretin; I am very much looking forward to my return home from my trip to hold Alisha and have a nice long talk about what we have experienced thus far."

The public will be able to vote until Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor day, incidentally - a couple of days before the Arnolds can legally get an abortion in Minnesota, according to the site.

[md2205]

I don't think it is the wisdom of the crowd as the poll is leaning toward having an abortion as of the time I am writing this, and I think that is terrible. A normal, beautiful baby might be killed because most people think he should be? That is not what I call wisdom. Okay, guys, that should this whole story should tell you something about the "wisdom" and morality and value of life vs. selfishness and shallowness in this country. Time to rethink the value of life and the worthiness of those who do have children and are dedicated to taking care of them. G-d has plans for the people he creates and we have to figure out what the plan is for our life; in this case, it is to not kill this baby and for the parents to grow up and take care of the child with all their hearts so he can do the job he was meant to do. We have to increase in goodness and kindness and the world will improve to a better state of being.

[barbaram99]

slappy_moghee
Yes dear postor, they can walk away from the baby afther he/she is born..the safe haven law..they can dump said child in foster home..
I find it appalling that they as man and woman together post a site others shall choose the state their unborn that the woman is carrying by voting on it.. I could not believe it..I see it as a personal matter. The parents of the man and woman failed to teach them that this is not something to be done lightly..Others should not make the choice for them.
Babies are DEMAMDING, HELPLESS living things..Their life is going to change..I have heard little girls wanting a baby of their own as young 7 or 8..
My mother had to drop out of high school in the 50s as I was the reason. Mum was 17 and married when she birthed me..I was born with sp needs..Mum could not handle it. I could not walk and legally blind as well. My sister helpped me learn to walk at 2. I am the oldest. I have C/P..
Dear pastor..I think parenting classes should be part of students education..I was a foster child that started school at 10. I came from abused homes..
I knew at a young age I did not to breed for health reasons..I believe birth control should be practised..
I did not vote on their web site in their poll..I am sorry if they are upset with posts they have read..Their parents should taught them the facts of life as they were growing up..It shows that they can't think for themselves..
I am 56.

[UseYourHeadFolks]

They are messed up. I think they should go full term and put the baby up for adoption to a loving STABLE family. Why should be baby be terminated because the parents are dumb.

[btrask3]

Let's be clear...

The question this couple are asking is... do you think it is OK to KILL their Baby....

The question shows just how depraved American's have become.

[barbaram99]

i looked at their website...I did not vote..I will not..If they want us people to chosse for them.. I will not...I am appalled.. They must step up to the plate here and they are not going get my vote.. If they can't make up their mind..they should not breed..To ask us PEOPLE to vote in the matter is unfair. I am childless and older..They need to realise that they need to make the choice and not us..We will pay to educate the children here. Their parents failed to explain the duties of raising children to them..It is a 24/7 job for 18 years..

[jackpenn]

slappy_mcghee: You are what we call; "A lost soul" Do you believe you have a soul? What makes you, you? You are wrong in thinknig I belong to "Religion". I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ only, and I follow no man-made laws made for religion. I follow only the laws my Lord has given me to follow through His Word. Religion can lead to wars, as it has all through our history on Earth. I serve a God of Peace and Love, who is against war and acts of aggression. Read His Word, and if the Lord opens your eyes to understand, you will become a believer in Him, and He will bless you with His Holy Spirit, to grow strong in your Faith.

[jackpenn]

slappy_mcghee: Excuse me, I meant "adopt", I must have been hallucinating again. The difference between you, and me is I am a possitive thinker, in knowing there is a better spiritual life available for all of us if we want it, after we leave this worldly life. You are a negative thinker, and believe all things are temporary, or non existant, or unnecessary, or just untrue to put it simpler. I prefer my way of thinking.

[jackpenn]

I do not believe in religion, because you are right, it is man-made, and has turned into big business. I believe, in a personal savior, who I can find comfort in by reading, and believing His Word. I don't need booze, or drugs I can get high on the Lord Jesus Christ through His gift of the Holy Spirit, which gives me power. This would be too far out for you to comprehend, because you have to work at it, God is our Father, and He makes you work for His blessings and Grace, by trusting in Him, and obeying His commandments.

[mimi0304]

Total disregard of life. Very sad.

[superdem1]

I wonder how children wasting away in orphanages feel when they hear the "Pro-Life" people scream about how sacred every fetus is. No one comes to adopt them, day after day, yet "Pro-Lifers" will lay down in front of clinics, set bombs, and assassinate abortion providers. But the actual children, who need families, education, and love - nothing. And these same "Pro-Life" people vote for politicians who will do away with sex education, pre-school funds, school lunch money, unemployment assistance, etc. etc. etc. Actual people who cost money - NO. Imaginary babies - YES. If these people have space in their lives for a child, they should stop pushing their faulty genes and go adopt a child, even if it doesn't look like them or maybe has a special need. If she can't carry a child, nature is trying to tell her something.

[jackpenn]

I agree with you, that people who are pro-lifers should adopt, instead of just protesting abortion. Abortion is wrong, and the alternative is to put the unwanted child up for adoption, and the pro-lifers should be the adapting parents, or find people who want to adapt.

[kaviz]

Slappy- I truly think and agree what they meant was adapt. Broaden your veiwpoint and you might understand. I highly dought it though.

[Really_00]

This is a scam. They have ultrasounds from each week. Nobody gets those - their insurance is not going to pay for weekly ultrsounds.