Old-But-New-Again Political Strategy: Censor the Opposition

[leibowde84]

I certainly don't think we should go around banning any anti choice speeches/abortion protests or the like. However I do think that clinics and hospitals and what have you should be protest free zones. Protesting outside a medical facility that does abortions is like protesting outside a hospital for people not to have insert controversial medical treatment here. It's just emotional bullying and interferes with people trying to go to get medical treatment, not even necessarily people going in for abortions even. People could be going there to get advice on their pregnancy or trying to get pregnant with a doctor's help. Even if they were aborting they could be terminating because of serious medical complications or god forbid a woman who has a hedgehog baby (Google it) or the mother has cancer or whatever extenuating often saddening circumstance that lead them to a clinic in the first place. Which is seemingly ignored by every single protester I have ever seen. The last thing those people need is holier than thou ******** "protesting" and calling them murderer or whatever sickening names because they made a tough medical decision, just outside a place of medicine no less.
I also don't care what your stance on abortion is, such protests like that are simply appalling imo.

Protest all you like, but there's a time and a place for all things.

I agree. I used to volunteer as a guard outside of a women's health clinic in Maryland. Honestly, it was an extremely enjoyable experience. I met some really great people, and had some incredibly interesting debates with protesters. Some were perfectly civil, but some were not. I remember a lady who crossed the line, screaming at this poor girl going in for nothing more than a check-up or something along those lines (obviously, she didn't tell me too much). I stepped up right in front of her as she screamed over my shoulder. Since she had crossed the line, I literally picked her up by her shoulders and placed her 20 feet back, telling her to "behave or leave".

Ehh, in Aus, you have free speech. Hate Speech is protected up to a certain point, but regardless will usually get you a **** ton of backlash.

Backlash is irrelevant to the legal issue, though.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

How disgusting of them. I'm almost convinced that maybe we do need to silence certain people (almost.)

I feel the pain (really I do). The more intimidation tactics used against equality, the more I speak up and call them out. For instance:

I've been told I'm disgusting because I support murder of the unborn.

I tell them their views are unapologetically sexist.

They get offended by the notion.

I wonder then why they think it's perfectly fine to say I'm disgusting and that I support murder. Then I shrug and keep calling out what I see as oppressive. As it is my right to use my voice as much as it is their right to use theirs on what they feel is wrong. That's important we all have a platform to speak on.

The fallout that occurs from stratified rights and liberties concerning speech is when somebody says queers are just sick or evil, and then gasping in disbelief if their views are called bigoted, saying they're being abused, etc. Round and round we go on the carousel...folks just don't like being called out for perpetuating any form of systemic oppression. But it takes guts to call out somebody, and it takes guts to realize one might just be acting aggressively against protected classes or oppressed minorities.

 

[Marisa]

Ehh, in Aus, you have free speech. Hate Speech is protected up to a certain point, but regardless will usually get you a **** ton of backlash.

There is significant backlash in the US as well, and conveniently points out for the rest of us those who don't understand the 1st amendment to the Constitution.

 

[SomeRandom]

I agree. I used to volunteer as a guard outside of a women's health clinic in Maryland. Honestly, it was an extremely enjoyable experience. I met some really great people, and had some incredibly interesting debates with protesters. Some were perfectly civil, but some were not. I remember a lady who crossed the line, screaming at this poor girl going in for nothing more than a check-up or something along those lines (obviously, she didn't tell me too much). I stepped up right in front of her as she screamed over my shoulder. Since she had crossed the line, I literally picked her up by her shoulders and placed her 20 feet back, telling her to "behave or leave".

Backlash is irrelevant to the legal issue, though.

Good on ya, mate.

I once drove someone in just for an ultrasound. Many of the protestors were indeed civil. But when a lady started to take pictures (taking pictures of someone without permission is actually technically illegal here) I calmly pulled out my phone, showed her that I was dialing the police, told her to stick her pics where the sun don't shine and said I'd have her done for harassment. Thankfully she backed down (didn't think she would so phew!)

Well I know inciting hate and violence is illegal here and obviously under the umbrella of hate speech. But aside from workplace environments and other such professional settings, I'm unaware of any law here in Aus that says you can't say whatever you want. Could be wrong, of course.

 

[Marisa]

I wonder then why they think it's perfectly fine to say I'm disgusting and that I support murder. Then I shrug and keep calling out what I see as oppressive. As it is my right to use my voice as much as it is their right to use theirs on what they feel is wrong. That's important we all have a platform to speak on.

Because these are heavily emotive issues, and when we lead with our emotions we tend to make poor decisions. I get called "cold" and "frigid" and "condescending" quite a lot, simply because I try very hard to remove my emotions from my argument. Some of the most condescending things I've ever heard said, though, were from people speaking purely from an emotive perspective.

 

[columbus]

Because I strongly oppose elective abortion I support Planned Parenthood.
The local branch doesn't have these kinds of problems much, because of the layout of the property and the willingness of the property manager to vigorously enforce trespass ordinances. But the prolifers do stand out on the public right of way being obnoxious on Saturday morning.
My friend was a clinician there. One year, when her birthday fell on a Saturday, I offered to join them. I planned to carry an enormous, pink, triangular placard proclaiming GAY ATHEISTS FOR LIFE.
A friend offered to carry a boom box playing Madonnas "Papa don't preach" and a video camera to make a performance art piece out of the event.
My friend talked me out of doing it. But she passed away last year.

Tom

 

[Marisa]

Because I strongly oppose elective abortion I support Planned Parenthood.
The local branch doesn't have these kinds of problems much, because of the layout of the property and the willingness of the property manager to vigorously enforce trespass ordinances. But the prolifers do stand out on the public right of way being obnoxious on Saturday morning.
My friend was a clinician there. One year, when her birthday fell on a Saturday, I offered to join them. I planned to carry an enormous, pink, triangular placard proclaiming GAY ATHEISTS FOR LIFE.
A friend offered to carry a boom box playing Madonnas "Papa don't preach" and a video camera to make a performance art piece out of the event.
My friend talked me out of doing it. But she passed away last year.

Tom

I disagree with your position regarding elective abortion, but I like the way you oppose it!