Anti-abortion 'Truth Truck' target of first-amendment dispute

Well, I guess it's not really a dispute anymore -- an Olathe police sergeant was placed on administrative leave for telling the Truth Truck guy to scram.

Here's the story from Benita Williams.

| Sara Shepherd

Comments

[JewwellsP]

Sergeant I commend you on using your common sense!
That truck crusing the streets of America is a disgrace! Brock should be ashmed for even driving it.

[Johnkel]

So displaying pictures of abortion procedures are okay, but displaying porn is not. Which do you think would be more traumatic for a child to see?

[Nick]

This is an outrage! How can we be expected to portray this practice as humanitarian, virtuous, and compassionate if these people are allowed to show the results of what we do?

Why, if this were allowed in Germany, we might have millions more Jews running around working hard for a living!

[Moral City USA]

Yes, I dont see any difference between porn and aborted fetus to a child. Both are obscene. Another double standard in the land of the free.

[Truth Teller]

With all of the options available to prevent pregnancy, abortion should be outlawed. The truth hurts.

[Moral City USA]

Truth, it will never happen. The woman's lobby is too strong.

[JewwellsP]

You freaking Anti's are so crazy.
Just remember two wrongs do not make a right.

Nick, how does abortion photo's & a few Jews killed come together?

[JewwellsP]

Also too bad Operation rescue can not help the babies that are already here.
Oh sorry, you anti's forget about the BABY once their born don't ya. So concerened about a fetus, yet could care less about a living & breathing baby.

That is the double standard!

[Newbie]

The double standard is that they are anti abortion but pro death penalty. They'd rather kill them when they're older...

[doggydaddy]

"Truth, it will never happen. The woman's lobby is too strong." - Average Joe

Right, and wrong, Joe. Neither the "leaders" of the anti-abortion organizations or the politicians who pander to them has any motivation to change anything. Should abortion be outlawed, what would those "leaders" do for a living? Right now they have legions of followers supporting them with tons of monetary contributions. Why take a chance on that going away? It's a good gig for them, don't fix it if it ain't broke. And should abortion be outlawed, what would the panderbears (politicians) have to guarantee turnouts at election time? I don't agree with the anti-abortion crowd, but I do feel sorry for them. They pour their hearts into this cause behind "leaders" and politicians who are only using them and truly have no interest in furthering their cause.

[in2ropin]

If their case was truley a cause, I would defer judgement, but a lot of Anti's are criminals. They commit crimes. They put contracts out on Doctors. They try to blow up clinics. A lot of them you will see attend other "causes" to protest. It's a living for them. They just change posters.

I haven't seen the truck, but it sures sounds like it's obscene and thus your personal rights for "free speech" doesn't fly here. But screw it, we don't have any business using common sense around here anymore!

[parkay]

Operation Rescue and pro-life crisis pregnancy centers do provide assistance to mothers who decide against abortion, like medical care and baby clothes and formula. The only help a dead baby can get is help with funeral expenses, if there even is a funeral.
Even abortionist quack Tiller sometimes provides feel-good funerals for the viable and late-term babies he kills. Even Tiller knows they are human. He just wants the money.

[Johnkel]

Heck, if everyone is so comfortable and righteous enough to feel that everyone should look at pictures of aborted fetuses, I say post them on billboards across from their favorite restaurants and across the street from their kids' schools and daycare centers. And while we're at it, let's put photos of animal disections and vivisections and a whole host of graphic medical and experimental procedures up there. We don't need to give any disclaimers or shield children from the images. Nah, they'll cry themselves to sleep eventually, though I bet they'll have some pretty wicked nightmares. But hey, remember it's not considered obscene like a naked breast. God forbid they ever see that.
You know those are some pretty twisted folks who think it's a-okay to show these images without any filter to protect children from such psychological scarring.

[Nick]

Nick, how does abortion photo's & a few Jews killed come together? - Jewwells

Whew Jewwells. I sure hope you didn't mean that the way it sounds. I had a response all typed out but reading this makes it pretty clear, any response wouldn't matter.

Women do have a choice. Don't have intercourse if you don't want to get preganant and aren't married. Killing should never be a choice for a doctor or a women. America, wake up. Murder of the unborn is murder as is murder of anyone else.

I am doning my helmet and shield as I type this. Does anyone read the news?? Have you not seen the horrific things being done to babies?? Imagine what might occur if people who did not want a child to begin with had to care for a baby? I could care less about women's rights...I care deeply about helpless living things that can't defend themselves. A person who does NOT want a baby probably will not say GLORY BE?/I AM SO HAPPY once the child is delivered. When the same anti abortion people find decent homes for these unwanted children, places where they will be loved and protected, then I'll join the anti abortion truck.

[Herbert Spencer]

First, there is no double standard between opposing abortion and supporting the death penalty. The distinction is a concept called innocence. These babies have not done anything to justify being slaughtered, whereas a John Robinson, or the Carr brothers have committed crimes so horrendous that they should have been exterminated the weekend after their trial.

The real stupidity here is that liberalism wants to kill innocent babies while protecting vermin like Robinson and the Carrs.

Also, if I see a car racing towards you and push you out of the way that does not obligate me to take care of you the rest of your life. Yet another liberal non sequitor. Does this mean that since you don't want to kill the Carrs that you're ready to have them move in with you?

As for the cop, he should be fired. This was a basic constitutional right and he placed his own beliefs above the law he has sworn to uphold. He is unfit to wear a badge.

[Herbert Spencer]

One of the biggest blunders of liberalism is its policy of rewarding those least able to care for a child while penalizing those who should care for them.

Eliminate the welfare system that pays a crack whore to "raise" children and let the middle class folks who earned the money keep it to encourage them to create the next generation.

If you can't pay for the child you have you should owe society for burdening it with the consequences of your misconduct and should be penalized accordingly, not rewarded.

[Chip]

Unfortunately, I had to go through downtown Olathe yesterday with my one and four year old in the car and we had to drive by the truck twice. Fortunately, I was able to distract them from seeing the ugly, obscene images. My thank yous to the Olathe police for trying to do something about this.

If I am going to be forced to see something this obsence posted on a truck, I would prefer that they be pictures of the truck driver and a few of these wacko anti freaks after they have been torched by some napalm.

[Herbert Spencer]

Thanks Chip for making clear the parallels between Nazism and pro-aborts like yourself.

Quite frankly, with a "parent" like you I suspect the Truth Truck is the least of your children's worries.

[Herbert Spencer]

Don't worry folks. Kansas is bigoted enough that the citizens of Kansas will continue to make sure the "right" babies get killed in these death camps.

Kansas - Gateway to the Fourth Reich.

[mrEd]

There seems to be an inverse relationship between the devotion and care for the unborn and the compassion and care for the already born.

[Joe White]

Do any of the pro-aborts have any MEDICAL evidence that the unborn is NOT a living human being?

If so, present it.

If not, how can you support the killing of a living human being?

[Herbert Spencer]

There can be no relationship between unrelated topics. Again, saving a life does not obligate one to provide care for it. The "relationship" is therefore specious on its face, sort of the definition of liberal "thought".

[Herbert Spencer]

What kind of warped philosophy expresses its compassion for something by killing it?

Yet another link between the pro-abort movement and Nazism is the notion of "lives not worth living". Hitler was a liberal.

Ok, lets allow every unwanted child to be born. Then we can mourn them as they are beaten, battered, thrown onto highways, burned, starved...need I go on? OR, should they make it though childhood, lets mourn their victims as they kill, rape, torture others because that is what they lived and learned. Of course not all will have these experiences but MANY will. To ensure their birth and then throw them to the wolves seems much more callous than preventing the birth...but its just an opinion. I have never known anyone who had an abortion but I have dealt with many, many unwanted children. Very, very sad.

[Bill CK]

Mr or Miss doesn't post a name at 5:55 am in the morning. You make me sad. Preventing crime by aborting babies. Preventing unwanted children from even getting a chance to experience life in all its glory by killing them. Just because a child is neglected doesn't mean their lives are any less special than yours or mine. Life is a difficult thing. That is what makes life worth living. You deal with unwanted children. You have the chance to make that childs' life special, even for a brief moment. In all the hardships that the child may face throughout his or her life, they will most likely remember the time that Mr or Miss no name saved them from a broken home, gave them a toy, maybe just a hug at the right time. Just someone taking the time to give that child a moment in their life that makes them feel like they matter can mean the difference between a serial killer and productive healthy member of the human race.
While I don't agree with the display of pictures on the Truth Truck, I understand the reason for putting them there. Americans are very de-sensitized to horrible things. The shock value of these images and the officers response to them, have opened the debate we are all taking part in.
Unfortunately, the officer is paying a price that seems a little excessive seeing as how he was trying to enforce the law. If he broke a departmental rule, maybe the police department needs to clear up their stance on such things.

A hug does not make up for years of neglect/abuse. You are entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine. When we become a robotic society, then you may think for me.

[steve e]

Would it be any different if the truck drove around with crime scene photos of OJ Simpson’s victims on the side to prove murder is wrong? What an asinine way to make a point. Offending large portions of the population and frightening children is not a very Christian thing to do. They should be ashamed to call themselves Christians.

[DSW]

Here we go again.

The right wing Pro Lifers say
its ok to own assault rifles, even though they kill thousands of kids a year (no driving bill boards with a kids brains all over the house is there)
its ok to attack other countries and kill millions (but not ok to photo the coffins of our kids coming home)
its ok to take away from the poor and help out the more needy rich
its ok to kill doctors you don’t agree with or anyone around them

BUT BY ALL MEANS DON’T ABORT!!!!

I’m pretty sure that most if not all Strong Right wingers have an IQ of somewhere between 60 to 80. They don’t think for themselves ever and all they do is repeat talking points. Then when you do argue with one like here they say really stupid stuff like "abortion is like what Hitler did" or "Hitler was a liberal"

Hitler was as liberal as GW Bush

Prolife extremists yield horriffic results occasionally. They're adamant about prooving thier point, even if they have to commit other wrongs to do it. If smut films involving torture are indecent for public exposure this logically ought be as well.

I'm flakier on what the chief did, though I certainly empathize with his position.

the B Guy

[Jilly]

I wish we didn't have to have abortion in our country. But, until we fix other problems (rape, incest) then women need to have the option. This is not a black and white issue, there is a lot of gray.

[Quad Kings]

I'm no fan of KFL, but the truck is a valid exercize of free speech, and is not pornographic. The statutory definition requires all three legs, not any one of the three. Because it is not sexual in nature and has "serious literary, educational, artistic, political or scientific value" (educational and political for sure). So, "Smarter Than You", you're wrong ... and you're not (smarter).

This truck is a very valid way to bring about change -- as opposed to legislation on an issue for which we'll never have consensus (except, maybe, late-term, partial-birth abortions). I abhor the idea of abortion, but do not think our government should make laws that are not based on consensus.

[gee]

Yes--much better to kill a child before he's born than allow the possiblity that his life my have some challenges . . .

[JewwellsP]

Well if anyone gets caught blowing up the operation rescue truck, I would donate to their legal fund.

Common Sense, yes it is truly gone.

[Sasquach]

Someone should put a law office in the back of a truck follow this guy around, and slap him with IIED suits for all the kids who he traumatizes with his "message."

[Truth Teller]

Why not have the women who "choose" to abort, get permanently fixed so this never happens again? That way she will never be "inconvenienced" responsibility again!

[JewwellsP]

Ever notice too, this truck doesn't drive where they know a problem will arise. Such as most small towns. I have seen this truck numerous times in Yuppieville. Why don't thy drive it all around P.Hill for example? Why not many small towns all over? I'll tell ya why, the small area's don't try to be so PC there.
They will tell the driver to not stop until they reach the county line.
Heck take that truck & cruise the lots at WOF, wonder what people would say?

[Truth Teller]

JewellsP is now instigating "violence". That's her prochoice!

[JewwellsP]

Actually you'll find the bombs & muder's have all been done by the ANTI'S.
That is the Truth

[JewwellsP]

muders yes you folks like mud.. LOL

How about Murder's

[JewwellsP]

Yes if it was left up to me, abortion protester's would be tasered, & dragged away.

[Truth Teller]

So much for people's freedom of speech. Typical liberal. We are open to everyone's point of view...so long as they match our own!

[Herbert Spencer]

Yes indeedy. The want to napalm the pro-lifers, bomb the truck, trample the first amendment and slaughter innocent children on the grounds that *some* of them might have some challenges in life, but they see no connection of such thoughts to Hitler? Please.

Is this to be the new standard for compassion? Your boss picks on you and sexually harasses you and makes your life miserable. Well, can't have that, off with her head. Or, you're on welfare and your children are suffering because they can't afford a new pair of air Jordans. Clearly the entire family must go.

You people advocate murder,you embrace and worship the death of innocent children, but molly coddle mass murderers and force society to spend millions defending them in one ludicrous appeal after another and you think this truck is the problem? My God this is a sick society.

[blarneology]

So many silly statements so little time. Quad Kings had it right, it has to qualify in all three areas to be smut it's not and this guy has a right.

It is funny how at least one person noticed something I have said for a long time. Liberals are always for free speech as long as they agree with it.

No Liberals are not nazi's Hitler was much smarter than any of the liberal leaders thus far. He was just evil.

[X]

If you do something that results in an UNWANTED CHILD, then you have done something wrong. It's not a tough concept, but just basic respect for life. Mothers could do things that they know will screw up their babies have no respect for life at all either.

Crackhead, methhead and other druggie pregnant mothers should be prosecuted, jailed, forced to have an abortion and sterilized. We don't need any more of their defective blood line to support.

[steve jackson]

This is a gross example of a police officer using his powers as an offier of the law to enforce his own beliefs on a citizen rather than the actual law.

It is my experience that most police officers are grossly ignorant of what the real law is. They get a crash course in basic traffic law and what not at the academy and then they apply it however they want and let attorneys and judges like myself sort it out.

This officer should be fire immediately. The gross misuse of his power is a fireable offense. But i am sure he will remain on the job because "he has an impecable record" even though if you dug deep I am sure he is a power hungry bigot.

I would love for this case to come across my bench. I would nail this officer for everything under the sun.

"Yes indeedy. The want to napalm the pro-lifers, bomb the truck, trample the first amendment and slaughter innocent children on the grounds that *some* of them might have some challenges in life, but they see no connection of such thoughts to Hitler? Please."

They being a small minority of ingorant fools within the pro-choice community. Please ignore them. I try to.

Like most pro-life argumentation, this also takes as a Begging the Question falacy that it's a child from the moment sperm touches egg.

"Is this to be the new standard for compassion? Your boss picks on you and sexually harasses you and makes your life miserable. Well, can't have that, off with her head. Or, you're on welfare and your children are suffering because they can't afford a new pair of air Jordans. Clearly the entire family must go."

I think we're talking about what people should be allowed to do, not what is or isn't compassionate. And you still Beg the Qusetion that life begins at instant of celular joining.

"You people advocate murder,you embrace and worship the death of innocent children, but molly coddle mass murderers and force society to spend millions defending them in one ludicrous appeal after another and you think this truck is the problem? My God this is a sick society."

We advocate freedom, embrace responsibility, and refrain from worshiping a glorified method of societal control. You force the constant stream of litigation by lawsuit after lawsuit over technicality and trivality, eternally trying to erode individual responsibility. But no... I do not think the truck is a problem. I think it's a distasteful display, but that's about it.

I happen to find abortion wrong, be shocked. But that should result in people deciding, individually, not to undergo that procedure. It isn't so reflexively and proovably wrong that it should be legislated againsed.

I'll even suggest the guy who would fund the legal team of a theoretical truck-bomber was really wrong on that. And that the truck can stay (tho I dislike backing it). So long as they don't take it personally if I stare in a mean way at them. Freedom of speech, after all.

the B Guy

[X]

Absolutely no question that mothers on drugs that threaten the development of their child should be arrested and jailed until the child is born. Or they could be offered the choice of an abortion if they didn't want jail time. Either they should be sterilized afterwards.

[X]

Abortion definitely has its place among unfit mothers.