2008-01-11

Yes, It Is True - I Admit It

I do not have a uterus. But, as long as reproduction involves both sexes, men and women will both have a right to express their views on reproductive rights and as long as reproductive rights are a matter of public policy the support of men for the Pro-Choice Movement will be essential.

It is fun to go to war against the other side, but we are never going to win over the “pro-life” activists. The struggle is not won by preaching to the converted, but by reaching out to moderate Canadians, many of whom the other side is also targeting but failing to reach because of the type of tactics and rhetoric that marginalizes them in the minds of moderate Canadians. Many of these people would never consider an abortion for themselves because they consider it to be morally wrong, but they have been convinced by reason that it is wrong to impose their personal views on other women.

Reason is our most effective weapon and it is only weakened by the use of inflammatory rhetoric, no matter how much fun it is to use it.

I have been involved in “the movements”, as well as electoral politics since I was in university. At that time I was heavily involved in student as well as NDP politics. When I moved to Kanata the focus changed to NDP and municipal politics. Then I concentrated heavily on environmental issues, particularly the EMF struggle. After that I took a break from it all and now I am back as an independent progressive commentator.

I intend to continue to call things as I see them and to continue my support for the Pro-Choice movement.

5 comments:

Chimera said...

"But, as long as reproduction involves both sexes, men and women will both have a right to express their views on reproductive rights and as long as reproductive rights are a matter of public policy the support of men for the Pro-Choice Movement will be essential."

Women will probably argue that the degree of weight given to any argument should be dependent upon the degree of responsibility that can be taken by the arguer. That would make a woman's argument more pertinent than a man's, because it would be she who ultimately is responsible for successful reproduction. And I would support that point of view. We who cannot gestate really should have very little to say when it comes to deciding what a woman will do with her own body. The most and best we can do is stand by the women in our lives and back them up when they make their choices.

And reproductive rights should not be a matter of public policy. The public has no rights at all in telling other people what they may do with their bodies.

The argument must, logically, always end in freedom of choice.

Glenn Hubbers said...

"And reproductive rights should not be a matter of public policy. The public has no rights at all in telling other people what they may do with their bodies."

Interesting. I agree with you, but have a question. Do you extend the same logic when it comes to the right to die with dignity, doctor assisted suicide, etc?

Suzanne said...

Women will probably argue that the degree of weight given to any argument should be dependent upon the degree of responsibility that can be taken by the arguer.

I don't. I think the weight given to an argument depends on its own merit, regardless of who puts it forward.

That would make a woman's argument more pertinent than a man's,

The first question to ask is whether it's true or not.

And reproductive rights should not be a matter of public policy.

Who's talking reproductive rights? This is about fetal rights-- attributing legal status and protection to the last group of human beings who have none.

Psychols said...

A sensible post about a very difficult issue.

Chimera said...

"Do you extend the same logic when it comes to the right to die with dignity, doctor assisted suicide, etc?"

Absolutely.

"Who's talking reproductive rights? This is about fetal rights."

No. It's not. If you read the first paragraph on this post, you will see that it is about reproductive rights.

Why don't you go bang your little drum somewhere else?