Legalized abortion exemplifies "morality meeting custom"

In a NYTimes article on abortion, the author justifies abortion by saying:

But the law is a not a philosophy seminar. It’s the place where morality meets custom, and compromise, and common sense. And it can take account of tragic situations without universalizing their lessons.

Unfortunately, he's right about the law in practice. I don't think that law should be this way, but so many of the laws in our country have internal contradictions. They are not based on sound logic or metaphysics. They're based on compromise. They're based not on principle but on what can pass muster in the legislative process. Empathy continues to trounce truth.