OK to declaw a cat?

Question
Asking for opinions about declawing a cat seems to result in as much emotion as the abortion question. What is the truth? Is it unreasonably unsafe to declaw a cat?

Answer
Declawing a cat is very safe.  It can be painful for a few days after surgery, but that is not the problem.  The cats that are declawed are forbidden to go outside, that's where the controversy arises.  They have no protection against a predator if they escape.