Posted by Dinah on March 23, 2003, at 5:00:09
In reply to Re: wherein the author goes on a Riff, posted by wendy b. on March 22, 2003, at 23:40:11
Yes, perhaps my wording was stronger than I had intended, because I posted in genuine surprise. I had indeed thought that Beardy understood the relative weight of words.
I probably ahould have said "I beg your pardon?" than "I certainly hope".
I don't think our government condones abortion clinic bombings, quite the contrary in fact. Do you have evidence of the government doing so? Which abortion clinic bombings have not been investigated and prosecuted? I do believe we should all put pressure on the proper authorities at once!
As far as harassment goes, I'm sorry, but I just can't equate that with blowing up the federal building or the Twin Towers, or suicide bombings, or clinic bombings, or killing doctors who perform abortion.
And I think it's an important distinction for the same reason that I think genuine sexual abuse should be separated from men at construction sites calling out lewd things to young women. Calling harassment terrorism or sexual abuse diminishes the larger meaning of the word.
I figure that abortion protesters and antiwar protesters and anyone who wishes to protest about anything all have the same rights. If they obtain the proper permits they can assemble and speak their piece. If they go beyond that which is allowed by law they should be arrested. I'm pretty sure that that is what happens? I certainly have heard of plenty of abortion protestors being arrested. If antiwar and antiabortion protesters are not treated equally in your town, if one or the other are allowed to break the law with impunity, all the appropriate measures should take place to see that such injustice does not continue.
How can I compare the two protests, some might ask. I suppose because the laws of our government doesn't discriminate between whether a protest is popular or unpopular, thank the constitution.
I still stand by not equating our government with terrorists because of a Supreme Court decision allowing lawful protest, even if it's protest that is unpopular.
poster:Dinah
thread:210223
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030322/msgs/211699.html