Ann Widdecombe
At some point last year Ann Widdecombe and some other atrociously dislikable types turned up at my University's Union to engage in a debate about the ethics of abortion and stem-cell research. I say debate because the terms "farce" and "risible apology for the death of open discussion" might be seen as partisan by some.

A demonstration was organised by the socialists, feminists, and those other rare student types who believe in something, to protest against what were seen as the unacceptable views of a pompous, prejudiced out-of-touch crone. I was part of this as I have no problem admitting I'm a feminist (a man who believes equality is right, not one of those weedy, self-castrating male feminists who grovel apologetically for having a Y-chromosome, assume any women are right in all matters, hang around girls with dreadlocks all day being sensitive and angry at men, and remain inexplicably single) and as such think women should probably have a say in whether they go through the life-changing experience of dropping a sprog.

Anyway, it became obvious from as soon as the proceedings started that no-one's mind was going to be changed that day. If you were there for Ann Widdecombe you were there to get a congratulatory pat on the back and rim job for holding Christian values dear and opposing the evils of science. If you were there with the protest you were there to have your rage justified, knowing that people who disagreed with you still infuriatingly drew breath.

The evening took the form of a quartet of speeches from "experts" (Ann herself, a doctor and two loudmouths) about how abortion was eugenics by the back door, and how stem cell research was essentially taking the edge of a shovel to sweet little newborns. These were interrupted every few minutes by some of the smellier protesters chanting pointless slogans from the back of the room e.g. "No uterus - no say!" (way to alienate all your male supporters) or "Women's bodies - women's rights!", as if people in the audience would say "wow, I was against abortion before, but these people are REALLY loud!".

The panel argued against abortion with a speech that appeared to assume the pro-abortionists were arguing for enforced termination of pregnancies by way of booting each woman in the belly every three months, and finished with a Questions and Answers session. I had a couple of questions prepared, like "if abortion was criminalised, what would be done to prevent desperate women from seeking unsafe backstreet abortions?", but it turned out they had some questions prepared which they drew randomly from a box. I scarcely need to tell you that the questions were along the lines of "why are your ideas so sensible?" and "aren't women who get abortions just worthless working-class sluts anyway?".

Eventually most the protesters left in disgust, and the only debate of the night was immediately afterwards when a young mother approached one of the girls I was with and pointed out that women almost universally grew to love their children and that abortion is often regretted in the long run, which led to an actual exchange of statistics and philosophies, but still changed no-one's mind.

I'm still pro-choice, but I left that room deeply disillusioned, realising that rational debate was not a reality as long as anger and ignorance take a front seat, which they always will.
(StapMyVitals wouldn't mind a bit of that, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:10, 11 replies)

it's "Ann"

( Sir Sand GOBLIN ^popular page dis, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:13, closed)

Phew
Sorted.
(StapMyVitals wouldn't mind a bit of that, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:14, closed)

Really very nicely written
If hardly uplifting. Have a *click* (you baby-murdering socialist.)
( Scrumper, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:20, closed)

I know him personally
and can assure you that for all his fine words he actually thinks abortions should be mandatory and done with hammers. Ditto euthanasia. Ditto general elections. Also cookery.
(Falstaff's Spiritual Successor, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:27, closed)

Hey, don't knock it til you've tried it
Come back when you've taken that most perfect and ubiquitous of tools, a hammer, and hit one of each of the following: a pregnancy, a pensioner, a politician and a ham.
(StapMyVitals wouldn't mind a bit of that, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:42, closed)

Christ, where the hell am I going to find a ham at this time of night?

(Falstaff's Spiritual Successor, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:48, closed)

*clicks*
Very well written with lots of good points.
(BelladonnaAnodyne Melissa's gonna wet herself, I swear..., Thu 11 Nov 2010, 14:35, closed)

V. good
Clickety click

'Debate' is far too often used as an opportunity for people to demonstrate knowledge, rather than elicit truth.
I always take the coward's approach when people start arguing about religion, politics etc (rooting around in the fridge until everyone's finished)
( Wet-chinned bag shanker Cannot parse Wogan, Thu 11 Nov 2010, 16:43, closed)

*nod nod*
Sage advice, there. But what do you do if there isn't a fridge handy? Or do you carry a small, portable one around with you for such an occasion?
(Draco Rattus ate all the pies on, Sat 13 Nov 2010, 7:38, closed)

I voted for her in the election before last
And I'd have voted for her again this year if she hadn't retired.
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Thu 11 Nov 2010, 18:01, closed)

rational debate vs propaganda
arxiv.org/abs/1004.5009
(haberman is singing in the changes, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 13:50, closed)