To live or not to live

Sometimes I don't know if I should cry or laugh when I think of Chilean politics. In the last months the morning- after pill has been a much debated issue in the circles around la Moneda, the presidential palace and in the Congress. Not surprisingly are the traditional and conservative parties against it, claiming it is the same as abortion and killing innocent lives, and the center and left- wing have a more positive attitude towards it. Nothing shocking really. Of course this debate is important as we are heading towards elections and we have 3 presidential candidates urging to make statements and collect votes. I am really eager to get rid of our old- fashioned monarchy but the race towards being a president is seldom a nice view. It is like a live political soap-opera. Our right- wing candidate Piñera did for example a few months ago help to freshen up the campaign by stating he was pro- pill. This caused an earthquake among the right-wing Chileans. They were furious and he was attacked and accused of being flirting with progressive thoughts just to win votes. That is something! Flirt with progressiveness…!

However, I do find it incredible that a so-called modern country can have serious discussions about something that I find so obvious. For me, the right to chose over my own body and whether I want to have a child or not, is something I take for granted. The Chilean political elite has a different opinion and would rather that I just have that baby, even though I can't feed it, nor clothe it, and even though the father of the baby is just another sinvergüenza who surely isn’t interested in being my baby's father. Who cares about me as long as we don’t kill anyone. Nice and thanks for thinking of me.

Anyway. Besides thinking that this discussion is ridiculous and provoking, I also find it intriguing. A few weeks ago a small girl was kidnapped, raped and killed in a grotesque way in the neighboring and picturesque city of Valparaiso. So much talking about the wonders of life, how it is immoral to take lives, that God created us for some reason and that we, humans can’t take away Gods creature; Chile’s conservative clan again showed us how ridiculous and double-standard they are.
The logic and discourse of the wonders of life obviously only applies whenever it is suited. It is a flexible logic, but maybe not very trustworthy. I am not saying that this pedophile deserves good treatment or anything like that. I just find it amazing how these people against abortion and against the morning-after pill now want to see this man dead and demand a death sentence for him. That’s how easy it can be. It reminds me of Animal Farm… some animals are more equal than others.

Have a nice day!