Horton hears a pro-life protest at movie premiere
Dan Smith
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Perspectives
On March 8, the Hollywood premiere of "Horton Hears a Who" unexpectedly turned into an anti-abortion protest. In attendance were the stars of the movie, their children and tons of other parents and their children. As the movie's slogan is "After all, a person is a person no matter how small," I suppose I could see how the protestors could misconstrue it as having as a pro-life message…if I were a religious fanatic.
As abortion rights weren't exactly an issue in 1954 when the book came out, I would have to assume that Dr. Seuss didn't intend for "Horton Hears a Who" to carry such an underlying message. He was a children's writer, not Pat Robertson. In fact, once upon a time, he's even threatened to sue pro-life groups that carried the slogan on their stationary. It appears that they just never got the hint.
After the protestors were done chanting the movie's slogan as support for their cause, they put red tape over their mouths that read "Life" and marched around the theater, further ruining everybody's fun while simultaneously embarrassing themselves.
I guess I could at least commend the protestors for keeping the demonstration PG. At least they were considerate enough to not scare the hell out of children even further by carrying elaborate crucifixes and gigantic banners depicting aborted fetuses.
There's a time and a place for everything, and the premiere of a children's movie is definitely neither for an anti-abortion rally. They should really stick to women's health clinics, where they can terrorize women already scared to death to get an abortion, or far more commonly, harass women going in for routine pap smears and breast exams.
I remember back in my angst-addled, teenage rebellion days, whenever I saw pro-life rallies lined up and down the roads (which has happened quite a few times in Westland; one of Michigan's several havens for rednecks and other such dimwits), I used them as the perfect excuse to clear the litter out of my car. Sorry to generalize, but I never really took the message supporting pro-life too seriously when it comes from cranky old bats with cobwebs accumulating in their nethers.
As abortion rights weren't exactly an issue in 1954 when the book came out, I would have to assume that Dr. Seuss didn't intend for "Horton Hears a Who" to carry such an underlying message. He was a children's writer, not Pat Robertson. In fact, once upon a time, he's even threatened to sue pro-life groups that carried the slogan on their stationary. It appears that they just never got the hint.
After the protestors were done chanting the movie's slogan as support for their cause, they put red tape over their mouths that read "Life" and marched around the theater, further ruining everybody's fun while simultaneously embarrassing themselves.
I guess I could at least commend the protestors for keeping the demonstration PG. At least they were considerate enough to not scare the hell out of children even further by carrying elaborate crucifixes and gigantic banners depicting aborted fetuses.
There's a time and a place for everything, and the premiere of a children's movie is definitely neither for an anti-abortion rally. They should really stick to women's health clinics, where they can terrorize women already scared to death to get an abortion, or far more commonly, harass women going in for routine pap smears and breast exams.
I remember back in my angst-addled, teenage rebellion days, whenever I saw pro-life rallies lined up and down the roads (which has happened quite a few times in Westland; one of Michigan's several havens for rednecks and other such dimwits), I used them as the perfect excuse to clear the litter out of my car. Sorry to generalize, but I never really took the message supporting pro-life too seriously when it comes from cranky old bats with cobwebs accumulating in their nethers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Mark
posted 3/14/08 @ 9:31 PM EST
You just don't get it. You refer to them as "religious fanatics." Why, because they want to protect the innocent lives of the unborn who cannot protect themselves? You say they were protesting. (Continued…)
anti-hypocrite
posted 3/15/08 @ 10:43 AM EST
to all you "pro-lifers": you'd better be anti-war, anti-death penalty vegans, otherwise your "every life is precious" statements are just hypocritical BS
Britt
posted 3/15/08 @ 8:03 PM EST
Pro-lifers are for human life. Even if they were vegans tehy would be killing a plant, and in that ending life. I am prolife, and I am against the death penalty, and war. (Continued…)
Mom of 4
posted 3/16/08 @ 10:24 AM EST
I used to disagree with abortion, but support the right to choose, until I had my first ultrasound. Highly educated, no where close to redneck. I am pro-woman. (Continued…)
Rob
posted 3/16/08 @ 1:24 PM EST
Mr. Smith refers to seeing rallies at Westland, "one of Michigan's several havens for rednecks and other such dimwits." I'm from Westland, and I want him to know that neither I nor any fellow Westlander or pro-lifer that I know is a redneck or a dimwit. (Continued…)
Debra
posted 3/23/08 @ 2:35 PM EST
I'd have to say you are the idiot, the Bible (the Word of God) says a fool has said in his heart there is no God. Abortion isn't an issue of the womans body is your body your mothers body?? Duh get a clue you fool. (Continued…)
kat
posted 3/24/08 @ 4:18 PM EST
Your article is quite disrespectful. You've done very well to make yourself look selfish and judgmental, I salute you.
Michelle
posted 3/26/08 @ 1:25 PM EST
Christian but not a fool:
1) You don't sound like a Christian to me;
2) Way to try and turn this article into a religious debate. How is insulting an entire faith (actually, three entire faiths that follow the Old Testament) really relevant to commenting on the actual article?
Chris
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:53 AM EST
First off let me start by saying I respectfully listen to everyone's opinion and treat everyone with respect so I would appreciate the same.
With that out of the way. (Continued…)
Cathy
posted 3/29/08 @ 8:22 AM EST
I would say that along with protecting and respecting all lives, that I am prolife. Someone has to speak up to protect these harmless souls. I feel bad that people especially children may be scared of the protests that happen around the country. (Continued…)
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