The Wisconsin State Journal takes an editorial swipe at Silent No More:

Organizers of an anti-abortion rally today at the Capitol promise to be "Silent No More" - but want to gag media instead.

At the rally, women who regret having abortions plan to speak about their experience - on the condition that no names or photographs were used by media.

Wait - doesn't the anti-abortion movement take pictures of women entering abortion clinics and then post them on the Internet, in order to shame and publicly humiliate women who've had abortions?

Yes, some anti-abortion groups used such tactics - and a few may still. But most have abandoned the practice after one virulently anti-abortion web site, the Nuremberg Files, was hit with a multi-million-dollar verdict for publicizing the names and photographs of abortion providers.

NOEL, the national sponsor of the "Silent No More" rallies and founded by men and women from the Episcopal Church, says it doesn't condone those right-to-life groups that commit acts of violence or intimidation near abortion clinics. NOEL's mission is to alert women to the possible negative after-effects of abortion, including "emotional, spiritual and physical consequences."

Still, it seems hypocritical for someone to want to speak publicly about so private a matter - and then request anonymity.

"Silent No More" would have greater credibility if its speakers had the courage of their convictions.


Does this sound bitter and reactionary, or is that just me? It'll be interesting to see if anyone from the paper attended the event.