Suck it, Ben.

[Zoid]

No, a flounce.

That's so Asher...

[Alinestra Covelia]

The institution should have its name changed to [place name] University of Northern Territories.

The acronym alone would make it worthwhile.

[Elok]

Hmmmm... trespass seems almost an irrelevant sideshow of a charge designed to side-step and actually shut down the real debate. As a pro-choicer I oppose the position of the anti-abortionists, and particularly object to the hyperbolic 'genocide' tactic. Nothing surprising though, that people will these days resort to such an argument. Nor, perhaps, is there anything surprising about the complaints of 'offensive images' being used in an attempt to shut down the protests. Extreme victimisation and 'no-platform' approaches are, regrettably, par for the course in what passes for contemporary debate.

Both side's tactics are wrong. Anti-abortionists are wrong to equate abortion with racial extermination programs, and pro-choicers should be confident enough in their own arguments without resorting to bannings and restrictions on free speech.

Eh, I actually think the university was in the right. It's not a matter of free speech so much as not causing vomiting on the campus green. The current pro-life movement is childish and ill-advised. There must be better ways to fight for the unborn than shock tactics.

As for what Asher said: the current generation's tactics may well be on their way out, and good riddance if so. The pro-life movement as a whole...I wouldn't be so sure. And if you think anything you say can budge BK from his perfect bubble, well, you're almost as delusional as he is. And I don't think you are. Face it, you missed us.

[Theben]

Is it possible to be the President of an institution that you've quit?

[-Jrabbit]

He hasn't quit; in fact, he posted today.

[Cort Haus]

President-at-large?

[Ben Kenobi]

I see nothing wrong with demonstrating your point of view. Just as I would not see anything wrong in demonstrating a pro abortion point of view.

Exactly. So long as the demonstrations are done peacefully, I see nothing wrong with either side protesting to make their views known. This is the only issue that's at hand.

In the end, it is the debate that is important...not the subject matter.

Here, here. Couldn't have said it better myself.

So let the anti-abortion folks have their display. Those that agree with it can walk by knowingly shaking their heads in agreement. Those that oppose can laugh and point and giggle. It does not change the importance of being able to express a point of view in a free society.

People laughed at me when I said Canada is a totalitarian state. I have my reasons for that point. I live here, and I see how little we value essential freedoms.

[Krill]

You're an idiot.

[DaShi]

You're an idiot.

qfq

[Asher]

Exactly. So long as the demonstrations are done peacefully, I see nothing wrong with either side protesting to make their views known. This is the only issue that's at hand.



Here, here. Couldn't have said it better myself.



People laughed at me when I said Canada is a totalitarian state. I have my reasons for that point. I live here, and I see how little we value essential freedoms.

I know I relish the freedom of being able to walk around naked with my partner. After work today we're going to go find some churches and put up posters of hot gay pornography and celebrate our freedom to do so.

[Ben Kenobi]

Eh, I actually think the university was in the right. It's not a matter of free speech so much as not causing vomiting on the campus green.

The fact that the photos make you vomit, is the point. You obviously are disgusted by the content. If you cannot bear to look at the pictures, then why are we permitting abortion to occur? Does it make it ok when it's done out of sight instead of where you can see it?

Slavery wasn't pretty. People demonstrated against slavery by showing you what slavery was like, what it was like in a slave boat or in a slave camp.

The current pro-life movement is childish and ill-advised. There must be better ways to fight for the unborn than shock tactics.

Such as? I agree with you that there are many other ways to fight for the unborn, but that doesn't mean you just do protests or that you should not do protests at all.

I think there should be facilities that will help every women who needs it. Face it, we are paying for abortions. Surely we can afford to help the women who choose to keep their children. If we can pay welfare, then I cannot see why we shouldn't give a supplemental to women who have a child so that they can put a roof over his head. I believe if we make the investment now, that it will pay off in the future.

As for what Asher said: the current generation's tactics may well be on their way out, and good riddance if so.

Well I'm disappointed that just because the signs bother you, that you want to push them away. I think it's important that if people support abortion that they see precisely the result of that philosophy. Sure, it ain't pretty, but it gets the point across that this is what abortion is all about.

[Ben Kenobi]

I know I relish the freedom of being able to walk around naked with my partner. After work today we're going to go find some churches and put up posters of hot gay pornography and celebrate our freedom to do so.

I'll give you the address of my church if you promise to do both this coming sunday.

[DaShi]

Pregnancy ain't pretty either, I don't want to see pictures of it.

[snoopy369]

Ben, I generally agree with what you're saying for once [that free speech should include things that are not nice to look at], but there certainly must be a line somewhere; and I would say that line reasonably could be defined as 'speech' that actually causes physical harm [ie, vomiting] in a significant percentage of the population [say, 5 or 10%].

My definition of 'free speech' is 'you are free to say/express whatever you wish, so long as a reasonable person is not harmed by it in a tangible way'. No slander/libel, no shouting fire in a theater, no threats, and nothing so obscene as to be physically painful, or cause substantial mental anguish (i'm not talking offending sensibilities here, i'm talking so obscene as to cause repeated nightmares-> loss of sleep, or in a location where children are expected to be regularly, a bit lower standard perhaps). I'd be all for letting people walk around naked and post gay pornography, as long as it wasn't around children. Particularly lesbian pornography

[Asher]

The fact that the photos make you vomit, is the point

The fetuses are fine.

It's the naked, slaughtered children that is too much.