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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Ben Shapiro

193 replies

SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 25/03/2017 22:24

Not sure where this fits in UK statistics but applauds

OP posts:
SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 25/03/2017 22:25

Other than his opinion on anti-abortion................ sigh SIGH

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Datun · 25/03/2017 23:24

I'm not a fan of Ben Shapiro, but this clip shows up very clearly what else I'm not a fan of.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=PlHRbXXerak

SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 26/03/2017 12:17

They're advocating violence?!?!

That's insane!

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SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 26/03/2017 12:18

Also, I have asked MNHQ to take this thread down as I'd not seen the full extent of Ben's opinions on abortion and I'm not advocating that stance at all.

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LassWiTheDelicateAir · 26/03/2017 14:08

Why do you want the thread taken down? Other opinions on abortion are allowed. He is free to have those views and you are free to argue against him.

There are plenty of other examples of his saying what you want to hear on the issue of transgender ; although given his opinions on just about everything else you might want to choose your allies more carefully. He is certainly not comparable with say Rod Liddle or Andrew Neil who have recently been linked to on here.

(I will concede his response to Meryl Streep's embarrassing virtue signalling speech at The Golden Globes was spot on)

CoolJazz · 26/03/2017 15:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoolJazz · 26/03/2017 15:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Datun · 26/03/2017 15:33

CoolJazz

For me, it was the perfect illustration of male entitlement and aggression. The TW didn't think twice. Apparently he also threatened Shapiro afterwards saying he would get him in the car park. You know, exactly the sort of thing that women are known for...

I disagree with Shapiro over his stance on abortion. But I admire his refusal to be cowed whilst remaining civil.

He called this transwoman sir. It was seen as a deliberate act of provocation. I.e. he deserved the response. Him telling the truth was seen as a justifiable reason for a violent reaction. Hmmm, where have I heard that before...?

CoolJazz · 26/03/2017 15:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

llamadramas · 26/03/2017 16:35

If you want to know more about Ben Shapiro then his

is good. I don't agree with everything he says including around abortion and gay marriage BUT there is nothing wrong with listening to alternative view points and acknowledging their right to free speech.

Slightly off topic, I would recommend taking a look at Dave Rubin's channel, he interviews people who often have different views from him but does it in a respectful way. No shouting people down and lets them take the time to explain/justify their position. Really refreshing.
Prawnofthepatriarchy · 26/03/2017 16:59

You're right about Ben Shapiro's manner, CoolJazz. I've just watched three of his videos and it gets tiresome very quickly. I couldn't follow his argument about abortion in the first video - he speaks so quickly and her voice is so blurry.

I'm interested in this idea that liberals are all of one mind on social issues and that the same is true on the right. I've seen this polarity emerge and be discussed on American forums but I don't think it's so important in the UK. For example the American conservative position on abortion is anti, whereas there's very little opposition to abortion from any direction here. Also you see attacks on feminism from the right in America - Ben Shapiro for one - but no mainstream politician would do so in the UK, because it's not considered controversial.

This is because the Conservative party here in some ways is further left than the Democrats in the USA. The NHS we are so proud of is what most Americans consider dangerous socialism.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 26/03/2017 17:25

He needs to work on his delivery skills. He is obviously bright but the constant I don't care he used in the discussion with Rubin started to wear thin.

I agree his ability to remain calm and coolly polite at all times is impressive.

I completely agree with CoolJazz taking down this thread because you don't agree with his views on abortion is the antithesis of supporting free speech.

MercyMyJewels · 26/03/2017 18:14

I thought he was good. and even though I'm Pro choice re abortion because women have the right to have control of their bodies, the anti abortion argument re when life begins is logical

Fucking hell, what's happening, I'm a liberal leftie

Datun · 26/03/2017 18:25

I have wavered over abortion for a number of years, largely because I think I had an emotional viewpoint rather than a rational one.

So when I was younger, I was pro, when I had children I became anti (because I saw potential become life), and as I've got older I've become pro again. But this is because I now see it as a feminist issue which I wasn't aware of before and if you take it to its logical conclusion, you cannot force a woman to bear a child she doesn't want to, no matter what.

That doesn't mean I take abortion lightly, quite the opposite. Which is why I believe sex education, contraception, the morning after pill, etc, is such a vital issue.

And yes, Shapiro is a bit of a smart Alec, but with regards to the trans issue he is confident pushing buttons, when most people, particularly men, aren't.

Datun · 26/03/2017 18:25

I'm just calling a transwoman sir gets them to threaten you with violence, then the more exposure the better.

MercyMyJewels · 26/03/2017 18:33

I agree Datun. I am fully Pro Choice although I don't believe I would have an abortion (never been in the situation so it's all theory though). And logically the baby has life from conception. But ultimately, is IS the woman's choice. It's an incredibly difficult subject

user1490125033 · 26/03/2017 18:55

However many points Shapiro might have in the way that a stopped clock sometimes tells the right time, he is an arsehole of the highest order. I know fems have always found themselves agreeing with the right on some issues - hell, I do myself sometimes - but we really should not be giving Breitbart fucks like this any more publicity than they already have.

Datun · 26/03/2017 18:58

It's an incredibly difficult subject

I completely agree. It's almost like there's no right answer.

Shapiro was emotively talking about aborting a baby who had come to term. I can't imagine anyone thinking that that was a good idea, unless the life of the mother was threatened.

I also don't believe men should have a bloody opinion, in all honesty.

And yes, I understand the misery involved in aborting a baby against the father's wishes.

As I said, there is no right answer. Just an answer that is less wrong than another one.

MercyMyJewels · 26/03/2017 19:01

Yep, totally agree

MercyMyJewels · 26/03/2017 19:04

User (please change your name)

At one time I would have agreed with you, but the Left have abandoned women with their right on so called progressive scripts that none can deviate from. I'll stand up for women and will take my allies where I can, thanks

user1490125033 · 26/03/2017 19:18

Left and Right are meaningless terms, as are conservative and liberal. Trump and goons like Shapiro are basically liberals, contrary to popular opinion - full of their own supposed rights and freedoms. Except while the hippies wanted freedom to protest against Vietnam, they want the freedom to call women dogs and Mexicans rapists. Edmund Burke would be whirring in his grave.

I prefer judging people not on they're purported political positions (which are basically just masks) but on what their agendas are. They're either people who want to contribute to meaningful debate, or they're self-serving, bigoted opportunists. Shapiro, Bannon, Farage, Hopkins, Milo and that entire shower of shit spewed up by internet troll culture are firmly in the latter camp.

And I'm happy as 'user'.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 26/03/2017 19:26

As I said, there is no right answer. Just an answer that is less wrong than another one

We seem to have drifted but I agree with you. I'm afraid I also think life does begin at conception. I am very uncomfortable at the distinctions made between "a cluster of cells" and "a feotus" and say the miscarriage of a "baby"

But there will be circumstances where abortion is the least worst option and where those circumstances might appear trivial to a 3rd party. I fully support pro-choice- my personal views on this are irrelevant.

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MercyMyJewels · 26/03/2017 19:31

Yes the cells argument is completely illogical Lass. Abortion is a horrible but necessary right for women

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 26/03/2017 21:40

So far as Shapiro, one either has to treat his opinion as sound or unsound. It is perfectly possible to agree with people on one issue and disagree completely on another.

Alternatively you can stick with an echo chamber validating opinion to the already converted. Shapiro made a well thought out attack on Meryl Streep's vacuous posturing at an awards ceremony. I bet her audience would not agree with Shapiro on trans issues.

user1490125033 · 27/03/2017 11:48

Fair point, but you've gotta draw the line somewhere. I mean, I'm sure there were features of Hitler's economic policy were quite good. Not going to claim him as an ally though.

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