If you had an opportunity to rally around a woman's right to choose abortion, would you do so?
I learned that a pro-choice rally will take place in our county January 22 at noon at a city hall. It aims at a peaceful demonstration compliant with local ordinances and so forth. Here I present the message from the organizers:
Thanks for contacting us, Luther. So far Planned Parenthood has gotten the word out, and it seems we may have quite a turn out. We are encouraging everyone to, of course, remain composed as it would not be surprising if we were visited by counter-protestors--we're counting on it, actually.
We want to treat this event not as an angry rally, as we might if, for instance, Bush attempts to pack the Supreme court with anti-choice judges, but rather we want to stress the fact that Roe V Wade has saved the lives of many women; we want to stress that the Roe V Wade isn't something dark and bad, which shouldn't be discussed, rather it should be commemorated as a decision that guaranteed women basic human rights.
If you have any ideas of your own about how to make the event better, please send the over. Otherwise we will begin to gather at Melbourne City Hall (located at 900 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne) at around 3:40pm. We encourage anyone interested to be creative in designing signs, or dressing up--we may have at least a few women participate in some theatrics--but we also ask that everyone bring a positive attitude.
Although SOLO has profound differences with the organizers -- National Organization of Women (NOW) -- regarding its collectivist feminist fascist agenda, this looks like one area where we can honestly synergize with them.
I want to place this event onto the SOLO Florida Calendar. Can anyone think of a reason not to do so?
My one concern about an event like this is that Objectivists' differences with such organisations far far outweigh any agreement on one specific issue - indeed even the very philosophical basis on which an Objectivists would defend the "right to choose" conflicts strongly with the philosophical basis of these feminist groups. For that reason, I strongly doubt that I personally could be persuaded to attend such a rally in the UK.
MH says: My one concern about an event like this is that Objectivists' differences with such organisations far far outweigh any agreement on one specific issue - indeed even the very philosophical basis on which an Objectivists would defend the "right to choose" conflicts strongly with the philosophical basis of these feminist groups.
I firmly agree with MH, I could not even fathom having anything to do with these people. It would be a great disservice to your club Luther. Be careful what you choose to 'synergize' with, even if only for a brief moment. To be honest, that you are even considering having anything to do with these people is somewhat surprising to me. Among these groups are some of the most hate-filled people that you can imagine. If ever there was an example of a group of people that hate the good for being good, it is among these types. Please reconsider.
Many women who are fighting for their right to use abortion as a backup for the inevitable contraceptive failure, have excellent, very selfish and moral reasons for their activism. This is especially true of those who resent the prospect of being denied an abortion, when it might be necessary for some women to choose an abortion in order to pursue their educations, careers, and self-actualizing lives. This could be a great occasion for single Objectivist men to meet selfish, self-actualizing women.
Thank you for the thought-provoking feedback. I had learned of the rally through the Space Coast Freethought Alliance (SCFA) message board. While the prior message I quoted sounded innocuous enough, their follow-up message proved the stated concerns valid:
Brevard NOW would like to invite you to yet another spectacular event. Because the Bush administration has made it clear that W stands for waging War against the rights of women and many others, including the LGBT community, Brevard NOW has teamed up with a dedicated team of progressives around Brevard county to present Two Days of (Patriotic) Defiance.
Please distribute the following as far and wide as possible:
Taking America Back: Two Days of (Patriotic) Defiance! Unhappy that Bush won? Starting on January 19th local progressives, in unity with those around the country, are urged to participate in a cathartic, two-day experience, to both express their sorrow and then to finally expel their sorrow; taking a defiant pledge to fight for freedom and democracy in the U.S. over the next four years--this will be a POSITIVE and UPLIFTING event.
Summary of Events:
Beginning on Wed. Jan 19th, Bush-foes will tie black ribbons around their car antennas, trees, lamp posts, and other objects to begin the official mourning process.
On Jan. 20th, to coincide with the President’s Inauguration celebration, there will a sign making party from 10-3:30pm.
Followed by a Counter-Inauguration Parade at 4pm. Commemorating the perils of another four years of George Bush at the helm, participants in the parade will mournfully march to somber music, carrying constructed headstones identifying one of a multitude of important rights, which the President intends to take away; others will hold signs reproaching Bush’s misguided policy (nothing profane, please). Everyone is encouraged to dress the part (some plan to come in clothing befitting a funeral). Black capes will be available for all.
The Parade will be followed by an Uplifting Theatrical Demonstration of Defiance at Melbourne City Hall. Participants will cast off their sullen mind-set, sadness and funeral capes, exchanging complaints about Bush for oaths to fight, like never before, for freedom and democracy over the next four years. Participants will be given an opportunity to sign pledges to fight for freedom, which will actually be sent to the President. A group of at least one dozen participants will recite their pledge orally, and theatrically refuse to bury the respective rights (headstones), which they carried in the parade.
What: 2005 Counter-Inauguration Parade & Demonstration: When: January 20th, 4-6pm. Who: Patriots for Peace, Brevard NOW. Where: From Front Street Park to Melbourne City Hall. Details: Joining thousands of Americans across the country, on January 20th local progressives will gather to mourn the second inauguration of their misleader, George W(ar) Bush. The theatrical/cathartic demonstration will begin at 4pm with a procession of the persecuted, from Front Street Park to Melbourne City Hall, which will coincide with the President‘s “Inaugural Parade.”
Individual participants will carry a headstone identifying with one of a multitude of important rights, which the President has begun to take away: free speech (harmed by the Patriot Act), reproductive freedoms, freedom of religion (separation of church and state), gay and lesbian equality, access to adequate health care, working wages, social security, peace, and a multitude of other important subjects.
At the end of the procession participants will break their respective headstones, making a defiant oath to fight for freedom over the next four years. Others will have the opportunity to sign a pledge, which will then be mailed to the president.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to participate. After the parade we will hold demonstrate at city hall, holding signs, playing music and enjoying one another’s company. Participants are encouraged to dress up, if they like, bring flowers, make signs, bring a drum, bring children friends and family.
What: Pre Demonstration Party: When: 10am-3pm. Details: Prior to the demonstration there will be a sign and headstone making party. Materials such as paint, Styrofoam, markers, face-paint, and poster-board will be provided. Bring food and/or drink to share.
If you’d like to participate in our procession of the persecuted, or counter-inaugural parade, we will provide the materials and creative know-how for you to make your own headstone, related to an issue that’s important to you. Some of us will also spend part of the day tying black ribbons around trees, lamp posts, and other objects around Brevard.
If you’re interested in a FUN day of opposition, RSVP by emailing Sabletide@yahoo.com.
What: Black Ribbon Day When: Jan 19th, all day. Details: We are asking that everyone tie as many black ribbons, anywhere possible, around their respective communities. There will be teams of people going out together. If you’d like to 1) head a team, or 2) join a team, email Sabletide@yahoo.com. We are also encouraging people to wear black ribbons on both the 19th and 20th.
Please note that SCFA has a mix of people and not everyone in that group supports the viewpoint of the quoted material. We had a heated discussion in the SCFA online forum in the fall over a Florida ballot initiative requiring that abortion doctors give parents of minors notice if their daughters have an abortion. The person who posted the messages I quoted opposed this initiative with arguments that lacked merit, e.g., "Teenagers could accidentally have sex." He never answered those of us who challenged him to explain how anyone can "accidentally" have sex.
In short, I have decided to forego support of the pro-choice rally lest the name of SOLO become mired in nonsensical public argumentation. I would love to see SOLO Florida grow large enough to engage in its own rallies, but like all Objectivists, we tend to preoccupy ourselves with our own lives at the expense of political activism.
I feel extremely annoyed that the same people who openly support the valid right of a woman to choose abortion also advocate this hysterical, screaming opposition to George W. Bush. I am no Bush fan, but the alternatives looked far worse. Robert Tracinski, editor and publisher of The Intellectual Activist, correctly argues in favor of the profound need for a new movement called the Secular Right. Let us support him in his efforts to commence one.
Good choice, Luke. I for one would have winced to see a SOLO banner flying in the midst of a bunch of shrill, screeching Saddamite (& ugly, no doubt) feminazis & *their* banners, though the thought occasions a belly-laugh at the sheer incongruity of it. :-)
Linz, you are a fucking tool, I am sorry. Yes I said tool, not fool. But you are a fool also. And wait, I'm not sorry.
I'm just sick of your lame posts. You think that since you have enough free time on your hands to host a chatroom that you are something special. Well, you're not. You are cynical fuck. From reading your inane opinions on 'Saddamites' and rock music and people not posting with their real names being cowards (no, you are the coward, you fat fuck; never venturing out of the protective realm of Objectivist theory into the real world where things are not so simple, besides people don't want to include their real names because they will get spammed like I did), I've had enough.
I've had enough of your cynicism and insecurity.
If you want evidence of your cynicism, look at your posts where you accuse people of being 'Saddamites' , just because they offer an opinion different from yours and you aren't smart enough to offer a well-thought rebuttal. Look at most of your posts for that matter. Jaded jaded crap. You live in a protective cocoon where your opinions never have to be tested, at least in any way that affects your life.
If you want evidence of your insecurity look at your pornographic-tinged posts (I can't find that ejaculate one you recently did, did you edit that so Ms. Brandon wouldn't think you a freak?). Look at your regurgitation of drug-addled Rush Limbaugh b-lines (feminazi's? come-on), you can't think of ignorant catch-phrases for yourself?
If you want evidence of the harm that cynism and insecurity has caused you, look to your personal life--I'm sure it's there. I'm guessing that you don't have many friends. I'm guessing that you don't have a partner. I'm guessing that you have a lingering emptiness in your life. I'm guessing you are not a happy person.
I hope that all the well-meaning and true Objectivists on this site can see through your thin veil.
Good bye, I am free of your ignorant domain.
Truthfan
P.S. Don't bother responding or banning me, I'm done with this site. I'm going back to ARI.
Hey Truthfan, you're the one who should read his own popsts. While many of us here have occasioned to have a passioned outburst, I've seen apologies given when necessary and friendship maintained despite passioned disagreements. I'm able to listen to what music I like and speak my mind here without the need to insult my hosts. To be sure, I've disagreed with various posters and even the host, but I respect the majority of people here as allies in a war and comrades in spirit. The value I get from posting and reading here is reaffirmed day after day despite the occasional freak who posts here. Enjoy the ARI and don't forget to tell them how you publically condmen and repudiate everything about SOLO! (I thought you picked up your toys and went home before in any case.)
Thanks for the eulogy, Truthfan. Unfortunately you left out my axe-murders of babies. For this egregious oversight you are now banned. Yes, I know you said not to bother, but you had a hissy fit once before, only to return after you'd stopped sulking. That option is no longer open to you. I look forward to hearing about your glowing tributes to me elsewhere.
I was just watching one of the C-Span channels about the "counter-inauguration" rituals that various groups intend to invoke. There was this young girl from the Anarchists for Mother Earth! (ok, that wasn't it but it was something with Anarchy in the name) crying about how the "Right to a Living Wage" was being ignored and the "Evil Capitalists and Rich" needed to be fought by the people. She breathlessly spouted this leftist effluvia while managing to sound like a pouting teen high-schooler complaining about the jocks taking the best table in the cafateria. It was pathetic.
Oh, and it reminded me of Truthfan - I think it was his girlfriend.
Individual participants will carry a headstone identifying with one of a multitude of important rights, which the President has begun to take away: free speech (harmed by the Patriot Act), reproductive freedoms, freedom of religion (separation of church and state), gay and lesbian equality, access to adequate health care, working wages, social security, peace, and a multitude of other important subjects.
Funny how they lump all those things together. And the headstones? Very tacky, girls.
