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Over the course of the last week, Twitter users have been circulating a series of tweets composed by writer Patrick S. Tomlinson, which addresses President Trump's intentions around women's reproductive rights in the United States.

With pro-choice / pro-life discussion intensifying amid the President's recent attempts to halt funding to Planned Parenthood, Patrick decided to add his voice to the conversation by posing a question which he feels stumps most ant-abortionists.

The series of tweets, which presents a 'simple scenario' to his followers has amassed tens of thousands of likes so far, but, unsurprisingly, it hasn't been without its critics.

Patrick begins: "Whenever abortion comes up, I have a question I've been asking for ten years now of the "Life begins at Conception" crowd. In ten years, no one has EVER answered it honestly."

"It's a simple scenario with two outcomes. No one ever wants to pick one, because the correct answer destroys their argument. And there IS a correct answer, which is why the pro-life crowd hates the question," he continued.

"Here it is. You're in a fertility clinic. Why isn't important. The fire alarm goes off. You run for the exit. As you run down this hallway, you hear a child screaming from behind a door. You throw open the door and find a five-year-old child crying for help."

"They're in one corner of the room. In the other corner, you spot a frozen container labelled "1000 Viable Human Embryos." The smoke is rising. You start to choke. You know you can grab one or the other, but not both before you succumb to smoke inhalation and die, saving no one."

Posing a question to the public, he continued: " Do you A) save the child, or B) save the thousand embryos? There is no "C." "C" means you all die. In a decade of arguing with anti-abortion people about the definition of human life, I have never gotten a single straight A or B answer to this question. And I never will."

Providing an insight into his past experience when posing the question,  Patrick explained: "They will never answer honestly, because we all instinctively understand the right answer is "A." A human child is worth more than a thousand embryos. Or ten thousand. Or a million. Because they are not the same, not morally, not ethically, not biologically."

"This question absolutely evicerates their arguments, and their refusal to answer confirms that they know it to be true. No one, anywhere, actually believes an embryo is equivalent to a child. That person does not exist. They are lying to you".(sic)

"They are lying to you to try and evoke an emotional response, a paternal response, using false-equivalency. No one believes life begins at conception. No one believes embryos are babies, or children. Those who claim to are trying to manipulate you so they can control women."

"Don't let them. Use this question to call them out. Reveal them for what they are. Demand they answer your question, and when they don't, slap that big ol' Scarlet P of the Patriarchy on them. The end."

Like most discussions around this highly contentious issue, opinion is divided, with many pouring scorn on the proposed scenario.

"Oh don't be silly. Nobody is asking anybody to kill a child in place of an embryo. They're asking you to allow the embryo become a child," wrote one

Another added: "You are asking a question like Sophie's Choice. Both are life, both are worth saving. I don't see your question as defining when life begins."

What are your thoughts?

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Earlier this week, Big Bang Theory star, Mayim Bialik, found herself the subject of intense criticism after an op-ed she penned for The New York Times appeared to suggest survivors of sexual assault were in some way responsible for the crimes committed against them.

While the 41-year-old actress did acknowledge the inherent misogyny and sexism within the entertainment industry, she suggested women could challenge it by behaving and addressing in certain ways.

"I still make choices every day as a 41-year-old actress that I think of as self-protecting and wise," she wrote. "I have decided that my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with. I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy."

Unsurprisingly, the public were quick to point out the flaws with such an argument  – criticism which appeared to strike a chord with the actress.

Taking to Twitter yesterday, she issued an apology, and attempted to clarify her original points.

"I want to addess my op-ed in the NY Times, and the reaction to it. Let me say clearly and explivitly that I am very sorry," she wrote.

"What you wear and how you behave does not provide any protection from assault, nor does the way you dress or act in any way make you responsible for being assaulted."

Turning her attention to the women who have recently shared their own stories of assault and harrassment, Mayim wrote: "I appluad the bravery of the women who have come forward."

"I support these women as we seek out and demand accountability from the only ones responsible for assault and rape; the people who perpretrate these heinous crimes. I am motivated and driven to work hard to empower women."

Concluding her statement with a sincere apology, she added: "I am truly sorry for causing so much pain, and I hope you can all forgive me."

The post has been met with a mixed response from Twitter users – some of whom felt an apology wasn't necessary and others who thanked the star for taking the time to consider the impact of her words.

"Much respect to you for acknowledging a mistake and apologising. None of us will get it right all the time," wrote one while another asked: "Why are you apologizing for people taking ur words out of context? I read it, u did nothing wrong." (sic)

Oh, and one more thing while we have you! Don't forget that you can catch up on all your favourite shows for free for a month right here, so sign up now!

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Earlier this week, the #MeToo hashtag began circulating online, providing survivors of sexual assault and harassment with a platform to share their respective stories.

And while opinion has differed on its implications – with some citing its positive impact and others acknowledging its triggering potential – the majority have questioned why men don't have a hashtag relating to rape culture.

The thing is, they do.

While not circulating as widely as #MeToo, men around the world have been contributing to the #HowIWillChange conversation in an effort to support women against harassment, assault and rape.

And here are just a few examples.

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Lena Headey is the latest in a long list of women who has chosen to speak out against Harvey Weinstein in recent weeks.

Taking to Twitter this afternoon, the Game of Thrones actress revealed that she was propositioned by the movie mogul twice over the course of her career – exchanges which put her 'on high alert' and left her feeling 'completely powerless'.

In a series of tweets, the actress recalls her first meeting with Weinstein, explaining that she was at the Venice Film Festival when he made a suggestive comment.

"I just laughed it off. I was genuinely shocked, I remember thinking 'it's got to be a joke', I said something like 'oh come on mate, it'd be like kissing my dad! Let's go get a drink, get back to the others'."

Lena feels her rejection of Weinstein in that moment had an impact on her career, writing: "I was never in any other Miramax films."

The 44-year-old actress goes on to outline the next incident which involved Weinstein.

Assuming her initial rejection meant he was unlikely to make a second advance towards her, Lena found herself stunned when she met him for breakfast and was cajoled up to his bedroom.

"I'm not interested in anything other than work, please don't think I got in [the lift] with you for any other reason," she told him.

"He was silent after I spoke, furious," Lena remembers in her tweet. "His hand was on my back, he was marching me forward, not a word, I felt completely powerless."

"He tried his keycard and it didn't work. The he got really angry," she recalls.

After marching her out to the car park, Lena recalls Weinstein telling her not to tell her manager or agent about their exhange.

"I got into my car and I cried," she wrote.

Lena has been inundated with siupport since she decided to share her story with fans and followers, with one Twitter user writing: "This is heartbreaking. You didn’t deserve this. No woman deserves this."

Oh, and one more thing while we have you! Do't forget that you can catch up on all your favourite shows for free for a month right here, so sign up now!
 

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Victims of sexual abuse have taken to Twitter today in a campaign that hopes to demonstrate the scale and severity of the issue at hand. 

It comes after allegations made against the famed producer, Harvey Weinstein, sent shock waves through the entertainment industry, prompting men and women all over the world to come forward and tell their stories. 

As the conversation around sexual abuse and harassment remains more open than ever, actress Alyssa Milano has created a platform for victims to come forward in a show of solidarity. 

Tweeting yesterday, the star asked any of her followers who had experienced sexual harassment or assault to tweet out two simple words – 'Me too'.

Responses came flooding in almost immediately, with big names such as Lady GaGa and Debra Messing showing support. 

Here are just some of the stories from brave victims who have spoken out today:

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Members of the public and high-profile names in the entertainment industry have taken to Twitter this afternoon to pay tribute to Irish comic, Sean Hughes, following his death earlier today.

The 51-year-old, who grew up in Firhouse Co  Dublin, was a star of both stage and screen, but was perhaps best known for his appearances on BBC's Never Mind The Buzzcocks and ITV's Coronation Street.

According to Sean's management team, the hugely popular actor, writer and comic died after suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.

Sean, who was recenty transferred to north London's Whittington Hospital, was one of the youngest ever comics to be awarded the prestigious Perrier Award back in 1990, and his passing has sent shockwaves throughout the industry this afternoon.

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It may have only made its debut on Friday, but the latest offering from Netflix has already set Twitter ablaze.

Directed by David Fincher, the man who brought us Seven, Gone Girl and House of Cards, Mindhunter has captured the imaginations of millions so far.

With just ten episodes in the first season, it seems Twitter users have spent the entire weekend bingeing on the American crime drama which focuses on two FBI Agents and their determination to get inside the minds of the country's most deranged murderers.

While we're already absolutely obsessed here at SHEmazing HQ, don't take our words for it, just have a look at what Twitter has to say on the matter instead.

And finally, the tweet which sums up this writer's opinion of it…

 

 

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Us Irish don't really cope well with emergencies, now do we?

As the country braces itself for extreme winds and heavey rainfall, courtesy of ex-hurricane Ophelia, the Twitter folk of Ireland have done what they do best – make a complete joke out of a serious situation. 

But seriously, who needs actual hurricane prep when we can laugh at memes instead? 

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Today is World Mental Health Day, and in an effort to raise awareness of the it, Twitter users have been sharing their own thoughts and experiences with mental health and psychiatric illness.

From offering advice on navigating periods of illness to sharing insights on the importance of tackling the issue in the workplace, Twitter users have been vocal, and will continue to be so throughout the day.

Removing the stigma of mental health issues is the name of the game, and Twitter is on top of it.

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Last week, King Salman issued a decree that women would finally be able to drive in Saudi Arabia – but not everyone is happy about the.

In celebration of the announcement, one man took to Twitter to share a joyful selfie of him teaching his wife how to drive in an empty car park.

The Tweet translates to: “I started teaching my wife ow to drive in one of the private parking spaces in a safe and legal way, preparing for the law to take effect.”

However, what should have been a happy memory for the couple has been spoiled by the mixed reaction the photo received.

One Twitter user by the name of Bderr1992 wrote: “Don't you feel embarrassed or protective of her when posting her picture? Shame on you.”

Speaking to the BBC, Faisal explained how he and his wife had been “waiting patiently” for the controversial driving ban to be lifted, and was hoping that his photo might encourage other men to teach their female relatives how to drive.

Many women had a positive response to the photo with one user commenting: "Tomorrow, my son Azzam will teach me how to drive."

The new law will come into effect from June 2018, though in the meantime, Fasial has said he want to inspire female drivers to train in a legal and safe way.

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US rapper Nelly has taken to Twitter to protest his innocence after he was accused of raping a woman on his tour bus.

The singer, real name Cornell Haynes, said he is “beyond shocked” following his arrest in the early hours of Saturday morning, insisting he is a “victim of a false allegation.”

Police in Washington said they received a call from a woman at 3.48am on Saturday “to report that she was sexually assaulted by a male, who is known as the rapper Nelly”.

“The alleged assault was reported to occur on the tour bus that was parked at the listed location. Nelly had performed at the White River Amphitheatre just hours before.”

“After Patrol Officers investigated the incident, at 4.37am Nelly was taken into custody.”

Nelly has been released without charge while officers continue to investigate the claims.

He was in the middle of his US tour and had been due to perform in Dublin's Vicar Street on November 20 and 21.

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Being a woman on the internet can be stressful at times, thanks to the onslaught of unsolicited dick pics many women have to deal with. 

Whether it's in your Instagram DMs, from an unknown Snapchat account or even emailed to you, there is nothing quite so confronting as seeing the peen of a stranger in high definition on your screen, especially when you didn't ask for it. 

It's offensive, upsetting and disturbing, and one Twitter user, Maura Quint, reported this issue to Twitter after receiving three dick pics from three accounts run by the same person. 

According to Maura: 'A guy just created three accounts with the same name and same avatar, @'d and dm'd me the same dick pic from each account.'

'Reported all three, got three different replies.'

Maura then published screenshots of Twitter's responses to her report. 

One said that the account had been locked because of the unsolicited penis pic.

'We have reviewed the account you reported and have locked it because we found it to be in violation of the Twitter Rules,' said Twitter in the first response.

However, another said that the accounts were not in violation of the Twitter community guidelines. 

'We reviewed your report carefully and found that there was no violation of Twitter's Rules regarding abusive behaviour,'

'We’re now taking action on 10x the number of abusive accounts every day compared to the same time last year,' Ed Ho, Twitter's consumer product and engineering manager, in a recent blog post. 

'We also now limit account functionality or place suspensions on thousands more abusive accounts each day.'

This poses the question: How does Twitter decide what is or isn't offensive, when it seems the site itself can't agree?

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