That PRO-LIFE heckler had just as much of right to be there as CODE PINK

[wndycty]

I agree with CODE PINK, but not with their tactic of disturbing hearings.

Remember tactics are not policy or ideology. If you think CODE PINK has a right to disturb hearings then you should believe PRO-LIFE heckler has the same right.

Its civil disobedience anyway, regardless of one's politics.

[havocmom]

1. Yep

[scheming daemons]

2. I agree.... and in both cases, I think the hecklers HURT their cause

Most Americans are more likely to turn AWAY from the viewpoint that the hecklers hold when they see that type of disruption.


So I say.... more power to you, wack-job pro-lifers. The more you act like assholes, the more people you turn away from having sympathy for your arguments.

[AspenRose]

3. Oh, he has the right to do that

We have the right to comment on how asinine we think he is.

[wndycty]

4. Just like those of us who agree with CODE PINK but disagree with their tactics. . .

. . .that is all I am saying.

[madmax]

6. Code Pink hasn't murdered anyone who

disagrees with them but, I must agree with you that both sides have the right to disent.

[wndycty]

7. Not trying to defend pro-lifers, but I doubt the majority of them have murdered anyone either

:kick:

[rfranklin]

13. A lot of them do support assassination...

It is difficult to find one who would condemn the murder of that doctor recently.

[CTyankee]

45. If the so-called pro-lifers got their way, plenty of women's lives would be lost as a result.

They don't seem to have any qualms about that, now do they?

[bluestateguy]

5. Heckling is not what the framers had in mind when they drafted the 1st Amendment

more like a debating society among gentlemen.

[WinkyDink]

9. I'm sure they didn't think of nude dancing in "Gentlemen's Clubs" either, but times change.

[NYC Liberal]

17. BS, heckling is THE best form of free speech

It's the most direct way to get a message across when you feel someone isn't listening. When placards and marches don't work, take it to them directly.

[styersc]

43. Heckiling draws attention tro the heckler, not the issue.

An exersize in narcissism, not a political statement.

[malletgirl02]

47. I think you are Right

I was reading the thread about this in latest breaking news. The heckler didn't change their opinions in fact I think it made their pro choice opinion even stronger. I think this is the case most of the time. Heckling rarely changes minds, most of the time it does just opposite.

[endarkenment]

21. um that is nonsense

raucous debate, pampleteering, jeering, heckling, - all part of the political milieu of their time. The courts have long held that it is precisely political speech that is most protected by the 1st. Hecklers are never charged with heckling - there is no law against that - they are charged with trespassing or disturbing the peace, and quite frequently their cases are tossed or charges are dropped as they are bogus to begin with.

[Forkboy]

34. Not really.

[CTyankee]

46. I doubt that. I'm sure that heckling has a very OLD tradition in society's that allow some freedom

of speech. People are people and this is what happens...

[T Wolf]

8. Except that the viewpoint of the anti-choice heckler is well-represeted by the pukes on the

committee, while the positions of Code Pink (health care, peace, etc.) are NOT represented by any members of the congressional committees.

ONe outburst is simply reinforcing the rethug side of the issue while the other is bringing attention that there is ANOTHER side!

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Except they are not Pro Life as you wish to frame them

they are anti-choice, anti-woman and pro-government intrusion into private lives. So you see, I don't even agree with your framing of these protesters. Of course they have a right to do what they want to do. And so do others to respond to them.
But pro-life? Not going there. For it is a term of propaganda devised by the GOP.

[wndycty]

12. How I wish to frame them? Are you fucking kidding me?

:kick:

[Bluenorthwest]

16. Well did you use that terminology against your wishes?

You gave them that title. I do not. Many people don't use that right wing term, ever. You did. Were you forced to use that frame?
It is just not a term I'd use ever. Because I have been opposing the anti-choice people for many years.
You are some poster on DU. I have no idea what your opinions are save that you don't like Code Pink and post against them a lot. And you say 'pro life'. Like they do. Just saying.

[bertman]

23. This is DU, wndycty. One must always remember that one will be punished for not following

the rules of the speech- and thought-police. So, take your lashes like a wo/man.

I agree with your post, but I also think we all should be more aware that the corporate media are constantly conditioning us to refer to the COMPULSORY-PREGNANCY types as pro-lifers.

And, yes, I do slip up and use the banned terminology on occasion. But please don't tell anybody.

[Ian David]

15. Forced-birth. n/t

[WinkyDink]

11. I see nothing wrong with "disrupting" political events. Why are Americans such namby-pambys when it

comes to dissent?
Good God. One would think this is Wat Tyler re-dux.

[Ian David]

14. Yes. Because anti-choice conservatives are ignored and have no way to make their message heard.

:sarcasm:

[followthemoney]

18. If only everybody would just shut up and be nice this would...

be a much nicer world. Isn't there something the malcontents can do other than disrupting all the nice people in government who's only desire is to make the world all happy and nice. Why don't more people watch more Michael Jackson and Princess Dianna coverage and stay out of the way of TV cameras. The TV people will give us plenty of good entertainment if we just give them a chance.

Now, everybody, just shut up and go back to your electronic diversions from reality.

[Arkana]

19. I think Code Pink's on the level of PETA

Both groups are more likely to annoy me and push me away from their cause than toward it.

[SpartanDem]

20. I agree people who act like that come off as immature

no matter the cause they support they look like jerks in the end.

[endarkenment]

22. The mature people sit around and do nothing, or post 'tut-tuts' on message boards. nt.

[Telly Savalas]

39. Did the heckler do anything to change your opinion on the abortion issue?

If not, then what's the difference between his actions and people sitting around doing nothing?

[endarkenment]

49. Doing nothing has no potential for causing change. nt.

[followthemoney]

24. I agree.

It is always better to side with the people who have a better slicker presentation of the issues without regard to the issues themselves. That is why I always side with whatever the Main Stream Media put out for me to watch. They have the money to do issues the right way. Code Pink runs on a shoe string budget and I will never agree with poorly produced issue advocacy.

I still believe that cigarettes are harmless because the Marlboro man looked so strong and was everything I always wanted to be.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[followthemoney]

28. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Please don't reject me.

I have so few friends on this board. I desperately need your approval. Please reconsider.

I would only ask that you leave my hermaphroditism out of this.

[bvar22]

31. LOL ...+1

:patriot:

[Arkana]

35. oic what u did there good sir

please subtly call me an idiot some more with thinly-veiled sarcasm.

[bvar22]

26. When your voice is consistently shut out of the Political Debate....

...by the Media and both Political Parties, then heckling becomes a legitimate avenue.

The Anti-Choice voice has plenty of representation in both Political Parties and The Media, but Anti-WAR voices were effectively shut out during the run up to the Invasion of Iraq.
The voices pointing out the criminality of the Occupation of Iraq were also effectively silenced by both Political parties and the Media. I cheered when Code Pink showed up at a Condi hearing with Bloody Hands!

I support heckling at the Health Care Forums where Single Payer has been taken off the table.
I support heckling anytime a legitimate voice has been taken "off the table".



"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible
will make violent revolution inevitable."
John F. Kennedy, In a speech at the White House, 1962

[followthemoney]

30. The unruly minority must be suppresed.

Even if they comprise 72% of the population.

Just because a minority has very large numbers shouldn't give it more of a public voice in a managed democracy such as this.

"Words mean what I say they mean, nothing more, nothing less," says the Red Queen.

[cali]

41. lol. the anti-choicers make precisely the same argument

and sorry, but your "logic" here is absurd. there can't and shouldn't be two standards and two laws for exactly the same behavior.

[bvar22]

27. I wish "Liberals" would stop using Conservative frames.

It only legitimizes an illegitimate position.
These people are NOT "Pro-Life".
They ARE "Anti-Choice".

[glowing]

29. I agree. And someone who does this, knows they can face jail and fines.

Civil disobedience... throughout our history, its been about people standing up and saying no.. because the law or some such is not the interest of the people. I think disrupting these hearings is a negative for those who are disrupting.

[Political Heretic]

32. I agree. I support civil disobedience in service of a cause, but its hypocritical

To say that one person doing it is disgraceful and wrong while saying another person doing it is noble and heroic.

[wndycty]

33. That is all I am trying to say but of course DUers are accusing me of all sorts of betrayal

:kick:

[cali]

42. of course they are. hypocrisy isn't a trait limited to any political pov.

nor is idiocy.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

36. Legal? Sure. Moral? No.

[Cha]

37. Only it's not "Pro life" ..it's

"Anti-Choice" because anything else and they're right there for the DEATH.

"Anti-Choice Hypocrites"..and sure they have a right to protest for their view.

[mistertrickster]

38. Free speech means allowing speech for those that one DISAGREES with.

Otherwise, it's the free speech of Stalin. He was happy to allow free speech he agreed with.

[Telly Savalas]

40. So then it's OK for me to come by your house at 3 AM with a megaphone

and voice my opinion?

[endarkenment]

50. My house is not an official government function, a hearing on legislation,

where in theory the people provide input to legislators but in practice the kleptocracy performs a kabuki dance for their own pleasure.

other than that you make an excellent point

[and-justice-for-all]

44. CODE PINK is wonderful..I appreciate what they do..

and besides, it is OUR Government after all.

[hayu_lol]

48. I didn't see anyone mention this...

but the hecklers were organized for this event by Randall Terry of Operation Rescue.

Why is he still walking around free?

[jefferson_dem]

51. Exactly.

They are both rude assholes.

You'll find no bigger fan of free speech and demonstration than me. Self-agrandizing disruptions at public forums like this is a different matter.

[Peacetrain]

52. Good Point..

[Scout]

53. yup, even stupid bigotted people can make fools of themselves. n/t

edit, typo

[Phx_Dem]

54. I hate Code Pink's heckling just as much as the wingnut hecking.

It serves no purpose other than to make them look foolish and juvenile.

[LittleBlue]

55. I don't have a problem with the pro-life heckler

He has just as much right to heckle as any other, regardless of whether his position merits any consideration.

He will face the same consequences as other hecklers, so who cares ?

[Vidar]

56. I agree, I obviously prefer Code Pink's antics.