July 6, 2008
Christy Knockleby, on Reflect and ponder:
Wow. That’s really the heart of the matter, isn’t it?
What do we expect from sex? And how do we view children?
The following is a quote from Germaine Greere’s book Sex and Destiny:
"Historically, human societies have been pro-child; modern society is unique in that it is profoundly hostile to children. We in the West do not refrain from childbirth because we are concerned about the population explosion or because we feel we cannot afford children, but because we do not like children.
"Conventional piety is still such that to say such a thing is shocking. Parents will point angrily to the fact that they do not beat or starve or terrorize their children, but struggle to feed, house, clothe and educate them to the best of their ability. Our wish that people who cannot feed, house, clothe and educate their children adequately not have them is born of our concern for the children themselves, or so most of us would claim. At the heart of our insistence upon the child’s parasitic role in teh family lurks the conviction that children must be banished from adult society. Babies ought not to be born before they have rooms of their own: when they are born they must adhere to an antisocial timetable. Access to the adult world is severely rationed in terms of time, and in any case, what the child enters is not the adult’s reality but a sort of no-man’s-land of phatic communication. Mothers who are deeply involved in exploring and developing infant intelligence and personality are entitled to feel that such a generalization is unjust, but even they must reflect that they share their infant’s ostracized status."
I’m a mother of two young children. They were both planned, and the goal in my life right now is to try to live the type of life where they are the celebrated center of my life. When asked how many children I want, I want to be able to say the number doesn’t matter because each one is a blessing but it isn’t easy to keep children from being a burden. Somehow at first I thought that they would be able to fit into my life a bit more, but of course kids are kids and my life wasn’t exactly child friendly before. So I revamped my life to focus around them more and find myself seperated from adult society. Even just getting together with my extended family can be a challenge because I’m the only one of my siblings with children and thus the only one trying to live a child-friendly life. The section I quoted above really speaks to me because I have choosen to share my children’s ostracized status.
So in a way, I can understand the idea that children are a “life sentence.” In another way, I complete reject it. I think we need to create a world where children are an everyday part of life. We need to create a more childfriendly society again. We need to help people live the kind of lives where they can enjoy being parents. I’m not sure how, but I’m determined to work on it however I can. I think to really encourage Canada to go prolife by choice, we need to talk about those kind of choices, and what it would take to make a child-friendly Canada.
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Elena, on Demonstration July 9:
We are trying to fill a bus leaving from Toronto early Wednesday morning. If anyone does express interest in going, please have them contact the CLC office on Monday at 416-204-9749. Cheers.
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Agnes Wood, on What are you doing tomorrow?:
I am very disturbed about this award for what terminating our beautiful Canadian babies. I lost one grandchild to this man, many years ago, and the pain remains. I just lost another grandson age 19. This award thing has really shook me up, What is this country coming to? Please tell me its all a misunderstanding.
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Beverly Holliwell, on What are you doing tomorrow?:
This Order of Canada being approved to be awarded against protocol to Morgentaler absolutely strips Canadians of their choice.
Silent majority, let’s be silent no longer. They will continue to trample our right to choose if we don’t protest long and loud, and UNTIL…
Until this wrong is righted, until government gets the message we will not be mollified into polite silence again….
Bravo, 4MyCanada, for your actions to date, rallying this sleeping giant to awaken and take back our choice, and honour life.
Because Life is sacred. And we have always had choice, we just haven’t exercised it regularly. So consider this a marathon, and let’s get training.
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Christy Knockleby, on The weekend just can’t come fast enough:
I don’t mind people doing crazy things with their lives as long as we’re still allowed to scoff at them and think what we will. What irritates me about transgenderedism is the push some people make to claim that refusing to call a woman a man (or a man a woman) is tantamount to hate speech. Or when people claim that it is their “right” to “be” whatever gender they want. I dread the thought that schools will feel obliged to teach children that babies come from women or men. Hopefully common sense and sanity will prevail.
Okay, and the other thing that irritates me is the mental gymnastics the child will be subjected to trying to make sense of this all.
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Joe, on The weekend just can’t come fast enough:
Exactly. She’s a woman who has had her body surgically and chemically mutilated.
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Cynthia Millan, on Reflect and ponder:
“Under no circumstances should sex lead to a life sentence”??? Excuuuuuuse me???
Whatever happened to taking and accepting responsibility for your own actions? Especially when the warning that your actions may lead to certain consequences (like sex leading to pregnancy) is well known, well-taught, and even statistically likely if you repeat the action often enough?!?!?
Number one fact taught in sex education, health class, and biology classes around the globe — Sex can result in pregnancy. In fact, in biology class, for EVERY organism (no exceptions), it is asserted that copulation is for the express purpose of reproducing. That’s what it’s biological function is, for Pete’s sake!
My blood boils when I hear people say they should have “choice” with what to do with their bodies (once they get pregnant). I would argue that I am very “pro-choice”….in that I believe you have the CHOICE whether or not to have sex. But once you make THAT choice, accept the consequences should they occur. You have the choice what to do with your own life and your own body. But you do not have the choice of what to do with someone else’s body. And that includes the body inside of you.
Fact - If you have sex, you may get pregnant. Murder (oops, I meant to say “abortion”) is an “undo” button so now people have a disconnect and do not take responsibility for their actions. It doesn’t mean they are not responsible. It merely means that they childishly do not accept the responsibility.
And the diatribe about “every child a wanted child”? We have a 10 year waiting list for adoptions in this country. There are thousands of couples who desperately want a child. I would argue that every child IS wanted. By somebody. So sex doesn’t have to be a “life sentence” for the woman who “didn’t realize” she might get pregnant when she had sex. Somebody else wants that child. Spare the life. Share the wealth.
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David Wozney, on For the record…:
Tanya wrote: “Here we are, the only civilized country in the world to have no law regulation abortion …”
We have a law regulating the aborting of a child.
Section 223 of the Canadian Criminal Code refers to “a child before or during its birth”. The author of Section 223 admits that a “child” in the body of its mother is in “a living state”.
Section 218 of the Canadian Criminal Code states:
“Every one who unlawfully abandons or exposes a child who is under the age of ten years, so that its life is or is likely to be endangered or its health is or is likely to be permanently injured,
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months.”.
It is unlawful in Canada to abandon or expose a child so that its life is endangered.
Aborting a child involves abandoning or exposing a child so that its life is endangered.
Thus, aborting a child is unlawful in Canada.
People should have the “right to choose” to enforce Section 218 of the Canadian Criminal Code.
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Frank Ruffolo, on Hey, I thought ‘controversial’ wasn’t an obstacle…:
The chorus you write about is in such a dense dark fog that they can not even see the next step they are about to take let alone the irony in the scenario you discuss.
After this last appointment it would seem the Order of Canada has lost all credibility and relevance.
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Cynthia Millan, on The weekend just can’t come fast enough:
Since when did it become newsworthy that a woman gave birth? “Naturally”, no less. Yippee. Goody for her. No C-section.
I am a geneticist. And when you have 2 X chromosomes and no Y chromosome (as Ms. Beatie does), it doesn’t matter what you call yourself or how you “feel”. You are a woman.
Being “legally declared” a man does not suddenly change your genetic make-up. And pumping testosterone into yourself so that you can grow a beard does not make you a man. By that argument, using a bottle of peroxide would suddenly give any of us the right to call ourselves a “natural” blonde!
Me? I’ve known a few women who (naturally) have substantial facial hair. They’ve borne children - yet no one thought them worthy of guest appearances on Oprah.
Ms Beatie has 2 X chromosomes. The science doesn’t lie. This new mother might not win any beauty pageants. And she sure as heck may not be a lady. But a woman she remains.
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Frank Ruffolo, on If you wear the pin, send it back:
What’s even stranger every time there is an article in the newspaper in the past few days quoting Morgentaler after winning the award he keeps saying he thought there was going to be violence from pro-life supporters.
Obviously it doesn’t seem to get through to this man that the violence he keeps mentioning and talking about happens every single time an unborn baby child is aborted in his or her mother’s womb.
It simply doesn’t get any more violent than that! For what ever reason Morgentaler and all his supporters don’t seem to understand or even want to understand this very painful reality about aborting unborn baby children.
Adoption is the only loving option.
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Elizabeth, on Mailing back his medal:
Please don’t use this man as an example! He was convicted of abusing children, which has been reported all of over the news.
This fact is hurting our cause as pro-lifers as the abortion crowd is now saying things like “save a fetus, hurt a child” etc.
I too hope that others return their order of Canada medals to protest Morgentaler, but in all honesty this father would have had his stripped anyways had he received it since 1996. That is when the rules changed to say that anyone convicted of a crime gets their medal stripped.
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Suzanne A., on Mailing back his medal:
From the article…”Women are no longer killed, injured or left infertile because of abortions, he said.
“There are people out there who would otherwise have been murdered. That makes me very happy indeed,” he said. ”
Huh? Seems to me that statistics say otherwise, as we have read many times here at PWPL. And gee, seems to me that a baby is murdered every time an abortion is committed. But of course he doesn’t see that. He has been repeating the same mantras for so many years that he has himself quite convinced that he is right. He obviously hasn’t caught up with science and technologies like 4D ultrasound.
In his mind, abortion is legal so that makes it safe? Dr. M. really needs to get reading this blog!
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Johannes, on A callous sort of Canada:
Keep up the good fight. I’m with you… I’m just feeling sick about this Morgentaler decision. And sick with myself for not doing more…
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Suzanne At., on Almost back to normal:
Ms. Corsillo made some comment about helping women so that they can become mothers when they are ready to become mothers. Who is *ever*ready to become a mother? Nothing really prepares you for it. Whether you are twenty and having your first or forty, unwed or wed, you never quite know what you are getting into…believe me, after five kids I sure know that.
Who is she - or anyone else in the abortion industry for that matter - to decide when the best time is for a woman to become a mother? Abortionists by the very nature of their work take away the privilege of motherhood from innocent women. Some of the most loving and dedicated mothers I know are women whose first pregnancy was a big surprise, and whose conception happened well ahead of any marriage plans. Each of these pregnancies was brought to term, giving these women the wonderful title of “mother”. If someone like Ms. Corsillo had had her way with these wonderful women, who knows what would have happened?
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Suzanne At., on A callous sort of Canada:
“Show me an abortionist and I’ll show you a misogynist.” - Touché!
Thanks for all your hard work these past several days, speaking for those who have no voice, and for those whose voices have been silenced . I, for one, have greatly appreciated how diligently you have kept abreast of the unfolding of this unbelievable drama, and how you continue to keep your readers informed and enlightened. Keep up the good work!
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Dianne Wood, on Almost back to normal:
Oh my gosh, you debated Robert Scott’s wife. I remember protesting the opening of his clinic. Andrea, you had to talk over her or else you would not have got to say anything. The video they kept showing of Morgentaler getting “attacked” was not needed. And how could she have been “taken aback” by the Archbishop’s comments! You brought out an important point that we were lied to back in February when they said they were not going to give it to him.
Keep up the good work.
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Andrea's mom, on Almost back to normal:
There is no need to explain yourself and be so hard on yourself. You did the best you could under the circumstances and those were not easy!
The selection of your food for dinner is a different question.
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Owen, on Top ten things to know if Morgentaler gets the Order of Canada:
Many of these thoughts went through my mind as well, but you have articulated it much better than I ever could. Today I am ashamed to be a Canadian.
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Maria Pittao, on FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ProWomanProLife condemns decision to honour Dr. Morgentaler:
As a proud Canadian, I am absolutely shocked and appalled at this appointment! Especially on Canada Day. The Order of Canada has just been reduced to an all time low. What a shame.
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Kathleen Hickey, on FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ProWomanProLife condemns decision to honour Dr. Morgentaler:
The Order of Canada’s celebration of abortion, a clearly non-joyful event, in the person of Dr. Morgentaler is horrifying enough, without Judy Rebick’s victory dance reported by The Canadian Press:
“Certainly most women believe this is a huge victory, and he put his liberty and his life on the line to win it, and I think that should be recognized,” she said. “The abortion debate is over in this country, the pro-choice side won, and Dr. Morgentaler was a big part of that victory.”
Really? I want a national plebiscite to see if it is true that “most women believe this is a huge victory” and to see if the abortion debate is indeed over.
One thing Ms. Rebick is right about, though:
“But Rebick said many people who have received the Order of Canada in the past haven’t made “anywhere near the impact” on Canadian society that Morgentaler has.”
Thank you for speaking out on this issue, giving voice to the other advocates of women’s rights, even if Judy Rebick thinks we have to shut up now.
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Shawn Abigail, on Top ten things to know if Morgentaler gets the Order of Canada:
Point 6 is extremely good. From now on, if someone tries to shut you out of a debate by telling you that abortion is a private matter, you can demonstrate that in fact it is a public matter.
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Mrs. Ashe, on It’s Canada Day:
People who are PROUD to have Canada’s most prominent abortionist receive this award don’t give a rat’s breakfast about HOW it is given. People who bear no remorse for genocide typically have no true internal honour system. They surround themselves with like-minded people and out-shout those others who disagree. It’s the typical arrogance of the Left. Never mind that they never bother to read or study other points of view. Journalistic “fairness”. HUMBUG.
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Frank Ruffolo, on Defend Rob Anders:
Quote, “If you believe as I do that there is enough politics on Parliament Hill without putting posters in windows,” is so laughable that it reminds me of the comments made by former Prime Minister Kim Campbell after calling a federal election in 1993 after winning the Progressive Conservative Leadership.
During the election call press conference Prime Minister Campbell was asked by the press about the falling jobs and Canadian economy and what she and her government were planning to do about this issue.
The Prime Minister’s words during that press conference were to the effect that this wasn’t the time to discuss this issue. After those remarks were made the Opposition Liberal Party and the Media had a field day with Ms. Campbell’s comment resulting in a drastic drop in the polls in the first week of that election call eventually leading to the defeat of her government after nine years of office under former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
The City of Ottawa and Parliament Hill lives and breathes politics all day long every day of the week. It’s always a good time to talk politics in Ottawa. After all Ottawa is the Capital of Canada.
Mr. Anders please continue to keep that sign on your window. If even one Canadian unborn baby child is saved from abortion because of that sign it will be worth whatever backlash may result.
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Jon, on Top ten things to know if Morgentaler gets the Order of Canada:
The motto of the Order of Canada is taken from Hebrews 11:16: “They desire a better country.” The full verse reads as follows (New American Standard version): “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
Hebrews 11 catalogues the heroes of faith. It is either a tremendous testimony to former widespread Christian belief or a lazy ignorance to apply the verse to Canadian statesmen. When Canada was a Christian country, she may indeed have had Christian statesmen. Today church and state are still intertwined, but the pulpits are in the public schools and universities, and the teachers are secular humanists.
To apply the Heb. 11:16 motto to Henry Morgentaler is a grotesque misapplication. It really is blasphemy. Morgentaler acknowledges no heavenly country; God is not his God. Even apart from the Scriptural derivation, the motto is a grotesque misapplication. Morgantaler has made a career out of killing Canadians; he’s the reverse of a physician; he’s destroying Canada.
Hebrews 11 still stands. When the governor general presents the medal to Henry Morgentaler, some Canadians of little faith–but faith nevertheless–will long for a better country. Their disillusionment with Canada will strengthen their faith in the risen Messiah and His new Jerusalem.
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Seraphic Single, on Someone is getting the Order of Canada tomorrow…:
I am indeed kicking back by a lake, but I have emailed both the GG and the PM. It’s all very sad.
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Deborah, on Someone is getting the Order of Canada tomorrow…:
This is definitely misinformation. What could he possibly get the Order of Canada for. Order of Canada isn’t worth much if this is true.
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C Jones, on New comments page up:
Yes. A sad day it is.
But truthfully I lost any respect for the Order of Canada years ago. It is, and has been empty of honour for decades. There simply are NOT 510 people who are worth the award in this country each and every year. And if it was up to anyone with an iota of dignity they would understand how abiding by a “quota” they debase our country and all those who genuinely earned the respect and honour of Canadians.
However, if the Order is based on a one’s IMPACT on Canada and Canadians - then Henry Morgentaler is your man!
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Stephen J. Gray, on They didn’t go out of their way to publicize it…:
“Prime Minister Stephen Harper today became the first Canadian to receive the B’nai Brith International President’s Gold Medallion, in recognition of the Government’s efforts to fight discrimination and uphold human rights in Canada and around the world.”
PMO-CPM Release June 27, 2008. (http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2173)
I must say this award sounds very good until one thinks about the words about upholding “human rights in Canada.” P. M. Harper’s government is an intervenor along with B’nai Brith Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Commission against free speech in Canada. Here are the intervenors:
“The Attorney General of Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre and B’nai Brith Canada will be intervening in the Lemire case in support of Section 13, arguing that it is a reasonable restriction on freedom of speech” (Canadian Constitution Foundation Letter of April 28, 2008.)
The words “reasonable restriction on freedom of speech” have become a weapon to punish decent law abiding Canadians for daring to have an opinion in a so-called “free society.”
Decent Canadians who have been harassed, vilified, tormented and denounced by these unelected and appointed so-called, “Human Rights Commissions”(HRCs) are as follows: Chris Kempling, Scott Brockie, Knights of Columbus, Stephen Boissoin, Bishop Henry, Ezra Levant and others. Now Catholic Insight magazine, the Christian Heritage Party and Maclean’s magazine are under the guns of the HRCs. And the “Gold Medallion” award winning Mr. Harper, his government and B’nai Brith Canada are “…in support of Section 13, arguing that it is a reasonable restriction on freedom of speech.”
The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) in its letter of April 28, 2008, had this to say about its own potential intervenor status in Lemire, “By intervening in support of the application put forward by Marc Lemire, the CCF would not be endorsing the content of his message, but supporting the rights of all Canadians to say and write whatever they believe, without fear of violating a law such as Section 13, of the Canadian Human Rights Act.” Amen to that!
“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire.
Unfortunately Voltaire’s words do not apply to Canada. Voicing an opinion or writing letters to a newspaper, cracking jokes or printing cartoons can get a person dragged before the Human Rights Commissars of Canada. Their accusers get a free ride and the accused have to pay for lawyers for their own defence. Does this not sound like a dictatorship?
Meanwhile P.M. Harper is quoted as saying this: “What took place Friday in Zimbabwe’s run-off election was ‘an ugly perversion of democracy,’ Harper said.” (CBC News, June 27, 2008.)
Well said Mr. Harper, but, unfortunately we have an ‘an ugly perversion of democracy,’ here in Canada, and you and your government are siding with the undemocratic human rights commissars. Still, at least you are getting an award for upholding “human rights in Canada.” But, I believe, some thinking people in Canada will believe this award rings hollow when your government and B’nai Brith Canada are “…in support of Section 13, arguing that it is a reasonable restriction on freedom of speech”