LETTER: The reality was not reported
Published: October 13, 2009
My husband bought a copy of your paper on Oct. 6 after noticing the front page article about the abortion protestors. Because I had attended this event, he thought I would be interested in reading the
coverage. My interest soon became disappointment when I saw the picture that was selected. The angle of the picture showed the ONE pro-abortion protester up close with his signs clearly readable,
while showing less than 1/3 of the pro-life advocates across the street and none of our signs.
After standing among the group across the street while the photographer was there, I was surprised to see how much of the group was excluded from this picture. Perhaps I should not be surprised
because we have had the same type of coverage (or lack thereof) and the same lack of truth in reporting regarding the National March for Life for years. As I have come to expect this type of skewed
reporting from the national news, I certainly never would have expected it from a small, hometown newspaper. After all, the community to whom you report the news passes by our people along Sudley
Road every day. THEY SEE that what you reported and what was reality (the actual numbers of 197 pro-life people) were very different.
Also disappointing was the manner in which the article attempted to make the pro-life people out to be bad guys (i.e. blocking traffic, causing hazards, etc.) as if we are out there trying to deliberately
cause injury or loss of life in order to attract attention to our cause. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have never seen anything other than quiet, prayerful demonstrators who are always respectful
of the rights of others and, especially, the law outside of this facility.
Perhaps, in the future, representatives from this paper might choose to cross the street and see this activity from BOTH sides, rather than casting a judgment on the pro-lifers as a bunch of trouble-
makers. You might learn just WHY we are so passionate about this cause, or is that what you fear?
CHRISTY WILLIAMS
Midland
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Getting back to the article we are posting about, it’s true that the media, in general, tend to give a biased view. This is true whether we are talking about conservative or liberal media.
I have noticed in years past, that when the Right to Life March takes place in Washington D.C. in January, the TV news tend to spend as much if not more time interviewing the much smaller group of pro-choice picketers than the pro-life picketers. It would be akin to the reporters spending more time interviewing the KKK at a Martin Luther King rally, or spending more time interviewing the NAACP at a legal KKK march.
I used this example precisely because these groups are on such opposite ends of the spectrum in their beliefs.
My point is, it would be refreshing if the news media were unbiased, and simply reported the news. However, since reporters and producers are as human as the rest of us, I don’t think it is possible to present the news without personal bias.
Protesters have the legal right to peacefully voice their opinions with picketing. A case in point is Mr. Hersch, who protests the war in Iraq by picketing at the corner of Sudley and Sudley Manor (In front of K-mart). His signs are quite large and he simply walks up and down on the corner to get his point across.
I believe it would be impossible not to “distract traffic”, be it foot traffic or vehicle traffic. After all, I think the object is to get your opinion out to those who are passing by.
Having said that, it is wrong to block the passage of others or harass them. I have never seen the abortion protesters at that spot take part in any of these types of activites. It’s possible it happens when I am not around, but I do pass that spot several times a day.
Of course, it would be very foolish to let small children run about that near traffic.
This spot was probably picked not only because there is an abortion clinic nearby, but because this is the area of town where the most medical facilities are concentrated, including a nearby clinic for those who need help with an unexpected pregnancy, yet choose not to abort. I would assume that a lot of pregnant women would, at some point, pass by here.
“You are correct. I forgot it was you that came up with a Program to reduce the need for the procedure.“
Sorry, I forgot you are the only person ever to enlist these measures. Wow!
I realize it’s hard for you to understand someone else’s point of view and ridiculous for me to try, but here goes.
Unless someone accepts all that you say as the holy grail, you start your degradation process.
I’m sorry you are having a bad day but I am not responsible for your day. Your statement sounded to me like a threat, I gave you the benefit of the doubt with ‘promise’. I don’t like being threatened ray, do you? No, so acting outraged by someone calling you on it is childish. Adults don’t cry over spilt milk.
If you feel the need to call me out, call away. Today we have the freedom to speak, tomorrow, who knows. So speak up while you can, unless of course the news and messenger decides for you….
“Promise or threat? You are magnanimous when people are giving up ‘something’ but ‘you’ refused to budge one iota on anything you believe in. That’s not negotiating, that’s bullying….“
You are correct. I forgot it was you that came up with a Program to reduce the need for the procedure.
I AM being a bully to push education, protection, responsibility and adoption as options on others.
So sorry for my failures to consider how the goals of others might be met by working together in unison rather than in opposition on this issue.
This would be funny if it weren’t so important, but I’ll play.
“vmj, my response was to phdee’s question, and voiced no opinion on the words of Dolores.“
Don’t try and hide behind this statement, thats being a coward, man up…. Question answered in first line of your original post no need to go on if this was your only objective.
“But ... if you were unhappy with this, you’ll be pleased that I discarded my response TO Dolores.“
No sir, you should be happy….
“I’m sure you would have been ‘pleased’ if I or someone else had blasted the Clinic for being located in Manassas - yet are chagrined that I support the Clinic and their services.“
Oh, on the contrary, I don’t care what or who you support. I did not agree with you misrepresentation of the protesters and their children.
“There IS something to the concerns of traffic or else Chief Skinner would not have opened this can of worms to begin with.“
This is laughable. In this political climate you make this weak argument. The PTB caved. They want this issue to go away, just as you do.
“And I’ll assume I drive by that location far more often than you do.“
Never assume, you know what they say….
“And since you seem to take great pleasure in judging me, perhaps I’ll begin to call you out more and more often when your comments offend my
sensibilities”
Promise or threat? You are magnanimous when people are giving up ‘something’ but ‘you’ refused to budge one iota on anything you believe in. That’s not negotiating, that’s bullying….
“It would be nice if you showed the same respect for the opinions of others that you ask for those whose opinions you happen to support.“
This is rich…LOL, a joke you must be making, grasshopper…
“If you have that in you ....“
Do you?
“Posting this cr@p right after this story is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself but I don’t think you have that particular emotion in you….“
vmj, my response was to phdee’s question, and voiced no opinion on the words of Dolores.
I do not control the placement of the comment’s posting.
But ... if you were unhappy with this, you’ll be pleased that I discarded my response TO Dolores.
Abortion is clearly an emotional issue and for some, more so than others.
I’m sure you would have been ‘pleased’ if I or someone else had blasted the Clinic for being located in Manassas - yet are chagrined that I support the Clinic and their services.
There IS something to the concerns of traffic or else Chief Skinner would not have opened this can of worms to begin with.
And I’ll assume I drive by that location far more often than you do.
And since you seem to take great pleasure in judging me, perhaps I’ll begin to call you out more and more often when your comments offend my sensibilities.
Someone once said “That is what these comment threads are here for, to post opinions” - oh wait, that was you at 8:44 am.
It would be nice if you showed the same respect for the opinions of others that you ask for those whose opinions you happen to support.
If you have that in you ....
vmj- I certainly did not mean to put words in your mouth. My response was intended to refer only to what Dolores posted.
I have read your posts many times and I know you have never defended limiting someone elses free speach. I apologize if I was not clear in my post.
My opinion though is “that particular post” was pretty accurate in referring to the children on the sidewalk.
mainemom
I was referring to how the comment was posted. That is what these comment threads are here for, to post opinions.
Other women may well feel fine about their experience with this and are free to post. Show me where I said anything about limiting their free speech!
However, in my opinion, “They stand on the sidewalk and distract traffic with their signs while their young child play dangerously close to a very busy 4-lane street (Route 234).“ Is not factual and therefore ‘cr@p’....
My opinion was ‘that particular post’ was cr@p’ and I stand by that comment. Please, don’t put words in my mouth….
“Posting this cr@p right after this story is disgusting”
Are you referring to Dolores’ story? She put that story out there to present her point, did you think that noone else would have a different point?
I do feel compassion for her and realize that the choice she made has affected her life in a very difficult way. But it was her choice. It is not the best choice and her letter points out some of the consequences to that choice, but it is a choice.
And who is she to say that just because she regrets the choice that other women have the same feelings?
Although I don’t think it is a good choice that is just my opinion and I won’t force that on anyone else.
“There is a medical clinic providing this valuable service in the business complex.
They stand on the sidewalk and distract traffic with their signs while their young child play dangerously close to a very busy 4-lane street (Route 234).“
This is in bad taste but I am starting to understand you pretty well. Any ends justify the means. As long as you win there are nothing too low.
Posting this cr@p right after this story is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself but I don’t think you have that particular emotion in you….
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