Aa
This is sick
Couple Asking World: Birth Or Abortion?
Firestorm Erupts Over Online Poll By Minnesota Pair
POSTED: 7:47 am PST November 19, 2010
UPDATED: 7:58 am PST November 19, 2010
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A firestorm is erupting over a Minnesota couple's online poll asking visitors whether they should terminate their pregnancy.
Pete and Alisha Arnold's website, birthornot.com, has drawn ire from people on both sides of the abortion debate. A poll on the site asks simply, "Should we give birth or have an abortion?"
As of Thursday evening, more than 44,000 votes had been cast, and 80 percent of respondents said the couple should continue the pregnancy, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. So many people weighed in from both sides of the issue that the site crashed Thursday.
Alisha Arnold maintained the site was not a hoax and the couple had no "hidden agenda." She also said they weren't looking for media attention.
"I didn't think it would go anywhere," Alisha Arnold said. "There are so many websites out there."
The couple has had three miscarriages, the latter two being planned pregnancies. The current pregnancy was not planned, and Pete and Alisha had hoped to leave more time between the last miscarriage and a new pregnancy.
Alisha Arnold said she didn't have an appointment with an abortion provider yet, but "if it's looking like it's going to be that way ... we will definitely be looking into it and setting something up if we need to."
Dec. 9 would be the last day she could legally have an abortion in Minnesota without her health being in jeopardy.
The couple said they would close the poll two days before that to make a decision.
Firestorm Erupts Over Online Poll By Minnesota Pair
POSTED: 7:47 am PST November 19, 2010
UPDATED: 7:58 am PST November 19, 2010
del.icio.us
buzz
digg
A firestorm is erupting over a Minnesota couple's online poll asking visitors whether they should terminate their pregnancy.
Pete and Alisha Arnold's website, birthornot.com, has drawn ire from people on both sides of the abortion debate. A poll on the site asks simply, "Should we give birth or have an abortion?"
As of Thursday evening, more than 44,000 votes had been cast, and 80 percent of respondents said the couple should continue the pregnancy, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. So many people weighed in from both sides of the issue that the site crashed Thursday.
Alisha Arnold maintained the site was not a hoax and the couple had no "hidden agenda." She also said they weren't looking for media attention.
"I didn't think it would go anywhere," Alisha Arnold said. "There are so many websites out there."
The couple has had three miscarriages, the latter two being planned pregnancies. The current pregnancy was not planned, and Pete and Alisha had hoped to leave more time between the last miscarriage and a new pregnancy.
Alisha Arnold said she didn't have an appointment with an abortion provider yet, but "if it's looking like it's going to be that way ... we will definitely be looking into it and setting something up if we need to."
Dec. 9 would be the last day she could legally have an abortion in Minnesota without her health being in jeopardy.
The couple said they would close the poll two days before that to make a decision.
It is a cruel thing to do. Although I am glad it is a hoax, it is still incredibly upsetting.
MJ - thank you for the beautiful story. That women is stronger then I think I could be. That is love.
MJ - thank you for the beautiful story. That women is stronger then I think I could be. That is love.
That is a terrible story and cruel to put up for those of us TTC even though it is a hoax and was just done to "stimulate conversation".
Here is a more inspiring story. I wonder what I would do in this situation:
Opponents of legal abortion tell women to "choose life." A 32-year-old British woman followed that decree, and, in so doing, she also chose death.
Her own.
Donna Blanks of Newport, South Wales, died Sept. 22, 13 months after having the baby that doctors said she would have to abort to save her own life.
They told her that her chronic kidney problems made motherhood a virtual suicide mission. The London Daily Mail reports she didn't care. It was her lifelong dream to be a mother, even if it meant not having a long life.
According to the Mail, Blanks and her partner, Gary Thomas, tried for 13 years to conceive a child. Their joy over Blanks becoming pregnant was crushed when doctors told her that her kidneys were failing.
Her only hope of survival, they said, was aborting the pregnancy. Blanks' mother, Sallie Blanks, tells the Mail that was never an option.
"Being a mother was the only thing my daughter wanted to do in life," she tells the newspaper. "She believed she had been blessed with a miracle when she discovered she was pregnant and would sacrifice anything to protect her unborn baby -- even herself. There was nothing on this earth that would stop her. She was going to have that baby whether it took her life or not."
The Mail reports Blanks worked as an auxiliary nurse and suffered from diabetes and other medical problems since she was a teenager. As a result, she thought she might never be able to have children.
Her pregnancy was reportedly fraught with difficulties. She had to stop her usual kidney medication, leaving her in searing pain. But after 27 grueling weeks, she gave birth to a premature baby boy named Cade.
According to the Mail, doctors doubted he would survive. He was only 1 pound, 10 ounces when he was born. His heart valves leaked. He required surgery on his heart and bowels.
But he beat the odds. His mother did not.
Blanks did, however, live to see her son grow strong enough to come home, even as her own life ebbed.
"Donna was so happy, but I could tell that her health was gradually growing worse," her mother tells the Mail. "Rather than having that new-mum glow, Donna didn't look well at all. But my daughter was a fighter, and she battled on and looked after her son with our help."
Her only hope was a kidney transplant, but even that hope faded when a heart problem made an immediate transplant impossible.
That was it. There was nothing more to do.
"My time with Donna wasn't long enough," Thomas tells the Mail. "She was an amazing person who was always doing everything for others. She was really one in a million."
Her mother says her spirit lives on in Cade.
"I can see Donna in him and I just hope he grows up to have her temper and beautiful curly hair," she says. "We know he will be proud of her, too."
Here is a more inspiring story. I wonder what I would do in this situation:
Opponents of legal abortion tell women to "choose life." A 32-year-old British woman followed that decree, and, in so doing, she also chose death.
Her own.
Donna Blanks of Newport, South Wales, died Sept. 22, 13 months after having the baby that doctors said she would have to abort to save her own life.
They told her that her chronic kidney problems made motherhood a virtual suicide mission. The London Daily Mail reports she didn't care. It was her lifelong dream to be a mother, even if it meant not having a long life.
According to the Mail, Blanks and her partner, Gary Thomas, tried for 13 years to conceive a child. Their joy over Blanks becoming pregnant was crushed when doctors told her that her kidneys were failing.
Her only hope of survival, they said, was aborting the pregnancy. Blanks' mother, Sallie Blanks, tells the Mail that was never an option.
"Being a mother was the only thing my daughter wanted to do in life," she tells the newspaper. "She believed she had been blessed with a miracle when she discovered she was pregnant and would sacrifice anything to protect her unborn baby -- even herself. There was nothing on this earth that would stop her. She was going to have that baby whether it took her life or not."
The Mail reports Blanks worked as an auxiliary nurse and suffered from diabetes and other medical problems since she was a teenager. As a result, she thought she might never be able to have children.
Her pregnancy was reportedly fraught with difficulties. She had to stop her usual kidney medication, leaving her in searing pain. But after 27 grueling weeks, she gave birth to a premature baby boy named Cade.
According to the Mail, doctors doubted he would survive. He was only 1 pound, 10 ounces when he was born. His heart valves leaked. He required surgery on his heart and bowels.
But he beat the odds. His mother did not.
Blanks did, however, live to see her son grow strong enough to come home, even as her own life ebbed.
"Donna was so happy, but I could tell that her health was gradually growing worse," her mother tells the Mail. "Rather than having that new-mum glow, Donna didn't look well at all. But my daughter was a fighter, and she battled on and looked after her son with our help."
Her only hope was a kidney transplant, but even that hope faded when a heart problem made an immediate transplant impossible.
That was it. There was nothing more to do.
"My time with Donna wasn't long enough," Thomas tells the Mail. "She was an amazing person who was always doing everything for others. She was really one in a million."
Her mother says her spirit lives on in Cade.
"I can see Donna in him and I just hope he grows up to have her temper and beautiful curly hair," she says. "We know he will be proud of her, too."
The website is a hoax.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/23/minnesota.abortion/
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/109336629.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/23/minnesota.abortion/
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/109336629.html
I seriously hope it's a hoax otherwise this couple needs some serious mental help.
I too hope it is a hoax. As someone who went through six heartbreaking miscarriages trying to have a second child, I am both sickened and offended by this womans attitude about her own flesh and blood. I pray she never trys again.
I heard it was a hoax... a dumb one, though no one has really admitted responsibility. If she has had several miscarriages and this one is healthy, why would they want to get rid of it? Doesnt make much sense. I heard a anti-abortion activist is reponsible.I hope it is a hoax.
You know, the more I think about this, it has to be a hoax. Think about it..many of us here have miscarried wanted babies. Can you imagine terminating a healthy fetus just because is was "too soon" after a loss? This is someone playing games...they make me sick.
I vote we let the baby choose! What a sick twisted thing to do!
Seriouly, how do people come up with this cr@p?!
Seriouly, how do people come up with this cr@p?!
I hope this is a sick joke. What kind of person could be so insensitive as to let total strangers make this decision for her? And if she has a history of miscarriages, why would she consider terminating a healthy pregnancy? Some of you will probably have harsh words for me, but I do believe that some people should be forced into sterilization.
the example i share its not about "autism" its about a mother who is giving up a child for a "Boyfriend"..this is a child who needs love and care and she didnt think twice to change him for a boyfriend.
I have worked in some cases that still troubling my heart( i left and got a new job..i cried everyday). the case i just said its 1 in 10,000 cases which social workers have to check and they dont have many help and this is why when you see a sad case in TV everybody is sad and usually is the social case worker fault.
There is many crazy people out there!... you wont even imagine.
just the idea of posting this kind of polls give you an idea of many "disturb" mental people out there.
Also, we have many lovely parents _single mothers who struggle with the economy and they have to give up their kids because they can not afford the medicine and have no one who can help them.
many others have families and friends who are happy to help and more lucky to keep their kids.
when we visit this kind of situation ( i used to!) and the kids were in bad conditions we need to remove them from their home. its the saddest thing you can do
I always visit my doctor and i took care of myself to avoid unwanted pregnancy with pills , I had never had or will have an abortion but i do agreed with it.....its your body , its your soul and at the end your decision. and we need to respect people decisions.
this is a poll today and we can talk about it, but the sad reality is that is happening everyday , anywhere at anytime.
I have worked in some cases that still troubling my heart( i left and got a new job..i cried everyday). the case i just said its 1 in 10,000 cases which social workers have to check and they dont have many help and this is why when you see a sad case in TV everybody is sad and usually is the social case worker fault.
There is many crazy people out there!... you wont even imagine.
just the idea of posting this kind of polls give you an idea of many "disturb" mental people out there.
Also, we have many lovely parents _single mothers who struggle with the economy and they have to give up their kids because they can not afford the medicine and have no one who can help them.
many others have families and friends who are happy to help and more lucky to keep their kids.
when we visit this kind of situation ( i used to!) and the kids were in bad conditions we need to remove them from their home. its the saddest thing you can do
I always visit my doctor and i took care of myself to avoid unwanted pregnancy with pills , I had never had or will have an abortion but i do agreed with it.....its your body , its your soul and at the end your decision. and we need to respect people decisions.
this is a poll today and we can talk about it, but the sad reality is that is happening everyday , anywhere at anytime.
Just checking in today, and read this. I can tell you that this made me cry. Although I am pro choice, most women I know who made the decision to termniate agonized over it. This is trivializing what is such a major emotional decision. Also, as a women that has miscarried so many times, and is in "threatened miscarriage" (I HATE that term) status right now, I almost can't stand this. To choose to terminate is a highly personal decision that should never ever be taken lightly. To make such a mockery out of such a terrible thing sickens and disgusts me.
I don't think that legal abortion is ending in Minnesota Dec. 9th I think that is the last day She can get an abortion due to the fact that she will be too far along in her pg.
the case of the 10 year old you stated has nothing to do with abortion. Would it be better for this child to not exist? If that is what you are saying you are going to offend the 1000's of parents of a child with autism that love and cherish their child.
the case of the 10 year old you stated has nothing to do with abortion. Would it be better for this child to not exist? If that is what you are saying you are going to offend the 1000's of parents of a child with autism that love and cherish their child.
crazy people but its their choice.
Anyway i think is an oax due to the abortion law ending...which it bring me to
why a legal abortion is ending in Dec. 9 in Minnesota ?
why in a country like America other people decided for you?...
you should have the right do have an abortion in case of rape, younger age, bith defects, parents_family raping their younger daughters.
I have seen many cases of kids who are placed in the system because their mother dont want them and the suffering of those childs is a big price to pay for those who didnt ask to come to the world.
I have a case of a lady who is giving her child to the system because he is 10y/;o and has autistm and she has now a new boyfriend and the boyfriend dont want to deal with it. ( how about his father you will ask: he is a drug addict and alcoholic)
Anyway i think is an oax due to the abortion law ending...which it bring me to
why a legal abortion is ending in Dec. 9 in Minnesota ?
why in a country like America other people decided for you?...
you should have the right do have an abortion in case of rape, younger age, bith defects, parents_family raping their younger daughters.
I have seen many cases of kids who are placed in the system because their mother dont want them and the suffering of those childs is a big price to pay for those who didnt ask to come to the world.
I have a case of a lady who is giving her child to the system because he is 10y/;o and has autistm and she has now a new boyfriend and the boyfriend dont want to deal with it. ( how about his father you will ask: he is a drug addict and alcoholic)
Disgusting. I agree with superchoc...this woman must seriously have no soul to even be considering abortion after experiencing miscarriages. I cannot imagine what is wrong in her head.
She is making it like a joke... vote and I will kill my baby or keep it depending on you... I ean it is worse than not loving it. I hope she has the baby and that it is promptly taken away..imagine when the child finds out about the vote? omg.. it is just sick
"The couple has had three miscarriages, the latter two being planned pregnancies. The current pregnancy was not planned, and Pete and Alisha had hoped to leave more time between the last miscarriage and a new pregnancy." God forbid having a child that does not fit in with a current plan, although if the miscarriages had continued they would have a child..??
She must have felt nothing miscarrying her babies, and ACTULLY CONSIDERING to not continue a pregnancy. It makes me think of lots of ladies on this site having spent thousands of pounds/dollers on failed IVF. All basically over "inconvenience of timing". I'd love to ask her if she had failed IVF, or miscarriages that actually affected her mentally and physically, would she, once blessed with the chance of carrying another life, still feel the same?
BECCABB : i also agree, why not decide to do it at the start (although i am anti-abortion [unless within good reason, not just convenience] so would rather say why not use contraception) rather than leaving it til so much later on. she obviously has no love for this child.
She must have felt nothing miscarrying her babies, and ACTULLY CONSIDERING to not continue a pregnancy. It makes me think of lots of ladies on this site having spent thousands of pounds/dollers on failed IVF. All basically over "inconvenience of timing". I'd love to ask her if she had failed IVF, or miscarriages that actually affected her mentally and physically, would she, once blessed with the chance of carrying another life, still feel the same?
BECCABB : i also agree, why not decide to do it at the start (although i am anti-abortion [unless within good reason, not just convenience] so would rather say why not use contraception) rather than leaving it til so much later on. she obviously has no love for this child.
I don't think they deserve a child, on the other hand if they had this baby would they care for it, can't imagine them giving it up for adoption, so I think they should have gotten an abortion at the start
seriously what has the world come to. your right it is sick.. thow im not against abortion in some cases, but what the hell are those two on.. maybe its a big hoax.. oh and just to let you know someone else posted about this and it was takin off this site.. I understand why its being posted again thow..
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