HI dragan,

>>>BTW, widespread abortion may only indirectly lower the crime rate, by lowering the density of population (hence less chance of road rage, annoying neighbors etc), but that would again be number of crimes per capita - with less heads, you'd only get both numbers lowered. So it may head in either direction.

>>It is clear that you havent't read Freakonomics yet, Dragan. Abortion occurs a lot more often in gettos, esp. by single women. Crime also occurs a lot more often in gettos, esp. by children from single women. Let me be clear: I do not want to stigmatize single women in gettos. I only refer to statistics. No single woman should feel attacked now.

>Now imagine abortion being nearly impossible to get. Then you have a victim of rape, or accidental pregnancy of any other kind, where the birth is forced upon her. What life can she afford for that kid? What education, what upbringing? What are the chances the kid will end up the wrong side of the street? Much larger.

That is exactly the point of discussion here. I see it this way. Once the fact that percentage criminal acitivity is higher amongst blacks is acklowledged, you'll have to opportunity to investigate why it is that higher. Up until now, no-one wants to acknowlegde the statistical fact, and therefore blocking the path to look into solutions. If the american government steps over the racism sensitivity and look at fact and are not scared to be called racists, they'll be better able to lay the finger at sore spots. The obvious ones (single females getting pregnant without a future), might be adressed by making anti-conception more accessible. Also special programs targetted at certain groups (with high crime rates) might reduce the problem. The discussion about abortion should be held again (I'm not sure if abortion is legalised entirely yet in the US) as the abortion rates in the US are terrible high.

Walter,