Have you ever said someone was old? And more to the point, did you imply with your statement it was a bad thing or they were somehow out of touch with the present state of affairs? Then you have practiced ageism yourself.

So we're in agreement here... ageism isn't appropriate...

I'm an ageist. Due to my advanced years, I'm allowed to be. F*ck them old doddering b*st*rds. Put them out to grass, or, preferably, under it. Six feet sounds about right.

Mom surprised draugnar got into the ageism debate rather than addressing my point.

Which is?

Briefly stated it is that one can hold either view on whether the right to life is natural (God given) or a legal right given by human society.

If one believes in it beings natural right it exists regardless of what we think and cannot be tweaked and messed about with to suit our arguments. It is universal and inalienable. People who believe in the natural right cite it in defence of no gun control as governments can't interfer with right to protect life.

People who think the right to life is a legal right subscribe to the view that gun control and abortion can be legislated by government in an attempt to balance people's rights. They believe it is right to restrict guns from minors or mentally ill or criminals or to specify what guns can be used. They believe government has right to set an abortion limit and when mothers right can take precedence.

I don't believe someone who believes that gun ownership is a result of a natural right to life, can in all conscience then seek to condone abortion in any circumstances.