Drama, Ignorant Drama
Today the Raving Atheist attempted to use my post HERE to show how we “pro-abortionists”, including me, had “mindlessly reprinted portions of the Planned Parenthood email.” Here is the post.
To which I say, learn to read. Learn to read comments that come before yours. I didn’t argue with your commentry, because you are allowed your opinion. I wish those on both sides could have real, fact-based conversations that did not involve the word “sin” in them. The Raving Atheist is obviously not basing assumptions on religion, which I truly appreciate. However, I still get bothered when people can’t read. Or rather, when people WON’T read.
Comments are closed on the Raving Atheist article Comments are now open! I naturally emailed the author. The author I fully respect for having solid opinions. However, I did not “mindlessly” reprint an email. I thought about it, researched it. Decided that whether or not the Indiana case exists really doesn’t matter because these CPCs do exist. I’ve fucking been there. Please see this part: I’ve been there. Been there.
My email stated:
Dear Raving Atheist,
I read your entry on the fact that you include me as one of those who “mindlessly” reprinted the Planned Parenthood email on CPCs.
I want to point something out to you, again.
This comment on my blog, Sugaredharpy.com, mentions my own example of dealing with this kind of underhanded tactic. This comment appeared before yours:
“I wanted more info before I posted it.
This is not a new issue or a new tactic for abortion opponents. When I suspected I was pregnant at 17 with Daniel, I went to a crisis pregnancy center. I was told they were open-minded and supported whatever decision was made. They were located across the street from the hospital and suggested they worked with the hospital’s resources. But oh no. It was a Christian center. Luckily, their test was negative. I was pregnant, but with Daniel I ended up with 9 negative urine tests and only 1 positive (a blood test). They were ACTUALLY SAD that I wasn’t pregnant, because they thought that would be “so beautiful.”
I think the issue is being brought to the forefront right now because of fairly recent Bush funding for Christian-based Crisis Pregnancy Centers and then NY Representative Carolyn Maloney and eleven co-sponsors are introducing the “Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act” based on these situations.
When it happened to me, it wasn’t as dramatic, but it could have been. It was definitely deceiving.”
Please realize what you are talking about, that the tactics exist, that what you are talking about (when you say we/I mindlessly reprinted) is false. You failed to take the time to review the previous comments, because your own agenda was hot-headed. The issue is not about one CPC, not at all. It’s about the fight against deception, it’s about giving women factual information when it comes to their health, their bodies, and their children. I did not abort, but not because of a lie that CPC would have given me. I made that choice with fact, with information, with clarity. CPCs that run in this manner do nothing to prevent abortions, they only shame women and deny their right to real healthcare. Please understand this. Please take a moment to regard the health of women as a value worth having. Please trust women to do what they can for their children, born and unborn.
Anyone can say anything they want and I believe in that. I realize that this is entirely your right. But, I would advise you to watch how you discuss this, how you manipulate the idea of “fact”. And I would make sure you understand the argument you are flailing against, because you are off base on this one. It makes it makes it more difficult to understand your position when there is a clear denial of actual reading on your part. I’m sure others want to understand your position too, but this just sounds like spouting off, not research. I know you are capable of actual research and clear writing, use it to help your position. This post files right under “ignorant anti-abortionist” speak. I wish that weren’t the case, even though I’m pro-woman/pro-abortion/pro-adoption/pro-life, I wish for a fact-based, research-based conversation. This just isn’t it.
Melissa
Discussion?
Posted by Melissa on June 22nd, 2006 under Flaming Ovaries
June 23rd, 2006 at 7:51 am
You gave this individual more attention than I would have. Baitmongers bore me. Well, usually.
I did note that the references this individual gave in your comments thread to “substantial questions” disputing the original story lead to the blog of someone named Dawn Eden. Now, I have never visited said blog, so it might be mindless of me to repeat this, but our favorite spinster aunt recently called its proprietess a “bible-thumping zipper-cunt.” I take quite possibly entirely mindless pleasure in said spinster aunt’s turn of phrase. I enjoy it without the faintest idea of whether or not it is apt.
So I say, screw rational discourse! Screw research before reporting! Screw sensitive listening and attentive reading! Screw sharing delicate details of our own personal stories to illustrate larger truths! Screw all that!
Let’s all just insult each other ’til we forget what we were arguing about in the first place!
Everybody else is doing it.
June 23rd, 2006 at 8:55 am
I do adore Twisty’s love of language. And yes, you’re totally right, everyone else IS doing it and I find it a shame. If I have to read, dammit, so does everyone else.
Although both references were located at The Dawn Patrol, both were authored by the Raving Atheist.
In addition, several others suggested that since the woman and her mother did not press criminal charges, the case does not exist. They are calling for her investigators to make a full inquiry and that the young woman must press charges to make it a valid story. Now, I cannot verify the Indiana story. However, I find it appalling that anyone would call for FORCING anyone to come out with a story that could be publically and personally shaming (it was a young woman getting an abortion, who knows what flack she could receive in her town or family). She didn’t ask for the publicity and she didn’t press criminal charges (and what legislation does she have to back her that would make the publicity worthwhile).
Although I can’t verify that the Indiana story is true or not, I find that it doesn’t matter one bit. I’ve had this experience. I CAN verify my own story, which allowed me to unabashedly publish Planned Parenthood’s story, because the story has truth. I lived it.
June 23rd, 2006 at 10:27 am
“If I have to read, dammit, so does everyone else.”
Right. So here’s the thing: How do you enforce this? How do you punish people for not reading, or for selective understanding?
I would submit that paying attention to them might not be the most effective way.
People who read got what you said. People who just want to use some aspect of your post as a springboard for venting their own spleen — also taking the opportunity to insult you at the same time — might not be worthy of recognition.
Just a thought.
Still, yes, it bears repeating: Legion are those who would control our wombs and us through them, and skanky are their methods — often. It is important to know whether or not Planned Parenthood publishes true stories in its efforts to rally troops in the war to keep our rights, but knowing the truth of your own life, telling it, and not letting anyone take it away from you is even more important.
Good for you, Melissa. Keep it up.
June 23rd, 2006 at 3:29 pm
I suppose no enforcing of the Read Dammit clause. A girl can dream, though.
This, I love:
Legion are those who would control our wombs and us through them, and skanky are their methods — often.
It should be on your masthead.
June 23rd, 2006 at 4:23 pm
IMO, extremists on this issue are not worthy of discussion. I’m so sickened that abortion has become such a polarized, political issue.
June 23rd, 2006 at 11:59 pm
I think you handled that well.
June 24th, 2006 at 1:01 am
I think your letter was great, because in the face of someone blatantly misrepresenting you, you were able to remain professional and keep your cool.
Well done.
Sometimes, no matter how much we know that arguing - or even having a discussion - with certain people really is like shouting at a wall, we still feel compelled to at least make an attempt. Right on for trying to go for some truth - nothing more.
June 24th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I’m in the middle of a work project right now, so all my brain cells are devoted to other things, so I cannot offer you a brilliant riposte today. All I got’s “Duh - that blogger’s an asshole.”
See? I got nuthin’. Sorry. Maybe tonight?
June 26th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
You gave him such civilized hell. I’m impressed.
I would have come up with something clever like Bite My Ass. LOL
Well Done.
July 5th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
I absolutly agree with your stance and your process in handling this - I very much admire your ability to discuss rationally exactly how you feel and what you wanted to convey. Words are great aren’t they!!!
thank you for writing,
a new reader
Raquita
July 5th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
Hi Raquita!
Thanks for reading. And yes, words are fabulous!