I just wonder…what would you say if I pointed out that the conversations you most often call a halt to, say you just won't talk about 'it' anymore, the ones you and your commentors most frequently call "illogical" and "boring" and immediately mock are those that involve women, women's issues and checking y'all's male privilege in some way? I find it interesting, myself.

And I'm glad that I wasn't here for this one and that my comment is coming so late. That way, I know you'll be the only one who sees it, most likely. I hope that means that you'll be more likely to really think about my point. (If you don't believe me, try it. Post on some issue that's seen as a contentious 'women's issue' and watch what happens in comments. Pick one. Pay gap. Household labor division issues. Oo, that last one will get it, no problem. Rape. Child support issues. Any of 'em really. )

I did think about yours and I think you're dead right. I'm glad his partner is taking over and opening his own clinic in KS. However, that means there is precisely one doctor who does this procedure and only one. He might as well get used to the Kevlar medical scrubs. I'm afraid he'll need them.

For my own deviation from that topic, Ed, I apologize. If I could edit that out of my first comment, I would.

And I stand by my contention that—if the right Right response to terrorism is to respond strongly, and to cut off the funding, then they should be actively ferreting out the folks behind Roeder.

Also, j's comment wins.

This thread, and the ensuing comments, have reinforced why I don't talk about abortion. The subtlety gets lost pretty quickly (something on the order of *immediately*).

Let me be more emphatic that I fully support legal access to abortion throughout pregnancy. That I have personal moral questions about certain abortion procedures isn't relevant, as I am not a pro-lifer and thus don't feel that the purpose of government is to legislate my moral beliefs onto others.

I've generally found that extensive litmus testing (Are you pro-choice enough? You're not allowed to have any reservations about abortion. You're MALE, and thus your opinion is inherently less valid.) is an ineffective way to rally support in a nation in which 80% of the public is staunchly wishy-washy. Men have the luxury of discussing this issue as a hypothetical, and I accept your criticism on that account. Overall, however, the "fuck you how dare you" tone of the criticism in these comments goes a long way toward explaining why people who would otherwise be actively involved in the pro-choice movement walk away. If your goal was to enforce silence, you've succeeded, because I can guarantee I'll not be discussing this issue again.