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Original poster

Repeal the 8th

891 replies

SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace · 10/04/2018 20:30

So DH and I are currently visiting my DF and DStepM in Southern Ireland (where I grew up).

Just answered the door to a couple who are looking for support in the referendum and wanted us to pledge that we would vote no.

No for context I am just 6 weeks away from giving birth to DC3 (so clearly very heavily pregnant) and they still had the audacity to argue with me when I said I didn't agree with them and I supported any woman's right to decide what happens to her body.

They started trying to show me pictures of 10 week old babies in the womb (not necessary obviously in the circumstances) and weren't pleased that I didn't agree with them given that I'm carrying a baby myself.

I'm sorry I don't really have an actual AIBU I just wanted to rant a bit and show support for the people who have to face this absolute shit every day until the referendum. We're going home to the UK on Thursday so I won't have it all thrown in my face anymore but I just think the guilt tripping is horrendous 😞

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DawnThePrawn2 · 24/05/2018 14:58

So when exactly did you sign up for the church to make those same decisions for you?

I am so baffled by people who think voting no means there will be no abortions - they happen everyday, right now. Women putting their health in danger by buying pills online, or who have to suffer the indignity of travelling abroad and paying for something they should be entitled to in their home country. I so wish I could emphatically vote YES and give Irish women back some control and dignity. It's an absolute disgrace, especially to the memory of women like Savita whose life mattered less than her non-viable pregnancy.

heateallthebuns · 24/05/2018 15:04

How is it by stealth? What is not open? The draft legislation has been published.

There is no way to legislate for 'difficult cases' while the 8th amendment is in place. Setting that aside, how would expect a rape victim to prove she was raped and have time to have an abortion within a 12 week limit exactly? The baby would be long born before any court case was concluded and many rape victims don't report the crime anyway.

MiggledyHiggins · 24/05/2018 15:10

Radyward, the yes campaign have been very strict on donations and their funding is very transparent. Same cannot be said for the No side and their vast amounts of funding from American groups.

Which ever way people are voting, it's our vote, our constitution and our referendum and lobby groups from other countries have no place in trying to influence the outcome here.

The voting on the intricacies comes after it's repealed - lobby your TD to get the draft wording changed. There can be no vote on legislation or it's nuances if that legislation is in breach of our constitution therefore the amendment to the constitution needs to be removed for that to happen.

It's worth noting that abortion in Ireland will still remain illegal after the 8th is repealed - just as it was illegal prior to 1983. Removing the 8th won't change that.

The draft legislation will still subject to change and debate.

And we have abortion in our country - except it's via a plane or boat ride, or an internet pill.

The proposed service will be GP led for cases up to 12 weeks, and after that on a case by case basis of medical need in existing maternity care exactly like they are now - for the women who choose to carry to term that is.

DrMantisToboggan · 24/05/2018 15:12

I did not sign up for a democracy which passes decision making on to an oireachtas committee to decide the ins and outs on my behalf.

The legislation is being introduced the same way as any other piece of legislation. It is not being passed by the Oireachtas Committee, it will be introduced by the government to the Dáil, be debated, and will need to receive the necessary votes there.

You are wrong if you are trying to suggest that this constitutes some kind of democratic deficit; if anything, it’s bringing democracy and debate to an area of women’s rights which has been totally closed off to normal democratic structures for the past 35 years.

BakedBeans47 · 24/05/2018 15:20

I’m not in Ireland, but I really hope that yes prevails tomorrow x

Apileofballyhoo · 24/05/2018 15:33

DH and I are so angry and upset. Desperate for a Yes tomorrow.

Boysmomma · 24/05/2018 16:42

I'm so cross, the campaigners for both sides are out in force today. Last day before voting. And of course I had it out with a No Voter. The sheer pigheadedness and lies from them is something else!

They kept saying the 8th never affected or killed anyone, that it's all propaganda, that anyone who votes yes is saying it's ok to kill babies, no one is saying that! This affects fertility treatment, health care, pregnancies, it affects every aspect of a woman's healthcare while she is of childbearing age. This vote is about choice, a personal choice, that the women of this country have been denied for a very very long time.

I don't think I have ever had a rage like this!

Apileofballyhoo · 24/05/2018 17:03

I know, Boysmomma. I'm going between raging, fear of a no and being on the verge of tears when I think of how women are treated and have been treated. I am so incredibly angry at pro-lifers.

TheEagle · 24/05/2018 19:26

Nothing is being done “by stealth” Confused

Irish women have abortions; they just have them in other countries.

Give women the choice. Let us decide what happens to our own bodies.

NotLinkedIn · 24/05/2018 19:34

sympathies boysmomma, my BOSS is a no voter and I have said way more than I should have said. (for the sake of my job I mean).

HulaMelody · 24/05/2018 19:37

My friend who lives in Ireland thinks it’s a ploy by ‘the Shinners’ to gain more votes. Angry
I have a feeling she will vote no. I want to give her such a shake. If I lived in Ireland at the time of my (complicated) ectopic pregnancy I would be dead - she just wouldn’t see it like that.

NotLinkedIn · 24/05/2018 19:38

I was delighted to see One Family's statement on facebook earlier.

They are the organisation for supporting one parent families for anybody who isn't a one parent family and who mightn't know that. They'd been contacted by a No campaigning crowd to be the voice for No on behalf of single parents who are voting No and One Parent said...''one family rejects the sudden concerns to support single parents from the No side. Overall we have found those same people and organisations to be engaged in practices and communications that undermine single parents. Our experience has been overwhelmingly that pro-life concerns ends at birth''.

Brilliant. Thank Goodness.

BrandNewHouse · 24/05/2018 19:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotLinkedIn · 24/05/2018 19:54

Does anybody know how 'close' it was in 1983. Was it overwhelmingly no?

DrMantisToboggan · 24/05/2018 20:08

60odd% to 30odd% I think, but on quite a low turnout (possibly around 55/56%?)

Boysmomma · 24/05/2018 20:14

I understand there wasn't a massive turn out the church was VERY outspoken. Not sure if it was close though.

I just could never get my head around these people. It's happening already, fucking make it safe!

TheEagle · 24/05/2018 20:39

This is the information on Wikipedia re: 1983

Repeal the 8th
Poodles1980 · 24/05/2018 20:43

8 months pregnant here. Got given out to by some aul bag on the dart (train) this morning because she said my yes badge made me a hypocrite. The rage I felt was so strong.

HughLauriesStubble · 25/05/2018 08:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

heateallthebuns · 25/05/2018 08:47

Poodles - what did you say to her?

heateallthebuns · 25/05/2018 08:49

Hugh - I don't think I've seen any no posts on Facebook - still seeing love both adverts though? I thought they were banned. But then lm worried that it's just because everyone I know is pro choice, and there'll be a surprise no like trump and brexit.

Dulra · 25/05/2018 08:56

Fingers toes everything crossed today. Feeling slightly deflated this morning though my brother just informed me that my parents (who I assumed were yes voters) have been out canvassing for no Sad I hope they have been getting a right earful on the doorstep Grin

Not sure I will be able to take the stress of the count tomorrow, may switch all electronic devices off until result announced

Katiepoes · 25/05/2018 11:44

With you on that one Dulra. I am torturing myself reading updates that still don't really mean anything, I'll be like a bag of cats until Yes calls it. Which they have to, the alternative is too vile a thought to bear.

WhirlwindHugs · 25/05/2018 11:57

When is the result expected? My friend so very nearly died of sepsis so have been crying a lot this week with all the stories of women left to show signs before having their miscarried feotus' medically managed.

So behind every damn one of you and everything crossed it all goes through. Twitter is having a GDPR hissy fit so I can't follow #hometovote anymore!

AngeloMysterioso · 25/05/2018 12:00

Everyone in my family who lives overseas but is eligible has flown back to Cork to vote Yes, and those who are in Ireland are probably sick of the sound of my voice- been having conversations with everyone about it! Think I managed to sway a few fence-sitters into voting Yes... not sure there's any No voters amongst us at all.

A lot of my expat family members have if the No vote prevails they probably won't ever move back home.

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