Committing Abortions In a recent article in my local paper, the Daily Local News a prolife advocate said the following:

"In 1996, when Planned Parenthood of West Chester began committing abortions, they repeatedly declared that only first trimester (12 weeks after conception) abortions would be done," she said. "We believe that this fact made voting to allow abortions at their facility more palatable to members of the Borough of West Chester’s Zoning Board and to the community at large."

What I find interesting in this is not so much the story itself, although I am a pro-choice person, but in the language that was used, the word committing in particular or more pointedly the phrase

In 1996, when Planned Parenthood of West Chester began committing abortions

"Committing abortions", as in "commiting murder", not "performing abortions" as most people would say, it is a case of using language to influence opinion. Which is really the purpose of language. I just find it quite interesting that they use such language, this reminds me of the Administrations talk of 9/11 and Iraq and visions of "Mushroom Clouds over our cities". Which we now know was a lie, but still a powerful influence on peoples opinions about prosecuting the war.

Nothing earth shattering here, just a interesting turn of a phrase.  ¶ 1:56 PM