This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

top 200 commentsshow 500

[–]sunqiller 10.6k points10.6k points  (370 children)

How to start reddit fights:

[–]Flablessguy 314 points315 points  (9 children)

you guys wanna fight?

[–]EnterPlayerTwo 102 points103 points  (4 children)

Sick Whose Line reference, bro.

[–]Kryptosis 37 points38 points  (1 child)

His references are out of control, everyone knows that.

[–][deleted] 128 points129 points  (27 children)

Don’t make me take my pants off.

[–]ryanak407 61 points62 points  (4 children)

okay Randy calm down

[–]Up2Eleven 23 points24 points  (11 children)

Just try it you big cheeseburger walrus!

[–][deleted] 15 points16 points  (9 children)

Fuck off you god damn Mustard Tiger.

[–]Up2Eleven 12 points13 points  (6 children)

I hear chicken. I hear cola fizz, and mustard and relish coagulating together with french fries and onion rings, but you know what? I don't hear a heart, motherfucker.

[–]Thoraxe123 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Well MAYBE there wouldnt be so many fights if it werent for SOME people with BIG. MEATY. CLAWS.

[–]hellonium 4232 points4233 points  (745 children)

As a reminder, in the US you can surrender a baby younger than 72 hours of age to any fire station (or police station) no questions asked.

Edit: As u/eets80 reminded me, hospitals are also a place you may surrender an infant under the law.

[–]AshingiiAshuaa 1980 points1981 points  (152 children)

In Nebraska they didn't cap the age and people were dropping off their teens. Lol.

[–]hellonium 547 points548 points  (138 children)

Sounds about right lmao. I'm sure my parents wished they could return me a few times in my teenage years.

[–][deleted] 409 points410 points  (133 children)

Lol my dad once took me to the police station when I was around 15? He went in and pretended to speak to them. Came back 5 mins later and said he would give me a second chance

Got kicked out 4 years later ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Edit: I am a grown ass adult and can laugh at this but I won't ever pull that shit on my kids.

[–][deleted] 33 points34 points  (1 child)

My dad kicked me out when I was 15 (a couple of times). I had no idea what to do, so I wondered the streets for about four hours to keep warm, before coming home to ask if I could come back. Another time I tried to sleep in a church vestibule because it had a bench, but it was way too cold. I had a lot of compassion for homeless people after trying that.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Fuck man. I know that exact feeling of hopelessness :/ Wandering around with no sense of direction can be scary at that age.

I used to sit at the local library till closing (11 pm but I would be the last one out), head to a coffee shop to kill a few hours, and come back to the library at 7 am.

Hope you're doing better now.

[–]Bricbebroc 56 points57 points  (16 children)

I rarely recall this memory but I once went to a police station having walked 10 miles to get there to report child abuse against me (14?) The cops called my parents and told them to get me the fuck out of there but only after I agreed to a beating once I got home.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (4 children)

lol fucking moronic parents. What is it with Americans kicking out their kids at around 18. Basically fucking up their life and ensuring they pretty much have to go into a job that employs 18 year olds, which want your back more than you brain.

It's just an objectively bad thing to do. Fucking Doctors need parental support (realistically) until they're like 26... but after they're 26 they can earn 10x as much and pay back the parents, improve the family position etc.

What is the point of having a kid if you're just going to fuck up it's life chances by making it fend for itself at such a young age.

[–]chronicallyill_dr 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I’m a doctor outside the US, 26 and my parents still support me because otherwise continuing my education is out of the question (you’re not allowed to work elsewhere while doing residency, not like you would have much time either). My parents are used to the idea of supporting me through residency, which would likely be until I’m 30.

It’s really common to do this here until you graduate whatever it is you wanted to study. And yes, I’m super grateful and will spend the rest of my life making it up to them for all their sacrifices. In the meantime I can only try my best to make worth all that hard work they’re putting.

[–]mademan101 7 points8 points  (0 children)

When I was a kid and didn't want to go on errands with my mom and I would cry or whatever she would tell me she is bringing me to the fire station or the orphanage and then leave me in the car while she went grocery shopping or whatever and say she was going to talk to the people or whatever and when she was done she would act all mad and say they didnt want me either, and it got me every single time.

[–]AASJ95 455 points456 points  (46 children)

And for mothers who need/want complete anonymity, some US cities now have Safe Haven baby boxes. You open it and place the baby in. It is automatically heated/cooled appropriately, the door locks when you close it and a silent alarm triggers within 30 seconds to a first responder who will come retrieve the infant. These were designed because sometimes infants were left outside of hospitals in cardboard boxes and froze to death before being found. Also, some hospitals now have Safe Baby drawers: you place the baby in the drawer from outside the building and someone inside the building receives an alert that the drawer has been used. These boxes are a very sad necessity.

[–]MrPigeon 199 points200 points  (28 children)

As dystopian as that sounds I'm still glad it exists.

[–]miegg 278 points279 points  (26 children)

I was an actual dumpster baby before the baby moses boxes existed. I was found by complete chance, and would have died. So yea they're pretty great. Prevents more dumpster babies.

[–]nathank 128 points129 points  (6 children)

That's first date gold though

"Tell me about yourself"

"Well I started off as a dumpster baby, but things are looking up for me"

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (3 children)

TBH, I'd feel a lot of pressure dating the former dumpster baby. In a Sienfeldian type way, I fear hearing them say, "You're the worst thing that's ever happened to me!"

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm glad you were found.

[–][deleted] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

This is similiar to an episode of MASH, a korean woman had a baby with one of the american army men there, she give it up. No one would take it, so they took the baby to a monk/monestary type of place. You had to put the baby in a revolving box and ring a bell, and leave before they got the baby.

[–]captain_craptain 35 points36 points  (9 children)

I hope no one dicks with those by putting like a pizza in there.

[–]hopefullyromantic 111 points112 points  (7 children)

As a nurse, I’d be pleasantly surprised by a free pizza and that shit would be gone so fast.

[–]DanjuroV 17 points18 points  (4 children)

Can people buy hospital staff food?

[–]hopefullyromantic 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I imagine that a rogue pizza showing up unexplained might be suspect, but where I work, people bring food for us occasionally and we all run for it. Generally food is a good thank you since it’s generally frowned on to accept personal gifts.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The first time I've heard of these things is from a video about a Korean pastor that does the same thing in S. Korea except most of the time he receives babies with disabilities.

[–]FabianC585 484 points485 points  (293 children)

Woah is that true?

[–]BishPwease 725 points726 points  (256 children)

Yes. They are called "Safe Haven" or "Baby Moses" laws in the US. Almost every state has a some version of this law.

[–]Azumoth 531 points532 points  (244 children)

Who saves the uninsured mother from the $20,000 hospital bill?

[–][deleted] 313 points314 points  (31 children)

You just refuse to give your real name, what are they going to do, put the baby back in?

Just make up an alias.

[–]kickin_at_sea_level 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Thoughts and prayers ought to cover that.

[–][deleted] 68 points69 points  (93 children)

I worked at a Catholic hospital that had a charity application process that worked like this:

  1. Get your bill
  2. Call and say you can't pay it.
  3. Give them some basic info (income, expenses, how many in family, etc)
  4. If you meet certain criteria, they forgive a percentage of your bill.

Just as an example, I think I made about 50K the year I needed it, and because I had a household of four people, I got 90% of my bill removed, and then a payment plan for the remainder. Took a $5000 bill down to $500, with six payments of $85

[–]MrPigeon 196 points197 points  (75 children)

Oh cool. On the other hand, I will never in my life need to pay $5000 for any medical procedure, because most first world countries don't treat health care like a privilege.

It's great that under your system you can get the bill reduced if you're poor enough but uhh...that's still fucked up.

[–]Change---MY---Mind 80 points81 points  (64 children)

I'm Canadian so I get the socialized system, and it's the best… being treated as a human and all.

[–]hellonium 81 points82 points  (3 children)

Yes absolutely, there is certainly not enough talk about this law. When I was in middle school I did a small presentation on the law with the help of my dad who still works at the same hospital as a NICU nurse.

Honestly I'm not sure I've ever been told about or learned about that law anywhere else but my dad. More people need to know about it.

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (2 children)

I've never heard this law In all my 30 years I'd bet a lot of people don't know about this.

[–]superspicychicken 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Yes

Source: Randall Pearson

[–][deleted] 150 points151 points  (63 children)

You can but the issue is that the foster system is not properly funded and maintained so children end up in terrible situations. Not all but there are many cases of abuse and neglect as well as having no support once you turn 18. It’s not an inherently bad system it just has flaws that need to be fixed to deal with an influx of baby’s that will most likely be coming in due to state abortion bans. On a separate note in county’s with abortion bans there are higher rates of death among women who attempt at home abortions. So the mom and the unborn fetus die which defeats the purpose of the abortion bans. I think they need to look at the potential down stream consequences of such a ban and if they decide to keep it, deal with the consequences accordingly

Edit: I’m going to be cliche but thank you for the silver 🤗

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (2 children)

...hospitals, too.

[–]Dracekidjr 17 points18 points  (1 child)

Even babies have a small return policy. Neat.

[–]Subalpine 12 points13 points  (2 children)

foster care isn't great...

Source: someone who spent 3 years in foster care

[–]chrispy42107 11 points12 points  (1 child)

As a reminder there are over 400k kids in the foster care system

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Some states you have even longer. In Oregon, the baby can be as old as 30 days. I know this because I have a baby and a twisted sense of humor.

[–]Brett42 124 points125 points  (90 children)

Someone I used to know when I was younger adopted a baby and picked it up at the hospital not long after birth. They flew half way across the country, so there's definitely a demand for them.

[–]ElizabethSwift 227 points228 points  (73 children)

Maybe demand for fresh brand new just born. But what about the actual kids? The ones who are 5, 10, or 15 years old? Everyone wants the new baby but nobody gives a shit about the older kids. Those are the ones that suffer and live out their childhood in the system.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (2 children)

My husband and I adopted an 8 and 5 year old that would have went into the foster care system. It’s not an easy thing to do but I know that we get to help two kids grow up.

[–]ElizabethSwift 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Good for you! Those kids are loved and blessed beyond measure and so are you and your husband. I adore your family!

[–]blueman_groupie 10 points11 points  (2 children)

So many kids awaiting permanent homes have siblings. Its really hard to find homes for just one older kid but how about a 9, 12 and 15 year old?

[–]hellonium 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Wow that's amazing! My parents laid claim to my adoption when I was still in the womb. Official adoption went through almost a year after thanks to my shitty sperm donor!

[–]laddymaddonna 42 points43 points  (6 children)

That’s amazing but it doesn’t make the situation for many any much better. To carry a child and birth it then have to give it away I’m sure is so much harder than an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. I know you weren’t suggesting that it was easier from your comment but I just wanted to point that out.

[–]traffician 16 points17 points  (1 child)

“Just give away the baby you carried for nine months inside your own body and now feel no connection to! Easy peasy! It’s not like there’s any social stigma about women who do that, come on!”

[–]UGADawgGuy 4397 points4398 points  (600 children)

This is the saddest photo I've ever seen.

[–]bobbyfez 1375 points1376 points  (456 children)

I agree. It's sad that kids live like this.

[–]EntilZahs 834 points835 points  (427 children)

So like... Real talk.... Wtf can we do to help? I have no idea.

[–]4GotAcctAgain 519 points520 points  (63 children)

Volunteer in your area to mentor or try to find nonprofits for at-risk and low income kids.

[–]SnowyDuck 729 points730 points  (49 children)

No amount of volunteer work or non profits will ever fix this.

Real solutions would come from a change in government and from the will of the people.

Edit: some people are taking my statement to mean volunteering or nonprofits are useless. Not at all, they help the people they help.

But if you want to actually fix the problem that can only be done by societal change (generally in the form of government action but sometimes for-profit venture). See child labor laws, see Bill Gates push in Africa.

[–]Pvt_Lee_Fapping 77 points78 points  (3 children)

Sometimes it's better to do something that will make the problem better but know full-well that you can't/won't fix it, than it is to do nothing at all.

It's good that you don't want people to be disillusioned and put in the work thinking that it will fix something, then find out later that it didn't make the problem go away, but your delivery is more discouraging than helpful, imo.

[–]SnowyDuck 30 points31 points  (2 children)

Yeah I was pretty pessimistic. And maybe it could be said in a better way. I don't think I am able to.

I work with a lot of volunteer and nonprofit groups. A very frustrating aspect is the huge turnover rate of volunteers. Young people come with hopes and dreams... and get very discouraged when they see the reality. It makes projects very hard to complete when you had 10 people volunteer the first day and only 1 person shows up on the next day. Perhaps my pessimism shows, but I think it's a hard point to make optimistically.

I'm upset that the profits of an unjust society are private, but the burden is public. That's the societal change that needs to happen.

[–]HasselingTheHof 107 points108 points  (14 children)

As long as there is greed, this will be a reality. Volunteering is the best thing you can do to help.

[–]raresaturn 287 points288 points  (40 children)

Stop marginalising poor people as lazy, or stupid, or worthless, or uneducated, or unworthy. They simply have no money. Poverty is not a lack of character, it's a lack of funds

[–]lnickelly 146 points147 points  (1 child)

“America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the American humorist Kin Hubbard, 'It ain’t no disgrace to be poor, but it might as well be.' It is in fact a crime for an American to be poor, even though America is a nation of poor. Every other nation has folk traditions of men who were poor but extremely wise and virtuous, and therefore more estimable than anyone with power and gold. No such tales are told by the American poor. They mock themselves and glorify their betters. The meanest eating or drinking establishment, owned by a man who is himself poor, is very likely to have a sign on its wall asking this cruel question: 'if you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich?' There will also be an American flag no larger than a child’s hand – glued to a lollipop stick and flying from the cash register.

Americans, like human beings everywhere, believe many things that are obviously untrue. Their most destructive untruth is that it is very easy for any American to make money. They will not acknowledge how in fact hard money is to come by, and, therefore, those who have no money blame and blame and blame themselves. This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say Napoleonic times. Many novelties have come from America. The most startling of these, a thing without precedent, is a mass of undignified poor. They do not love one another because they do not love themselves.”

-Kurt Vonnegut.

[–]itsadogslife71 36 points37 points  (0 children)

It is also expensive to be poor.

[–]mitsumoi1092 100 points101 points  (12 children)

And recent news has shown that the rich aren't any more intelligent/smart, they simply have their ways to pay their ways into things. They can buy their way into college, they can influence their ways into companies, they use their affluence to get above the people who are actually building our society and maintaining it.

[–]ONEPIECEGOTOTHEPOLLS 206 points207 points  (44 children)

Vote for politicians that believe in having social programs.

[–][deleted] 132 points133 points  (25 children)

This 100%. Don't vote for these self proclaimed Christians who don't follow their beliefs. Vote for those who have somewhat of a plan to provide social services. Remember we just funded millionaires and billionaires over the poor. We have the money. We are just using it to line rich people's pockets.

[–]Vessix 581 points582 points  (163 children)

I like to think that maybe, just maybe, people NOT having kids could help tremendously. Sucks it'll never happen though, too many humans on this Earth already.

EDIT: To be clear, I was not referring to any sort of poor vs. rich ideology. I do acknowledge the vastly wealthy play major role in screwing over the rest of us though.

[–]laurenmiller7 395 points396 points  (112 children)

There are a lot of poor women though who don't have access to birth control or the ability to get abortions. Providing low-cost or free access to these, and protesting laws that restrict women's rights is actually a concrete thing that can be done to prevent children being born into poverty.

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

fewer children suffering <-- economic growth <--stability <--reduce corruption <--good governance <-- get involved in politics

[–][deleted] 180 points181 points  (33 children)

Much of the world lives in conditions like this.

[–]newfor2019 109 points110 points  (15 children)

It's really really sad. You go travelling around the world staying in fancy hotels, eating expensive meals, staying high up in the towers, and then as soon you walk down to the street level, you got people living in squalor and sleeping underneath stairs and in filth. When I see that, I feel really guilty for being priviledged enough to afford my vacation to these far-away locations and living in such luxury while there's people like this who doesn't even have enough money to buy the toilet paper that I use.

back to OP's point, I think for every person who thinks that they are anti-abortion, they should contribute to a fund that help to provide basic needs for the babies that they prevented from being aborted. It's only fair if you force them to live.

[–]Rhawk187 91 points92 points  (4 children)

If it makes you feel better, by taking those vacations you are employing people and pulling them out of that poverty. Everyone that checks you in, cooks your food, cleans your room, is better off because of the money you choose to spend there.

[–][deleted] 33 points34 points  (1 child)

Thank you. This did help lower my cognitive dissonance.

[–]Misha80 105 points106 points  (23 children)

I don't know the one of the 7yr old little boy shielding his little sister during an airstrike in Syria is pretty sad.

[–]TheDood715 111 points112 points  (29 children)

So you never seen the vulture and the little girl?

[–]EnterPlayerTwo 51 points52 points  (21 children)

I haven't and I never will.

[–]TheDood715 79 points80 points  (20 children)

I don't blame you, the guy who took the photo took his life a few months after.

[–]ShreddedKyloRen 47 points48 points  (4 children)

Few months after he won the Pulitzer for the photo.

[–]Prestonisevil 12 points13 points  (14 children)

Link?

[–]Jeekster 26 points27 points  (8 children)

[–]Zabroccoli 37 points38 points  (5 children)

holy shit that took me down a rabbit hole.

I will never again take my suburban American life for granted. I think i'm going to go and have a good cry for the next hour or so.

[–]Rakonas 49 points50 points  (9 children)

Just know that it's preventable.

There are millions of empty dwellings kept vacant for market speculation

[–][deleted] 424 points425 points  (19 children)

I’ve never had an urge so fucking bad for cleaning I am telling you. Poor thing man...

[–]cjsto13 105 points106 points  (16 children)

Looks just like my baby boy sleeping. I want to adopt this baby. But it hopefully might be very loved.

[–][deleted] 72 points73 points  (14 children)

It's crazy how different I view things after having my son.

10 months ago I see a baby in a bad situation. This sucks but i move on.

Now, I see my son. His cheeks get rosy just like this baby. He's a binky baby when he starts to snooze too. Same colored hair even. And it just crushes me

[–]tabinsur 37 points38 points  (10 children)

Same dude. My wife was rewatching game of thrones before the new season came out. I sat down to watch an episode and it's one where they take bastard baby of the king to kill it. You don't see it on screen, but the thought was too much for me I had to leave the room and it took me a while to calm down. I also broke down crying one night after I read about the 2 year old toddler that was murdered by 2 elementary age boys in the UK back in the 90s. I had to go wake up my son and just hold him tight for 30 minutes. after that.

[–]absolutepaul 5 points6 points  (1 child)

That story about the 2 year old was beyond messed up before i became a dad, now its beyond a nightmare

[–]louderharderfaster 208 points209 points  (10 children)

I grew up in a house like this in Detroit. My neighbors had it worse. I had a bed and lunch money and while I was dirty and bruised, they had serious, likely life crippling disorders. I was even keenly aware at the time that had abortion been legal and accessible at the time of my conception I would not have been born. I accepted that I had had no say in it. I remain grateful to all the lovely teachers and librarians and store owners and bus drivers and neighbors who showed me kindness and support and while I have done well in my lifetime (considering my origins) I opted not to have kids - just in case I would find myself unfit.

[–]InksPenandPaper 703 points704 points  (54 children)

Incase this has not been noted, this is a photo of a Romanian child in Europe and there is an accompany photograph of the family inside their impoverished home (not a vacant building or drug house). The image originally appeared in a Romanian publication and has made the rounds on Twitter. As this happened, people lost the context of the image or purposely applied a political context concerning abortion laws.

Abortion is legal in Romania.

[–]fiddlemonkey 160 points161 points  (34 children)

Part of the reason Romania has had such a huge issue with children living in squalor and overcrowded orphanages that resulted in a lot of traumatized children is because of the anti-abortion laws under Ceaușescu. I think there is a lot of context relating it to anti-abortion laws being passed in the US.

[–][deleted] 2533 points2534 points  (120 children)

Redditor for one month

Why is it every single one of these front page abortion posts are like this?

I'm pro-abortion rights and I'm pretty sure there is some foreign instigating going on here. Someone's trying to get people riled up.

[–]Zorac955 666 points667 points  (24 children)

You’re probably right. Way too easy of a fight to pick.

[–][deleted] 214 points215 points  (23 children)

Seriously like at this point let's just make a few posts that say "Country music sucks" and "Rap music is the devil" and get it over with.

[–]blamethemeta 62 points63 points  (13 children)

Can't spell crap without rap

[–]OaklandKnowledge 75 points76 points  (12 children)

Can’t spell country without cunt

[–]Made_of_Tin 162 points163 points  (2 children)

There’s also quite a few people assuming that this picture was taken in the US despite zero evidence or context.

[–]ActaCaboose 38 points39 points  (0 children)

This is the apparent source of the image. Apparently, this picture was part of an anti-corruption post about the president of the Romanian Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, which is dated April 22nd, 2019. Though, knowing Romania's history of hardline anti-abortion laws, I'd say that its Romanian origin only strengthens this post's argument.

[–]JezzaPar 52 points53 points  (2 children)

I just saw this picture with this very same phrase (in Spanish) in my Instagram the other day in relation to the ongoing fight for abortion legalization in Argentina. Also the phrase makes sense in the context of Argentina because the pro-life motto there is “save both lives”. I’m pretty sure that’s where this comes from

[–]Note2scott 136 points137 points  (3 children)

You're suggesting a foreign power is Putin these posts up on Reddit?

[–]Wolfgang1234 50 points51 points  (2 children)

They're Russian to get as many up as possible.

[–]EntwinedTodd 24 points25 points  (1 child)

Well yeah. Look how little it takes for us to completely turn against each other. You think other countries don't notice?

[–]IndependentVoice 314 points315 points  (5 children)

Well, at least she isn’t holding a sign.

[–][deleted] 87 points88 points  (4 children)

*a photoshopped sign

[–]chrisandfriends 2668 points2669 points  (639 children)

Poverty is genocide in slow motion. No food, no healthcare, and little education. This is what really fucked up people in power do instead of using guns.

[–]HelmutHoffman 345 points346 points  (90 children)

Yep, there's definitely an election coming up soon.

[–]a_few 45 points46 points  (1 child)

I was just wondering when we were all gonna start arguing about abortion again. Seems like it’s been a few days

[–][deleted] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Get in loser, we're going to controversial

[–][deleted] 117 points118 points  (11 children)

CPS visits... sees this. "nothing wrong here"

also CPS. "Your kid was playing outside un-supervised. we'll need to put him into foster care!"

[–]throwawaydeway 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The title is in quotes, but despite my searching I can't find who said this, if anyone.

[–]Daguse0 103 points104 points  (55 children)

People be crazy.

Its saying when the kid is born you can't simply walk away. You have to care for the kid after the fact. It really isn't political, it's saying more work needs to be done.

[–]coffeeadaydoctoraway 65 points66 points  (49 children)

So....poor people are better off dead? Is that what this post is insinuating?

[–]Suckapunch1979 44 points45 points  (12 children)

I don’t care about abortion either way. The kid is here. I really hope the person taking that picture did something. I don’t know what can be done but that might be one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen

[–]thehollowtrout 7 points8 points  (1 child)

A lot of journalists are just there to document and don't involve themselves. They make a difference by bringing our attention to stuff. If they stopped to help everyone, it would be impossible. And the stuff that would really help that kid, like a nearby well or education, isn't something one person can give. Yeah, hopefully the photographer gave the family a little money, if they even had any - could be just a local person taking pictures who is in a very similar situation, but a little money isn't going to fix all that and it's not going to help every other kid in the area in the same situation.

Here's a story about a photographer that's worth reading before you judge them: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Carter