So here's the dealio, friends (if anyone is still listening, which I doubt). I moved. You (Kathy and maybe Twist) know this. I moved into town. There is hustle and bustle, there are work men and early morning joggers, there are the lawyers that are rushing into the courthouse, the men selling newspapers in the middle of traffic, the bus drivers, the kids walking to school and of course the woman next door diligently watering her plants daily.
And then there are the people that stand on the corner of my block holding up posters of bloody fetus's.
It's not a pretty thought but it's the truth. And the thing is... I just don't get it. I mean, of course I get they are not for women choosing what to do with their own bodies. I totally get that. And surprisingly enough, it doesn't bother me. I don't care what they think. I actually don't even care that there are standing there with odd looks on their faces and bizarre posters looking like they belong in the land of the misfit toys from that Christmas special with the heat miser.
The thing I don't quite understand is what there purpose is? Is it to shove their views down others throats at the crack of dawn when people are starting their days? Is it to harass young people who are in want of an abortion? Is it cause they have nothing else to do?
Here's what I think (and we all know that I control all of God's creatures, just ask Crazydave) I think instead of coming to my corner they should go volunteer at a woman's shelter and help people in need, maybe at a soup kitchen? Or, or, or... they could be actually working at a paying job to earn money to help pregnant teens that don't want an abortion to pay for their medical bills. They could help old people run errands, they could help old people across the street, they could clean up our parks, they could pick up recycling.
They could do something other than slow down traffic in rush hour.
Let's all think "greater good."
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your town is lousy with the abortion protesters, I remember from when I lived there!
ReplyDeletewe have them here too (http://www.afever.com/2009/09/this-is-not-post-about-healthcare.html)
Ugh, if only all such narrow-minded folks were susceptible to reason and could come to their own civil conclusions about how to contribute meaningfully to society. At least we can hope there will always be a Chris Pesto in the crowd who is willing to match their tactics...
ReplyDeletehttp://boingboing.net/2009/11/30/gay-bashing-woman-hu.html
While I am pro-choice, with conditions, I will defend the pro-lifers right to protest abortion publicly. They, in fact, do serve a purpose that would not be served by any of the very worthwhile volunteer activities you suggested. They raise awareness for a cause they believe in. Awareness, then education, then commitment, then action, and finally, change. That's the process. Without this process, where would pro-abortion activists be? Or feminists? Or gay marriage supporters? We live in a democracy that allows more than one side of any issue to be brought into the spotlight for examination and decision. It's a good thing, and only when one opinion is forcefully fought for does it allow a contrary opinion to become stronger. So, through their demonstrations, the pro-lifers gain strength for their cause, but they also strengthen the pro-choice cause. All that said, I support freedom of expression only as long as it isn't illegal or abusive toward others. So much of what anti-abortionists and similar activists do is deplorable.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment, Mark.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do think it would be more helpful to run a "free daycare" for teen mothers while they finish their education. Hey, if someone is going to make a choice for another, then they should help make that choice work.