Sioux City Journal

Bullying won't result in transformation

Posted: Tuesday, September 23, 2008

SIOUX CITY -- I have a concern about the "Forty Days for Life" event. Even though the event is advertised as a peaceful vigil of prayer and fasting, many of the women coming to the Planned Parenthood offices may be negatively affected by the "courageous action" of those volunteers, which I suspect means "unsolicited advice and intimidation."

I believe it would be more appropriate for the volunteers to pray at another location. However, if they insist on coming to Planned Parenthood, I would urge the organizers of this event to monitor the actions of these volunteers and instruct them to stay away from the women coming for appointments. They are not coming to be judged or to be prayed for. Rather, they are seeking medical care and advice in regard to birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. If they are scared off, they may not get the care they need, which increases the risk of serious medical problems due to untreated STDs and unwanted pregnancies, some of which may lead to abortion.

The organizers may truly believe they are seeking transformation, but transformation will not come about through bullying. -- Greg Nooney

Story Comments

Peggy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:09 AM:

" Flim Flam, You make it sound as though, were it not for the exceptions or rape, incest or medical necessity (which can and has been interpreted to mean thousands of different things) abortion would be illegal.

How do you explain partial-birth abortions? "

To blah blah wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:59 AM:

" You said,

" the decisions people make in their personal life are not the business of anyone else. SO MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS!!!!"

Using your flawed logic, we never should have outlawed murder, rape, incest, prostitution, etc. "

FlimFlam wrote on Oct 1, 2008 12:01 PM:

" Observer, I can live with that.

Your Mother must be something very special, it's takes some kind of strength to do what she did. Unfortunately many don't have that strength and it would destroy them wholly if they continued.

My Daughter was very nearly aborted before there was anything I could do about it. I thank God every day, or at least weekly, that she is here. She saved my life in every way that matters. I'm a better person because of her. "

FlimFlam wrote on Oct 1, 2008 11:52 AM:

" I realize that Peggy, but that is why the bill keeps failing. It's almost a slam-dunk to pass if they would stop trying to deny abortions for incest, rape, and medical emergencies.

What kills me here is people like you don't actually see why they are doing it. They don't want this to pass nor do they want it to fail. It's a political hot potato that politicians want to stay away from. Open your eyes Peggy.

Nobody likes abortion (well the vast majority of us) but there are legitimate reasons for one and you can't deny that. "

blah blah wrote on Sep 30, 2008 9:18 PM:

" the decisions people make in their personal life are not the business of anyone else. SO MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS!!!! "