Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site umich.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!bellcore!petrus!sabre!zeta!epsilon!mb2c!umich!torek
From: torek@umich.UUCP (Paul V. Torek )
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Remember the rules -- there ARE no rules!
Message-ID: <248@umich.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 25-Sep-85 14:20:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: umich.248
Posted: Wed Sep 25 14:20:53 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Sep-85 08:07:16 EDT
References: <429@cmu-cs-spice.ARPA> <1546@pyuxd.UUCP> <1571@brl-tgr.ARPA> <690@ihu1m.UUCP>
Reply-To: torek@umich.UUCP (Paul V. Torek )
Organization: University of Michigan, EECS Dept., Ann Arbor, MI
Lines: 24
Keywords: TINSTAABOP
Summary: There Is No Such Thing As A Burden Of Proof (TINSTAABOP)

In article <690@ihu1m.UUCP> jho@ihu1m.UUCP (Yosi Hoshen) writes:
>[ROSENBLATT] got it right.  The abortion issue is a clash between two sets
>of moral values.  However, I think the positions of the pro-lifers and
>pro-choicers are asymmetrical.  Whereas the anti-abortionist are trying
>to impose their moral code on the pro-choice side, the pro-choice side
>does not attempt to coerce the other side to conform to its moral code.

This reminds me of the hokum a few months back about the "burden of proof"
being on those who would deviate from a pure pro-choice Party Line.  Since
I missed my chance to dump on it then, allow me the satisfaction now...

There is no such thing as a "burden of proof" in the usual sense.  There
is only the "practical burden of proof" that everyone bears who tries to
convince anyone else to change her mind.  In other words:  the burden of 
proof is always on the speaker, never on the listener; it shifts from side
to side depending on who is on the defensive.  And if -- as some netters 
seem to be hinting lately -- either or both sides declare that attempts to
convince will be ineffective --

THEY HAVE DECLARED THAT THE ISSUE SHALL BE RESOLVED BY FORCE!  And if they
express shock at the other side's responding with political/legislative 
muscle, they're either liars or fools.

Revenge of the Iconoclast, Paul V Torek			torek@umich


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com