8th amendment referendum part 3 - Mod note and FAQ in post #1

Mrsmum wrote: »

Just on that debate alone - Yes side seemed a bit shellshocked imo. Only for Mary Lou trying to fight her case, the other two were rubbish. Dr Boylan was so bad, he was an advertisement for the No side and the other lady wasn't up to it at all. No side were good debaters especially hammering home that 97% of abortions aren't rape and ffa and showing that yes side won't discuss the bulk of cases. Lady that regretted her abortion and the nurses that told of working in uk finished off the debate.

I thought that the final Yes contribution from the audience was weak too. "We're not Sky boxes." Whilst I can see the point she was making, it seemed flippant. It was a pity that one of the "stronger" Yes supporters didn't get the chance to end the audience participation.

Bunny Colvin wrote: »

Yeah, that was the moment I said 'WTF is going on here'. She's a prime example of the type of people you're dealing with on 'The No' side.

Unbelievable stuff.

No representation from parents who had to deal with fatal foetal abnormalities or women whose lives would have been put in danger had they continued on with pregnancies.

Bríd Smith was the only one in the audience who spoke about having an abortion and not regretting it and she got shouted down for answering back to Iona's head prefect talking down to her.

How anyone can say this debate wasn't biased has their head in the clouds.

TL17 wrote: »

Well I honestly didnt have my mind made up. Not sure I will bother but if I do its a no . We going round in circles for hard cases. Cant make laws on this basis. Seems the only yes argument

I honestly don't really care how you vote as it's your decision but don't leave that show in anyway help you decide, it as bad as it gets. Just educate yourself a bit more that's all it needs and make your own mind up.

Managed to catch a bit of this on a poor enough stream. Thought the audience were juvenile and very disrespectful. Whooping and jeering during a debate about serious issues that have very real effects on people's lives is disgraceful carry-on.

AllForIt wrote: »

Both sides got a fair shout and the criticism of Claire is just ridiculous. She was dealing with a rowdy bunch.

There is no point in personalising this issue whether you can't stand the panellists or not.

In all things important I think it's quite good to hear from ppl at extreme ends of the spectrum.

For ppl in doubt like I am, it's actually quite useful when it comes to making a decision.

I found it juvenile and ridiculous. It was like an entertainment programme rather than a serious debate. If you are undecided I'd encourage you to watch the TV3 debates back online, The Tonight Show covers all discussed here and more without the childish shouting and interrupting.

robarmstrong wrote: »

No offence taken, but I definitely won't take advice from someone who very snidely made fun of one posters' experience with miscarriage.

Tonight is the first time I've spoken about it in weeks, other posters' do bring it up though, as they believe it's a case to get behind, so I can't comment on who brings it up.

Also you don't need to justify discussing your family's experience. People give out about the yes side only discussing hard cases,then someone brings up an experience they've had several times over and how the 8th has impacted on them and many others and you get told you're repeating yourself... can't win.

Boooourns wrote: »

I honestly don't really care how you vote as it's your decision but don't leave that show in anyway help you decide, it as bad as it gets. Just educate yourself a bit more that's all it needs and make your own mind up.

He was not undecided. Today's debate gave to those who would vote any an excuse to state they will vote. In the same way as some state that tgey are going to vote no because they can't stand Ivana Bacik (or whoever else). I am certain a lot of don't knows are very much I do know but I don't want to state it. Things like today's debate enable them to state what they really feel. This referendum won't be won with the debate. It will depend on how many younger voters will be persuaded to vote.

I can't believe RTE were so naive to think that the No side wouldn't lie and cheat to stack the deck in their favour.

There is no way that audience was 50:50. People clearly lied, pretending to be Yes or undecided, when they are actually committed No voters or even activists.

Their whooping and hollering was a disgrace.

Claire went from No speaker to No audience member to No speaker more than once without giving a Yes speaker or audience member an opportunity

Boylan in particular shouted down, interrupted, hissed at every time he tried to make a point. He almost never was allowed to finish what he was saying.

How did they manage to speak to more No GPs than Yes GPs when the latter far outnumber the former? The Yes GPs put together got less speaking time than just one of the No GPs did.

Stein allowed to waffle on endlessly and quote dictionary defintions at us just to spin it out and drag out the time taken to make her "point"

It would want to make you burn your TV licence.

Shame on you RTE.

AnneFrank wrote: »

Well no one was actually able to show me where I made fun of anyone, and I'm not advising you, I wouldn't dream of it, but you have gone on about it so much people are bound to comment, telling them then to shut up is a bit much that's all I'm saying

I'm telling RobertKK to shut his mouth insinuating he knew what was going on in my situation, which is a fair remark for me to make.

Insinuating and commenting on are two different things.

As for me "having gone on about it so much", if some skulls here weren't so thick there'd be more repeal voters specifically for that case but instead there's just more distrust and misogyny shown towards women. Maybe I have gone on about it so much, maybe I haven't, maybe when someone else in particular has to sit idly by whilst their partner continually miscarries without any help or support in ending that doomed pregnancy on dignified and safe terms there'd be a bit of cop on as to why there's a heap of animosity towards the 8th and those who want to keep it.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

As an aside, how was Mattie McGrath elected as a TD?

I'd be handing back my polling card if I voted for him.

It's simple, really.

neonsofa wrote: »

Ah that's great news! All the best to you and your growing family.

Thank you! Already had the 3d scan there at 30 weeks, let's just say she's definitely her daddy's daughter, the absolute spit of me!

I just hope she doesn't have a beard, too.

AnneFrank wrote: »

So any "skull" that disagrees with you is thick. Nice Rob, classy

Thanks Anne, I took a leaf out of the AnneFrank Book of Class.

I skipped the whole "make fun of peoples' miscarriages" chapter though, hope that's cool.