Dear Armchair Critic,

Absolutely well said.

I totally agree.

If "free speech" is indeed dead, then Good Riddance!

It is immoral to hit your neighbour with your arm (except in self-defence), so what makes it OK to hit them with your tongue?

The concept of "free speech" was originally introduced so that people can speak against the regime, not against one another. Speaking against the regime is still fine because it is a form of self-defence.

Hi Foxy,

So I thought to myself, 'What if these people got what they wanted and we shut the abortion clinics down tomorrow, what's the result?'

- Then we just have a whole lot of unwanted kids and pregnant women bearing them when they never really wanted them, right? -
They might change their mind but who knows, it may end up having a negative effect on all concerned rather than a positive one.

- Should we go back to black-market abortions?

That would be the realistic outcome for a small number;
Kids in foster homes don't always do so well and every kid deserves to have their real parents who wanted them, right?
(though I'm not arguing it's better to never have existed at all)

I'm not saying theses people don't have a right to express their opposition to abortion;
I think they do have that right, and I'm GLAD someone does.
- even just to remind us that those unborn kids are real lives that won't ever have a chance to be a part of this world -

But there's a right and wrong way to go about things, and they need to have a realistic outcome in mind.
And I just can't support them singling out individual women or interfering in those women's choices or decision making.

They should focus on the communities attitude towards abortions rather than on the individual.
And when I mean the 'communities attitude' I mean helping men and women to try to consider being a little more responsible to try to prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place.
I'm not realistically sure there's much more you can do.

I have a hunch these people would have women handcuffed to beds for the entire duration of the pregnancy 'for the sake of the child';

I think these people may be prone to irrational opinions and behavior because of their own beliefs which might be unrealistic in a greater context.
- It's likely they're doing more harm than good.

AC, I guess one answer lies in the fact that the root cause of these abortions are seen as acts of selfishness and convenience, not as being health related.
Those women who HAVE to have an abortion because their very life is in danger if they don't, or something has happened to the unborn baby and the pregnancy must be terminated or it will again put the mother at risk, are probably overlooked because of the more sinister reasons.
I think what is raising the angst of those opposing abortions is the hypocrisy of todays women with un-disciplined or questionable lifestyles and actions, such as getting drunk or taking drugs, screwing around and then getting pregnant, only to be shocked to find out she is a few weeks later, and then seeking counseling for her 'trauma'.
Australia has demonstrated a lack of discipline in so many areas, it is not surprising that there are those who would get upset at these acts of absolute disregard for everything and everyone, and more so when they fall pregnant, out comes the 'it's my body' mantra.
I can't imagine them even thinking that when they're flat on their backs, 'pissed as neuts' with a complete stranger 'flat up em'.
That's what these anti abortion people are on about.
The sheer irresponsibility, arrogance and general immaturity is obvious when one intentionally engages in an act which carries a very real chance of mis-adventure, and then decrying their rights as if it was an accident and they were the innocent victims of this obvious act of nature as if it was some heinous crime bestowed upon them, because they 'did nothing wrong to deserve this'.
I cannot comment because I am neither a woman nor am I pregnant.
So I can only ask questions or make observations.
One observation I have witnessed personally as I grew up, 'chasing women', is that even though there were 'obliging' women around in my youth, the number and character of these women has changed dramatically, and for the worst.
The 'women are equal to men', mantra is to blame.

Dear Armchair Critic,

You put it so well. Harassing women from seeking
medical treatment needs to stop and I am pleased
that the High Court saw that and decided that there
is a public interest in protecting people trying to
attend a clinic from harm. The laws are necessary
for good government, making them valid under the
Constitution. The laws do play an important role
in protecting women during a time when they were
vulnerable and making difficult discussions.

Before "safe zones" women accessing Reproductive
Healthcare (including abortion) were intimidated
and harassed. No woman should have to run a gauntlet of
abuse and harassment just to see a doctor.

And we both agree that Australians do have a right
to political communication - but that certainly is not
a licence to harm others with impunity.

Those that choose to ignore our laws should be
prepared for the consequences that will follow.

PC is the cancer that attacks free speech & there is a cure !