Shots From The Darkside

CLEMSON — At least seven current and former Clemson women’s track and field athletes have had abortions out of fear of losing their scholarships, according to an ESPN report. Athletics director Terry Don Phillips said that to his knowledge, no athletes have reported taking such actions to athletics department officials. He also said he is unaware of the identities of any of the athletes cited in the report.

My Take:
This is more a condemnation of legalized abortion than of some ill-conceived rule
(from here on out, all puns are intended) There’s no research to support this statement, but i submit that no one - anywhere - has ever had an abortion to maintain a scholarship. they may feel that way, but feelings lie and there is a huge dichotomy between truth and fact. This policy affects no one. The director has no knowledge of any young ladies going utilizing such measures. No one has reported it to any authorities. this is simply a case of the media taking a hot topic- ABORTION - and using it for a story. This isnt a sexism piece either. Male college students have the option to do things which promote scholarly goals - like studying. They can do things which interfere with studies: like conceiving a child and dropping out of class to take care of a family. Or they can do something responsible which neither harms nor enhances study (but is a lot of fun): like practicing safe sex.

Once bitten, you’d think twice shy…
In the story an unnamed current Clemson athlete is quoted as saying she had two abortions - the latest within the academic year — largely because of the team rule that allowed the program to limit or eliminate scholarship money if an athlete became pregnant. the player is quoted as saying ‘largely because of a team rule‘. Lets be clear: she got prego because she was irresponsible. she had the abortion because she didnt want the baby. she may use the rule and fear of losing her scholarship as an excuse, but she’s had two abortions in a short period of time.

that right: two… as in more than one.

she didnt learn the first time. how does anyone in the 21st century have 2 unwanted pregnancies inside of 4 years? This was on a college campus. Birth control is already cheap with health coverage and absolutely free in most college clinics. Condoms are more freely available than parking spaces or text books. College women’s lib groups sponsor and promote entire weeks devoted to safe sex. there is an entire wing of the USC campus hospital devoted to women and women’s needs. mysterious and magical things go on in there. women come out with all kinds of wonders like diaphragms and spermicide, morning-after pills, IUDs and Depo-Provera - all absolutely free. You just gotta have a student ID; as long as you pay tuition, you can have safe sex on the tax payers’ dime. There are sex counselors on hand to walk all the broken and used fraternity [girls] thru their remorse at having given up the bootie so easily. (no dear, he’s not going to call you) Other ‘victims’ are there recovering from their weekly relapse (i.e. deep throating an entire pledge class simply because they wanted a purse with some greek letters). there are guards stationed at every doorway, prepared to convince some unsuspecting freshmen that she was too drunk to be responsible for her own vagina. They even have
discount coupons for the local abortion clinics. go in with a girlfriend and get 2 for 1.

All the macabre - and kinda funny- imagery aside, i really dont have issues with these girls having healthy, adult relationships. My hypocrisy does have its limits. My issue lies with the irresponsible manner in which these athletes - supposed physical specimens - treat their bodies. I also have issues with them scapegoating their coaching staff and administrations.

these chicks are not victims of anything other than stupidity.

those abortions wouldnt have been necessary if they’d shown a little forethought. What? i hear you ladies screaming: “well what about the no-good guys who drop seed all over the place?” well, far as i can tell, none of them can get pregnant. discretion is the better part of valor and with all the cheap/free protection available, they should protect themselves. dont fall for the ‘I’m Sterile’ line. Show some concern for yur own health and double up on prophylactics. Hell, double-up. Life is a Sexually Transmited Disease just like the ‘Clap. these girls should be thanking God they didnt catch the ‘clapagonaherpasyphilaids‘.

My question is for the girls is thus:
Why should Clemson University be responsible for your child? Why should a state funded institution of learning pay for your schooling if you cant maintain your part of the deal? A scholarship is a contract between a school and a student. It’s work study. getting to class while pregnant would have been an ordeal in and of itself. but that scholarship also requires you to attend practice, maintain some level of fitness, perform at events… none of those things can be done while pregnant. the University of Clemson didnt impregnate you, so why is this a University issue?