Aaron

I would argue that freedom is not true unless we live in an openly and freely educated society and that the lack of education in North America is what truly imprisons us all like herd animals. I perceive that the availability of education is really poor due to numerous factors, particularly in North America, but, since I still find myself lacking in education and understanding, I guess I will never know for sure :-( Maybe the corporate gods of the world will tell me one day :-) Anyway, an argument for another thread...

I think the protester's message could be a reasonably accurate one under certain idealogical and philosophical perspectives, and I do not believe that these protests have anything to do with suppressing women's rights. These protests are rather more like an advertising campaign. They are trying to convince people that abortion is the wrong choice. This has little to do with taking away a woman's choice and more to do with educating society on what is morally correct behavior. Just because a behavior is immoral, does not mean it needs to be outlawed. An immoral act can also be a free choice, as I'm sure there are many such examples in our society! I believe that abortion should definitely be free choice, but that is beside the point. These people want to convince us that it is an immoral and dishonorable act; which could very well be true, regardless of how much this idea offends those who are emotionally forced to resort to it, or those, such as myself, who support such women. The truth can be offensive to our ideals. It doesn't make it less true. That said, I think these protester's are rather unintelligent in their approach and that they will not get through to anyone with such an approach to delivering their message. If they wish to educate people, than it is rather counterproductive to force perceivably offensive material upon them. Your audience is not going to be very receptive of your message under such conditions. Furthermore (to the main purpose of this thread), citizens should not be allowed to express their views wherever and however they please. Society would come rather messy if such rights were enforced. So I guess the real question is, should this particular expression of views be legal. I do agree with the student's that they are on public grounds (and or should have the right to be on private grounds of a university they pay tuition at). But again, I don't agree that just because a place is public, that we can express, however and wherever we please, our views. For instance; how would you like it if someone were to ride public transit with a loud speaker, blasting their political opinions in your ears? There has to be some level of respect and courtesy to those you wish to convey your message. On the other hand, your audience may vary in opinion on whether your political expression is tolerable or not. Hmmm. A hypothetical situation. Lets say you had an important message to get out that would save humanity, but nobody was willing to listen. What would you do? Sure, for these people, their message may or may not save humanity; that is a rather complex philosophical question. But these people probably believe that they are trying to save humanity. So for for one second, try to imagine that you sincerely believe you are trying to save humanity by getting a message out to the public, but the public did not want to hear your message and shrugged and laughed you away as a lunatic. What would you do? Hehe funny. The more I think about it, the more I realize that many people in our individualistic society would not give a shit about humanity, so I'll add one more clause to my hypothetical situation. Lets say you deeply care about the fate of society. Lets say that you are an extremely intelligent math-mathematician for example and that you have calculated that the earth will be obliterated by a cosmic phenomenon unless humanity acts quickly and decisively - but anyone you bring your 50 page mathematical derivation to just shrugged and laughed at you...? Really! I find the philosophical implications brought about by this hypothetical situation quite interesting and it somewhat sheds light on the situation a lot of these fanatics are in. Lets try to understand their situation here, because this is obviously something these people feel very strongly about and I'm sure has some potential merit under many a philosophical perspective. So should they be allowed to advertise their cause in such a fashion and place? I say no. And I say the question of whether they should or shouldn't is up to the public. They should be required to utilize more intelligent and respectable tactics in their campaign to educate people on the immorality of abortion, simply because their approach is too uncourteous to the sensibilities of their fellow students. Oh... and if I were the mathematician trying to save the planet, I would first try to lure my audience in with an intriguing argument that exemplifies insight and expertise on the topic, and gradually unfold my perspective in a fashion that eludes the offenses of my fellow humans. I would not jump up and down through the streets screaming like a lunatic - which would be comparable in thoughtlessness and lack of consideration of the approach of these individuals. Hehe. I guess then, the question is "but what if you are a lunatic? then what do you do?"; well, I guess in that case, the fate of humanity is hopeless ;-)