Aug
12
Trying to express my opinions.
Written by Erica. Filed Under Opinionated
I can’t even begin to express my shock and extreme discomfort while biking home from work Tuesday afternoon. I work close to a major hospital and travel by one of the main entrances every day. Today there were several dozen “pro-lifers” lining the sidewalk, displaying large pictures of aborted fetuses for everyone to see. I’m not usually squeamish, but these images crossed the line for me and, quite frankly, made my ride along that stretch pretty dangerous. I was cycling straight down the street but my head was turned to the left.
I have no problem with people demonstrating. They just stood there, probably waved a little (I wasn’t looking). I was approached by one and offered a pamphlet - while on my bike. I gave her a look that said, ‘I can’t take your pamphlet. I’m on a bike.‘ I’d much rather have a safe trip home and be able to allow both hands to hold on to the handles! I feel that they have a right to share their opinions, but maybe the sidewalk isn’t the best venue for this particular opinion. I have to wonder if similar situations have led to accidents.
As for the opinion itself, while our family is Catholic and I know that members of our family are pro-life (specifically our Oma Close - so called because she lives next door to our parents), I would say that I am pro choice when it comes to abortion specifically. I would not choose to have an abortion myself and I would not suggest that a friend go that route, however if I had a friend that decided that that was what she needed to do, I would support her. I support a woman’s right to choose.
I don’t feel that I have educated myself enough to say anything more on the subject - it can be quite divisive. I don’t often state my opinions on political, religious, or moral issues to the general public and to my extended family (many of whom will read this), but I’m trying to express my opinions better and I find writing works well for me. Opinions can change, but that never makes you wrong. You’re allowed to change your opinion! It’s yours!
Opinions lead to discussion. What are your thoughts?
UPDATE: the London Free Press reported on the demonstration as it happened in Chatham. Although I can’t say for sure, it is very likely that this is the same group that I saw in the late afternoon in London. Looks like my line wasn’t the only one crossed.
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10 Responses to “Trying to express my opinions.”
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I could easily respond from a number of different angles. While riding your bicycle on the road you neglected to concentrate sufficiently on the operation of your ‘vehicle’ and allowed a protest to distract you? If you were riding on the street (and not on the sidewalk) then how were you “approached by one”? Were the protesters obstructing the sidewalk to pedestrians? What was it about the images that “crossed the line” for you? [Thanks for not trying to decide where "the line" is for other people] Whether a discussion becomes “divisive” or not depends upon the character of it’s participants. You should not deny yourself the right to express your opinion. Frankly, I think you’re pretty good at it. Perhaps you’d like to think about expressing your political views as a contributor on my blog? If so, let me know.
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I’m very pro life. Matt is very pro choice. Constant point of debate with us. I often wonder if I were ever put in the position of having to choose for myself, would I still feel the same? Ah, I don’t know! I feel like I could go on and on about this topic and say many things…but I don’t think this is the forum for me to do it in. Let me know when you host a big debate - we’ll chat then
Well said, and you are right. Every person is entitled to their own opinion no matter if you agree or not.
You wrote that really well!
I’d like to say I’m Pro Life but when it comes down to it, I really am Pro Choice. Who should say that a woman can’t choose? It would be wrong to take that HUGE choice away from a woman!
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I completely lost the nice long response I wrote to each commenter! Thank you for your responses and encouragement. I’ll respond individually later.
I went into my school co-op today and a lady that works there drove by that group with the signs and her two kids (11 & 12) saw them and were really upset about it. She wasn’t picking sides, she just didnt think that it was appropriate for the whole public to view was wondering who she should complain to about it…
Isn’t the ability to have your own opinions the best part about being human and living in a free country?? I say as long as you can back it up then go for it. I love arguing and debating and I when I’m with two people who are arguing about something I often find myself arguing for one persons side for a few minutes, then switching over to the other persons side.
And because I can’t comment on this blog post without saying this (because it is one topic I feel really srongly about) I am very pro life. That is one issue I can’t argue both sides of.
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Mic, I’d like you to help me explain to matt why it’s such an important thing to me to be pro life! we’ll chat sometime!
i think that im a little different, im a little bit of both, and i know you’re thinking you cant be both but i believe that everyone is allowed to make up their own mind and if they choose to have an abortion then that’s what they coose, but i think you should only have that choice once, anything more than once is just them being stupid and using it as a form of birth control. ( i know girls like that, which makes me sick. )
I could never do it myself, that’s why at 3 months before i turned 21 i became a mum to a very beautiful baby boy who has been the light of my life for the last 2 years.
I’m very pro life myself. I understand your hesitance to share your opinion, I find myself restraining my opinions sometimes on MouthyGirl, lol….
I had a son when I was 18 and life has been very hard at times, but the whole time, he was my light and he made me a better person.
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