Those of you who missed the abortion debate on Wed., Feb. 7, missed the chance to see two very prominent, eloquent and very opposed speakers discuss their views on the abortion issue.

One speaker was Phyllis Schlafly, a very strong-minded pro-life advocate who has been involved in politics her whole life.

The other speaker was Sarah Weddington, the defense attorney in the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision in which the Supreme Court legalized abortion. Weddington is very much pro-choice, and last Wednesday’s debate was certainly heated, with both women arguing effectively to a large, mixed crowd for their cause.

Weddington began her argument by stating that while other lawyers in 1973 in Texas were making money, she was doing research on the ethical standards for lawyers. At this time she was approached by women’s groups, asking her if it was illegal for them to direct women who wanted abortions to good clinics across the border in Mexico (at this time abortion was illegal in Texas).

Weddington told the women that she wasn’t sure, but would go to the library and look it up. “It was that trip to the library that has led me to this day,” Weddington said at the debate. She jokingly added, “I couldn’t make money so I made history!”

History was indeed made in 1973 when Weddington effectively argued for Jane Roe’s right to an abortion in the state of Texas. She had no idea then that the case would wind up in the Supreme Court, and was quite nervous about it, as she was only 26 years old at the time.

Arguing in the Supreme Court “was awesome,” Weddington recalls in a post-debate interview. “I felt like the world was watching me. She says that once court began, she wasn’t nervous at all.

Weddington volunteered for the case, feeling that it was a woman’s issue. “I felt a special responsibility…it had so much impact on the abortion issue.”

Before the Roe vs. Wade case Weddington says she would have been generally pro-choice. She also says she is Methodist but the abortion position she took was not because of her religion. “I was more comfortable because of it, though,” she adds.

Weddington admits she feels the abortion case has really turned into a religious issue and says there are many churches and religious organizations involved now. She also feels that pro-life people have an advantage over pro-choice people.

Pro-life people are predominantly Catholic and hear updates and instructions about the abortion issue every week in church. “Our people (pro-choice) are not in any one place once a week. They’re not organized like pro-life people are,” Weddington says.

“I’ve seen more coming-together though, especially since Webster (a recent case in Missouri that made several restrictions on abortion in that state). It was a red flag in pro-choice people’s faces,” Weddington says.

She also feels, however, that the future of the abortion ruling is murky. In 1973 the Supreme Court ruling was 7-2 in favor of legalizing abortion but since then it has become 6-3, and now stands at 5-4.

Three Supreme Court judges who were in the majority in 1973 and still are today are now over 80 years old. If one of them leaves, President Bush will undoubtedly replace him with a judge who is pro-life.

To this fact Weddington half-seriously said, “I support mandatory life support systems for Supreme Court justices over 80!” at last Wednesday’s debate.

She feels that the Supreme Court will never make abortion illegal but might make it a decision that is left up to every state instead. What could happen is that each state will keep passing stricter and stricter laws until it is virtually impossible for most women to get a legal abortion.

Weddington’s most vehement argument here is that the abortion issue should not be decided by the government anyway. “In the long run I think you’re (the people) the ones who are going to have the decision. It’s up to you – your involvement, your concern and how you vote,” Weddington says.

College campuses are Weddington’s biggest focus right now. “My goal is to reach out to people and give them more information – activate the people on my side,” she adds.

Weddington’s advice to college students who want to become active in the pro-choice cause is to first hook up with a pro-choice group. Also, government officials up for re-election need to know that pro-choice people are out there. In other words, pro-choice people need to be heard by their representatives and senators. Finally, she says that voting pro-choice is very important.

Weddington feels that the abortion issue is the first political issue that is personal for most people. “Not many people are interested in the budget,” she adds. Hopefully it has the potential for getting college students politically involved, and they will become active on other issues as well.

“If we can get young people active, there’s no telling how much good they can do,” says a hopeful Sarah Weddington.