Are You – For Eighty Sixing Life? Dadgummit, I Guess Not.

 

Well, I suppose I’m pro-life now. I don’t want to be. I arrive here with feet dragging, slunk shoulders and hanging head. As if resigning to a dreaded chore.

I’d prefer to remain with my peers, my contemporaries. I’d much rather adopt and reap the many perks of convenience in a pro-choice lifestyle. I wish I could resolve the consequences of insignificant hook-ups with RU-486. I want to maintain the impression that my career is too important and it’s just not the right time. I’d rather stick to the beaten path of overpopulation concerns, unfit parents, or unfit world, than to that of wearing a condom or abstention.

I want to stay with the cool kids. Thanks a lot, Planned Parenthood, now I’ll never get picked for dodgeball.

No sudden epiphany, no Jacob-esque battle with the angels of my faith. I don’t align myself with the pro-life “nut jobs” because any crisis of conscience or need of crusade. I get here simply because you obviously can’t believe anything the cool kids tell you.

It was bound to happen. I’ve held a smoldering suspicion they were lying to me for some time. Primarily, when they tried camouflaging abortion as women’s health.

“You don’t have a uterus! You know nothing, Jon Snow!”, kept the tides of doubt at bay for a long time. Not daring to question anything I clearly had no business questioning.

But those numbers — those pesky, inconvenient numbers — kept rearing their ugly little heads and ever so slowly the leak became a flood. The dam broke with Planned Parenthood being exposed for what it is. Wholesale, publicly funded murder. IMG_0102

Like many in the Senate, I’ve not watched the videos. I’ve no need and, besides, I couldn’t hear them over the din of how dear Cecil’s life was.

I figure, as I read recently, were their mission was so noble, they’d be heralding it from rooftops. Not, as it seems, getting partisan jurists to block the onslaught of damning media that threaten their very existence.

So. I’ll be over here, I guess. With the nut jobs, whining on and on about precious life, blah blah blah.

I just wish they had more fashion sense.

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  1. Martel Inactive
    Martel
    @Martel

    Although the overall experience was downright awful, I came to the pro-life position while working for the GOP at a local Victory Center.

    I was a libertarian who migrated to the GOP because I realized the LP was never going to accomplish anything.  It was never really my issue, but “pro-choice” struck me as more in line with a small-government philosophy (but I’m proud to say I always found Roe v. Wade to be pure nonsense).  Besides, even after I became a Republican-voting libertarian, I could proudly proclaim I wasn’t like “those other Republicans” who wanted to mess up everybody’s sex life.

    (continued below)

    • #31
  2. Martel Inactive
    Martel
    @Martel

    At first, I lied about being pro-life so as to not annoy my pro-life volunteers.  As I found over time that the pro-lifers were the most dedicated volunteers I had, I got to know them and discovered that they were far from the self-righteous monsters of my big city stereotypes but instead some of the sweetest and sincere people I knew.  Both Protestant and Catholic, they exuded a genuinely Christian sense of caring about not just the unborn but for all people.

    By comparison, me and my big-city snark felt downright small.  I began to pay more attention to the arguments and found them to be far more rational than I had previously allowed myself to recognize.

    One day I told a volunteer that I was pro-life but realized just afterwards I was no longer lying about it.  It felt good in a bittersweet sort of way.

    I’m still libertarian (just watch me in a debate about the drug war) but have no problem reconciling the protection of all human life with the rest of my belief system (I sometimes side with conservatives for libertarian reasons).  If the government doesn’t have a legitimate role in protecting life, it has no role at all.

    So thank you volunteers for opening my eyes, especially Ruby and Ed.

    • #32
  3. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    It’s possible to look away.

    It’s impossible to claim ignorance.

    • #33
  4. Merina Smith Inactive
    Merina Smith
    @MerinaSmith

    Welcome!  The uncool kids have all the fun anyway.  Been for life since I really thought about it in high school, as in–that plus time is a baby.  Time being the slippery thing that it is, I was not going to take any chances with being a baby murderer.  I’ve debated this with a few lefties on FB in the last few days.  They’ve been trying to convince me that Margaret Sanger is fine and dandy, just a woman of her day, and that I’m a hypocrite for not valuing tapeworm life on a par with a human baby.  As if we needed evidence, I am here to tell you that these are not sensible people!

    • #34
  5. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Buster Chops:I have a feeling MLH is like..il_570xN.589233501_6ep1Well, uummm, I grew up sailing cat-rigged dinghies. . .

    • #35
  6. PHCheese Inactive
    PHCheese
    @PHCheese

    Merina, you are so right. These are not sensible people and even if they were why do the get to spend our tax monies on what we consider murder. Pay for your on abortions at PP or anywhere else. All I want to give them is my prays for their murdered babies and maybe their redemption.

    • #36
  7. Ida Claire Member
    Ida Claire
    @IdaClaire

    Well, I suppose I’m pro-life now. I don’t want to be. I arrive here with feet dragging, slunk shoulders and hanging head. As if resigning to a dreaded chore.

    Thank you.  You have managed to capture my sentiments exactly.  The only difference between your conversion and mine – is that I actually watched the first video.  And that’s what made all the difference.

    Sigh.  Life is simpler on the left-coast when you march in lockstep with the dominant narrative…

    • #37
  8. Arizona Patriot Member
    Arizona Patriot
    @ArizonaPatriot

    I’m getting really nervous about this jib-cutting talk.  It doesn’t involve a mohel, does it?

    Just kidding.

    • #38
  9. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    Ida Claire: Life is simpler on the left-coast when you march in lockstep with the dominant narrative…

    But life has more value & opportunity when many break the lockstep march of the dominant narrative.

    • #39
  10. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    Martel: If the government doesn’t have a legitimate role in protecting life, it has no role at all.

    Amen.

    Merina Smith: The uncool kids have all the fun anyway.

    Yes. When you stop caring what other people think, it’s a very freeing thing.

    • #40
  11. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    MLH: Well, uummm, I grew up sailing cat-rigged dinghies. . .

    Soooo…very pro-jib then. I knew it!!

    • #41
  12. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Buster Chops:

    MLH: Well, uummm, I grew up sailing cat-rigged dinghies. . .

    Soooo…very pro-jib then. I knew it!!

    That would be sloop rig. which I sail now but tend to “sail the main.”

    • #42
  13. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    Arizona Patriot: It doesn’t involve a mohel, does it?

    Ahem, Mr Patriot…Why are you suddenly squirming in your seat? Something you care to share with the rest of the class?

    • #43
  14. The Lopez Inactive
    The Lopez
    @TheLopez

    Front Seat Cat:PS….Someone mentioned most conservatives are tee-totalers. I like black, green and herbal as well as a nice glass of red wine with dinner (or two). I also like to think I still dress nice….

    I myself am a teetotaler. I make up for the lack of drink by eating my steaks twice as thick and half as cooked. I slice into one and watch the Libs tremble. When I take a bite,  I look at them and say, “I don’t drink… Wine.”

    Welcome to the club Buster. Enjoy a drink or whatever your predilection may be. Just remember to be yourself.

    • #44
  15. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    The Lopez:

    Front Seat Cat:PS….Someone mentioned most conservatives are tee-totalers. I like black, green and herbal as well as a nice glass of red wine with dinner (or two). I also like to think I still dress nice….

    I myself am a teetotaler. I make up for the lack of drink by eating my steaks twice as thick and half as cooked. I slice into one and watch the Libs tremble. When I take a bite, I look at them and say, “I don’t drink… Wine.”

    Welcome to the club Buster. Enjoy a drink or whatever your predilection may be. Just remember to be yourself.

    At the risk of sounding like every Crossfitting, atheist Vegan…I do not imbibe as well.    Alcohol or tea, for that matter.

    • #45
  16. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Buster Chops:

    The Lopez:

    Front Seat Cat:PS….Someone mentioned most conservatives are tee-totalers. I like black, green and herbal as well as a nice glass of red wine with dinner (or two). I also like to think I still dress nice….

    I myself am a teetotaler. I make up for the lack of drink by eating my steaks twice as thick and half as cooked. I slice into one and watch the Libs tremble. When I take a bite, I look at them and say, “I don’t drink… Wine.”

    Welcome to the club Buster. Enjoy a drink or whatever your predilection may be. Just remember to be yourself.

    At the risk of sounding like every Crossfitting, atheist Vegan…I do not imbibe as well. Alcohol or tea, for that matter.

    But isn’t water in California just for the Delta Smelt?

    • #46
  17. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    MLH: But isn’t water in California just for the Delta Smelt?

    Goodness, the water reserved for the Smelt is from reservoirs.
    So pedestrian.

    We only drink bottled boutique water here. I’m so sure.

    Now if the valley could use it to be the worlds leading grower of soy again, which apparently is cause to threaten other species habitat in the Amazon to make room to grow…soy.

    Yeah. Wherein the policies of the Left begin to devour one another.

    • #47
  18. Dustoff Inactive
    Dustoff
    @Dustoff

    FRONT SEAT CAT:

    Nice story. Happy ending.

    • #48
  19. N.M. Wiedemer Inactive
    N.M. Wiedemer
    @NMWiedemer

    I was talking to the wife about these tapes earlier in the week. She was skeptical if they would make any real impact on people’s pro-choice stance. I argued they might as the biggest advantage the pro-choice advocates have is their “out of sight, out of mind”  strategic position.

    People see the scared and vulnerable pregnant women, and respond out of sympathy rather than an ethical/moral paradigm. These videos help the babies become more visible and “real” to those in the squishy middle of the issue.

    Buster your story has given me a lot of hope that perseverance, persuasion, evidence and reason can/may result in a true cultural shift towards the right direction.

    • #49
  20. Lady Randolph Inactive
    Lady Randolph
    @LadyRandolph

    Welcome aboard. To continue with the nautical metaphors.

    My toddler is currently sitting on the table, singing “Jesus lub me, dis I know, for a Bible tell me so. Little ones to him bewong, dey are weak but he is STWONG!” My baby is sleeping soundly upstairs. I pray often that when they grow up, legal, socially approved abortion will be a horror story from the past.Children have a right to live. There’s just no two ways about it.

    • #50
  21. Brandon Phelps Member
    Brandon Phelps
    @

    Are you serious? I’ve read a few conversion stories over the last few days and find it hard to believe they are real. Hasn’t it always been clear that abortion kills people, usually in a monstrous way?

    • #51
  22. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    Brandon Phelps:Are you serious? I’ve read a few conversion stories over the last few days and find it hard to believe they are real. Hasn’t it always been clear that abortion kills people, usually in a monstrous way?

    As it happens, I am serious.

    Though, my revelation may have been somewhat delayed for a general distaste of the prevailing “Gawd!, I can’t believe you didn’t know what I’ve known forever, idiot” mentality that seems so rife in pro-life circles, hmm?

    • #52
  23. Brandon Phelps Member
    Brandon Phelps
    @

    Buster Chops: Buster Chops Brandon Phelps:Are you serious? I’ve read a few conversion stories over the last few days and find it hard to believe they are real. Hasn’t it always been clear that abortion kills people, usually in a monstrous way?

    As it happens, I am serious. Though, my revelation may have been somewhat delayed for a general distaste of the prevailing “Gawd!, I can’t believe you didn’t know what I’ve known forever, idiot” mentality that seems so rife in pro-life circles, hmm?

    You certainly have plenty of humility. I don’t think it you’re an idiot at all. Rather, like all matters of truth and deception, we are usually enchanted into buying the falsehood. Like in the book The Silver Chair, if you’ve ever read that.

    • #53
  24. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    Brandon Phelps: truth and deception,

    that would be a great focus for an awareness campaign.

    • #54
  25. Brandon Phelps Member
    Brandon Phelps
    @

    Buster Chops:  As it happens, I am serious.

    I should add that I asked that question honestly wondering if you were pretending.

    • #55
  26. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    Brandon Phelps:

    Buster Chops: As it happens, I am serious.

    I should add that I asked that question honestly wondering if you were pretending.

    To what end? I can’t imagine why anyone would pretend either position on the subject of abortion.

    • #56
  27. Matt Balzer Member
    Matt Balzer
    @MattBalzer

    Buster Chops:

    Brandon Phelps:

    Buster Chops: As it happens, I am serious.

    I should add that I asked that question honestly wondering if you were pretending.

    To what end? I can’t imagine why anyone would pretend either position on the subject of abortion.

    To get elected? If Democratic voters would accept that Obama was lying in order to get more votes, they probably would for abortion as well.

    • #57
  28. Buster Chops Inactive
    Buster Chops
    @BusterChops

    Matt Balzer: To get elected?

    Ahh, true enough.

    But certainly not a reason for some shmo like me to pretend.

    • #58
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