Ian, those simple words, “It’s a baby,” reminded me of something — maybe the most powerful statement on abortion I’ve ever seen. Eugene Genovese wrote it in his beautiful little volume Miss Betsey: A Memoir of Marriage. Genovese was one of the leading U.S. historians; his wife, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, was a pioneer in women’s studies.

Writes Genovese, “She gagged on abortion for a simple reason: She knew, as everyone knows, that an abortion kills a baby.”

Many years ago, I gave some thought to why the “pro-choice” movement wouldn’t give an inch on abortion. They defended everything — including “partial birth” abortion. They were peevish about “born alive” acts. They were ferocious against parental consent, parental notification, everything. They would not give an inch.

They even got mad if you brought up adoption!

Their position on abortion was the same as the Obama administration’s position on nuclear inspections in Iran, until two seconds ago: anytime, anywhere.

Why were they so extreme? Because if they conceded anything at all, their entire edifice would collapse. Their house of cards would come tumbling down.

Ban abortion after six months’ gestation? Okay, but what about five months and 29 days? What’s the difference, morally? How about five months and 28 days? How about five months and 13 days? How about four months, three months, two months . . .?

If you concede that what you’re aborting is ever human life, then your entire project is called into question, and discredited. I think that’s why the abortion people are extremists. They have to be. They have no choice.