Creature of Mad Enthusiasms

i dont know of anyone in any of the pro life groups i have ever spoken to who fits that description... except the carried a sign part.... and of course the definition of harassed can get pretty ... uh... debatable.

i do know several people who participate in 40 days for life, including me. i know people who have been threatened with death, hit, had bottles thrown at them, screamed at and worse....... for praying across the street from a clinic...
the "us/them" language about the escorts and the prayer teams ..... well it contributes to the inability to see either side as "other people trying to do what they think is right".

which is how i try to look at it.
THEM is indeed the violent crazies... but i am afraid there are "THEM"s on both sides.

and have i carried a sign in front of a clinic? no, but some of my best friends have... while i was at home praying for the safety of everyone involved that whole day.
she was carrying a sign that said "please think about your baby" in a public park during the 40 days for life campaign.
she was nearly run down by a car the occupants of which threw bottles of some kind of smelly liquid at the group.
the same day another friend who works in a abortion provider facility received a bomb threat (false, luckily)

i just have a twitch about too many people assuming that "everyone who is pro life/pro choice is ______"
and i admit i am getting a LOT of shit right now on a few other blogs.. so i am pretty touchy

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OOf, I'm sorry your day has been so lousy...
Yes, agreed, definitions can get very... debatable. And I should have added that by "MY" definition, you don't qualify as one of the crazies.
And again, you're right, the "Us/Them" language does add to the division. And yes- there are "Them" sorts of crazies on both sides of the issue. (Though I must also admit that I have yet to read about some pro choice nutcase shooting someone... but THAT just means I don't read enough news.)

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I have yet to read about some pro choice nutcase shooting someone

Michigan, about 2-3 months ago. Shot a protester in cold blood as he stood outside a high school. The "reason" he gave was that it was too upsetting for the kids to see the bloody fetus sign, as if seeing an actual murder was going to be less upsetting.

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There you, proof positive that A) I don't watch enough news! :)
and B) there are definitely crazies on both sides.

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*GO*- there you GO... GAH, I hate losing words like that.

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and several dozen cases of punching, threats, bottle throwing.. and cars hitting them (although as neodods noted.. the car issue? it CAN be accidental...)

oh heck yes..... complete nut jobs on all sides of any heated debate.

and of course most of the folks on the .....i hate the term front lines, but it wil have to do...... have few clues how the other side sees them or thinks.
which just contributes to more issues.

like most of the new ish protestors i have spoken with honestly dont understand that the women, and escorts think they may be violent to them. after all, THEY know they are pro life and deeply concerned for the safety of the moms and etc...... right?
since THEY know they mean no harm. they think the other side knows that too.

anyway i am rambling

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since THEY know they mean no harm. they think the other side knows that too.

And the problem is, none of us on either side - yours or mine - is going to know different until its too late. And there is a lot of television coverage that suggests that things are going to turn into a WWF show any second.

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And might I suggest a cup of hot tea and a lapful of critter? (I seem to recall someone out here has a "German Shedder"? And almost everyone has cats...) :)

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oh heck yes.. and both hubby and i have a stomach bug......

aaaaaaaaaaaand five people have de friended me so far today.

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Oh NO! That just adds layers to the stress that you do NOT WANT...or NEED.
OK Mint tea for you. (Unless there's an allergy or something?)

FIVE.. have defriended... Over THIS!? Stupid.
Yeah- OK- fine- we don't agree on certain things. THAT'S part of LIFE. (And I'm sorry they have stomped off in a huff over it.)
Have some hugs?

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shrug. i have mint tea. not allergic to that
(raw onion, and garlic in any form.. bummer allergies)

bought chicken noodle soup when i went out today.
got a massive de friending the last time it got mentioned i was not on the pro choice side of the debate... thought folks would ummmmm know this by now? or not care?

yup... five
and counting

and bear in mind thats over a clear and as concise statement as i can make that "i do not think you are a bad person because we disagree on this"

and thanks, i could use the hugs

also the sweater hates me.

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Garlic in any form? OUCH! That sucks mud.
O_O
The sweater hates you? I'm sorry... I'm not a knitter, so I'm afraid I can't help you there.

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garlic in any form.
if i handle a clove my hands puff up and crack, imagine what it does inside me.
most italian food is right out... sigh
and its so good for you! (but not for me)

and if you want to see what i have been dealing with?
go to thorninthefoot and read the most recent comment.... go on... i will wait.

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O_O WOW, THAT is ... Just... wow.

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And yeah- I tossed my two cents over there at her, too... sorry- she was just.. SO far over the edge that logic wasn't going to make any dent in THAT skull.

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*long heavy sigh*

The first thing I learned on the line was that this wasn't what it was like on TV. That there is no one face of "the opposition" just as there's no one person or group that speaks for my side.

And there's no talking with someone who just launches into you. From either side. Not the person in that comment, not the woman who was shouting at us Saturday.

I believe very very passionately in what I do or I wouldn't do it, but I must say, that parking lot has been an education as to who does what why that you'd never get online - and due to the legal restraints, a more civil one.

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I'm sorry you're getting shit from everyone else.

I try to look at this as the first amendment in practice. I have my own strong opinions about why it's being done and the line between practicing a religion and imposing it, but I acknowledge that the protesters are within their rights. (It helps that this is the "quiet" clinic and thus we don't get anyone doing the outrageous things you hear of on TV.) I try even here on the blog to talk about specific things and not generally bash; you're not the only pro-life person who reads me.

We escorts are part of a long-standing nonprofit organization. They drill into us hard that we are NOT there to counterprotest, and that anyone who does anything to bring disrepute to the group or break the peace is out. I know my temper, so the only things I've said out loud to the protesters are:

1) He [the doctor] doesn't drive a Mercedes.
2) We aren't paid.
3) (To someone who came into the lot) You can't do this, you have to stay on the sidewalk

and most often,
4) [name of specific protester] CAR! You're about to be run over! (Anyone looking at a car that has come in - this includes me - is looking away from any cars that are trying to come in. I spent much of yesterday almost being run over myself.)

Jeans are the uniform on both sides here too, and more comfortable as the weather gets colder. I doubt there is anything I *can* say or wear that will break down preconceived notions; yesterday one of the protesters made it clear she thinks we're racists and escorting for profit. I believe she really believes it; there's nothing I can say or wear that will change her mind; it's her legal right to stand on the sidewalk and say it; it's better that I just have something to stuff into my mouth and blow off steam at home.

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ah..... one of the folks who has probably got a mental problem... and has been listening to much propaganda.

i got those at the store when i had the new age store all the time.... "teh ebil people are all part of this well funded conspiracy"
the rest of the crazies thought WE were part of the well funded conspiracy.

i want to know where the money is, because i never got any....
just like i never got to go to any of those orgies where we sacrificed babies and plotted world domination.
no one invites me anywhere ;-p

if its jeans on both sides? no.. probably wont help.
i suggested it because in *some* areas its a de facto uniform....and if you can break the stereotype you have a *chance* of reaching a "hey... you might be an "us" not a "them" after all"

of course right now. well right now with the whole health care thing its getting loud.
i dont like loud
i especially dont like loud and biased and aimed at me.. but who does.
i will be going off for tea and hopefully some rest.... i hope you can also .

oh, and let me know if you do find plus sized warm pants

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(I put a link in to some flannel "Lounge pants" further down- from the animal rescue site, actually... they has PAWZPRINTZ!)

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