Read more at the National Post:

Andrew Scheer, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has made a potentially landmark ruling on MPs’ freedom of speech that could stem the flow of power from the backbench to party hierarchies, in defiance of the wishes his party leader, Stephen Harper. It was, in all likelihood, not a decision that was made lightly…

Mr. Scheer said members are free to seek the floor at any time. “Ultimately, it is up to each individual member to decide how frequently he or she wishes to seek the floor, knowing that being recognized by the Speaker is not always a guaranteed proposition.”

He acknowledged that members who complain they are rarely on their party’s list have a “legitimate concern.” An analysis of members’ statements, for example, suggests that 10% of Conservative backbenchers delivered 28% of the members’ statements in the last year, with Quebec MP Jacques Gourde giving 35 statements (mostly pushing party messages) and Saskatchewan MP Maurice Vellacott delivering just two.

On a lighter note, John Ivison made me laugh this morning. I grew up watching Star Trek as a kid because my parents loved it. If you’ve ever watched it, you know what he’s getting at:

But make no mistake, if Mr. Scheer had allowed the status quo to stand, the last vestiges of independence on the backbenches in the House of Commons would have disappeared. The convention that the party whips dictate who says what during Question Period and members’ statements would have been confirmed — the status of backbenchers as disposable as that of Star Trek redshirt security officers on landing-party duty.

I feel this woman’s pain at being asked a simple question: “Is it your first?”

A moving piece in the Globe and Mail.

Time heals – for the most part that is true – but I will not forget, nor would I wish to. To forget would mean never recognizing a time when I, too, would initiate a conversation with a pregnant woman by asking her if it was her first; a time of innocence when I never considered the unthinkable in relation to such a happy event.

I envy the stranger’s innocence. My firstborn taught me that once innocence is lost, it cannot be regained; but it can be treasured and revered whether I answer “yes” or “no.”

Don’t mess with Czechs here, either! (Just saying.)

Who knew? The Czechs make up a major cultural group in Texas. Very kind friends (who also happen to read PWPL, hence this post) brought back this mug for me. It is a “Dobré Ráno” (good morning) indeed, when you can celebrate Czech culture in Texas, in Ottawa, with a cup of coffee.

My first thought about this fellow who puts on a fin to swim as a merman and now markets fins far and wide: Very strange. My second thought: I’d like to try one.

I remember asking my mom for some rope as a kid once, when we were spending time by a pool. She asked why. I said it was so I could tie my ankles together and be a mermaid in the pool. She said no. Clearly this guy’s mom didn’t say that. And so, I put this to my mother: Imagine the heights I could have reached. Just imagine.

I’m not familiar with this writer – I followed a series of links and ended up at this blog post. He predicts how much of society will come to accept infanticide as normal and acceptable, just as it has with abortion:

Campaigners  for infanticide will make their case in a gradual way. First, they won’t call it “infanticide” (killing infants) but “post-birth abortion.” The reasons are obvious. The word “infanticide” strikes horror into our hearts. But “post-birth abortion” makes it sound like the termination is simply an extension of abortion, which we are culturally adjusted to. Yet the terminology is grossly inaccurate. You can “abort” something in process like a pregnancy, but killing an infant is not an abortion, its an execution. Second, campaigners will advocate the infants born with terminal illnesses should be euthanized so as to prevent the infant’s suffering. That is the compassionate thing to do! Third, then the campaign will shift to children with chronic disabilities and all kinds of generative diseases and then move onto to any minor defect like cleft palates. Planned Parenthood will parade teary-eyed parents wishing they could have terminated their sick child either in utero or soon after birth to prevent the child’s suffering and their own. Fourth, then radical feminists will tell us that women will never be truly liberated until they are given the right to terminate their own infants. Fifth, we will be told that the only reason for not believing in infanticide is that you are a religious whack job. Well you get the picture by now.

Some might think that I’m paranoid on this issue, but I think time will prove that I am more likely to be prophetic. The building blocks for the debate are already here and it is time to get our stuff together on this.

As you know, we’re hearing a number of these arguments already being made, as I blogged about here and here.

Once ProWomanProLifer Brigitte Pellerin highlights Chantal Hébert’s work at her blog today. I tend to agree with both Chantal and Brigitte’s points:

The Harper coalition is whittling away. There is time to bring these people back. But I wouldn’t bet on it – especially not if the opposition (both parties) behaves better than expected.

A press release from the Liberals:

Canadians must have confidence that the candidates they elect will represent their views in Ottawa, not Ottawa’s views to them,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Our motion is a strong step in the right direction and we hope that all Members of Parliament, regardless of party, will agree to support it.”

I like this idea, so often lost here in Ottawa, that MPs bring the values and views of their constituents to Ottawa, not the reverse.

This video clip is not about abortion. It’s about adoption. But who wants to bet these people are pro-life?

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rztYMMhMT2Y]

Back to Life features 25 women walking from Montreal to Ottawa to mourn 25 years since the Morgentaler decision. KC speaks about the pressure on her birth mom to abort. Another good story.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRC4X9JyBX4&feature=player_embedded#!]

I think we  can all agree that a story like this ought to be accompanied by a photo.

Three Emiratis have been forcibly removed from an annual culture festival in Saudi Arabia and sent back to the UAE after it was suggested that women might find them irresistible.

Pass me my smelling salts.