Yes, there are extremists on both sides of the abortion debate. I stand firmly and proudly on the pro-choice side, not only because of my personal experiences, but because I feel it is not the government's place to tell me what to do if and when I become pregnant. I also believe that the government should not legislate the dogma and ideology of any particular religion on it's citizens.
President Obama handled the ND Commencement with grace and skill. His advice to try to bring both sides of the abortion debate together make sense: stop demonizing each other and respect each other.
I wish I could take him up on his suggestions.
Trouble is: there is no respect, on either side of the debate, and I admit that I am guilty of this just as I say that my opponents are, too.
I find it difficult to respect people who on one minute prayed with me and my family and then vandalized our house and sent my mother and the rest of my family death threats simply because she worked at Planned Parenthood. It's hard to understand their point of view and listen to them when they want to KILL me!
It's hard to respect them when they took pictures of my stillborn daughter Amelia and then used that photo, without my consent, as an example of an 'aborted' fetus.
They claim to be 'christians' and yet IMHO have acted as anything but, but I'm supposed to let them continue to try to legislate their radical extremism and dogma on me and my daughters?
Sorry, Mr. President, but I guess I'm not as big as you are when it comes to being respectful and open-minded when it comes to abortion. I wish I could be, but I can't change and I don't see the other side changing anytime soon, either. But it's a nice thought and you gave a good speech, and showed the anti-choicers that you aren't intimidated by them.
Dialog with terrorists is a good idea, but you need to be prepared to deal with them when they rebuff you and refuse to see your POV. I hope you keep that in mind when selecting the next Supreme Court Justice.