Katie Klabusich

Host

ProTips From a Master Troll Handler!

Jan 14, 2014·93 visitors

Beth Ryan

Cohost

Stage· 193 messages

Jan 14, 2014

Beth -- aka @Auragasmic -- is a master at handling the anti-woman, anti-choice trolls that litter the online landscape. She combats their misogyny by dishing out facts with a side of snark for the enjoyment of her followers.nTroll minds rarely change. Beth's online activism is for us -- to bolster repro justice advocates and educate new comers. nJoin us as we take down some common troll tools!

Katie Klabusich · 9:53 PM

★ Spotlighted from Tawkers Admin

“Welcome to the comment section of the Tawk, where audience members can share their thoughts about the main conversation happening on the left. Don't by shy! Entering questions and comments is the only way to get the attention of the two Hosts on stage!”

Katie Klabusich · 12:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“::waits impatiently for tawk to begin:: ;)”

Katie Klabusich · 1:00 AM

Hi, everyone! Thanks for coming to “ProTips From a Master Troll Handler!”

Katie Klabusich · 1:00 AM

Thanks for waiting, Heather. ;)

Beth Ryan · 1:00 AM

Is this thing on?

Katie Klabusich · 1:00 AM

It is!

Katie Klabusich · 1:00 AM

Hi, Beth!

Beth Ryan · 1:00 AM

Hello!

Katie Klabusich · 1:00 AM

There’s been a lot of talk recently — in large part thanks to the great piece by Amanda Hess “Why Women Aren’t Allowed on the Internet" ( http://ow.ly/sy5oh ) — about the intense and often threatening nature of internet trolling.

Katie Klabusich · 1:01 AM

Tonight, Beth — @Auragasmic on Twitter — and I are chatting about a specific set of trolls: the anti-choice, forced birthers. They definitely come with an intensity and an intransigence rarely seen in other ideologies.

Katie Klabusich · 1:01 AM

Beth is one of my favorites to watch spit back both facts and appropriate snark at their misogyny and inability to absorb facts. I see a couple of my other favs in the chatroom, so thanks to you all and thanks to Beth for joining me!

Katie Klabusich · 1:01 AM

Real quick, if you’re new to Tawkers, Beth and I will be chatting on the left. And if you’re signed in (it only takes two minutes to set up a profile!), you can add comments/questions on the right. Those are only seen by people who are signed in.

Katie Klabusich · 1:02 AM

Beth and I can spotlight comments to toss them into our conversation for everyone to see, so be sure to “thumbs-up” anything you want us to respond to!

Katie Klabusich · 1:02 AM

So....

Katie Klabusich · 1:02 AM

First, I have to ask: why do you respond to trolls and have you always, or did you start doing it after you built a solid online presence?

Beth Ryan · 1:03 AM

I've always responded to trolls. I think responding to them actually contributed to building my Twitter following.

Katie Klabusich · 1:04 AM

Interesting. High tolerance for bullshit, or just like toying with people? ;)

Katie Klabusich · 1:05 AM

Heather -- I see you over there in the Tawk chat; feel free to jump in. You're quite the troll handler yourself. ;)

Beth Ryan · 1:06 AM

I think a little of both. Most of the people I've encountered that are involved in the repro rights discussion are well-versed on the facts. And we feel the need to dispel myths when we see them. Antis love myths and thus we feel the need to respond

Katie Klabusich · 1:06 AM

What's the most common myth that you get?

Katie Klabusich · 1:06 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Lol. I don't have quite the way w/ snark that Beth here does (::bows to Beth's snark abilities::). I'm just big on facts.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:06 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“You know me and my #factsmatter tag, Katie. ;)”

Beth Ryan · 1:07 AM

Probably the "abortion hurts women" BS. Which is truthful in certain cases but we don't create legislation based on what *may* or *may not* cause detriment to someone's psyche, etc.

Katie Klabusich · 1:08 AM

Good call. I think they level that one thinking they sound empathetic.

Katie Klabusich · 1:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“I totally agree, Beth. If there's a myth out there that we can correct, we should. And if we can do it in a memorable way, all the better.”

Beth Ryan · 1:09 AM

I think a lot of Antichoicers (especially LifeSiteNews) confusing a person's reason for aborting with their right to choose abortion. That's why you see so much fauxconcern about women's health from Antichoice legislators.

Katie Klabusich · 1:09 AM

That's been the foundation of a lot of TRAP (targeted regulation for abortion providers) laws "based" on the notion of keeping women out of harms way.

Katie Klabusich · 1:09 AM

Right. They miss the notion that there might be other things going on in the women's life -- like the actual unplanned pregnancy -- causing distress.

Katie Klabusich · 1:10 AM

For many, it isn't the termination (that brings relief), but the logistics of getting the appointment following FINDING OUT YOU'RE PREGNANT when you don't want to be.

Katie Klabusich · 1:10 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“That's true, Katie. All of the regs on buildings, all of the waiting period regs, all of the mandatory u/s leg”

Beth Ryan · 1:10 AM

Yep. Exactly. They can't address the real issue - that people have the right to bodily autonomy and that it's a fundamental right. So they attack the reasons people abort in an attempt to make women look frivolous or incompetent.

Katie Klabusich · 1:10 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“All of that is based on the myth that "abortion hurts women" so women need to be protected from it”

Katie Klabusich · 1:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“DING DING DING - Beth, right again.”

Beth Ryan · 1:11 AM

And if we're viewed as incompetent, then we'll need someone to make our medical decisions for us.

Katie Klabusich · 1:11 AM

I think it's that "frivolous or incompetent" attitude that has woken up a new generation of activists and reawakened a generation that thought they'd won these battles.

Katie Klabusich · 1:11 AM

Yep. No woman wants a governor deciding if a wand is stuck up her vagina.

Beth Ryan · 1:12 AM

Yes!

Beth Ryan · 1:12 AM

And I think it's important to recognize that not all Antichoicer's are religiously motivated (or even social conservatives) there are a small minority of secular Antis that cause problems.

Katie Klabusich · 1:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Beth - I can think of a few. And boy are they good at trolling!”

Katie Klabusich · 1:13 AM

That's a really good point. A lot of people assume they're extremist religious types, which makes them easier to write off and ignore for the general public.

Beth Ryan · 1:15 AM

Honestly, I've never had someone refute the bodily autonomy argument. When you're debating with secular antis, it's always important to focus on it.

Katie Klabusich · 1:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“I think the secular trolls actually COUNT on being written off. Because then they can play that card, so to speak.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:16 AM

How do most antis react to facts like "bodily autonomy" and that abortion doesn't actually hurt women?

Beth Ryan · 1:17 AM

Most will say that a woman's right to bodily autonomy is forfeited once she has consensual sex (don't try to distract them with rape statistics here)

Katie Klabusich · 1:17 AM

Ah, "YOU DID THE DEED!" kind of thing.

Katie Klabusich · 1:17 AM

What's your response?

Beth Ryan · 1:18 AM

I find Antichoicers have a very difficult time comprehending the different types of consent. When you explain that a woman's CONTINUED consent is required for pregnancy, they'll deflect.

Katie Klabusich · 1:19 AM

Interesting. Do you find that points like that help prochoicers who respond?

Beth Ryan · 1:19 AM

Consent to sex is not consent to pregnancy. And if the woman is using a method of BC, then it's apparent her consent isn't granted.

Katie Klabusich · 1:19 AM

I think that's why I followed you initially; you responded to trolls with things I hadn't considered.

Beth Ryan · 1:20 AM

I do. I've seen many Prochoicers move from attacking religion to using the bodily autonomy argument. It's really refreshing to see.

Katie Klabusich · 1:20 AM

Nice! It is more effective as an overall message.

Beth Ryan · 1:21 AM

It is and it doesn't alienate religious ProChoicers.

Katie Klabusich · 1:21 AM

Your framing has been really helpful for me. Like the phrase "continued consent." I hadn't thought that through because I'm already prochoice in all cases, but I've used it in rhetoric.

Katie Klabusich · 1:21 AM

RIGHT. Shout out to Catholics for Choice!

Katie Klabusich · 1:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“I'd like to see more prochoicers move away from the rape and life endangerment arguments, as well”

Katie Klabusich · 1:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“and focus on consent, the necessity of CONTINUOUS consent that Beth talks abt”

Beth Ryan · 1:21 AM

Exactly!

Beth Ryan · 1:22 AM

Again, Antis are trying to reframe the conversation around the reasons people abort when they talk about rape statistics.

Katie Klabusich · 1:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“PRECISELY, Beth.”

Beth Ryan · 1:22 AM

And when we return that narrative, we're helping them do that. Keep them on point. Focus bodily autonomy.

Katie Klabusich · 1:23 AM

Who are the people attacking you, largely, if you had to do an “anecdata” assessment of their biographical stats...

Beth Ryan · 1:23 AM

I really do get a mix of people. The most aggressive are definitely middle aged conservative men.

Beth Ryan · 1:24 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Bodily autonomy brings it all back to the idea that there is really only good reason for a pregnant person to have an abortion: a pregnant person wants and/or needs an abortion.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:24 AM

That's who I find stand (to be nice I'll say stand) outside clinics as well.

Katie Klabusich · 1:24 AM

Do they get the irony?

Katie Klabusich · 1:24 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Because it's their body, and they make all decisions about whether or not that body continues a pregnancy”

Beth Ryan · 1:24 AM

Yeah, they're *really* aggressive.

Katie Klabusich · 1:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“::giggles at the thought of Beth's trolls understanding the concept of irony::”

Katie Klabusich · 1:25 AM

Yeah, Heather, it was sort of rhetorical/for the purpose of conversation. lol

Katie Klabusich · 1:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Beth, I feel your worst trolls are those in that demographic, too. And their the one's most likely to issue verbal harassment.”

Beth Ryan · 1:26 AM

I don't think so. These aren't typically thoughtful people. They haven't really examined WHY they *feel* the way they do. They're just outraged that any woman would go against God, her husband, etc.

Katie Klabusich · 1:26 AM

TRUTH -- they're the most verbally abusive.

Katie Klabusich · 1:26 AM

Yeah, Rachel Maddow played a clip of a MI legislator being asked in an interview why he thought people have abortions.

Katie Klabusich · 1:26 AM

Answer: Gosh...I haven't thought about it.

Beth Ryan · 1:27 AM

They're usually the socially conservative, traditional values guys.

Katie Klabusich · 1:27 AM

"Traditional." Right. Because abortion hasn't existed since the beginning of time. o.O

Katie Klabusich · 1:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“I feel like they're also the ones to send unsolicited fetal gore porn. As if that will change anyone's mind in a discussion.”

Beth Ryan · 1:28 AM

But as aggressive as those men are, I'll say the most agitating are the women. ESPECIALLY the ones who lambaste feminism while asserting all women must be mothers, blah blah blah.

Katie Klabusich · 1:28 AM

UGH. That's the worst. The women who TELL you what womanhood is.

Katie Klabusich · 1:29 AM

Heather -- I get the fetal pictures from them

Katie Klabusich · 1:29 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“I actually find the ones who claim to be feminists while trying to ban abortion to be the most agitating, though they are few and far between.”

Beth Ryan · 1:29 AM

YES. The women who feel they have the right to dictate what you do with your life because you share the sisterhood of a vagina.

Katie Klabusich · 1:29 AM

My vagina feels no sisterhood for the.

Katie Klabusich · 1:29 AM

them

Beth Ryan · 1:30 AM

Right - because the fact that women have the right to bodily autonomy isn't a fundamental tenet of feminism or anything -_-

Katie Klabusich · 1:31 AM

No, Beth. What would make you think that?

Katie Klabusich · 1:31 AM

Have you ever flipped a troll? Gotten them to "see the light?"

Beth Ryan · 1:31 AM

I have! OH MY GOD I DID!

Katie Klabusich · 1:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“that would be a neat trick”

Katie Klabusich · 1:31 AM

How'd you do it?

Beth Ryan · 1:32 AM

He ended up blocking me but he was a libertarian and I appealed (this was my first time EVER using the bodily autonomy argument) to the fact that people deserve to make choices over what happens to their body

Beth Ryan · 1:32 AM

And the next damn day I see him advocating on the Prochoice hash.

Beth Ryan · 1:32 AM

He still blocked me because I antagonized the hell out of him but it was totally worth it.

Katie Klabusich · 1:33 AM

NICE! We do have allies in the libertarian contingency. Like, REAL libertarians, not the Rand Paul "libertarians."

Beth Ryan · 1:33 AM

I've convinced friends IRL to switch sides with it as well. Friends who consider themselves personally "prolife" but refuse to support government intervention.

Katie Klabusich · 1:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Beth, that's actually one of the two fundamental tenets of feminism for me. That women have the right to control their own lives (which includes bodily autonomy), and that there should be equality between men and women.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:34 AM

I'm good with that. Choice is the word for a reason.

Katie Klabusich · 1:34 AM

You make yours, just don't legislate against mine.

Beth Ryan · 1:35 AM

Honestly, you'll know almost immediately if the person you're speaking with is receptive to change. I'll have a completely different dialogue with someone who I think I can convince to change sides.

Katie Klabusich · 1:35 AM

How do you know the difference?

Katie Klabusich · 1:35 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Beth: TRUTH.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:35 AM

I think exhaustion partnered with not being sure about that is why a lot of prochoicers don't bother.

Beth Ryan · 1:36 AM

The people most receptive to change in my experience are those with a strong libertarian streak and youthful.

Beth Ryan · 1:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Also, there's a diff between antis you can have a conversation with, and antichoice trolls.”

Beth Ryan · 1:36 AM

People who have been advocating for the Antichoice cause for years are usually lost causes and they're more likely to be trolls.

Katie Klabusich · 1:37 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Getting people to change their minds is one of the most difficult things to pull off. People get defensive and entrenched so quickly. If you can get them to question beliefs by themselves, then you have a chance.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:38 AM

Yeah, initial tone can be important. I've seen Beth stay patient in situations that would make most people fly off the handle.

Beth Ryan · 1:38 AM

But if you can converse with a younger Anti - usually ones that are in their later teens, early 20s, there's a good chance they'll be willing to listen to you. Make them examine WHY they feel the way they do.

Katie Klabusich · 1:38 AM

Yeah, I wish someone had had that discussion with me. I probably would have flipped earlier. I bought the rhetoric of my uber red upbringing.

Katie Klabusich · 1:39 AM

I never head the other side of the conversation.

Katie Klabusich · 1:39 AM

People around me ALWAYS spoke about the "baby" and never about the woman.

Beth Ryan · 1:39 AM

YES!

Beth Ryan · 1:40 AM

Antis will do *anything* to remove the pregnant person from the discussion. They'll refer to the pregnant person as a location, etc.

Katie Klabusich · 1:40 AM

Yeah, I've never seen a clinic picketer ask a patient how they are, if they're ok, anything at all about themselves.

Katie Klabusich · 1:40 AM

They don't actually care.

Beth Ryan · 1:40 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“I think Beth might have actually been the originator of the "you can't google map my uterus" line - genius!”

Katie Klabusich · 1:41 AM

NICE

Katie Klabusich · 1:41 AM

Yeah, do you have a stash of one-liners waiting for use?? ;)

Katie Klabusich · 1:41 AM

If you're on twitter and listening right now, you've probably used one of Beth's lines at some point. #snarktastic

Katie Klabusich · 1:42 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Has seeing their side the argument, helped you converse and/or flip any of them?”

Beth Ryan · 1:42 AM

Peter, yes! It's really important to understand how they rationalize their position so you can refute it.

Katie Klabusich · 1:42 AM

It has for me, Peter. I can feel where the root of the concern is for some. And hear the misogyny at the root for others. It makes responding more tailored and useful.

Beth Ryan · 1:43 AM

It's gotten to the point now where I can actually predict what they'll say. I don't know if that's good or bad lol

Katie Klabusich · 1:43 AM

I have debated one libertarian on air for whom I do use the label "pro life" because she's consistent: anti war, anti death penalty and SUPER concerned about viability determination at which point the fetus should get consideration.

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

Ha! Me too, Beth. I think it's helpful to determine whether to bother.

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

I flipped her, by the way.

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

;)

Beth Ryan · 1:44 AM

Katie FTW!

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

She came to the debate from a position of good faith. So we had a real discussion.

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“When you were younger, what was the strongest argument you had for opposing abortion? What changed your mind?”

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:44 AM

I'm adopted. The only talking point I needed was that my mom could have chosen to abort me.

Katie Klabusich · 1:45 AM

And I was religious. So I bought into "life at conception."

Katie Klabusich · 1:45 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“I was raised Catholic. At the time I really thought it was ending the life of a child, cut and dry. If I still believed that, I would probably be on the other side.”

Beth Ryan · 1:46 AM

Yeah. I've had that discussion. "What would've happened if your mom had aborted you?!" "I wouldn't be having this stupid conversation." Embryos do not care about abortion.

Katie Klabusich · 1:46 AM

HA. There's the classic snark I love so much.

Katie Klabusich · 1:46 AM

I always say "And if I hadn't missed the bus I wouldn't have met my best friend...if I hadn't karaoked back in 2009 I wouldn't have moved to MD....

Katie Klabusich · 1:47 AM

...and if I hadn't answered the phone at 3am on Saturday morning I wouldn't have ended up moving to NYC. <shrug>

Beth Ryan · 1:47 AM

Yep. Like, if my mom and dad had played scrabble instead of boinking that one fateful night I wouldn't be here either.

Katie Klabusich · 1:47 AM

EXACTLY

Katie Klabusich · 1:47 AM

destiny strikes again

Katie Klabusich · 1:47 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Hah BUT GUYS WHAT IF THEY ABORTED JESUS”

Beth Ryan · 1:47 AM

It's such a bad argument.

Katie Klabusich · 1:47 AM

Peter, I swear we hear that around Christmas outside clinics.

Beth Ryan · 1:48 AM

LOL these people have NO SHAME.

Katie Klabusich · 1:48 AM

"WOULD YOU HAVE ABORTED JESUS?"

Katie Klabusich · 1:48 AM

<sigh> If Mary had asked me to.

Katie Klabusich · 1:48 AM

still think Jesus was a test tube baby

Katie Klabusich · 1:48 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Ah, the empty mangers that were out this year were driving me bonkers!”

Katie Klabusich · 1:48 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“In Little Rock, a family friend is outside the clinic on a daily basis protesting and shaming folks going in. I know you hear it”

Katie Klabusich · 1:48 AM

Yeah, Peter, you've seen my Saturday twitter feed.

Katie Klabusich · 1:49 AM

Beth and Heather have been super helpful while I'm tweeting their words. They've been backing me up with those pesky facts.

Katie Klabusich · 1:49 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“I guess the real challenge is, getting people to see that there is a woman too. There are two beings in these situations, not just one.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:49 AM

Peter -- most of these people don't care about women.

Katie Klabusich · 1:50 AM

Anti choicers (especially the trolls) are hyper misogynistic.

Beth Ryan · 1:51 AM

Honestly, I disagree. I think Antis *do* recognize that a woman is involved but they believe pregnancy is her responsibility & subsequent punishment for engaging in sex.

Katie Klabusich · 1:51 AM

Good distinction, Beth.

Katie Klabusich · 1:51 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“As a conscience being, the adult takes priority. You are right, they don't, we can't win them over. I guess I was focusing on the salvageable people haha”

Katie Klabusich · 1:51 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Good point. There are definitely people that think that.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:51 AM

(Short for "anti-choice")

Katie Klabusich · 1:51 AM

I think you all lost me, anti?

Beth Ryan · 1:51 AM

They neglect to mention the pregnant woman in their talking points because they want to humanize the embryo. They understand that they need to dehumanize the woman to do that.

Katie Klabusich · 1:52 AM

Great distinction. They don't care about her well being.

Beth Ryan · 1:52 AM

Personally, I'll talk about embryos until the cows come home. I don't give a flying fart about embryos outside of the scientific community. Will Antis be honest and say they feel that way about pregnant women?

Beth Ryan · 1:54 AM

When you're debating with someone who thinks that the entire human experience can be determined by DNA, it's can be challenging to convey how important dreams, family, love, etc really are.

Katie Klabusich · 1:54 AM

abortions aren't planned

Katie Klabusich · 1:54 AM

neither are some pregnancies

Katie Klabusich · 1:54 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“I would agree Rick, nobody sets out to get an abortion”

Katie Klabusich · 1:55 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“I am curious, how do you all feel about 20wk abortion bans?”

Beth Ryan · 1:55 AM

I'm from Canada (land of lawless abortion) and I don't think abortion should be banned at all. Ever.

Katie Klabusich · 1:55 AM

There shouldn't be any bans on abortion. All other medical procedures are governed by good medical practice and the laws already in existence.

Katie Klabusich · 1:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“How do I feel about 20 week abortion bans? They shouldn't exist. Why? http://antigoneawakens.com/2012/08/03/what-does-it-mean-to-be-unapologetically-pro-choice/”

Katie Klabusich · 1:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“I have to admit, after having worked with 23 week premature babies and nursing them to health, that one is a bit harder for me, but only a bit.”

Katie Klabusich · 1:56 AM

Understood. I recommend the documentary After Tiller.

Katie Klabusich · 1:56 AM

They do a great job of including stories of patients at all stages of pregnancy and talk about why they have later term (< 1% of abortions are that late) and the docs discuss internal conflict.

Beth Ryan · 1:57 AM

I don't care at all about embryos. I care a bit more about fetuses but 0x0 is still 0. People don't wait 5 months to have an abortion for fun. They do so because of financial restraints, restrictions, health reasons, etc.

Katie Klabusich · 1:57 AM

Yeah, most of the later term abortions are for the mother's health or fetal abnormalities. The rest are essentially because 86% of counties in the US have no abortion provider. Logisitcs lead to delays.

Katie Klabusich · 1:58 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Just to clarify, I totally agree. It rarely if ever happens. But I have been asked before, and it does give me pause. But only because that is my patient population”

Katie Klabusich · 1:58 AM

Peter -- I get ya. If you didn't think about those things, you'd be the empathy deficient type.

Katie Klabusich · 1:59 AM

You can have conflict, internal or otherwise and still be prochoice.

Katie Klabusich · 1:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“:)”

Beth Ryan · 2:00 AM

I agree.

Katie Klabusich · 2:00 AM

Holy cow! We're out of time! Thank you so much to Beth and everyone for chatting tonight! PLEASE go follow her on twitter -- @Auragasmic -- and jump in to the ongoing debate that is her TL!

Katie Klabusich · 2:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Those laws just seem to be a clever way of shoe-horning in more restrictions anyway.”

Beth Ryan · 2:01 AM

This was fun :) Thanks for inviting me!

Katie Klabusich · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Thanks, Katie and Beth!”

Katie Klabusich · 2:01 AM

Anytime! Thanks, Heather! (Follow her #factsmatter hashtag any time you're looking for info!)

Katie Klabusich · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“Good piece, miss heather”

Katie Klabusich · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Heather Parker

“Thx, peter! :)”

Katie Klabusich · 2:01 AM

Goodnight everyone!

Katie Klabusich · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from peter block

“bubye”

Katie Klabusich · 2:04 AM

g'night cha'll

Forum · 49

Forum· 49 comments

93 visitors

Tawkers AdminJan 9, 2014, 2:35 AM★ Spotlighted

Welcome to the comment section of the Tawk, where audience members can share their thoughts about the main conversation happening on the left. Don't by shy! Entering questions and comments is the only way to get the attention of the two Hosts on stage!

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 12:16 AM★ Spotlighted

::waits impatiently for tawk to begin:: ;)

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:06 AM★ Spotlighted

Lol. I don't have quite the way w/ snark that Beth here does (::bows to Beth's snark abilities::). I'm just big on facts.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:06 AM★ Spotlighted

You know me and my #factsmatter tag, Katie. ;)

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:08 AM★ Spotlighted

I totally agree, Beth. If there's a myth out there that we can correct, we should. And if we can do it in a memorable way, all the better.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:09 AM★ Spotlighted

That's true, Katie. All of the regs on buildings, all of the waiting period regs, all of the mandatory u/s leg

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:10 AM★ Spotlighted

All of that is based on the myth that "abortion hurts women" so women need to be protected from it

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:10 AM★ Spotlighted

DING DING DING - Beth, right again.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:13 AM★ Spotlighted

Beth - I can think of a few. And boy are they good at trolling!

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:14 AM★ Spotlighted

I think the secular trolls actually COUNT on being written off. Because then they can play that card, so to speak.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:20 AM★ Spotlighted

I'd like to see more prochoicers move away from the rape and life endangerment arguments, as well

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:21 AM★ Spotlighted

and focus on consent, the necessity of CONTINUOUS consent that Beth talks abt

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:22 AM★ Spotlighted

PRECISELY, Beth.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:23 AM★ Spotlighted

Bodily autonomy brings it all back to the idea that there is really only good reason for a pregnant person to have an abortion: a pregnant person wants and/or needs an abortion.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:24 AM★ Spotlighted

Because it's their body, and they make all decisions about whether or not that body continues a pregnancy

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:24 AM★ Spotlighted

::giggles at the thought of Beth's trolls understanding the concept of irony::

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:25 AM★ Spotlighted

Beth, I feel your worst trolls are those in that demographic, too. And their the one's most likely to issue verbal harassment.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:26 AM★ Spotlighted

I feel like they're also the ones to send unsolicited fetal gore porn. As if that will change anyone's mind in a discussion.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:29 AM★ Spotlighted

I actually find the ones who claim to be feminists while trying to ban abortion to be the most agitating, though they are few and far between.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:31 AM★ Spotlighted

that would be a neat trick

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:34 AM★ Spotlighted

Beth, that's actually one of the two fundamental tenets of feminism for me. That women have the right to control their own lives (which includes bodily autonomy), and that there should be equality between men and women.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:35 AM★ Spotlighted

Beth: TRUTH.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:35 AM★ Spotlighted

Also, there's a diff between antis you can have a conversation with, and antichoice trolls.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:37 AM★ Spotlighted

Getting people to change their minds is one of the most difficult things to pull off. People get defensive and entrenched so quickly. If you can get them to question beliefs by themselves, then you have a chance.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:40 AM★ Spotlighted

I think Beth might have actually been the originator of the "you can't google map my uterus" line - genius!

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:41 AM★ Spotlighted

Has seeing their side the argument, helped you converse and/or flip any of them?

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:43 AM★ Spotlighted

When you were younger, what was the strongest argument you had for opposing abortion? What changed your mind?

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:43 AM★ Spotlighted

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:45 AM★ Spotlighted

I was raised Catholic. At the time I really thought it was ending the life of a child, cut and dry. If I still believed that, I would probably be on the other side.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:47 AM★ Spotlighted

Hah BUT GUYS WHAT IF THEY ABORTED JESUS

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:48 AM★ Spotlighted

Ah, the empty mangers that were out this year were driving me bonkers!

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:48 AM★ Spotlighted

In Little Rock, a family friend is outside the clinic on a daily basis protesting and shaming folks going in. I know you hear it

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:49 AM★ Spotlighted

I guess the real challenge is, getting people to see that there is a woman too. There are two beings in these situations, not just one.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:50 AM★ Spotlighted

As a conscience being, the adult takes priority. You are right, they don't, we can't win them over. I guess I was focusing on the salvageable people haha

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:51 AM★ Spotlighted

Good point. There are definitely people that think that.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:52 AM

Unfortunately, it is easy to run a smear campaign on a pregnant woman.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:52 AM

"babies" on the other hand, are spotless

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:53 AM★ Spotlighted

I am curious, how do you all feel about 20wk abortion bans?

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:54 AM★ Spotlighted

I would agree Rick, nobody sets out to get an abortion

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 1:56 AM★ Spotlighted

How do I feel about 20 week abortion bans? They shouldn't exist. Why? http://antigoneawakens.com/2012/08/03/what-does-it-mean-to-be-unapologetically-pro-choice/

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:56 AM★ Spotlighted

I have to admit, after having worked with 23 week premature babies and nursing them to health, that one is a bit harder for me, but only a bit.

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:56 AM

Just because that baby has potential, doesn't mean it would make it without my ventilator, surfactant, ton etch

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:58 AM★ Spotlighted

Just to clarify, I totally agree. It rarely if ever happens. But I have been asked before, and it does give me pause. But only because that is my patient population

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 1:59 AM★ Spotlighted

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 2:00 AM★ Spotlighted

Those laws just seem to be a clever way of shoe-horning in more restrictions anyway.

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 2:01 AM★ Spotlighted

Thanks, Katie and Beth!

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 2:01 AM★ Spotlighted

Good piece, miss heather

Heather ParkerJan 14, 2014, 2:01 AM★ Spotlighted

Thx, peter! :)

peter blockJan 14, 2014, 2:02 AM★ Spotlighted

bubye