no, you don't have to watch a procedure before you can have and express an opinion. but i don't have to sit here and pretend not to be irritated by my friends' lack of understanding about my line of work.. especially since it would be really easy to ask anything you didn't understand or about which you wanted to know more or have a more informed opinion.

this probably sounds patronizing but put yourself in my shoes. if i was expressing strong opinions about things with which i didn't have a whole lot of experience, and which didn't affect my life very much, but which affects your life in huge ways [your occupation, the possibility of yourself being in the situation - needing an abortion, in this case] - well, you'd probably wish i'd asked you about your experiences.

i will of course never drag you to the clinic.

[it's interesting to read comments by you in lj because i picture you saying the things you're saying while having the expression on your face that's in your photo. so when you're mad at me or disagreeing with me or whatever, you're still smiling and having a good time.]