Your chance to quiz anti-abortion activist Andy Stephenson (From The Argus)
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Your chance to quiz anti-abortion activist Andy Stephenson
4:45pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News By Ben Leo, reporter
In our new weekly Your Interview feature we give you, our readers, the chance to ask key figures and groups across Sussex the questions you want answered.
This week Andy Stephenson from anti-abortion group Abort 67 answers your questions.
The group regularly demonstrate against abortion outside clinics across Sussex and describe themselves as an "education project that seeks to change how we view abortion."
They say: "In 1967 the Abortion Act was passed granting legal abortions to all women.
"Abort67’s end goal is to make abortion unthinkable and to see the law give full protection to the unborn. The most effective way to change public policy is to first change public opinion."
Do you agree with their message? What would you like to ask them?
Send your questions to ben.leo@theargus.co.uk or leave a comment below.
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Comments(39)
brightonbatfink
says...
5:11pm Mon 18 Feb 13
I would like to ask exactly how demonstrating outside clinics helps to 'change public opinion'?
Individuals visiting the clinic are already distressed, upset and carrying feelings of guilt. Abortion is not an easy decision for anyone to make - whatever the circumstances. The only thing I have seen demonstrations achieve is intimidation and distress to individuals visiting the clinic, who are already distressed. I can not see how treating other human beings this way will make the 'public' open to listening to your views.
dhamallamafarmer
says...
5:13pm Mon 18 Feb 13
006 and a third
says...
5:28pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Should women have the right to choose when mass rapes are being widely used as a weapon for ethnic cleansing around the world? If the choice is not going to be the women's then, in such circumstances, your group appears to be supporting the objectives of the rapists - who also consider every abortion as unthinkable.
To seek to suppress the choice of rape victims seems pretty grim work. You sure God is involved? I'm guessing not.
kweeta
says...
5:38pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Also, to The Argus: I hope you're planning on running a Q&A with a pro choice group as well. One would hate to think that you were giving a platform to one side and not the other, unless you're in the pay for it of course?
AmboGuy
says...
5:41pm Mon 18 Feb 13
brightonbatfink
says...
5:54pm Mon 18 Feb 13
John Steed
says...
5:55pm Mon 18 Feb 13
surely you should address your protest to parliament, only they can alter the law.
Ballroom Blitz
says...
6:33pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Because that's exactly what your campaign does. I hope you can sleep at night.
Morpheus
says...
6:35pm Mon 18 Feb 13
LeftySpankerCants
says...
6:59pm Mon 18 Feb 13
2) Questions
1) Why do you and your like think that you know what is best for the world and why do you think you have the right and authority to bore us with your misguided view.
2) Why don't you play real life frogger on the M25. Don't forget to bring your mates.
AmboGuy
says...
7:04pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Ballroom Blitz
says...
7:42pm Mon 18 Feb 13
AmboGuy wrote:Because he's a disgrace to humanity. And I use that word deliberately, in its true sense.
Bloody hell not a lot of love for Andy Stephenson and his lot on here!!
thevoiceoftruth
says...
7:54pm Mon 18 Feb 13
Would you like to see a return to back-street abortions and children being abandoned at birth? Or worse, murdered, as happened in the old days where there were many instances of infanticide due to a lack of birth control.
Finally, if I told you I would like you to have a vasectomy and picketed your house for six weeks, would you do as I say?
teknonotice
says...
7:58pm Mon 18 Feb 13
AlanPare
says...
8:52pm Mon 18 Feb 13
1) Why do you believe that abortion should be unthinkable?
2) How far are you prepared to go to achieve your aim?
John Allman
says...
10:14pm Mon 18 Feb 13
AlanPare wrote:A number of reports I've read have contradicted the Abort 67 website.
Andy -
1) Why do you believe that abortion should be unthinkable?
2) How far are you prepared to go to achieve your aim?
For example:
Abort 67's website doesn't have any religious content, and uses only human rights arguments against abortion. Yet I keep reading allegations that Abort 67 is some sort of "religious" group. What is the truth?
Abort 67's website shows pictures of aborted babies, saying that they are this or that many weeks gestation. I keep reading allegations that you use pictures of babies who are much older than you say they are. Is this true?
Finally, your website makes the claim that Abort 67 doesn't confront, intimidate or harass people. However, I often read people saying that this is a lie, and that (for example) Abort 67 picketer shout out "murderer" at women entering the clinics. Who is telling the truth?
If it is Abort 67 that is telling the truth, what is the explanation for all the misinformation? Might we expect libel action from yourself, if you claim that you are truthful, and the reports accusing you of this and that are lies?
mimseycal
says...
10:37pm Mon 18 Feb 13
That being the case, your campaigning has resulted not in decreasing the number of abortions. Can you show any proof that your harassment of people seeking to undergo a legitimate medical procedure has had any effect other then feeding your own self righteousness.
BrianDummage
says...
2:07am Tue 19 Feb 13
Is the 21st century anything like what people living in the Fifties thought it would be?
spider_web
says...
7:40am Tue 19 Feb 13
mimseycal
says...
8:26am Tue 19 Feb 13
Ballroom Blitz wrote:No, he isn't a disgrace to humanity though I'll grant you he isn't one of humanity's shining examples. He is however a smug, self righteous pretender to the status of God's personal envoy, oracle and interpreter.
AmboGuy wrote:Because he's a disgrace to humanity. And I use that word deliberately, in its true sense.
Bloody hell not a lot of love for Andy Stephenson and his lot on here!!
Crystal Ball
says...
9:06am Tue 19 Feb 13
ering instead?
This is the 21st century, not the Middle Ages (some may argue) and you have zero right to pressure people into their private and personal affairs.
Goodbye.
whereisthe...?
says...
9:08am Tue 19 Feb 13
True. Google it. Was massive campaign. Even bigger in America, to the point where it got lampooned by South Park!
I dont agree with the anti abortion campaign, BUT they, like all the feminists, women, and other groups have a RIGHT to their opinions, and to protest.
Cant have it both ways. Tolerance has to be extended to allow them to air their views too. At least, unlike some feminists, they dont accuse ALL men of being rapists!!
thevoiceoftruth
says...
9:17am Tue 19 Feb 13
whereisthe...? wrote:Think its time to have a lie down, luvvy.
Ahem! Arent such women/ feminists ALWAYS telling men what to do ? Their latest campaign was to make ALL men change how they go toilet JUST cos they didnt like the seat being left up!!
True. Google it. Was massive campaign. Even bigger in America, to the point where it got lampooned by South Park!
I dont agree with the anti abortion campaign, BUT they, like all the feminists, women, and other groups have a RIGHT to their opinions, and to protest.
Cant have it both ways. Tolerance has to be extended to allow them to air their views too. At least, unlike some feminists, they dont accuse ALL men of being rapists!!
Artificial
says...
9:46am Tue 19 Feb 13
Are you anti-contraception? If you are why do you oppose giving people control over their fertility to prevent unwanted pregnancies?
AmboGuy
says...
10:13am Tue 19 Feb 13
whereisthe...? wrote:Wow you're a piece of work aren't you. People do have a right to protest BUT the women going into the clinic have a right to do so without being harassed by these pathetic individuals.
Ahem! Arent such women/ feminists ALWAYS telling men what to do ? Their latest campaign was to make ALL men change how they go toilet JUST cos they didnt like the seat being left up!!
True. Google it. Was massive campaign. Even bigger in America, to the point where it got lampooned by South Park!
I dont agree with the anti abortion campaign, BUT they, like all the feminists, women, and other groups have a RIGHT to their opinions, and to protest.
Cant have it both ways. Tolerance has to be extended to allow them to air their views too. At least, unlike some feminists, they dont accuse ALL men of being rapists!!
Mr Murdoch
says...
11:53am Tue 19 Feb 13
AmboGuy wrote:Yes people have rights... however aren't we forgetting something really important here?
whereisthe...? wrote:Wow you're a piece of work aren't you. People do have a right to protest BUT the women going into the clinic have a right to do so without being harassed by these pathetic individuals.
Ahem! Arent such women/ feminists ALWAYS telling men what to do ? Their latest campaign was to make ALL men change how they go toilet JUST cos they didnt like the seat being left up!!
True. Google it. Was massive campaign. Even bigger in America, to the point where it got lampooned by South Park!
I dont agree with the anti abortion campaign, BUT they, like all the feminists, women, and other groups have a RIGHT to their opinions, and to protest.
Cant have it both ways. Tolerance has to be extended to allow them to air their views too. At least, unlike some feminists, they dont accuse ALL men of being rapists!!
How about the rights of the unborn child?
AmboGuy
says...
12:12pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Mr Murdoch wrote:If you feel so strongly about it then of course you're free to have your views. What I don't like us that people think its acceptable to bully an harass people in the process of airing their views.
AmboGuy wrote:Yes people have rights... however aren't we forgetting something really important here?
whereisthe...? wrote:Wow you're a piece of work aren't you. People do have a right to protest BUT the women going into the clinic have a right to do so without being harassed by these pathetic individuals.
Ahem! Arent such women/ feminists ALWAYS telling men what to do ? Their latest campaign was to make ALL men change how they go toilet JUST cos they didnt like the seat being left up!!
True. Google it. Was massive campaign. Even bigger in America, to the point where it got lampooned by South Park!
I dont agree with the anti abortion campaign, BUT they, like all the feminists, women, and other groups have a RIGHT to their opinions, and to protest.
Cant have it both ways. Tolerance has to be extended to allow them to air their views too. At least, unlike some feminists, they dont accuse ALL men of being rapists!!
How about the rights of the unborn child?
Lewesroadresident
says...
12:19pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Would you feel guilt if a woman died from pregnancy complications because they felt unable to access abortion services due to the presence of your protestors? If not, why not?
Question 2:
Why do you target the most vulnerable in this debate (distressed women going through a horrific experience) and isn't that cowardly?
Question 3:
Why do you think it is justified to inflict distress upon people who are doing something that is fully legal and the right to do it is supported by an overwhelming majority in the UK?
puddingandpi
says...
4:37pm Tue 19 Feb 13
.
You must know that women always have & always will have abortions. If it's not available legally, they will do it illegally. If they can't have it done professionally, they will pay an amateur. If they can't have it medically, they will do it themselves. This is why abortion was legalised in the first place - to save lives.
.
It isn't really any of your business what any woman does with her body so why did you get yourself involved?
.
Do you genuinely believe that you have the right to interfere?
.
What would you do with the unwanted children born to unwilling mothers?
.
I'm a victim of rape & of incest, from a very early age. If I had become pregnant at 11 with the child of my relative or rapist, would you be firm in your belief that I should be forced to bear the child?
.
Even though it would damage me irreparably, mentally & physically, would you be able to look me in my eyes & tell me I must suffer a pregnancy & childbirth - with the risk to my life - for a child I do not want, will never love, can't take care of & that will in fact have deep seated psychological damage from knowing the history of it's conception & birth?
.
Isn't it better for me to just take a couple of pills & expel a ball of cells?
.
Isn't it really all about punishing women for having sex by forcing them to "take responsibility"?
.
If you are so against abortions, I would suggest you never have one.
Mr Murdoch
says...
4:57pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Actually, in the case of an abortion, it is the unborn child who receives the worst and irrevocable punishment.
'Protests' and intimidation by extremist groups such as 'Abort67' do not help their cause; in fact they worsen it. Their tactics are defenseless.
The women involved are vulnerable and in worst cases they are victims in need of compassion, not threats.
But does that then justify making the unborn child the ultimate victim? What about their rights?
dhamallamafarmer
says...
5:09pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Mr Murdoch wrote:In a recent case involving car pooling in California a pregnant woman was pulled over and charged with being a single occupant in a car pool lane. Her defence was that she was pregnant and therefore she was indeed car pooling. The courts found her guilty as the other occupant of the car had to have a seat of their own in order qualify as a passenger. Therefore, unborn children, particularly foetuses of less than 28 weeks have no rights.
"Isn't it really all about punishing women for having sex by forcing them to "take responsibility"?"
Actually, in the case of an abortion, it is the unborn child who receives the worst and irrevocable punishment.
'Protests' and intimidation by extremist groups such as 'Abort67' do not help their cause; in fact they worsen it. Their tactics are defenseless.
The women involved are vulnerable and in worst cases they are victims in need of compassion, not threats.
But does that then justify making the unborn child the ultimate victim? What about their rights?
Mr Murdoch
says...
5:26pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Then I am sure you would agree this is a very sad society we live in. Considering that at 6-7 weeks the heart is beating and at 12 weeks the foetus is fully formed.
Then again, also disturbing that one would use a dubious car pooling legal precedent (related to defining a 'passenger', not debating its rights) to justify disregarding someone's right to life.
thevoiceoftruth
says...
6:16pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Mr Murdoch wrote:Would a foetus survive outside the body at 12 weeks - of course not. The vast majority of abortions are carried out way before 12 weeks anyway. Clearly you think the rights of the unborn child are more important than the mother.
"unborn children, particularly foetuses of less than 28 weeks have no rights."
Then I am sure you would agree this is a very sad society we live in. Considering that at 6-7 weeks the heart is beating and at 12 weeks the foetus is fully formed.
Then again, also disturbing that one would use a dubious car pooling legal precedent (related to defining a 'passenger', not debating its rights) to justify disregarding someone's right to life.
I realise it is an emotive issue, but forcing people who don't want a child to have a baby is not a good starting point in life, IMHO. However, it should not be used as a form of contraception.
Having kids is not a decision to be taken lightly. Being born is just the beginning - you still need supportive parents and stability for a lifetime.
AmboGuy
says...
6:33pm Tue 19 Feb 13
thevoiceoftruth wrote:You're wasting your time, sadly too many of these pro lifer loons will just not listen to any other opinion and feel that they have a god given right to harras any woman they feel like. The problem comes when many of them hide behind their religion and use that as an excuse for their disgusting behaviour. As far as they're concerned their religion is beyond reproach and can never be wrong.
Mr Murdoch wrote:Would a foetus survive outside the body at 12 weeks - of course not. The vast majority of abortions are carried out way before 12 weeks anyway. Clearly you think the rights of the unborn child are more important than the mother.
"unborn children, particularly foetuses of less than 28 weeks have no rights."
Then I am sure you would agree this is a very sad society we live in. Considering that at 6-7 weeks the heart is beating and at 12 weeks the foetus is fully formed.
Then again, also disturbing that one would use a dubious car pooling legal precedent (related to defining a 'passenger', not debating its rights) to justify disregarding someone's right to life.
I realise it is an emotive issue, but forcing people who don't want a child to have a baby is not a good starting point in life, IMHO. However, it should not be used as a form of contraception.
Having kids is not a decision to be taken lightly. Being born is just the beginning - you still need supportive parents and stability for a lifetime.
AmboGuy
says...
9:46pm Tue 19 Feb 13
This is actually a question to Ben Leo the Argus reporter. Are you aware that Abort67 are calling into question The Argus's journalistic skills on their FB page? Just thought you should know.
see and speak sense
says...
9:28pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Is the real issue the fact that as a society today we actually do not support the woman in her time of crisis to make a genuine informed choice.A choice not influenced by position at work, expensive child care , or lack of social capital .ie; friends and support system.My experience is that there is a high percentage of women who actual have an abortion because they feel they have no choice not because of a freedom to choose.. And the truth is that there is also a high percentage of women who regret having an abortion.
Where are we as a city.. Are children celebrated.? Is family celebrated? And before someone questions where I'm coming from...I am simply stating the facts,
mimseycal
says...
9:06am Sat 23 Feb 13
The average cost, based on 2011/2012 prices, for raising a child, from birth to 21 years of age, in the South East is: £228,685.
the child:
- attends a private nursery from six months until they are five as both parents will return to work
- attends state school, full time from age 5 to 18
- takes an annual holiday from the age of one
- attends university for three-years where tuition fees and living costs are paid in full by the parents.
Reality check! How many children are born into families that can sustain this? How many mothers and fathers will be forced into seeking support to provide for their children the bare minimum? How many people are going through life stigmatized as benefit scroungers. How many children are left to their own devices because mum/dad are either working for a living or dealing with another child who is sick/in trouble or are attending a 'what-are-we-going-t
o-do-about Johnny' meeting at school ...
And I haven't even started on the parent/s ... illness/bereavement/
accidents/unemployme
nt.
Having a child is relatively easy, painful, bloody and, on occasions, life threatening (but admittedly less frequently so here in the UK). It is the long term commitment that these pro-llifers aren't taking into account when they harass these women. Generally speaking, it isn't the fear of giving birth that makes a woman elect abortion, it is considering the long term commitment and questioning their capacity to provide for a child that informs their decision.
It is never an easy choice and I hold that most women who elect to abort are doing so with the best long term interest of the POTENTIAL child in mind.
It is a courageous choice! The easy choice wouild be to have the child, let the devil take the hindmost and let society bring it up if needs be.
Mr Murdoch
says...
10:47am Sat 23 Feb 13
Considering that the majority of abortions have resulted from consensual sex I can hardly see how they can truly have had 'the best interests of the potential child in mind'...!
Sustainability and responsibility are absolutely a key point -but thinking about that needs to start a lot earlier than after the fact.
AmboGuy says...
4:56pm Mon 18 Feb 13