Don’t censor NARAL, don’t censor us
In this case, I agree with NARAL. If Verizon censors pro-aborts on the topic of abortion, that means it will censor pro-lifers. A private company has that right, but this was a bad call.
In any event, the decision has already been reversed.
Backdrop, New York Times, this morning….
Saying it had the right to block “controversial or unsavory” text messages, Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon’s mobile network available for a text-message program.
The other leading wireless carriers have accepted the program, which allows people to sign up for text messages from Naral by sending a message to a five-digit number known as a short code.
Text messaging is a growing political tool in the United States ….
In turning down the program, Verizon, one of the nation’s two largest wireless carriers, told Naral that it does not accept programs from any group “that seeks to promote an agenda or distribute content that, in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory to any of our users.”…
A spokesman for Verizon said the decision turned on the subject matter of the messages and not on Naral’s position on abortion. “Our internal policy is in fact neutral on the position,” said the spokesman, Jeffrey Nelson. “It is the topic itself” – abortion – “that has been on our list.”…
Naral provided an example of a recent text message that it has sent to supporters: “End Bush’s global gag rule against birth control for world’s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice.”…
Text messaging programs based on five- and six-digit short codes are a popular way to receive updates on news, sports, weather and entertainment….
Most of the candidates and advocacy groups that use text message programs are liberal, which may reflect the demographics of the technology’s users and developers. A spokeswoman for the National Right to Life Committee, which is in some ways Naral’s anti-abortion counterpart, said, for instance, that it has not dabbled in text messaging.
Texting has proved to be an extraordinarily effective political tool….
Then, according to the Internet Broadcasting Systems/Associated Press, also this morning:
Verizon Wireless has reversed course and will allow NARAL Pro-Choice America to use its mobile network for a sign-up text messaging program.
Company spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said the decision not to allow text messaging was incorrect.
Nelson had said Wednesday that abortion was among topics barred from mass distribution based on the company’s code of content.
However, the code was developed before text-messaging became a mass-market phenomenon.
NARAL lets people sign up to receive its text messages by keying in a message to a five-digit number.
Lesson for pro-lifers to learn from this: Use this technology.
P.S. NARAL’s sample text message was a gross mischaracterization, btw. It opposes the Mexico City Policy, which disallows American tax dollars to go to any overseas “family planning group” that advocates or commits abortion. The Senate just overturned this long-standing policy, which Reagan enacted, Bush I continued, Clinton overturned (on first day in office), and Bush II reinstated. Bush II has vowed to veto this latest measure.
[HT: NARAL e-alert, reader Rosie, friends Arlene and Jim]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Ah, yes; the “choice”niks had their panties in a wad because Verizon made a CHOICE with which they did not agree. That’s not news. For years they have been trying to suppress any information that might steer a woman towards choosing life; and this means they, with other proabort groups, have continually sought to suppress pro-life speech.
Now they know how the shoe feels on the other foot.
Jill, thanks for your comments. I believe both pro-life and pro-choice groups should have equal access to the public debate. Sure, Verizon can do what they want, but I disagree with their “choice.”
Seems like a crazy way to get one’s message out there. I sure wouldn’t sign up for text messages from any organization.
I am very concerned about the overturn of the Mexico City policy because International Planned Parenthood is a major abortion promoter. They installed the computers that help China track women and their pregnancies. IPP does not care that China forces women to abort. They are all in it together.
We need to care enough about women to realize that funding these family planning abortion groups means that money will just as likely be used against women.
It also means that money will be shifted from other important health services to abortion providers. One of the complaints from the poor in these countries is that reproductive health care is sometimes the only care available.
International Planned Parenthood is a major abortion promoter. They installed the computers that help China track women and their pregnancies. IPP does not care that China forces women to abort. They are all in it together.
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http://zapatopi.net/afdb/
Laura,
That site is a hoot, I love it!
When I was in high school, I refused to watch tv. I called it the mind control box. That site totally takes me back!
http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/mos/pri_03abortionforall2.html
International Planned Parenthood promotes abortion abroad.
Who was it that said, “I may disagree with what you’re saying, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”? NARAL spreads misinformation, hype, and outright lies, all of which leads to needless suffering and death, but as long as it doesn’t constitute fraud or conspiracy to commit crimes they have every right to do so, even using Verizon.
It’s the job of honest prochoiers and of prolifers to counter the lies, hype, and misinformation.
Exactly Hippie! They completely ignore the laws of underdeveloped countries AND others. Like when they tried to bring an abortion boat into Portugal (before the government changed the abortion law) so that women could get an abortion on international waters. They have done this all over the world, defying the laws of the country of port.
My hair looks awesome!!
Since they died my hair super blond a month or so ago I thought it would look cool to have some semi-permanent black die for a little bit of the underside to help with contrast.
So I get this loreal stuff. It said not recommended for light colored hair but I was like, “whatever, it will just make it more brilliant black.”
I just rinsed it. It’s PURPLE. Bright purple everywhere.
But I acutally kind of like it! It has spunk.
Soooo, do we call you Pretty in Purple, now?
Jasper,
Yet another great quote of the day! Excellent work!
Thanks MK, btw: that one was from Jill…There’s a couple good ones coming up as well….
Since they died my hair super blond a month or so ago I thought it would look cool to have some semi-permanent black die for a little bit of the underside to help with contrast.
PIP, I always wondered why so many blond women dye the roots of their hair dark….
Doug
PIP –
Are you going to put any pictures up on your website?
I want to see! I had pink and purple hair for awhile. Along with one side of my head shaved and the other side long. What can I say? Cindy Lauper was super cool back then!
Doug,
Not roots. bottom half, or bottom 1/4, or whatever. I thought it woudl look cool temporarily, you know, instead of sandy blonde color.
Haha, mk, valerie,
I guess I can put pictures up! I’ll see what I can do!
Also, got confirmation that it looks cool. A co-LT from Campus Kitchens told me “I LOVE your hair. I always wanted to dye my hair purple!
Hmm it looks darker purple in the pictures. I mean, it is darker purple than actual purple dye, but in daylight it is quite noticable. I might just take horrible pictures!! They will be on my blog by morning.
Concerning overturning the Mexico City Policy. Women in many of these countries endure appalling poverty, lack of educational opportunity, abuse, inequality, hunger, and disease and lose large numbers of their children to disease and hunger.
Rather than addressing the real problems these women endure and constructive measures to truly improve their lives, we instead want to offer them the opportunity to kill their children before they’re born. Who says we don’t care?
Not roots. bottom half, or bottom 1/4, or whatever. I thought it would look cool temporarily, you know, instead of sandy blonde color.
PIP, just don’t tell me you wear a backwards baseball cap…
Doug