Jesse Helms compares abortion to 9/11 and the Holocaust

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050829/ap_on_go_co/helms_memoir_1

[Gabu]

Well, if you accept the idea that abortion is entirely equivalent to murder, then this comparison is perfectly valid.

The issue is that, once again, it's missing what the actual debate over abortion is.

[AuH2O]

What exactly is the problem with what he said?

If you believe abortion is murder, then if you do NOT think it's a 'holocaust,' you obviously are inconsistent in your position.

Helms was actually being politically correct. Given the numbers, abortion is actually many degrees worse than 9/11 and substantially worse than "The Holocaust."

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I find it rather interesting how you put quotes around "The Holocaust"

[Emsworth]

I find it rather interesting how you put quotes around "The Holocaust"

Maybe it's because, technically, "holocaust" is a common noun. Of course, most commonly "The Holocaust" refers to the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, but the word "holocaust" can refer to other events as well.

[AuH2O]

Quick, name all the capitalized words or phrases used to describe the persecution of a group of people (wars do not count, even civil wars, since they are only capitalized by virtue of being a war).

Holocaust is one, give me some more.

[opebo]

Quick, name all the capitalized words or phrases used to describe the persecution of a group of people (wars do not count, even civil wars, since they are only capitalized by virtue of being a war).

Holocaust is one, give me some more.

Trail of Tears?

Anyway, I didn't know Helms was still alive. 

[AuH2O]

That's a good one opebo, but there are more out there!

[The Dowager Mod]

I thought the old scumbag was dead.

[Democratic Hawk]

I only agree with abortions when a matter of medical or psychological necessity. I strongly oppose abortions "on demand" but I wouldn't equate abortions with the Holocaust or 9/11

Dave

[© tweed]

That's a good one opebo, but there are more out there!

Rwandan Genocide?

[AuH2O]

Nope, don't think that counts. It is the Rwandan genocide, lowercase.

And, actually, I was wrong to credit opebo with "trail of tears." It is not in the dictionary as a proper noun-- it's just an expression.

The only two I can find are the Holocaust and the Inquisition-- in both cases, the victims being Jews. Funny that in the rather violent history of mankind, so rare would persecution be treated with such respect. Unless the victims are Jews, of course.

[minionofmidas]

The only two I can find are the Holocaust and the Inquisition-- in both cases, the victims being Jews. Funny that in the rather violent history of mankind, so rare would persecution be treated with such respect. Unless the victims are Jews, of course.

Er...the inquisition's victims were Christian heretics (including jewish Pseudochristians in Spain, I know)

Anyways, here's another one: Shoah.

[© tweed]

Wikipedia says both 'Rwandan Genocide' and 'Rwandan genocide' in a span of two sentences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide

[minionofmidas]

Wikipedia says both 'Rwandan Genocide' and 'Rwandan genocide' in a span of two sentences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide

That's hardly an authoritative source though.

[A18]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050829/ap_on_go_co/helms_memoir_1

Um, so? Abortion has certainly killed more people than 9/11, and is probably quickly approaching the Holocaust.

[© tweed]

Wikipedia says both 'Rwandan Genocide' and 'Rwandan genocide' in a span of two sentences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide

That's hardly an authoritative source though.

The point is, it can be found both ways in many different places.

[12th Doctor]

I don;t see any problem with his statement.

[Jake]

In the Holocaust the murdered massive numbers of people and abortion has done the same thing. Looks like he's spot on in his comparison.

[minionofmidas]

In the Holocaust the murdered massive numbers of people and abortion has done the same thing. Looks like he's spot on in his comparison.

If you think "abortion" has done or could possibly have done anything, you're obviously brainwashed out of your senses...but then who am I talking to...
Abortions have always existed. ALWAYS. The Holocaust was a one-off (though people killing each other for no good reason was not.) THAT is why  the comparison is as flawed as the one between Ted Bundy and my Felafel sandwich.

[Jake]

Fine, if you want to get specific, abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade is like the Holocaust.

[minionofmidas]

Better but no cigar.

[A18]

They're both examples of extreme disregard for life. That's all Helms is saying.

[AuH2O]

Sometimes words can become proper over time, but as of now Rwandan genocide is NOT proper, whatever wiki says. And frankly I doubt it ever will be.

The Inquisition is a little different from the Holocaust in that the Spanish themselves actually called it that from what I've seen-- however, the Spanish Inquisition is the modern form, and that is clearly negative.

The rise in abortions since Roe could easily be called The Massacre or The Horror or whatever else.