FIRING LINE: THE POLITICS OF ABORTION (TV)
Summary
One in this talk/interview series hosted by William F. Buckley, Jr. In this edition, Buckley and his guests discuss the abortion issue in relation to politics, particularly the 1992 election. Moderator Alex Sanders, chief judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals, introduces the panel. The panelists include Buckley, former senator George McGovern, executive director of Operation Rescue Keith Tucci, and president of Catholics for Free Choice Frances Kissling. William Buckley begins the debate by arguing that public opinion polls, which indicate that most Americans want to uphold existing abortion laws, are not effective as predictors of the outcome of elections; he claims that twenty-eight publicly elected governors are currently working to make abortion unconstitutional. McGovern states that although he would never decide to have an abortion, he is in favor of an individual's right to choose. Buckley counters by asking the senator how he can support something that he is personally against. Buckley and Kissling discuss the criteria that they feel should be used when a woman decides whether to have an abortion, such as the "moral status of the fetus." Tucci jumps in and argues against an individual's right to determine whether a fetus is human. He compares that judgment to the idea that prevailed during the era of slavery that called for African-Americans to be viewed as property. Then, McGovern, Buckley, and Tucci argue whether poverty is an acceptable reason for a woman to have an abortion. Kissling talks about those he calls the "overlapping majorities" in this country: the people who favor freedom of choice, and those who are "disturbed" by the number of abortions performed and want some regulation of abortion. Next, McGovern asks Buckley how, as a proponent of small government, he can support federal legislation restricting something so personal, and Buckley answers by claiming that the primary responsibility of government is to protect life, liberty, and property.
(Network affiliation varies; this program was also syndicated from 1966 to 1971 and from 1975 to 1977.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore R. Stanley.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: May 24, 1992
- RUNNING TIME: 0:28:26
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:61201
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Abortion - Government policy; Abortion - Moral and ethical aspects
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-1999.
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Warren Steibel … Producer, Director
- Muriel Oxenberg Murphy … Associate Producer
- Dorothy McCartney … Researcher
- John Virtes … Researcher
- Frederick W. Campano … Researcher
- William F. Buckley, Jr. … Host, Panelist
- Alex Sanders … Moderator
- George McGovern … Guest
- Keith Tucci … Guest
- Frances Kissling … Guest