'The truth is that abortion is today the bloody crossroads of American politics. It is where judicial liberation (from the Constitution), sexual liberation (from traditional mores) and women's liberation (from natural distinctions) come together. It is the focal point for liberalism's simultaneous assault on self-government, morals and nature. So, challenging the judicially imposed regime of abortion-on-demand is key to a conservative reformation in politics, in morals, and in beliefs.

And this apt commentary on Kristol's statement above by Andrew Sullivan, written back in Clinton's day.  It can be hard to read, knowing where we are now with two Bush appointees soon to be on the Supreme Court.

In the 1980's, the outlawing of abortion was framed in the somewhat liberal terms of saving human life, and protecting human rights. And that is why a smattering of left-leaning intellectuals also signed on as anti-abortion advocates. But in the 1990's, the conservative emphasis has changed. Now the banning of abortion is linked primarily to an attack on the Supreme Court's judicial activism in other areas as well (prayer in schools, women's equality and gay rights foremost among them) and to the more general sexual liberty of the society as a whole. Abortion is central to a reassertion of what Kristol called ''traditional mores'' and of ''natural distinctions'' between the sexes. It is not unrelated to the Lewinsky obsession and the anti-gay crusade. In fact, it is the anchor of both.

   Conservative Christians are cultural traditionalists who are trying to impose a larger moral vision upon society. They're also complete absolutists in their thinking. This leads them to oppose contraception out of the fear that it promotes promiscuity even though wider availability of contraception would nevertheless also decrease the number of abortions (Plan B emergency contraception being a perfect example).

    In short, the anti-abortionists aren't necessarily who you think they are: They are far more radical, and way out of touch with mainstream American culture, which has long since accepted the notion of women regulating their own fertility.

Another blogger, Pandagon, puts it this way:

The important thing to remember about the anti-choice movement is not only are they anti-sex, they are specifically anti-woman. (And generally anti-gay, though that's a whole `nother post.) Like Chris says here, it's about having a very narrow view of what's moral-specifically, adherence to strict gender roles is "morality"-and it's motivated by a belief that they are entitled to force their views on others through the law.

There you have it. It's all about gender-hate and sex-hate. And since they don't help the mothers of the babies that they 'save', it's especially about punishing women for having sex.

by Lorie Johnson on Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 10:18:40 AM EST

Charmaine Yoest, a vice president at the Family Research Council, told a morning gathering of 40 antiabortion bloggers that the demise of Roe would mean a battle within each state over whether abortion should be legal -- a more localized, grass-roots fight.

"Consensus is building that we are moving into a post- Roe future, and we need to be ready," she said.

The pendulum swing, she said, is reflected in the confirmation of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court. Neither man is a guaranteed antiabortion vote in any court case, Yoest noted, and even if both men vote to overturn Roe , the balance on the court is still 5 to 4 in favor of the ruling.

But society is clearly more open to the idea that Roe was a bad ruling on constitutional grounds, Yoest said, and is generally becoming more concerned about ethical ramifications in such areas as stem cell research and euthanasia.

"You're seeing an increasing feeling that Roe was poorly decided. And Alito's confirmation will be a watershed moment in that direction," she said.

The bloggers, a mix of middle-aged men in suits and young women who are college or graduate school students, said they are part of an increased sophistication in the movement that speaks to young people today.

"I think there is definitely a cultural shift going on. People are seeing that the questions are deeper cultural questions, not just political ones," said Johannes L. Jacobse, a priest who came from Naples, Fla., and runs the site OrthodoxyToday.org. "I think in the next couple years people will be able to say: 'I am a pro-life Democrat.' "

His blog is among those on ProLifeBlogs.com, which links to 500 sites, its organizer said at the conference.

Technology is playing an integral role in delivering the anti-abortion message, say those in the movement, but better communication between bloggers as well as firsthand reporting is needed, agreed prominent anti-abortion bloggers Monday at their first annual conference.

Anti-abortion bloggers convened at the Family Research Council to discuss strategic uses of the blogosphere to communicate Christian anti-abortion messages prior to the 33rd annual March for Life in Washington.

A growing number of anti-abortion blogs have joined the abortion debate, promoting the views of the movement against legalized abortion and playing watchdog to abortion-rights activists, legislation and abortion clinics.

Networking among anti-abortion bloggers through technology will counter the portrayal of the anti-abortion movement in mainstream media, according to Charmaine Yoest, vice president for external relations at the Family Research Council and managing editor of the daily blog www.FRCBlog.com.

Yoest compared the anti-abortion blogging movement to a line of high-tech 21st-century water buckets putting out a large fire burning since the Roe vs. Wade decision was passed down in 1973.

"We form an association, that's the American way," said Yoest, one of three hosts for the event.

Emphasizing the impact of technology in actively promoting the anti-abortion stance, she said more women on both sides of the debate were becoming more conscious of the healthy fetus via technology including sonograms.

"We are headed into a whole new era of abortion public policy," Yoest said.

Aside from the abortion debate, bloggers also addressed concerns of effective messages and network building within their blogging community.

"The blogosphere, I sometimes think, is the ultimate Darwinian experiment -- survival of the fittest," said Kathryn Lopez, syndicated columnist and editor of The Corner at National Review Online, mentioning the blogosphere was an amazing medium but that there was no science to the success of a blog.

Lopez, who was the keynote speaker, was unable to attend the conference in person but phoned in.

However, she insists individual bloggers should pinpoint and contact notable bloggers who would be interested in their posts, pitching them their site and any specific posts, rather than just sending a link.

"The world needs more reporting," said Lopez, noting that anti-abortion blogs could gain more attention through reporting than commentating due to the abundance of instant pundits.

"Tim" of ProLifeBlogs.com (who requested anonymity), another host of the event, added that the blogging community could also become more effective by providing solid messages in principles, writing firsthand experiences, engaging in meaningful discussions with the abortion-rights culture, collaborating with others and partnering with anti-abortion organizations.

But the Internet also offers bloggers an opportunity to discuss other issues associated with the abortion debate.

According to Peter Shinn, another host and blogger of March Together for Life, blogs are a good way to speak about God and anti-abortion bloggers, recognizing that most anti-abortion individuals he has met have been Christians, he said.

"Move Together is growing, but the main focus now is the pro-life unity," said Shinn, who is also promoting ProLifeUnity.com, which sends out calls for support for member efforts including the Monthly Call for Life.

Moreover, freelance writer and blog consultant La Shawn Barber (lashawnbarber.com) noted the blogosphere provides a good forum to discuss race and the anti-abortion movement, an issue that she says needs to be addressed more.

A number of international bloggers attended the event such as "Auds" (who also asked to remain anonymous), blogger of realitycheckdotie.blogspot.com and a student from Ireland who came to Washington for the first time this week.

According to Auds, the Irish media have not reported adequately on the issue. And with the recent emergence of political blogs, Auds predicts more anti-abortion bloggers will appear as more individuals adapt to technology with the introduction of broadband, she said.

Joseph P. Gillin, 50, of the blog Life at the Frontier (lifeatthefrontier.blogspot.com), says blogging is a medium in which bloggers can pass information, educate the public and communicate with other bloggers.

"It will help turn the tide, raising awareness about the dignity of human life and protecting it," said Gillin, who began blogging almost three years ago. "And it's a healthy progress, finding more sources of information than the few networks I grew up with."

Meanwhile, Mary Worthington, 23, of The Revolution(myheartsrevolution.blogspot.com), said she posts three to five times a week writing about the anti-abortion movement, contraceptives, human sexuality and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

"We need to avoid the temptation of only blogging among each other but rather we need to communicate with the general public who really needs to hear our message," Worthington said. "The mainstream media portrays us as extremists, but the blogging movement provides a lot of factual information on the movement."