A Challege to DU: Reframing the Abortion Debate

[texshelters]

As the November election comes near, I challenge DU to help reframe the abortion debate.

1. Calling pro-choice people "pro-abortion" has to stop. Every time you see or hear the words "pro-abortion" in the media, write, call, email them and tell them, "no one is 'pro-abortion'." No one is dancing in the street or having parties celebrating abortions. People don't use abortion as a first line birth control. It's a last resort.

2. Don't let people say they are "pro-life" without challenging them, "are you against the death penalty, are you for prenatal care, SCHIP, contraception education, are you for the war in Iraq. You can't be "pro-life" and be for the war and the death penalty. What what would say is you're anti-abortion, which is fine.

3. There is non "pro-abortion" lobby. The lobby is for reproductive rights, women's rights, and human rights. Don't let the media and the radical right call you "pro-abortion."

4. Challenge any anti-abortion male to a debate. Why the hell should they decide what a woman can do with her body, or any women for that matter.

5. Ask the anti-choice crowd what they will do to help children be born safely. Who's going to pay for a safe birth, and if they are willing to raise funds for prenatal care and education for the children that are born.

I use the terms anti-choice or pro-fetus (if I'm really ticked off).

How can the debate be reframed to address the reality of abortion in America and the world. If you are anti-abortion, what will you do to reduce abortions? Additionally, abstinence only education isn't working.

Tex Shelters

[physioex]

1. Excellent....

Proud Planned Parenthood supporter here....

[niyad]

2. one of my new favourites is "pro-forced birthers"

have been doing all the things you mentioned for years.

have also stated that, if I had my way, every single one of those morans picketing outside a clinic would have to sign documents of complete financial responsibility for the woman and the forced=birth child until that child has graduated from college. I want these twisted jerks to be forced to put their money where their mouths and supposed morals are.

oh, and I also love attending the protests with a recording of "every sperm is sacred" while they are intent on their mass or their rosaries.

[Warpy]

12. ...or pro reproductive slavery

which is where they're really at, since they finally admit their objective is to ban all birth control once they've eliminated all the safe, legal abortions.

They truly are evil people.

[Ordr]

3. *insert popcorn-eating emoticon here*

[niyad]

4. k & r for this most important topic

[LeftyMom]

5. Oh no, I'm pro-abortion. Just like I'm pro-pap smear or pro-colonoscopy.

It's a health procedure, and I'm all in favor of anybody who needs one having one.

The only mistake we make is having a debate at all. The choice lies with the woman and her doctor. Anybody else needs to mind their own fucking business, health care is not a matter that should be used as a political football.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. You forgot one, Tex:

"Ask them what the punishment would be for a woman getting an abortion."

Then you get to watch the blood drain from their faces.

But it's a damn fine plan anyway.

:thumbsup:

--p!

[niyad]

8. some of them will tell you the punishment should be death.

[Dogmudgeon]

13. But it stops *most* of them in their tracks.

The hard-core are lost anyway. This is for those who still have a functioning conscience.

--p!

[pingzing58]

7. The only solution so narrowly imagined by the Catholic Bishops and Rel. Fundies is a "civil law."

They falsely believe that by illegalizing and "criminalizing," reproductive rights and choice the situation will go away. It won't and all of us know it. I agree that the issues must be framed from one that "criminalizes," abortion to one where our society chooses life at all times and in every situation as the moral and ethical way to create our society and live in it.

[undeterred]

9. If someone says they are pro-life

I do not call them anti-choice. I tell them I am glad they are against the war and the death penalty. And guess what, sometimes they are against those things. Encourage the prolife side to join in the positive things that pro-choice does to reduce the number of abortions because they really, truly do not know. They believe we are encouraging abortion.

[Bucky]

10. Pro-personal freedom vs Pro-death in back alleys

Or what about Pro Choice vs Pro Abortion only for people who can afford a plane ticket to the Bahamas.

[apocalypsehow]

11. 6. If you don't have a uterus, STFU about abortion.

I liked your other five, just thought I'd add my own. :thumbsup:

[zanne]

14. I agree about uterus ownership and opinions about abortion. nt

[alstephenson]

15. I couldn't agree more. eom