tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post3471470599580611657..comments2024-03-26T10:03:51.827+13:00Comments on Karl du Fresne: When the state goes behind parents' backsKarl du Fresnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-77229099427612689782015-09-08T16:16:00.403+12:002015-09-08T16:16:00.403+12:00I'm not a lobbyist for anything and never have...I'm not a lobbyist for anything and never have been. Nor, in this context, am I a "journalist writing a factual story", although I do that quite often, and keep my opinions right out of it. This was a column in which I expressed an opinion. That's what columnists do. If I didn't express my honestly held opinion, I wouldn't be much use as a columnist. If you disagree with me, fine; but don't try to dismiss it as axe-grinding merely because you don't like what I say.Karl du Fresnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-64527585804106784662015-09-08T15:42:37.457+12:002015-09-08T15:42:37.457+12:00It's the difference between a journalist writi...It's the difference between a journalist writing a factual story about something that has happened and a lobbyist trying to sell a position, especially where they are lobbying against an existing law/situation rather trying to influence an upcoming open-ended decision - "an axe to grind".<br /><br />In addition your piece is quite clearly, from the terms uses and the cherry picking of an outlier study with poor methodology, an attempt to do a hatchet job on a law you object to. And for all your throwing around of claims of dishonesty of all of the people involved in abortion and the abortion laws you fail to mention that you are a committed long-term opponent of abortion rights.<br /><br />You have a long standing opinion/objection on the abortion laws this case merely gave you a chance to take that opinion out, grind the edge slightly and express it. - Thus "an axe to grind". Stephen Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12777449036696298954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-58527414809621365842015-09-08T13:51:49.861+12:002015-09-08T13:51:49.861+12:00To Stephen Ede: I'm curious to know at what po...To Stephen Ede: I'm curious to know at what point a legitimate opinion on the abortion laws morphs into "an axe to grind". Perhaps you could elaborate.Karl du Fresnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-12153825272754047282015-09-08T09:12:06.708+12:002015-09-08T09:12:06.708+12:00Karl
Thanks for keeping this issue alive in the p...Karl<br /><br />Thanks for keeping this issue alive in the public sphere. We talk a good deal about measuring a society by how it treats its most vulnerable, usually in reference to child poverty, yet it seems the most vulnerable place for any child today is in its mothers womb.<br /><br />I suspect that one of the reasons we are so easily able to embrace the prospect of euthanasia is because we have already placed a 'convenience value' on human life through what is effectively abortion on demand.<br /><br />The arrogance of the State in over ruling the rights of parents to support and council their child in the event of teenage pregnancy is monstrous in the extreme. To deny the parents this right based upon the presumed negative reactions of a few parents is a despicable and unjust policy.<br /><br />Few it seems care - I'm glad you do.<br />Brendan McNeillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02741263914308842497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-30836975550560382832015-09-08T08:32:01.314+12:002015-09-08T08:32:01.314+12:00To Stephen E: I'm happy to publish your commen...To Stephen E: I'm happy to publish your comment provided you identify yourself.Karl du Fresnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-73981228918837056612015-09-08T06:54:57.930+12:002015-09-08T06:54:57.930+12:00I link to the counter piece at Stuff that covers t...I link to the counter piece at Stuff that covers the problems with the point of view you express in your article much better than I can - http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/71802685/forcing-teenagers-to-tell-parents-of-abortions-would-have-dire-results<br /><br />Other than that I'll note that the the Family Planning Spokesman didn't give me the impression of wanting to distance himself from the case so much as, other than correcting the factual inaccuracies and providing quality general scientific results/information, he had no interest in getting involved in a public dispute with a Blogger with a clear axe to grind on abortion and abortion laws.Stephen Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12777449036696298954noreply@blogger.com