Jilted ex-boyfriend puts up abortion billboard

[printerati]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/news...nclick_check=1

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. – A New Mexico man's decision to lash out with a billboard ad saying his ex-girlfriend had an abortion against his wishes has touched off a legal debate over free speech and privacy rights.

The sign on Alamogordo's main thoroughfare shows 35-year-old Greg Fultz holding the outline of an infant. The text reads, "This Would Have Been A Picture Of My 2-Month Old Baby If The Mother Had Decided To Not KILL Our Child!"

Fultz's ex-girlfriend has taken him to court for harassment and violation of privacy. A domestic court official has recommended the billboard be removed.

But Fultz's attorney argues the order violates his client's free speech rights.
"As distasteful and offensive as the sign may be to some, for over 200 years in this country the First Amendment protects distasteful and offensive speech," Todd Holmes said.

The woman's friends say she had a miscarriage, not an abortion, according to a report in the Albuquerque Journal.

Holmes disputes that, saying his case is based on the accuracy of his client's statement.

"My argument is: What Fultz said is the truth," Holmes said.

The woman's lawyer said she had not discussed the pregnancy with her client. But for Ellen Jessen, whether her client had a miscarriage or an abortion is not the point. The central issue is her client's privacy and the fact that the billboard has caused severe emotional distress, Jessen said.

"Her private life is not a matter of public interest," she told the Alamogordo Daily News.

Jessen says her client's ex-boyfriend has crossed the line.

"Nobody is stopping him from talking about father's rights. ... but a person can't invade someone's private life."

For his part, Holmes invoked the U.S. Supreme Court decision from earlier this year concerning the Westboro Baptist Church, which is known for its anti-gay protests at military funerals and other high-profile events. He believes the high court's decision to allow the protests, as hurtful as they are, is grounds for his client to put up the abortion billboard.

"Very unpopular offensive speech," he told the Alamogordo Daily News. "The Supreme Court, in an 8 to 1 decision, said that is protected speech."

Holmes says he is going to fight the order to remove the billboard through a District Court appeal.

I figured I would put this in here, since it will likely end up in here anyway. As far as privacy rights go, does it matter that the woman has not been identified on the billboard in any way? (I have yet to see her mentioned by name in any sort of news coverage, too.)

[OldDude]

Originally Posted by printerati

http://www.contracostatimes.com/news...nclick_check=1



I figured I would put this in here, since it will likely end up in here anyway. As far as privacy rights go, does it matter that the woman has not been identified on the billboard in any way? (I have yet to see her mentioned by name in any sort of news coverage, too.)

Had the woman been identified, it would have been slam-dunk invasion of privacy. Since she wasn't, we have to crowd all the lawyers onto the head of a pin and let them dance.

[dan30oly]

She's not named = no violation of her rights.

[Goat3001]

Originally Posted by dan30oly

She's not named = no violation of her rights.

Agreed.

Also, from the looks of the guy, I think it's best he doesn't breed.

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by OldDude

Had the woman been identified, it would have been slam-dunk invasion of privacy.

Although, judging by the photo, we do know she is black.

[kstublen]

I imagine this was his way of telling everyone who made fun of him in high school that he finally got laid.

[nevermind]

Originally Posted by Jaymole

Although, judging by the photo, we do know she is black.

[Larry C.]

Wait that guy in the ad is 35???

[Josh-da-man]

Originally Posted by Larry C.

Wait that guy in the ad is 35???

Wait... that's a guy?

"He" looks like a 55 year-old woman sporting a femullet.

I thought it was supposed to be the fetus' grandmother or something.

[kvrdave]

Hell, he isn't even named. The lawsuit will let more people know who the parties are than any billboard ever would.

[Groucho]

Originally Posted by kstublen

I imagine this was his way of telling everyone who made fun of him in high school that he finally got laid.

I'm still not convinced.

[arminius]

Originally Posted by Groucho

I'm still not convinced.

You don't believe your own billboard?

[Vibiana]

So what? For every guy like him there are a hundred women who could put up a billboard with an outline of their baby daddy who never sends child support or comes to see the kid. Wouldn't the highways look great then?

[The Cow]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

So what? For every guy like him there are a hundred women who could put up a billboard with an outline of their baby daddy who never sends child support or comes to see the kid. Wouldn't the highways look great then?

Billboard or it didn't happen.

[Mabuse]

Freedom to abort!
Freedom to put up retarded billboards!

I love American. All freedom-y and shit.

[BKenn01]

Originally Posted by Mabuse

Freedom to abort!
Freedom to put up retarded billboards!

I love American. All freedom-y and shit.

But not really.....

[kstublen]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

So what? For every guy like him there are a hundred women who could put up a billboard with an outline of their baby daddy who never sends child support or comes to see the kid. Wouldn't the highways look great then?

So in your mind, having an abortion is the equivalent of failing to pay child support?

[Vibiana]

Originally Posted by kstublen

So in your mind, having an abortion is the equivalent of failing to pay child support?

No. Only pointing out that fewer deadbeat dads might lead to fewer abortions. Women pay attention to this kind of thing, you know.

[Josh-da-man]

Originally Posted by Groucho

I'm still not convinced.

"Have you ever noticed that the people who are against abortion are people you wouldn't want to fuck in the first place?"

II George Carlin 3:16

[kvrdave]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

No. Only pointing out that fewer deadbeat dads might lead to fewer abortions. Women pay attention to this kind of thing, you know.

Chicken before the egg. I do know. Women would quit killing babies if there was a financial incentive. Hmmmm.

[PopcornTreeCt]

Douchebag. I say shoot-em, most dangerous game style.

[kstublen]

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

Douchebag. I say shoot-em, most dangerous game style.

From the looks of that guy, I don't think it's fair to say that man is the most dangerous game anymore.

[DVD Polizei]

Considering the fugly daddy-would-have-been, the abortion was self-defense. Smart mother. We all make mistakes, baby.

[Vibiana]

Originally Posted by kvrdoris

Chicken before the egg. I do know. Women would quit killing babies if there was a financial incentive. Hmmmm.

No, some women would not choose abortion if men showed more willingness to take responsibility for the children they father. For what it's worth, I think women who get pregnant out of wedlock should be prepared to go it alone. And men who really want to be daddies should marry the woman before getting her pregnant.

[PopcornTreeCt]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

No, some women would not choose abortion if men showed more willingness to take responsibility for the children they father. For what it's worth, I think women who get pregnant out of wedlock should be prepared to go it alone. And men who really want to be daddies should marry the woman before getting her pregnant.

What is this the 1950's?