To the strong supporters of abortion rights on DU:

[PeaceNikki]

Abortion rights have gotten a lot of play in GD the past week. I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, it needs to be discussed a lot more. On the other, its disheartening to see that anti-choice views are allowed on DU at all and the amount of
half-assed, judgeypants 'soft-support' is ever more alarming to me. The number of people who get judgemental, defensive and flat out combative is out of hand.

I use this forum less than I should, despite being a host. But I will try to change that. I strongly believe that current news regarding the topic be discussed in GD. It gets ugly sometimes, but I really think it needs to stay on the general radar. I have used this forum as place to put reference material for later discussions. I have also occasionally come here to escape the shark tank of differing opinions in GD that give me pause. Which brings me here today. I just needed to touch base with those who are speaking up and refusing to stop fighting. Without shame. You all know who you are.

If this thread happens to appear on the Latest Page and you've stumbled here, please keep in mind that you are in a protected group. Please be respectful, especially during this rather contentious time, and refrain from replying in a manner that could in any way be construed as a violation of our SoP which is left open to interpretation by its hosts. If you want to argue, there are a couple dozen threads in GD ripe for the picking.

[hlthe2b]

1. One would think that the core of Progressive values is self-determination, rather than

allowing others, including the government to have final ownership and say over a womans' very existence--her body. That basic tenet should exist regardless of how one feels personally about abortion.

That some do not agree that this is paramount to progressive ideals, depresses me greatly. To deny that "choice" is in reality, the right of self determination for women, is to validate the premise that women are inherently "less" than equal as humans.

[idwiyo]

2. It's an eye opener to see how many disagree with "Her Body, Her Choice" on DU of all places.

[Warren DeMontague]

3. I am and remain 100% unapologetically pro-choice.

[dembotoz]

4. it is hard to deal with anti choice here on du because god damnit they should know better

[LeftOfWest]

5. Okay well I just posted to you above

in the R. Alta Charo article/thread you posted (excellent, btw) that I did not agree with President Clinton's framing of abortion, the rare statement.

It is a medical procedure. It is women's HEALTH CARE.

I did not know it was being debated here at this site.

Perhaps I should not have posted my feelings about Bill Clinton's framing here after reading your post and looking around, but it is what I 100 percent believe.

This site is huge, I read the rules but I better read more threads and posts before I post much.

If abortion rights are up for grabs here and 'judgeypants soft support' is part of it then I probably do not belong. Heard enough of that bs in my lifetime, it's 13 years into the 21st Century now, not going back especially with Democrats, too disheartening.

Thank you for that article. Loved it.

[PeaceNikki]

6. Stick around. There are a lot of good people here and more are always welcome!

[LeftOfWest]

7. Thank you PeaceNikki

you post good stuff here.

Just read about Michigan's 'veto proof' rape insurance crap and after I take an acetone bath to get the right wing slime off of me from that article, I need to read a lot more, no doubt. And stay active and vocal.

But what you are posting about this here on these forums, you are nailing it for me.

Thank YOU.

[uppityperson]

8. There are some posters advocating making more stringent laws for abortion, but the majority

of us are not that way, instead working and fighting to keep the right available.

People are not supposed to advocate supporting laws taking away abortion rights, but it is ok if they say they personally disagree, according to current DU guidelines.

For me, and others here, that is not good enough. I remember how it was and have no desire to go back to that.

[Kath1]

9. Thanks, PeaceNikki.

I agree 100% that we really need to stand up and be vocal for choice during these times. If abortion rights go down, we are all stuck with the brutal, awful state we were in before abortion was legal. We can't be passive and let that happen.