US

Evidence May Suggest Vote-on-Abortion Stunt is a Hoax

When the news surfaced that Pete and Alisha Arnold, both 30, were letting internet strangers vote on whether they should get an abortion, readers were stunned — they flocked to the couple’s website so quickly that it overloaded and shut it down. But now, some evidence may suggest the whole thing is just a pro-life publicity stunt.

(Read our initial report.)

For starters, the website Jezebel contacted the Arnolds yesterday to prod them about their abortion poll. The site asked the possibly-soon-to-be parents what exactly they were concerned about regarding parenthood — they declined to comment. “The whole thing really isn’t about our concerns as parents,” Pete said. What he offered instead was a bloviation on the importance of voting:

So many people make decisions on who they’re going to vote for based on their stance on pro-life and pro-choice, and very people have more opportunity than just expressing their views to their representatives, so we kind of felt that it would be nice for people to voice their opinions in a way that actually makes a difference in the real world on this topic.

That seems to be an interesting point for someone considering taking the life of a baby — a decision that has been so difficult the couple has employed the help of complete strangers. Also interesting is that the Arnolds haven’t scheduled an appointment at an abortion clinic just in case they decide to go through with it — an odd choice for a couple whose absolute last day to get an abortion is December 9.

What about the question of when life begins? Might that offer any insight?

“I believe that if you open up a scientific text book it mentions the animal life cycle and I would refer to that when deciding when life begins. Now when life is viable, that’s a whole other topic,” Pete said. He declined to comment on that “other topic.”

The Arnolds did respond to criticism that if they keep the child it will have to live knowing its parents put its life to a vote. “I think all parents have difficult things they have to discuss with their children, whether it be that first sex talk, or drugs, or something, so this is just another thing that we’ll cross the bridge when we come with it,” Pete told Jezebel. “We’ve got a lot of time to do that.”

But they continued to deny it’s a pro-life stunt, or an attempt at fame.

“It’s definitely not a prolife stunt,” Pete said. “We are a typical Minnesota household that is split on a lot of things politically. Just because we hail from different sides of the political aisle, whether it be independent or moderate, that doesn’t mean one side or the other is guiding everything we do as a couple.”

Yet many aren’t convinced. Moderate Left believes Pete has a pro-life internet trail:

Pierre “Pete” Arnold III also used to be a “researcher, contributor, and part time producer for the Race to the Right radio show in St Cloud.” He blogged at Always Right, Usually Correct, which had a hard anti-choice bent. He used the aliases “The Pete” and “Zeeboid” – indeed, the latter is both a domain he owns and the userid for his gmail account – but it’s not that hard to track down

As Jezebel points out (via Moderate Left), “Zeeboid” has updated the Daily Kos Wiki page with the following thoughts on the term pro-choice:

The term “pro-choice” is used by men and women who support a woman’s right to kill an unborn child.

The term means that a woman has the right to determine whether or not she will be pregnant by killing a baby that has already been conceived.

Also Refered to as Pro Abortion

Also suspect: someone named “The Pete” has been a contributor to the blog “Always Right, Usually Correct,“ the blog name a pun on the word ”right” usually reserved for conservatives. Clever, eh? And just in case you might think “The Pete” couldn’t possibly be Pete Arnold, here’s a look at the bio page for “The Pete” on the Always Right blog:

Evidence May Suggest Vote on Abortion Stunt is a Hoax

That’s right, “The Pete” and Pete Arnold just happen to live in the same Minneapolis suburb and be the same age. What you can’t see in the picture above is that the bio page also links to another blog run by “The Pete” called “Pete & Alisha.” Remember Pete‘s wife’s name? Right — Alisha. The blog also has a link to Zeeboid.com (again, that’s the screen name used to make the pro-choice bashing Wiki update), however it’s broken. And call me silly, but a picture posted on that Pete & Alisha site from 2006 looks a lot like the Arnolds:

Evidence May Suggest Vote on Abortion Stunt is a Hoax

So what does this all mean? None of it is conclusive, right? Right. Or even if it appears it‘s Pete who’s been writing about conservative ideas and speaking out against the term pro-choice, he could have changed his mind, right? Right. But, taken all together, the evidence seems to suggest something is fishy.

And in the end, it might not matter. As Gawker points out:

If the vote turns out to be in favor of having an abortion, the Arnolds could suddenly see the light and realize that all life is precious or something. If the vote comes out in favor of keeping the kid, it’s proof that most people are pro-life.

Comments (68)

1 2
  • taz1414
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:34pm

    if they are liberals i say abort it now

    Report Post » taz1414  
  • Charlesjr
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:30pm

    Liberalism is a mental disorder
    THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIALISM IS THAT YOU EVENTUALLY, RUN OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY.

    Report Post » Charlesjr  
  • Capt_Spalding
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:18pm

    Can we vote on whether they should consider skipping an occasional meal? Just sayin’…

    Report Post » Capt_Spalding  
  • Batjak456
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:16pm

    Hey Obama_2012
    I think I owe you (and all those other handles you use) an apology.
    I‘ve had a ’change of heart’, thanks to your …uhh…comments.
    And to think that all these many years I thought I was pro-life.
    Now I‘ve come to the realiziation that I’m actually pro-choice.
    Everybody should be given their ‘chance’.
    Then, after say 25-35 years, if they turn out to be an a**hole like you…
    then ABORT ‘EM.
    Like I told you before…
    get your butt back up on the porch with the rest of the little puppies.
    You’re trying to run with the big dogs now…
    and it ain‘t workin’.
    And besides, we DON’T argue with children OR drunks.

    Batjak456
    ALL GAVE SOME
    SOME GAVE ALL

    Report Post » Batjak456  
  • thegr8restoration
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:12pm

    You know what….. I wonder what the results of the vote were?

    Report Post »  
  • EP46
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:10pm

    Under the ‘law’ if you conspire to kill someone you are just as guilty as the person who does the killing. I do believe that ‘conspire’ means ‘plan’. A human is formed at the moment of conception. A baby in the womb grows, it moves, it can suck it’s thumb. There is no word for abortion except murder.

    Report Post »  
  • SeanW
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 6:40pm

    I had seen this thing, so I voted they should abort. Why? I think people so daft as to have to ask complete strangers for advice about something like this should, under no circumstances, ever procreate.

    Report Post »  
  • Hill Country Patriot
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 6:09pm

    It’s not a question of whether or not they should have an abortion; the question is can they even have sex. Just look at the two of them. He’s going to have to roll her in flour just to find the wet spot.

    Report Post » Hill Country Patriot  
    • SHASTADIANE1
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 6:46pm

      My Daddy always said, ” where there‘s a will there’s a way.” But he didn’t say it would be pretty.

      Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:52pm

    Looking at the picture, it seems the abortions should have happened 30 years ago.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:44pm

    I have read that they got the website before they where pregnant based on dates. Premeditation does lead one to think hoax.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • KL
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:25pm

    Everyone should just ignore what obama_2012 submits. All they are looking for is a reaction, some one like that never really has anything important to add.

    Report Post »  
    • Obama_2012
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:37pm

      That’s right. Close your eyes to whatever you don’t agree with. It‘s the best plan when you’re wrong, uninformed, and incapable of debate. Funny how the mind regresses to become childlike with old age isn’t it?

      I have added plenty. I have pulled one glaring example out of the comments of an article with MANY showing one of your own being a biassed hate-monger. Over and over and over you people claim you call such individuals out. So, where’s the beef?

      And how about the reading list I provided in a comment in the “Scarborough” article explaining how Beck is using the tactics outlined in those books(the same books he told you to read so you would understand)? Do you dispute that he’s doing it? Based on what?

      Or what about the Brzezinski work? That doesn’t merit any discussion? Or you just have no idea what I‘m talking about because it wasn’t one of Beck’s easily digestible talking points?

      Report Post » Obama_2012  
    • Bevaboo
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:19pm

      Go back to your bridge, troll. I hear there are a couple of goats who are going to try to cross. You’ve got to stop that!

      Report Post » Bevaboo  
    • Obama_2012
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:28pm

      Is that a picture of the goats you have as an avatar?

      Report Post » Obama_2012  
    • kindling
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 9:09pm

      KL, that is because pathological narcissists like yomama_2012 refuse to believe there is anyone more important themselves. If there is a God then He must be greater than 2012 and that simply will not do. We have to cut him/her some slack here. He/She never grew out of the terrible 2s and we need to look at him/her as the timpermental….mostly mental

      Report Post » kindling  
  • Dstarr55
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:25pm

    Wow, Leftfighter (as I type with a sarcastic tone), how can you refute what an anonymous person posted? I’m sure it wasn’t a troll trying to instigate hateful debate. More than likely this anonymous person was a high ranking republican (Sarah Palin perhaps?) Obama2012, is that the best you can do? Let’s leave the anonymous sources to the media and deal with actual facts.

    Report Post »  
  • Tradition Dies Here
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:13pm

    hm

    Report Post » Tradition Dies Here  
  • squeaker
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:06pm

    Hmmmm.. Did obama‘s mom have any kids she DIDN’T ABORT…???…:]

    Report Post »  
  • skoz14
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:55pm

    who cares if they get an abortion or not

    Report Post »  
  • New-American-Saviors
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:54pm

    Play God if you want to .You’ll be the one living in Misery. Always wondering what could have been.
    But remember first,YOU weren’t aborted. there are valid cases,but these clowns should be slapped into a Coma for making a public mockery out of the issue.

    Report Post »  
  • fish07
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:53pm

    After seeing the picture of these two I say abort, abort!

    Report Post » fish07  
    • squeaker
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:12pm

      Looking at the photo, witch one is looking to get an abortion…???

      Report Post »  
    • Dstarr55
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:26pm

      Bring me a knitting needle (for Ab-Fab fans)

      Report Post »  
  • crossdraw
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:37pm

    Would someone please tell me;Which one is pregnant and who would touch either one? YUK

    Report Post »  
    • Bevaboo
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:15pm

      I so wish I could give you a thumbs-up on that one!

      Report Post » Bevaboo  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:29pm

    So let me get this straight, she’s a lib, he’s not? Right? Maybe he was trying to put to lie the liberal assertion that most folks are pro-abortion, to convince his wife? If not, it should have been!

    Report Post » DagneyT  
  • benrush
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:27pm

    Life doesn’t BEGIN at birth – it continues. At no time does inert material assume life.

    Maybe we should ask Barack Hussein Obama HIS opinion, they guy who has three Muslim names but is NOT a Muslim. HELP US OBAMA WONKA NEWBEE, you’re our only hope!

    Report Post »  
  • Ronko
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:25pm

    Its all about attention thats usually what happens with these type of events. Abortions a tough issue its a personal choice but you are also killing the baby.

    Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:18pm

    Not surprised. I figured they just wanted their five minutes of fame….

    Report Post »  
    • BlueknightUSA
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 8:42pm

      How about we vote on whether they live or die? How do you think they would like that? They do not deserve this child or any other.

      Report Post » BlueknightUSA  
  • Dstarr55
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:17pm

    I still think if this is a publicity stunt it has greatly backfired. It just makes them out as heartless – putting the life of their baby in the hands of strangers even to make a point will be hard to tell a child when they grow up (we really weren’t going to kill you – we were making a point! That is hardly a defense). I have to question their thinking on this one as well as their motives but more importantly their ability to be decent parents.

    Report Post »  
  • Obama_2012
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:16pm

    OMG they exercised their right to free speech! Let’s all condemn them under the guise of our religious/moral/ethical beliefs. Hurry hurry, we have stones to cast!

    Report Post » Obama_2012  
    • john seven eighteen
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:31pm

      At least we HAVE religious/moral/ethical beliefs. You liberals are so devoid of anything even resembling human decency that you have completely lost your grip on reality.

      Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • FlatFoot
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:40pm

      The Dummies. They really screwed the pooch on this. But they’ll keep up the charade just to eek out every last drop of attention they can being the attention whores that they obviously are. Their rhetoric about the glories of voting is so self-important that it can only be satire. “Voting is such an important part of who we are as a people”? Seriously? Knowing full well that most of the people voting in the poll – for abortion – are just lampooning the stupidity of soliciting strangers’ opinions about this, they still maintain that the results will “influence their decision heavily”? If that were true, it would mean they’ve placed their family planning decisions in the hands of bored trolls.

      Also, per a bit of background provided by Life News, they’ve already lost two pregnancies recently to miscarriage and the mother lost another when she was 20. A normal couple in that position, and especially one with no children, would be desperate to see this one carried to term, not cavalier to the point of treating it as some sort of morbid civics experiment.

      http://www.lifenews.com/2010/11/18/state-5676/

      What a disgustingly lame way to attention whore and make some sort of point.

      Report Post » FlatFoot  
    • Obama_2012
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:42pm

      Yeeeaaa, because we‘re the ones that rant on and on about the evil brown people and how we’ll shoot them and burn their places of worship down before we ever let them be a part of society. You‘re so delusional it’s frightening.

      Obama_2012  
    • dkhartman
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:42pm

      And anything we religious people would say would also be exercising free speech?? So no problem there then?

      Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:50pm

      Unline you of your bent, we *do* have a problem with “the ends justify the means. They make me sick, and you‘re so dumb you don’t realize you‘re defending someone you’d probably hate if you met him.

      Proof Progressivism rots the brain.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • dkhartman
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:51pm

      “before we ever let them be a part of society”

      HAHA look where that’s gotten us. Innocent people groped in airports just so we can go see our husbands, aunts, moms/dads, or grandparents… Next time an innocent child causes me to lose my consitutional freedoms, we can talk =)

      Report Post »  
    • Dstarr55
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:56pm

      Obama2012, Are you posting just to get a rise out of people? I don’t want to impugn your intelligence but really, I have not seen any of your posts with anything substantial. I like to see liberals posting on The Blaze because I believe debate is healthy but not if all you get is snide, no facts postings. Your second post isn’t even grounded in reality and I submit to you was pulled from your derrière – what are the facts behind your conclusions?

      Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:56pm

      OBAMA_2012: “Yeeeaaa, because we‘re the ones that rant on and on about the evil brown people and how we’ll shoot them and burn their places of worship down before we ever let them be a part of society. You‘re so delusional it’s frightening.”

      Care to provide any valid citation to that well worn meme outta 1960? Do I need to remind you that it was a New Jersey Progressive that segregated the military & brought Jim Crow to DC? Or that 20th Century Progressives came up with the ideas on eugenics that forcibly sterilized hundreds of thousands of brown people in the US and Hitler used to kill millions?

      Who’s delusional? Sad part is, now that we know liberalism is a genetic defect, it’s very likely *you* would have been sterilized under the policy.

      What a loon…

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • john seven eighteen
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:57pm

      @Obama

      The only thing I was delusional about was thinking I might actually be able to have an intelligent debate with you but that would be like have a duel with an unarmed man. Such a waste, but I will pray that you someday see the light, brother (sister?).

      Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • Obama_2012
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:04pm

      @LEFTFIGHTER

      Here is a direct quote from the “Woman Sentenced to Death” thread. I’d link you to it, but the IT people here are stuck in the stone age(no post numbers etc). Still only exists in the 60s huh? Teapeople kick out any biased individuals from their circles huh?

      Major Infidel – “I also suggest locating Muslim locations of worship in and around your towns and start to make these animals feel REALLY un-welcome. If you know what I mean. Just remember, there’s power in numbers. If you gather 50+ people and attack a mosque, you can burn it and kill them before authorities can even assemble enough counter forces to intervene”

      Report Post » Obama_2012  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:16pm

      I wouldn’t mind chasting a few stone against a wall. Could you go stand over by that one and be my spotter? Warning…my aim is a little off the strike zone…you might want a helmet… =)

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 5:19pm

      actually bubba…you were and still are the party that rant on and on about the brown people and the black people and the yellow people and the red people and burn down their churches and lynch them in the streets….
      lets look at other notable leftist/socialist/communist that believed in this philosophy of genocide… hmm… Lenin, Stalin, Mao, HItler, Pau Pot (sp?), Woodrow Wilson, Margeret Singer, …you do know that all of those first guys got their ideas from the last two in the list right….yeah…umm..didn’t think so….

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • aamador
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 6:19pm

      Obama_2012

      Why don’t you go back to your puppet master? You know Spooky Dude for better rhetoric. You make me feel sorry for you man.

      Report Post »  
    • BlueknightUSA
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 8:37pm

      I will say it again…this is not free speech…it is cold and cruel. A cheap stunt at the expense of a child. SICK

      Report Post » BlueknightUSA  
    • kindling
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 9:07pm

      John, that is because pathological narcissists like yomama_2012 refuse to believe there is anyone more important themselves. If there is a God then He must be greater than 2012 and that simply will not do. We have to cut him/her some slack here. He/She never grew out of the terrible 2s and we need to look at him/her as the temperamental….mostly mental….child they still seem to be.

      Report Post » kindling  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on November 20, 2010 at 9:07am

      “Exercised their right to free speech”?? If these two people put up a voting poll to see if they would attend a mosque or burn it down, would you consider that “free speech”?? Progressives view abortion as a “right” and that it is no big deal. It is not hateful to kill an unborn child because Roe vs. Wade settled this in 1973. Unfortunately, for Progressives, most Americans understand what the consequences of an abortion are. “Population Control” is not popular with the majority.
      So please explain to me, OBAMA-2012, what is the moral difference between murdering a child in it‘s mother’s womb or destroying a mosque?? Apparently one is just fine with you while the other is reprehensible. Please use your Progressive moral authority to justify your views. Here is your chance to clearly state your “debating” skills.
      I breathlessly await your reply.

      Report Post »  
    • john1417
      Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:59am

      two thing that libs want freedom for and almost nothing else abortion and gay sex.

      Report Post »  
  • john seven eighteen
    Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:15pm

    Free speech in action, I suppose. These people make me sick.

    Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:40pm

      My vote is both of their mothers should have real late term abortions
      Naw , just a fleeting thought

      Report Post » M31Sailor  
    • LadybugsTX
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 4:53pm

      Hey. Oblahma 2012. If The Blaze is sooo horrible, why in the heck are you here? Maybe to make a buck or two being George Soros, Obama, Big Labor, Big Education or the Democrat Party’s biatch? I mean really? It appears you that you have to know which side a conservative takes on an issue before you know what side you’re on. You’d argue the benefits of anorexia because a conservative was against it. Free thinking’s not your strong suit. How pathetic are you? Me? I can tell you exactly why I’m a conservative and why I know liberal policies have never and will never work. Can you tell me why you’re an Obot? It’s ok, I’ll wait for you to scan the Q&A page of the moveon.org website for the stock answer for your reply.

      Report Post » IMPEACH GEORGE SOROS!!  
    • BlueknightUSA
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 8:35pm

      No, this is not free speech in action…this is cold and cruel. A cheap stunt at the expense of a child…SICK

      Report Post » BlueknightUSA  
    • Miss Muffin
      Posted on November 19, 2010 at 8:41pm

      And your buddy Glenn posts it knowing that it’s a hoax, and you fall for it

      Report Post » Miss Muffin  
    • Robert W
      Posted on November 20, 2010 at 9:55am

      Mental patient escapees.

      Report Post »  
    • jrm5442
      Posted on November 20, 2010 at 12:25pm

      Perhaps their goal was to get people talking about the issue, even if it meant people would hate and demonize them for it. I of course could be wrong, but I just remember this one best selling book that says something about not judging people :/ If I remember correctly it doesn’t specify to only not judge people you agree with…

      Report Post » jrm5442  
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