Anti-abortion protest signs - how far is too far?

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Would you be willing to pay more in taxes so that the government can pay a single parent’s essential bills (you know like food, medical expenses and education supplies) while he/she home-schools a child?
Let’s see, I pay taxes so other single parent’s children can be brainwashed by the state whether I approve of it or not, and regardless of whether my own children are subjected to it. What are you willing to do.

BTW: Public education is not free.
 
No, you are equating homeschooling (or the decision to school your children in any way other than public education) with going hungry and naked.
Well, to adequately homeschool, I am assuming that there has to be a sah parent. Many times this is not possible as the parent(s) is working to provide shelter, food, clothing, and medical expenses. What are you missing here?
 
How many children are you homeschooling and how long have you been doing it?
Sorry this was needlessly confrontational. There is a somewhat common misconception among those who do not that homeschooling is very inexpensive, but that is certainly not the situation that any of the homeschoolers I know or have talked with online reflect. The parents I know whose children are in public school usually don’t find that it is indeed “free” public education when one factors in school uniforms, transportation costs, supplies, fees, fundraisers, extracurricular activities, etc. Cheaper than the $10,000 a year or more private school down the road that also include a lot of those above expenses, certainly.

bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20041109a1.asp

A lot will depend on how well versed the parent is in the various subjects, how comfortable s/he is with putting together something on their own rather than using a curriculum, specific interests/goals for the child, cost of transportation to and availability of the free activities that may be found at one’s library, museum, cost and availability of supplies, how much time one has to put together all of this and for how many children, costs to print off “free” materials from the Internet, etc.

Personally, I am extremely frugal, have some background in education and a great willingness to pull together materials on my own, and familiarity with the offerings available in our urban community, but we still spend several hundred dollars a year overall in supplies and curricula (and I buy everything I can second hand), not to mention costs for memberships to museums, homeschool support group, sports activities, transportation to various field trips and events at libraries, museums and historic sites, copying, etc.

Now, to return to the topic at hand, which is not homeschooling or the education of children in public school, but rather the attempts of strangers at educating preschool children on abortion via the use of tractor trailer sized photos of mutilated and dismembered babies driving around town and whether such is either appropriate or supportable.
 
Sorry this was needlessly confrontational.
I am trying to figure out what the point you are making is. Earlier in one of these threads you gave an example which would equate to something similar to this:

George homeschools;
Jane does not;
Therefore, Jane has no say so whatsoever;

Even though this is not the case with me, if it were, I would still be entitled to my piece.
There is a somewhat common misconception among those who do not that homeschooling is very inexpensive
No it is not a misconception.
but that is certainly not the situation that any of the homeschoolers I know or have talked with online reflect.
The ones I know or have talked with online are very budget concious people and are very creative when it comes to such things.
The parents I know whose children are in public school usually don’t find that it is indeed “free” public education when one factors in school uniforms, transportation costs, supplies, fees, fundraisers, extracurricular activities, etc.
Not to discount the fact the in some places public schools make up more than 75% of ones property taxes, whether their children are in public school or not. Certainly doesn’t sound free. How about if the parents who choose to keep their kids out of public school were to keep that money. Sure would beat welfare.
Cheaper than the $10,000 a year or more private school down the road that also include a lot of those above expenses, certainly.
That is an awful expensive school you have down the road. Maybe you should consider homeschooling.
Personally, I am extremely frugal, have some background in education and a great willingness to pull together materials on my own, and familiarity with the offerings available in our urban community, but we still spend several hundred dollars a year overall in supplies and curricula (and I buy everything I can second hand),
I would highly doubt it is anywhere near 10,000 dollars. Well what if both husband and wife work in order to get two incomes. Still it is a matter of wants vs needs. Don’t get me wrong, I am not making any of this up. I have first hand experience with more children than you would want to believe. How many children do you homeschool? How much money do you make? Are you single? Nosey questions, I know, but offer nothing to advance the point.
Now, to return to the topic at hand, which is not homeschooling or the education of children in public school, but rather the attempts of strangers at educating preschool children on abortion via the use of tractor trailer sized photos of mutilated and dismembered babies driving around town and whether such is either appropriate or supportable.
Truthfully, I don’t know how the tangent started, but I don’t care to go back through the thread to find out.

Back to Topic - no the topic is not about educating preschool children on abortion via tractor trailers, but rather the general public.
 
This is entirely untrue. One does not need to be very well versed in every subject to be taught at every grade level. In fact, the older children for the most part, are quite capable of teaching themselves.
Cost is largely dependent on whether you are using your own materials, using a purchased pre-made curriculum, borrowing materials, and a hundred other factors. Can’t is a defeatist word.
Yes, it does vary on a hundred factors. One of those factors is whether one feels that one is adequately versed in a subject to be willing to pull together one’s own curriculum materials from the available pool of library books, etc or whether one feels that one needs to buy a pre-made curriculum. Those older children still need access to materials in order to teach themselves.

I did not say “can’t,” but it is not realistic in my experience to say “homeschooling costs very little in terms of money” or that “Anyone can afford to homeschool” either.

Out of curiosity, upon what do you base your statements about homeschooling?
Nope, the state has no say so in whether I choose to home school or not.
Actually, in the US, each state has every say in whether you can do so legally or are in violation of the compulsory education laws for your state. The specific requirements vary state to state. Anyone interested in the basic laws pertaining to each state can find them here. hslda.org/laws/default.asp You will have to dig a bit further in each individual state to discover details like whether you have access to public school materials, activities, etc.
It sounds like you are saying that if your public library does not have up to date instructional books, and your state forbids (which state btw) access to special things like music and sports, you are at their mercy to subject them to public school.
Then it sounds incorrectly. I said that such things impact the costs of homeschooling. If you have access to such, your costs for an equivalent education will likely be less than if you do not.
ncdnpe.org/hhh114n.htm is a place to get more info on NC homeschool laws.
How do you as an active homeschooler speak for everyone in what it costs to homeschool?So it is more than a money issue. Some people just shouldn’t home school, right? Actually, anybody that wants to homeschool, can do so.
I said:

It is theoretically possible, if one has access to a very good library system and is personally well versed in every subject to be taught at every grade level, to homeschool for “very little in terms of money.” That is not the experience of the homeschoolers of my acquaintance, particularly ones with older children (high school range for example) or a large number of children.

Yes, there are ways in which pretty much anyone could homeschool if they wanted to badly enough, but not all of those ways will be inexpensive or available immediately. For instance, in NC, you have to have a high school diploma or GED. If a parent without one should want to homeschool their child, they will have to obtain such. If you want your child instructed in something that you do not feel qualified to teach, you will need to seek out other avenues for that and those usually cost money.
Kudos to you for being so trusting of strangers! I on the underhand, need to know such things and many other things besides, and probably even then would not trust them.
Based on your own standards, why in the world should you expect me to trust you to instruct my child just because you choose to stand on a street corner with a large photo of a mutilated baby?
 
Not to discount the fact the in some places public schools make up more than 75% of ones property taxes, whether their children are in public school or not. Certainly doesn’t sound free. How about if the parents who choose to keep their kids out of public school were to keep that money. Sure would beat welfare.
And lead to government involvement in the way and means I use to educate my child.
That is an awful expensive school you have down the road. Maybe you should consider homeschooling.
Yes, many of them are. I am in my 3rd year of active homeschooling, as I have stated previously and as you have commented upon.
Back to Topic - no the topic is not about educating preschool children on abortion via tractor trailers, but rather the general public.
The topic has been the very fact that you knowingly and willfully include preschool children in the “general public” every time one of these trucks hits the highway or someone chooses to stand on a busy road holding up large photos.
 
Yes, it does vary on a hundred factors. One of those factors is whether one feels that one is adequately versed in a subject to be willing to pull together one’s own curriculum materials from the available pool of library books, etc or whether one feels that one needs to buy a pre-made curriculum. Those older children still need access to materials in order to teach themselves.
True. Personal choice.
I did not say “can’t,” but it is not realistic in my experience to say “homeschooling costs very little in terms of money” or that “Anyone can afford to homeschool” either.
Do you know of anyone who would do anything to homeschool, but can’t due to financial reasons? I know of quite a many prominent curriculum providers (if one chooses to use such route) that offer financial aid to the needy, not to mention accept donations from any others who dismiss it all together saying people can’t afford to homeschool, therefore; to them their sorry lot.
Out of curiosity, upon what do you base your statements about homeschooling?
Specifically, which statements? That it can be done affordably? That the government cannot prevent me from homeschooling?
Actually, in the US, each state has every say in whether you can do so legally or are in violation of the compulsory education laws for your state.
Nope. I would advise looking into legal representation such as that of the HSLDA or others if your local government is harassing you.
The specific requirements vary state to state.
And homeschooling is legal in all fifty states. I very much remember when it wasn’t legal in my state (actually several of them, having moved a few times) and am happy to have helped in the effort to legalize it in those states. I was told on many occasions I can’t this or that. Well obstinate people do cower to social workers very easily. Actually in most cases, it wasn’t that homeschooling was in fact illegal, but that laws regarding education standards were largely misinterpreted, and were therefore able to be dismissed in court.
Anyone interested in the basic laws pertaining to each state can find them here. hslda.org/laws/default.asp
Cool! I wrote the above before I saw you also referenced HSLDA.
You will have to dig a bit further in each individual state to discover details like whether you have access to public school materials, activities, etc.
Many of which if denied access, again, can be challenged. Gratitude given to those with the courage to help pave the way for others. (minor problems when considering other legal issues such as abortion).
Yes, there are ways in which pretty much anyone could homeschool if they wanted to badly enough, but not all of those ways will be inexpensive or available immediately.
If they want to badly enough, they will. Financial burdens will not stop them. Social workers may be a nuisance, but will not stop them. Dealing with county dynasty on the public school board (if one really feels compelled to have their child in public school football) may be a little fun sometimes.
For instance, in NC, you have to have a high school diploma or GED. If a parent without one should want to homeschool their child, they will have to obtain such.
Yes, life is full of challenges. Makes it all the more fun. If it is important enough to the parents to homeschool their children, yes getting a GED (in those states requiring it) becomes a bit of an inconvenience. Kind of like if you want to drive a car, your going to have to take a drivers test. Inconvenience.
If you want your child instructed in something that you do not feel qualified to teach, you will need to seek out other avenues for that and those usually cost money.
If money truly can be said to be the deciding factor in whether parents homeschool, again it is only by choice. There are ways of dealing with money issues when it comes to education.
Based on your own standards, why in the world should you expect me to trust you to instruct my child just because you choose to stand on a street corner with a large photo of a mutilated baby?
It is not my standards that cause mistrust. If you mistrust me, that is your parental right which I would certainly hope you would exercise. I would be mearly standing on the street corner. The instruction to your child is within your realm.
 
And lead to government involvement in the way and means I use to educate my child.
No, it means if you want your kids in public school, be expected to pay taxes to cover it. If you don’t want them in public school, don’t be expected to pay such taxes.
Yes, many of them are. I am in my 3rd year of active homeschooling, as I have stated previously and as you have commented upon.
Just making sure. You also questioned my credentials, although not to brag, but am quite a bit more seasoned than that. It was a time when homeschooling was very ‘uncommon’. Actually almost unheard of.
The topic has been the very fact that you knowingly and willfully include preschool children in the “general public” every time one of these trucks hits the highway or someone chooses to stand on a busy road holding up large photos.
No, that preschool children would react in horrifying ways has only been included by those in opposition to the signs as a sneaky way of trying to disarm those on the opposite side of the debate and make them dumbfounded. Didn’t work. It has not been proven as of yet that children react in such ways nor are morbidly damaged in any way by them. Parents however, instill all kinds of values in the children by their reactions. Children follow example.
 
No, it means if you want your kids in public school, be expected to pay taxes to cover it. If you don’t want them in public school, don’t be expected to pay such taxes.
I was responding to your statement “How about if the parents who choose to keep their kids out of public school were to keep that money.”

With tax credits and tax exemptions come strings. Ask the folks in some areas of Canada.

Actually I don’t have a problem with paying taxes for education even if I don’t use the services myself. There are plenty of services that I don’t personally use at the moment but am grateful exist if I need them and which I believe are overall beneficial to the community for which I also pay taxes.
No, it means if you want your kids in public school, be expected to pay taxes to cover it. If you don’t want them in public school, don’t be expected to pay such taxes.
That would only be valid if the only people whose taxes support public education were the ones who were currently using the service and that everyone who did use the service paid taxes equivalent to the cost of educating their own children.
 
Lets say, a new club opens in your area called G-club, but you do not know that the G stands for grossout. You visit this club hoping to have a good time, maybe a little dancing, meet new people, etc., And, once you get inside people start opening their wallets to show you gross pictures. And, one guy who says he is showing you pictures of his children shows you aborted babies.

Are you going to return to that club on another day after loosing your cookies during your first visit?

Now, lets say these people have their pictures blown up, and stand anywhere they want in public showing others their gross dead baby pictures.

Do you really think people are going to want to congregate where those people do?

Lets’ say you came over to my house for a visit. And, I ask do you want to see pictures of my surgery? You say ah No. and, I whip out large pictures in detail telling you about my surgery. Do you think I am in my right mind? Are you going to come over another day?

So, I ask you why on earth do you think, people who show such pictures are simply mentallly sick persons who like grossness.

Why do you think pictures of dead babies are going to draw healthy people, mentally stable people to your church?

Yes, the G-Club is your Church because you have a lot of sick people who think it is ok to force gross pictures of dead babies on others, like at a family event on woodward.

I think people who show such pictures in public are simply mentally sick people. And, I for one do not want to associate with such sick individuals.
 
Its so sad that there are adults on this forum acting like children when the children are being murdered because they won’t act like adults.

Graphic photos prove abortion kills babies, many women don’t have abortions after seeing these photos because nothing else would do.

The reason that groups like The Center for Bioethical Reform (abortionNO.com) exists is because they looked and saw the same bickering over the last 35 years and babies dying because people were too busy crying over temporary tears of born children.

Change this subject to the Nazi holocaust and see how rediculous people are who don’t want the graphic imagery of the Jews to be shown because it might upset some born children… playing right into the neo-Nazi’s fingers!
 
Graphic photos prove abortion kills babies, many women don’t have abortions after seeing these photos because nothing else would do.
How do you know “nothing else would do?”
Change this subject to the Nazi holocaust and see how rediculous people are who don’t want the graphic imagery of the Jews to be shown because it might upset some born children… playing right into the neo-Nazi’s fingers!
Point me toward the people who are driving tractor-trailer sized photographs of bloody dismembered and mutilated corpses of Holocaust victims around towns or holding them up on busy street corners to passersby and I will be glad to have exactly the same conversation with them about inappropriateness that I have been having with you.

I don’t see the Holocaust Museum or any number of books or lectures etc about the Holocaust as “playing right into the Neo-Nazi’s fingers.”

Graphic photographs of atrocities have a place in the discussion. That place is not where young children have access to them without their parents’ prior consent.
 
No, that preschool children would react in horrifying ways has only been included by those in opposition to the signs as a sneaky way of trying to disarm those on the opposite side of the debate and make them dumbfounded. Didn’t work. It has not been proven as of yet that children react in such ways nor are morbidly damaged in any way by them. Parents however, instill all kinds of values in the children by their reactions. Children follow example.
sneaky? trying to disarm?

more like loud & vocal, trying to get some “discernment” and “discretion” applied by those who insist on unnecessarily exposing young children to violent graphic images of dismembered children. Opposing such things as parking huge trucks with these images in neighborhoods, driving large trucks through freeways and neighborhoods, flying banners with the images near beaches, parks, sporting events.

I would think those who “really believe” it’s the parent’s reaction would then make every effort to not expose these images to children in such a random, haphazard, disrespectful manner so that parents can be properly prepared to educate their children at their own discretion.

Driving a truck with these images through traffic, springing these images on unsuspecting motorists, then having a youngster ask mommy or daddy “why is that baby all cut to pieces?” is hardly the proper time or place for a parent to be prepared to speak to their child about abortion.

I would think that they would use a more “targeted” approach to using these images at an audience i.e. young adults who are more likely to face an unplanned pregnancy.
 
Well Thank God that Karen and people like her don’t control the first amendment, unfortunately they control most of the established pro-feelings groups out there that care more about feelings then babies being butchered.
 
Well Thank God that Karen and people like her don’t control the first amendment, unfortunately they control most of the established pro-feelings groups out there that care more about feelings then babies being butchered.
On what do you base your claim that people who oppose the “indiscrimate” use of violent graphic images in a random, haphazard way exposing young children in any way “care more about feelings then babies being butchered”?

I happen to care a great deal about babies being butchered and have worked diligently in prolife activism from sidewalk counseling to Director of a pregnancy clinic, to post abortion counseling, to political activism, protests, prayer vigils…I think my actions speak for themselves as to my devotion to preventing “babies being butchered”. Yet at the same time, I strongly object to these images being shown to young children.

Even the prolife community within my diocese, whenever we have protests and prayer walks and prayer vigils specifically request “no graphic images” so do the organizers of these Prolife events “care more about feelings than babies being butchered”?
 
Well Thank God that Karen and people like her don’t control the first amendment, unfortunately they control most of the established pro-feelings groups out there that care more about feelings then babies being butchered.
Do you consider it impossible to care both about children’s feelings AND about babies being killed? Honestly, the only reason I’m still following this thread is in attempt to help those who advocate indiscriminate showing of those photos - help them to realize that, as you rightly imply, the majority of people do not see things as they do.

Why does that matter? Because there’s nothing the pro-choice crowd would love better than to dismiss the lot of us as a bunch of fanatics as in: "Why is that baby all cut up Mommy?..“Because some weird people want to scare you honey, but it’s okay, I’m here, just never listen to anything they tell you.”

The chances that my child is going to grow up pro-life, regardless of gory graphics, are pretty high. Also pretty high are the chances the pro-choice mothers will use the graphics to indoctrinate their young children against pro-life views. So the question remains: why not leave the children out of it?
 
I think the big issue is here is why you feel the need to tell those who don’t like the indiscriminate use of the pictures what they can do to help stop abortion?

What makes you think they are not doing so already?

Because they don’t like the photos? (Please answer, I’m curious)
No, the big issue is not about the pictures, it’s about what are YOU doing to put an end to abortion. There are many things YOU can do. Showing pictures is a very tiny small portion of what can be done to stop abortion. I would like to stop hearing people harp on the pictures but rather tell us what positive things they are doing.

I already gave suggestions…

Well people are not going to stop showing graphic pictures of abortion. If you really want the graphic pictures to end, then you really need to get involved in the Pro-Life Movement so we can put an end to legalized abortion!

Showing graphic pictures of abortion may not be for you. Leave that work to those who want to do it. But there are other things you can do like…

1. Get Project Gabriel started in your Parish.

2. Start a Catholic Crisis Pregnancy Center in your community.

3. Fast & Pray for the end of abortion. This is the most important!

4.Start 24-Hour Perpetual Adoration in your Parish if you don’t already have it. Sign up for at least an hour each week for Eucharistic Adoration in your Parish. Pray for the end of abortion!

5. Pray at the Abortuary nearest to you.

6. Have Abstinence-Only Education Speakers to speak at your schools (like Jason Evert, Christopher West, Fr. Thomas Loya).

7. Promote and Vote for Pro-Life Candidates.

8. Start a Youth For Life Group.


*9. If you have a large family, go to the park with all the kids & have fun with them. Others will witness the value of being open to life. *

These are a few of the many things you can do to help the Pro-Life Movement! There are many others. I just listed a few.

If you are not already involved in Pro-Life, then your already half dead.


Here are other suggestions…

priestsforlife.org/brochures/youcan.html

priestsforlife.org/brochures/whatyoucando.htm

prolifeaction.org/about/closed.htm

What is EVERYONE ON THIS THREAD currently doing to stop abortion?

What is EVERYONE ON THIS THREAD plan on doing in the future to stop abortion?

Remember the phrase “Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country”?

Isn’t it time people stop complaining about the graphic pictures and use their time more wisely doing other things to stop abortion?

Let’s see more action and less complaining! That’s what we are doing now in the fight against Planned Parenthood in Aurora, IL. We are grounded in prayer and I believe we may possibly be writing history here in Aurora, IL in the fight over abortion in America. Keep an eye on us in Aurora, IL and pray for us!
 
No, the big issue is not about the pictures, it’s about what are YOU doing to put an end to abortion.
The issue for this thread is “anti-abortion protest signs–how far is too far.” To discuss the topic of the thread is not “harping,” it is called “staying on topic.”

If you want a roll call of what everyone is doing to fight abortion, you might want to start a thread on that topic.
 
The issue for this thread is “anti-abortion protest signs–how far is too far.” To discuss the topic of the thread is not “harping,” it is called “staying on topic.”

If you want a roll call of what everyone is doing to fight abortion, you might want to start a thread on that topic.
KarenNC,

It was not a difficult question. Most of the hits on this thread have been complaining about Pro-Lifers taking action.

Yet I have not seen hardly anything from those complaining about the pictures doing any kind of action to stop abortion.

I guess I get the *picture *(pun intended).

If your not involved in Pro-Life Activism, your already half dead!
 
On what do you base your claim that people who oppose the “indiscrimate” use of violent graphic images in a random, haphazard way exposing young children in any way “care more about feelings then babies being butchered”?
Because the motivation of being non-offensive to sensibilities (opinion) trumps the (FACT) that displaying photos prevents and has prevented death.
 
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