# Abortion-clinic picketers. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 6, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935 "2011-05-06T05:57:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![classyladyhp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@classyladyhp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/classyladyhp)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/401 "2011-05-09T23:38:08Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > For someone who thinks that we are talking about murder, you seem to be the only one laughing. Has this bizarre approach of both calling people names and laughing in their face ever worked before? Listen up okay? I was trying to be funny in response to that Der Trihs person saying I’m probably not a woman. Stop taking what i am saying out of context. I don’t find murder particularly funny:smack::smack::smack::smack::smack: ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/402 "2011-05-09T23:40:18Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > There. You’ve been LOL’ed at again. That should show you. knocked me off my OMG perch tell ya what der. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/403 "2011-05-09T23:48:56Z")
Classyladyhp, I don’t know if you’d be willing to take a look at some of the stories that are posted on the website **[www.iamdrtiller.com](http://www.iamdrtiller.com)**, but I really wish you would. It is a tribute to Dr. Tiller, a man whose life’s work was helping women, advocating for women’s rights, and performing abortions. He was murdered in cold blood by one of the “pro-lifers,” and his absence has left a gaping hole of need that was once covered by him. The anecdotes that are posted there are from abortion workers of all types. Some talk about what made them change their minds about the “pro-life” stance they had believed in for most of their lives. Others talk about the fear they feel every day when they walk through a hoard of protestors to get to work. And yes, some explain what drew them towards a career as an abortion provider. Before you make assumptions about the people I just described, just take a look at the site and read through some of their accounts of working in what is now, at times, a life-threatening career. Read about what inspires them to bravely walk through aggressive, intimidating crowds every day they go to work. Read about the abortion doctor who discreetly provided an abortion for one of the women who protests outside her clinic every day (which isn’t rare at all), and continues to do so even after exercising her freedom to choose. The people who work in abortion services vary in age, education, race, and gender. And they come from all sorts of backgrounds and income levels, just like the “types” of women who find themselves in need of an abortion. I’m not trying to change anyone’s stance on abortion, but I would like to see more effort and accuracy on the part of those who would like to see abortion become illegal again. The very least you can do is inform yourself about the women who get abortions and the doctors who provide them. I find \*\*[www.iamdrtiller.com](http://www.iamdrtiller.com) \*\*compelling on several levels, and if you give it a chance it might help you gain a little understanding for those you seem to hold in such contempt. And frankly, I think it would be helpful for both sides of the debate to try to learn about their opponent’s point-of view. I may be idealistic, but if we were all better informed, we might be able to talk to one another from a place of compassion and understanding–instead of beating our heads against walls like we do now, our debates and vitriolic rants could possibly become a little more productive, and a lot more civilized. But I won’t hold my breath. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/404 "2011-05-09T23:56:55Z")
> [@classyladyhp](#): > > Listen up okay? I was trying to be funny in response to that Der Trihs person saying I’m probably not a woman. Stop taking what i am saying out of context. I don’t find murder particularly funny:smack::smack::smack::smack::smack: Neither do I, but insisting on calling every woman who has an abortion a murderer isn’t funny either. Have you read “The only moral abortion is my abortion” ? [Telnet Communications - High Speed Internet & Home Phone Solutions](http://mypage.direct.ca/w/writer/anti-tales.html) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/405 "2011-05-10T00:14:15Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > only Christian coupiles should be allow to adopt I did not see that in the interview – where did he say it? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/406 "2011-05-10T00:16:32Z")
[hijack] > [@SSgtBaloo](#): > > \ > Even if you did have a condition that required tissue removal, and you were okay with that, would you even want run the gantlet into your doctor’s office while they berated you for throwing away precious body parts? I hereby award **SSgtBaloo** one small internet, plus a pot of honey, for correctly using the phrase “run the gantlet”. I’ve gotten so tired of hearing about jogging gloves! [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/407 "2011-05-10T00:24:26Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > I’m not trying to change anyone’s stance on abortion, but I would like to see more effort and accuracy on the part of those who would like to see abortion become illegal again. The very least you can do is inform yourself about the women who get abortions and the doctors who provide them. I find \*\*[www.iamdrtiller.com](http://www.iamdrtiller.com) \*\*compelling on several levels, and if you give it a chance it might help you gain a little understanding for those you seem to hold in such contempt. And frankly, I think it would be helpful for both sides of the debate to try to learn about their opponent’s point-of view. > > I may be idealistic, but if we were all better informed, we might be able to talk to one another from a place of compassion and understanding–instead of beating our heads against walls like we do now, our debates and vitriolic rants could possibly become a little more productive, and a lot more civilized. But I won’t hold my breath. An amazing and sometimes heart wrenching web site Thank you so much for sharing it. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/408 "2011-05-10T00:44:41Z")
> [@classyladyhp](#): > > Not that anyone is going to care but I have REALLY REALLY strong feelings to feel the way I do. Something happened to me in 2006 that completely devestated me. I didn’t want to live as a result. However, I don’t feel i can trust anyone on here to tell them what happened. If you knew what happened to me you’d probably understand why I feel the way I do. No matter how terrible the unspecified thing that happened to you was, it doesn’t give you the right to force other people to follow your morals. I’m guessing you either lost a child or had an abortion that you regretted for some reason, and I’m sure either of those things are devastating. I’m sure that the incident informed your opinions about abortion. Good for you - don’t have an abortion. That is you exercising your personal choice. Other people have had different life experiences and get to have different opinions. Imagine that! ---
**Author:** ![classyladyhp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@classyladyhp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/classyladyhp)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/409 "2011-05-10T00:51:29Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > No matter how terrible the unspecified thing that happened to you was, it doesn’t give you the right to force other people to follow your morals. I’m guessing you either lost a child or had an abortion that you regretted for some reason, and I’m sure either of those things are devastating. I’m sure that the incident informed your opinions about abortion. Good for you - don’t have an abortion. That is you exercising your personal choice. Other people have had different life experiences and get to have different opinions. Imagine that! No I never had an abortion. ---
**Author:** ![classyladyhp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@classyladyhp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/classyladyhp)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/410 "2011-05-10T00:57:53Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > Classyladyhp, I don’t know if you’d be willing to take a look at some of the stories that are posted on the website **[www.iamdrtiller.com](http://www.iamdrtiller.com)**, but I really wish you would. It is a tribute to Dr. Tiller, a man whose life’s work was helping women, advocating for women’s rights, and performing abortions. He was murdered in cold blood by one of the “pro-lifers,” and his absence has left a gaping hole of need that was once covered by him. > > I may be idealistic, but if we were all better informed, we might be able to talk to one another from a place of compassion and understanding–instead of beating our heads against walls like we do now, our debates and vitriolic rants could possibly become a little more productive, and a lot more civilized. But I won’t hold my breath. I am horrifed that he was killed by a pro-lifer. The person that killed him was not really a pro-lifer. You cannot be pro-lifer and think it’s ok to kill people for what they believe in/do. I am not a militant pro-lifer. I do not picket planned parenthood. I have never been anywhere near an abortion clinic. I simply feel that the life of the unborn child is precious and must be protected. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/411 "2011-05-10T01:05:06Z")
> [@classyladyhp](#): > > No I never had an abortion. Wow, thanks for that in depth response. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/412 "2011-05-10T01:08:44Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > Wow, thanks for that in depth response. :rolleyes: Given that your post was quoted in full and only one part of your speculation corrected, I think you _should_ read that as a response in depth. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/413 "2011-05-10T01:14:32Z")
Are you also anti-war and anti-death penalty? ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/414 "2011-05-10T01:30:13Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Given that your post was quoted in full and only one part of your speculation corrected, I think you _should_ read that as a response in depth. Well, that may be so. But, as much sympathy as I have for women who lose wanted pregnancies, “I lost a pregnancy and I was sad, so nobody should have abortions” is an even less sophisticated argument than the religious angle. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/415 "2011-05-10T01:37:59Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > Well, that may be so. But, as much sympathy as I have for women who lose wanted pregnancies, “I lost a pregnancy and I was sad, so nobody should have abortions” is an even less sophisticated argument than the religious angle. That isn’t the only, or even likely conclusion IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/416 "2011-05-10T01:42:21Z")
> [@classyladyhp](#): > > I am horrifed that he was killed by a pro-lifer. The person that killed him was not really a pro-lifer. You cannot be pro-lifer and think it’s ok to kill people for what they believe in/do. > I am not a militant pro-lifer. I do not picket planned parenthood. I have never been anywhere near an abortion clinic. I simply feel that the life of the unborn child is precious and must be protected. Did you read the site? What did you think of it? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/417 "2011-05-10T01:49:36Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > “I lost a pregnancy and I was sad, so nobody should have abortions” is an even less sophisticated argument than the religious angle. Maybe, but it’s coming from a different place. It’s a loss they feel concretely, which they expect to be an abstraction for others. _Don’t do this to yourself._ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/418 "2011-05-10T01:52:06Z")
> [@classyladyhp](#): > > I am horrifed that he was killed by a pro-lifer. He wasn’t a [True Scotsman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Scotsman_problem), either. :rolleyes: Like it or not, he was a “pro-lifer”. He came from the movement and had plenty of support within it. He was a terrorist from a “pro-life” movement that heavily empathizes terror tactics. The anti-abortion movement is about hatred, malignance, oppression and brutality; _not_ “life”. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/419 "2011-05-10T02:01:17Z")
> [@classyladyhp](#): > > I am coming off so strong Oh… no, you’re not. > [@](#): > > I really don’t mean to offend. Oh… yes, you do. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935/420 "2011-05-10T02:17:06Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The anti-abortion movement is about hatred, malignance, oppression and brutality; _not_ “life”. I think it’s important to basically all of these kind of issues that two things happen: 1. we recognize that very rarely do debates have “sides” so much as spectrums of belief. 2. we recognize that the extremists on our opponent’s side do not necessarily represent the views of the majority even if they get the majority of screen time. 3. most importantly, we should remember that we are in some senses responsible for the extremists on our own side, and need to repudiate them and work to curb them lest we be tarred with that brush. It’s not even a debate that many of the members of the pro-life movement are working from misogynistic or sex-averse/sex-negative goals. Nonetheless it needs to be acknowledged that there ARE sincere pro-life folks out there. It likewise needs to be acknowledged that \*\*Trihs \*\*paints with a brush the approximate width of an aircraft carrier on steroids, and (despite the fact his positions are sometimes more morally correct, IMO) his approach is detrimental and just plain wrong much of the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-picketers/580935.md?page=22)