Randall Terry, the founder of anti-choice extremist group Operation Rescue who said that the late Dr. Tiller "reaped what he sowed" is planning a 12 city tour to "Defeat Sotomayor" which will begin in Washington, DC.
The accompanying image and flyer (PDF) that comes with this campaign is completely sick and makes it all the more obvious of how responsible much of the anti-choice movement is for using dangerous rhetoric and imagery that can contribute to terrorist acts like the assassination of Dr. Tiller.
Between the image of her exposed skull, the implication that Sotomayor is the "Angel of Death" and headlines such as, "If your life was threatened..." with a following "Now is the time to act", this honestly scares the shit out of me.
Thanks to Cyril for alerting us.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Randall Terry Launches "Defeat Sotomayor" Tour .
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/14798
Yet, people keep on saying we ought to have a national dialogue about abortion rights, or that we ought to come to a consensus.
Isn't it obvious that these anti-choice fuckers are not interested in giving even just an inch? Neither are we, then, in this case.
Politics may be give and take, but it'll be a cold day in hell before we give up on reproductive rights.
If Tiller's murder didn't stop us, neither will Terry and his pathetic tours. I'd love for Terry or one of his henchmen to come up and harrass me or a patient the next time I do clinic escort.
I have no right to be surprised, but I still am. A little. That's the sickest thing I've seen someone hold up to the light of day.
He's coming to Scranton. He's coming to my city. I'm debating going to see him. Are there any other NEPA readers?
What do you mean coming to your city? If he's giving a speech it might be fun to bring loads of people and as soon as he starts talking all leave.
If however, he's doing his damned street theater distruption crap than be prepared for anything.
Hi, Mikaela. I don't live in NE PA, but I was thinking of a trip to Scranton in honor of Mr. Terry's visit just the same. (I think of it as an Oh Hell No welcome wagon of sorts.)
Er---newb question, y'all go easy on me---but am I missing some sort of DM feature on this site? I read often but rarely post to threads...
I grew up in Scranton! Hiya!
Sotomayor better get a bullet-proof vest.
When Rick Perry was campaigning Texas in 2006, he decided to send his wife to Lampasas for a little rally. They thought they were going to be rallying their base in a small, conservative strong hold. As soon as me and my friends caught wind of the news, we decided we had just as much right to attend and protest as the opposition did to support. When the day came, a motorcade escorted Anita Perry into downtown Lampasas, and upon seeing over 100 protestors mixed amongst the supporters, the motorcade went right back out. She drove by to wave, but never even got out of her vehicle. I don't know if she thought we were going to act-out violently, but we didn't, and we certainly didn't have a plan to act in such a way.
I would definitely encourage you to try to organize a presence for the pro-choice voice. Try making a Facebook event and see if people will attend. Show up with signs and let them know that we hear them and we will not tolerate their ignorance to our cause; we won’t just let this kind of stuff slide.
I'm in Binghamton, I could be persuaded. :)
OK, well, we'll do like this I guess: Anyone who's thinking of rolling out the Oh Hell No wagon for Terry in Scranton or at any of his East Coast stops, please feel free to email me at v7o2ozbvsd@clinicescort.e4ward.com . I'm going to see if I can round up some of the usual suspects for a nonconfrontational counterprotest. I'm pretty much always up for something like this, because protests mean signmaking mean indulging my office/craft supply fetish. (Which I can quit ANY TIME I WANT.) Hope to hear from some of you.
Former NEPA res here.
Truth be told, I'm not insanely shocked that Terry's chosen Scranton in which to rear his ugly head. The area boasts a really dedicated anti-choice faction to say nothing for what felt to me, when I lived there, like an overwhelming number of one-issue voters who were largely informed about their "issue" through folks like Terry, aging crisis pregnancy center volunteers and, as late, an uber-conservative Catholic bishop. (Ah, yes. I've read that good ol' Martino advised Casey, who voted to rescind the Global Gag Rule, that he'd probably do well not to receive communion because he had a "grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life," and "The Holy See has declared that those who are unworthy to receive Communion include persons directly involved in lawmaking bodies.") Collective sigh.
In any event, I think this is an awesome, awesome opportunity for anybody who loves them some repro justice - you're fabulous, by the way! - to get out there and give folks who would otherwise only hear one distorted, misguided, crazy-ass side of the story to get a fuller, more complete picture here.
I say organize, organize, organize. Organize not necessarily to oppose Terry (though, that too) but to show your support for Sotomayor - and everyone in NEPA who really deserves to hear from you and others like you! Scranton's really way too wonderful to be overrun like this.
On the off off off chance anyone's still checking back to this thread...! Facebook page for Terry protest in Scranton, Friday July 10 at 10AM, at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106888061921
What is this a response to? I haven't heard anything about Sotomayor being radically pro-choice.
She's not radically pro choice, she's just not Scalia. That's their problem.
Make no bones about it, this is a fundraising opportunity for OR...and nothing more.
If you read his pamphlet (and I don't recommend it), he says "Obama would never appoint anyone who wouldn't overturn Roe v. Wade", "J. Random Senator has said they're confident she won't overturn Roe v. Wade" and "Member of/Supported by other pro-choice groups (NOW, PRLDEF)", which's sufficient in Terry's definition to be radically pro child killing.
I think the usual disclaimer is "trigger warning" with respect to media like the linked pamphlet, I'm not sure there's a stronger one (at least, I don't recall having seen it).
I didn't want to read the pamphlet. The picture is creepy enough. I just meant that there's some question over Sotomayor's position on reproductive rights. There's obviously something about Sotomayor that they don't like (probably her gender and ethnicity), and they're pretending it's about abortion to scare their base.
She's not "radically" anything, but she is pro-choice, and hence opposed by pro-life groups. Any Republican president's nominees would be non-radically pro-life, and opposed by Feministing and other pro-choice groups. Terry Randall is a psycho whose idea of political opposition includes glorifying political violence (terrorism), but that has nothing to do with Sotomayor other than that she happens to be the pro-choice justice being nominated.
my visual perspective on the “Sotomayor zombie” picture: on the one hand, it’s so totally outrageous I can’t help but laugh…”are these people for real?”
But I know that they are for real and it shows just how completely unhinged they are and how totally unwilling they are for any kind of middle-ground/consensus process.
I generally think that Obama is a pretty smart guy, but with this issue I think he’s totally deluded if he thinks there is going to be a middle ground with people like that. After all, as it’s been pointed out in the comments already, it’s NOT like Sotomayor is a big pro-choice person!
He has no intention of finding middle ground with "people like that." He's reaching out to the Muslim world without hope of making peace with al-Qaeda. Likewise, the unlikelihood of Randall Terry being part of a constructive process isn't keeping him from talking to the pro-life half of American voters.
He's not seeking middle ground with Operation Rescue. He is seeking middle ground with moderates: those who are squeamish about abortion but favor a woman's right to choose; those are conflicted about whether it terminates life; and those like my mother who were once solidly pro-choice, but now lean pro-life. In fact in the last year or so the # of people who've switched from the pro-choice side to the pro-life side has increased significantly, so re-capturing the debate is critical.
I don't understand. After looking up Sonia Sotomayor (I have to admit the name did not ring any bells initially but after researching a little I realized that of course I had heard of her.) all I came across on the topic of abortion is anti-choice statements. She was involved with a ruling where she upheld the Bush administration's decision to not fund NGOs that supported abortion. She even stated "the government “is free to favor the anti-abortion position over the pro-choice position” with public funds." (http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2009/05/26/sotomayors-abortion-ruling.aspx)
Did something change? I would assume so because the pro-life group is really demonizing her. If someone could explain or even refer me to somewhere where I can read more that would be greatly appreciated!
Obama is a Democrat, and wouldn't have appointed her if he wasn't sure she would uphold Roe. Likewise any Republican president wouldn't nominate a justice he wasn't convinced would work against Roe.
Kennedy, Souter
both GOP appointees,
upheld Roe v. Wade.
Eisenhower was
surprised by Earl Warren and
Brown v. BOE
They don't always do
what Prez thought - Nice thing about
lifetime appointments.
That's why I said "convinced" and "sure." I didn't say "would" like it was an objective fact.
wasn't correcting
threw in some history as
point of discussion
Fair enough.
BTW I don't think abortion was nearly the litmus test it's become back when Kennedy and Souter were seated, plus Souter is considered a traitor to conservatives on nearly every single issue.
Warren's signature race issue before Ike picked him was throwing the Japanese-American population of California into concentration camps.
Yes, this was the source of my confusion above. It doesn't make sense to get all riled about it now. Not that I expect any of them to do anything rational.
It makes perfect sense to get all riled up now. A pro-choice justice is being nominated to a lifetime position on the Supreme Court. When would be the time for pro-lifers to get riled up?
She was nominated many weeks ago, and nothing has come out that she's some sort of pro-choice crusader. Why launch this campaign now instead of weeks ago? Rush Limbaugh isn't even talking about her anymore, and he's still talking about ACORN.
Confirmation hearings are about to start.
It makes perfect sense to get all riled up now. A pro-choice justice is being nominated to a lifetime position on the Supreme Court. When would be the time for pro-lifers to get riled up?
Although he apparently is no longer a part of OR, this doesn't surprise me at all. Troy Newman is just the same. These people are either stupid and don't know the consequences of their actions, or they really DO want abortion providers dead. These people are going to use the same tactics that they used against Dr. Tiller.. And look what happened to him.
http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/seeking-women-who-have-had-abortions-by-leroy-carhart/
I responded to this post by emailing them an abortion story (that wasn't done by Carhart) that did NOT end in regret. It just infuriates me that they're going to ignore every woman who does not regret her abortion and promote the stories of women who do, just to promote their hateful agenda and to get rid of another abortion provider.
They responded to me, and here are some little snippets of the hate-filled email they sent me.
"You may have seared your conscience to the death of your child, but self-centered people like you really don't care much about anyone but yourselves anyway."
"Your bitterness and hatred have clouded your mind so much that that is all you can see. All that came out crystal clear in your letter. I truly feel sorry for you."
http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/pro-life-groups-ask-for-comprehensive-investigation-of-late-term-abortionist-carhart/#respond
They're calling for an "investigation" of Carhart's clinic. For what reason? They just want abortion to be harder to find. They're attacking our rights through indirect means.
http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/how-much-is-a-woman%E2%80%99s-life-worth-in-michigan-only-10000/#comments
That's them pretending to care about womens' lives. I tried to post a comment about how the number of abortion deaths have dramatically decreased since Roe vs. Wade.. But of course, my comment didn't pass through the moderation system (they never do).
And now they're going to use their hateful tactics against Sotomayor as well. These people are not pro-life at all. They have the most disregard for human life than ANY pro-choicer that I know.
I'm not particularly litigious but I want somebody to slap a slander suit on these people so badly!
I mean, okay, I I know that the position has been to ignore it because by acknowledging it we give it credibility, but this crosses so many lines... and while it's obviously, obtusely over the top it's still a smear campaign and it's going to fuel somebody's fire because that's what these people do, isn't it?
*sigh* What is it going to take to quiet them?
Members of different chapters of the National Organization for Women will be organizing outside of the Hart Senate Office Building to rally for Sotomayor on July 13 from 7-9 am. Come out and show Operation Rescue that we have a bigger presence!
DC and 51st State NOW Rally to Demand Swift Confirmation of Sotomayor
Terry O'Neill, President-Elect of National NOW, to Attend
DC and 51st State NOW members and friends will rally outside the Hart Senate Office Building to show support for a swift confirmation to the Supreme Court of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, nominated to serve as the third woman and first Latina on the Supreme Court in the history of the United States. Terry O'Neill, President-Elect of the National Organization for Women, will attend the rally. Women demand that the Senators confirm her
now! Judge Sotomayor's 17 years of judicial experience, background and education make her an excellent addition to a court that needs a broader representation of life experience to inform its decisions. We believe that Judge Sotomayor will serve with distinction. She brings a lifelong commitment to equality, justice and equal opportunity. We stand strongly in support of Judge Sotomayor's confirmation. She has the respect of her peers, unassailable integrity, and a keen intellect informed by extensive experience.
Who: DC and 51st State National Organization for Women members along with current and elected NOW officers and members from across the country.
What: Rally at the Hart Senate Office Building demanding swift confirmation of Judge Sotomayor.
When: Monday, July 13th at 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Where: Hart Senate Office Building, 2nd and Constitution Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20510, Union Station Metro stop
If you cannot attend, please call the committee members and urge them to confirm her!
Senate Judiciary Committee:
Patrick J. Leahy
Chairman, D-Vermont
(202) 224-4242
Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin
(202) 224-5653
Jeff Sessions
Ranking Member, R-Alabama
(202) 224-4124
Dianne Feinstein, D-California
(202) 224-3841
Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah
(202) 224-5251
Russell D. Feingold, D-Wisconsin
(202) 224-5323
Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa
(202) 224-3744
Charles E. Schumer, D-New York
(202) 224-6542
Jon Kyl, R-Arizona
(202) 224-4521
Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois
(202) 224-2152
Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina
(202) 224-5972
Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Maryland
(202) 224-4524
John Cornyn, R-Texas
(202) 224-2934
Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island
(202) 224-2921
Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma
(202) 224-5754
Ron Wyden, D-Oregon
(202) 224-5244
Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota
(202) 224-3244
Edward E. Kaufman, D-Delaware
(202) 224-5042
Arlen Specter, D-Pennsylvania
(202) 224-4254
Holy crap, that's horrifying.