19 August 2011

Turnout for pro-choice rally

| johnboy
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pro choice protest

Gungahlin Al has sent in this photo of the pro-choice protest outside ACT Health this morning as advertised last week.

We note a lack of trucks and stopped traffic.

One can only hope the time rich catholics who usually protest there have found somewhere else to get there weekly social engagement.

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colourful sydney racing identity4:07 pm 23 Aug 11

Darkfalz said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway?

Because of attitudes like yours.

They’re protesting against freedom of opinion then? Abortion as a form of retroactive contraception is morally distasteful at best, at worst the killing of a developing human being – and anyone has the right to think it’s disgusting and try to see that as few take place as possible. I’m not religious – I just find the whole business extremely unpleasant and in 99% of cases (rape and incest excluded), completely preventable (contraception, self control). I also believe that if you’re going to give women the “choice”, potential fathers should also be offered a form of “legal abortion” where they can sign away any financial responsibility (and hence any kind of legal access) to the child if they wish to.

Way to miss the point – they are remaining vigilant.

legal_chick863:44 pm 23 Aug 11

Pro choice to me should not be an attack on those who disagree with it, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

It’s a difficult issue, but I agree with 2604 and darkfalz on this. Abortion should be available, but should be a last resort. I also agree that ‘pro-choice’ is a poor term, as the undeveloped child has no choice at all.

Angelina, I don’t think that Darkfalz meant that s/he would positively intervene to prevent abortions happening. What I think and hope was meant was that people who are opposed to it should have an opportunity to voice their concerns. If others agree with those concerns, fewer abortions will take place.

Abortion is neither a good thing all of the time, nor a bad thing all of the time.

Darkfalz – I agree that you have a right to any opinion you wish. You have a right to think the way you do about abortions, the same way that others have a right to think the opposite. I also agree that you raise some interesting points. But do you really believe you have a right to “try to see that as few [abortions] take place as possible”?

I mean, women who have an abortion are not breaking the law (around these parts at least) so surely that’s a bit beyond your rights.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway?

Because of attitudes like yours.

They’re protesting against freedom of opinion then? Abortion as a form of retroactive contraception is morally distasteful at best, at worst the killing of a developing human being – and anyone has the right to think it’s disgusting and try to see that as few take place as possible. I’m not religious – I just find the whole business extremely unpleasant and in 99% of cases (rape and incest excluded), completely preventable (contraception, self control). I also believe that if you’re going to give women the “choice”, potential fathers should also be offered a form of “legal abortion” where they can sign away any financial responsibility (and hence any kind of legal access) to the child if they wish to.

creative_canberran said :

Even though it’s tempting to single out Catholics, it’s an issue for many religious leanings. http://www.npr.org/2011/08/10/139382653/in-pakistan-birth-control-and-religion-clash

Yeah, but it suits the agenda of the pro-abortion lobby to label anyone who has an issue with abortion as a conservative, judgmental, religious wingnut. Which coincidentally fits with their stereotype of Catholics.

It’s kinda funny how the left has conniptions whenever anyone threatens to even touch a hair on an animal’s head – even the faintest whiff of animal cruelty has them up in arms – and yet it is strongly in favour of a process which basically involves a human being with a heartbeat and nascent human characteristics being dissected and disposed of while it’s still alive.

Don’t get me wrong, I would hate to go back to the bad old days of backyard abortions, and think that there are clearly still situations where an abortion should always be available (for example, for rape victims). But, we should talk about the specifics of the process more. Stop calling it “pro-choice” for a start, educate people about what is actually involved and encourage people to see it as a last resort, not just an easy way out of inconvenient pregnancies.

I’m a Catholic and I’m pro choice. I’m embarrassed by other people who try to shove their personal ideas down other people’s throats and use their religion as the reason.

Gungahlin Al1:11 pm 19 Aug 11

p1 said :

Mysteryman said :

So neither group has been loud, aggressive, or obnoxious? And yet they’re both getting their point across?

The system works!

…and as JB said, not a truck or traffic jam to be seen.

And wit (not abuse) in the placards: “keep your rosaries off my ovaries”

Mysteryman said :

So neither group has been loud, aggressive, or obnoxious? And yet they’re both getting their point across?

The system works!

…and as JB said, not a truck or traffic jam to be seen.

diced_mango said :

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway? They’re already allowed to terminate lives in the ACT.

Right in front of the red sculpture, do you see two men in hats with their backs to the camera? That’s the weekly “prayer for those affected by abortion”. There’s usually about a half-dozen (retiree-aged) people in silent vigil each Friday morning. There are pamphlets titled “The toxic pill” and I think something about murder – I haven’t read them, so I couldn’t tell you more. The last few weeks though, they have thankfully been outnumbered. These placard-holders have not been aggressive or loud – keep up the good work.

So neither group has been loud, aggressive, or obnoxious? And yet they’re both getting their point across?

The system works!

epic protest is epic

diced_mango said :

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway? They’re already allowed to terminate lives in the ACT.

Right in front of the red sculpture, do you see two men in hats with their backs to the camera? That’s the weekly “prayer for those affected by abortion”. There’s usually about a half-dozen (retiree-aged) people in silent vigil each Friday morning. There are pamphlets titled “The toxic pill” and I think something about murder – I haven’t read them, so I couldn’t tell you more. The last few weeks though, they have thankfully been outnumbered. These placard-holders have not been aggressive or loud – keep up the good work.

+1

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway? They’re already allowed to terminate lives in the ACT.

Right in front of the red sculpture, do you see two men in hats with their backs to the camera? That’s the weekly “prayer for those affected by abortion”. There’s usually about a half-dozen (retiree-aged) people in silent vigil each Friday morning. There are pamphlets titled “The toxic pill” and I think something about murder – I haven’t read them, so I couldn’t tell you more. The last few weeks though, they have thankfully been outnumbered. These placard-holders have not been aggressive or loud – keep up the good work.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway?

Because of attitudes like yours.

I’m all for protesting but if this is about me then I’d rather they just sent me a letter. Or better yet, put their empty days into something more useful like a bake-sale or car wash. My car needs a wash.

colourful sydney racing identity10:40 am 19 Aug 11

Mysteryman said :

Why are these people protesting, anyway?

Because of attitudes like yours.

Why are these people protesting, anyway? They’re already allowed to terminate lives in the ACT.

Classified said :

I saw a kids tee shirt that said ‘now I’m safe I’m pro-choice’.

Ha! That’s great.

creative_canberran10:27 am 19 Aug 11

Even though it’s tempting to single out Catholics, it’s an issue for many religious leanings. http://www.npr.org/2011/08/10/139382653/in-pakistan-birth-control-and-religion-clash

The basic remise behind religion is like any cult/club/society, to extend influence and grow the number of devotes. While it may be masked as a quasi-moral debate, it’s really all about market share like a typical corporation.

I saw a kids tee shirt that said ‘now I’m safe I’m pro-choice’.

colourful sydney racing identity9:39 am 19 Aug 11

yellowsnow said :

isn’t everyone pro-choice these days, at least in ACT?

Might want to ask Zed Seselja, Alistair Coe and their religious right cronies about that…

isn’t everyone pro-choice these days, at least in ACT? Can’t believe this is still an issue after all these years

a lot of young people wouldn’t even know what ‘pro choice’ meant. Freedom to choose brand of smartphone? Freedom from peer coercion to participate in Friday Pie-day? General freedom to do what you want to do when you want to do it, free from govt interference (Tea Party anyone)? Maybe it’s time for protesters to update their catchphrases and strategy

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