I don’t care which side of the fence you’re on when it comes to health care reform in the U.S. or abortion rights in the U.S. or the place of either debate in the context of the other: shouting “baby killer” at anyone who doesn’t tow the hard pro-life line is stupid.

It’s stupid because it reduces the discussion to absurdities. It’s stupid because, in reducing the discussion to absurdities, it further precludes there being any possibility of reasonable, respectful discourse on matters pertaining to reproductive rights, freedoms and responsibilities. It’s stupid because it’s stupid.

Why can’t we all just speak nicely to one another? Discuss our differences of opinion without calling names? We demand it of our children – why do we not demand it of ourselves?