By Rita McInerney

Between 15 and 20 men and women picketed outside CNN Center on Friday morning, July 14, to register their outrage at remarks made by Ted Turner characterizing pro-life advocates as “bozos” and “idiots.”

The remarks were reported by Associated Press after the cable television tycoon addressed a gathering of television critics and writers at the National Cable Forum in Century City, Calif., earlier in the week. He was speaking of plans to broadcast an abortion program with a pro-choice angle.

“We’ll give the other bozos a chance to talk back,” he said of a debate to follow a film “Abortion: For Survival” on the July 20 program on TBS. “They look like idiots anyway.”

The debate following the showing of the film will feature two pro-choice and two pro-life panelists. The program was produced by the Fund for the Feminist Majority and is being aired under the auspices of the Better World Society. Turner is chairman of that group.

The protest at the CNN Center was organized by Georgia Right to Life. Mary Boyert, executive director, said, “We intend to let Mr. Turner know that we are opposed to blatantly biased programming such as this,” in a statement distributed to the press July 14. “The least they could have done was to show a film such as ‘Eclipse of Reason,’ to balance out the issue.” (This new pro-life film produced by Dr. Bernard Nathanson, ex-abortionist, shows the actual results of a 24-week abortion.)

“Abortion is no joke. Babies are dying. It doesn’t take much brains to know that. Ted Turner has thrown down the gauntlet and we intend to fight. We’ll protest at CNN today but the real fight will take place under the Gold Dome.”

She was referring to the Georgia General Assembly which will take up the abortion issue during its next regular session in January.

Turner, in his comments at the forum said, “You bet your bippy we’re taking a position,” but criticized pro-life advocates for trying to impose their views on others, according to the AP story.

Demonstrators outside the CNN Center walked quietly back and forth, pausing when approached by television and print reporters. There were no confrontations with counter demonstrators or curious bystanders. A woman created a flurry of interest among the television reporters and cameramen when she sauntered through the picket line calling out “I’m pro-choice.”

Picketers ranged from children to elderly, young mothers and fathers, a veteran of Operation Rescue arrests and his wife, longtime pro-life activists and several supporters on the picket line for the first time.

Marina Bromley was there as a member of the Gwinnett county Right To Life. Beside her, carrying a sign, was her daughter, Melissa, four. Mrs. Bromley said she found Turner’s remarks “obnoxious and slanderous.” It was upsetting to her that he would abuse the power of the press in this manner. “That’s not what freedom of the press was intended for in the U.S. today,” she commented.

Clint Day, of Norcross, was there because he is interested in helping “to keep mothers from killing their babies.” He said he is involved with Project Common Sense, a coalition of pro-life organizations from across the state, because it is important for the groups to “find out where we can agree on certain issues.” He is a member of the North Lanier Baptist Church in Cumming.

“I’d rather have him say that than not say so,” said Nick O’Connor, parishioner at Christ the King. “If he’s biased. I’d prefer to know that.”

Activist Sheila Mallon said, “If you’re going to rate clowns on a scale of 1 to 10. Turner is an 11.” She said her first inclination was to ignore his comments but decided that “It was better to let people know” how uninformed and naïve they are.

Tom Fennelly, a member of the pro-life committee at St. Joseph’s parish in Marietta, called the remarks an “insult to the intelligence of the viewers.” This was his first time on the picket line. “The best thing we can do is pray,” he said over his shoulder as he continued to walk up and down his sign.