Kay: Honouring a remorseless extremist ****
Posted on 02 July 2008 by Jack
Yesterday, it was confirmed that abortion-rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler received the Order of Canada.
Was that wise? No. The Order of Canada is meant to honour an individual whose contribution to the nation all Canadians can take pride in. Dr. Morgentaler’s successful crusade to ennoble the concept of abortion without constraints of any kind does not meet that criterion.
Abortion is a divisive issue, and only two minority groups believe there is a black-and-white answer to the questions of “if ” and “when.” Certain religious groups feel abortion is never an option. Certain ideological groups believe it is never not an option.
But most Canadians fall somewhere in between. We concede our logical inconsistencies, but uphold them anyway. We are sympathetic to the termination of pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, as well as those involving grave fetal abnormalities. But we do not favour abortion as retroactive birth control, as punishment for an unco-operative partner or for reasons of inconvenience or gender selection– especially late in the pregnancy.
Dr. Morgentaler is unsympathetic to these and all other moral shadings. So a significant number of Canadians were offended yesterday — and many were more than offended: They were ashamed and morally anguished at his invitation into the Order.
Given the determination to override Canadians’ clearly expressed will — 92% of respondents to a recent Web-based poll opposed the honour going to Dr. Morgentaler — we must conclude that the committee, or those who prevailed over committee dissenters, believe it is their right to exploit the award as a validation of their own ideological bent rather than its intended purpose of recognizing those whose achievements will inspire others to like achievement.
Update: Order carries history of rebukes
Update: Morgentaler ‘honoured’ to receive Order
Update: Morgentaler ‘very proud’ of Order of Canada appointment
The most recent effort to have Morgentaler named to the Order of Canada was put forward by the Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, spearheaded by Carolyn Egan.
It was one of at least three attempts over the years.
Popularity: 21% [?]
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:10 am
When one looks at the problems caused by the shift in demographics throughout the western world,very few see abortion as a major cause of present and upcoming problems.For example,the fact that soon,there will be more women in this country over the age of 65 than girls under the age of sixteen.Abortion on demand has a price and Canada is paying the price.Immigration is at an all-time high because our birthrate is so low.A problem all western societies are experiencing.To equate what Morgentaler has done for this country to warranting recognition will its’ highest honour is nothing short of pathetic and immoral.In my unselfish opinion Morgentaler is nothing more than a licensed killer.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 am
NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
10. (1) Any person or organization may submit to the Secretary General for consideration by the Council a nomination of a Canadian citizen for appointment as a Companion, Officer or Member, and of a non-Canadian citizen for appointment as an honorary Companion, Officer or Member.
OK, so how do we go about exposing whoever it was that submitted this scumbags name for consideration in the first place? Let’s do so and shine the light on the cockroach(s).
The Nomination Form is considered ‘confidential’ once completed. Why? Why shouldn’t Canadians be fully entitled to know first of all the identity and anyone nominating a person for what, at least until yesterday, was such a prestigious award, and the person’s or groups’s ‘perceived’ justification for doing so?
Eligibility and nomination
http://www.gg.ca/honours/nat-ord/oc/oc-info_e.asp
Nomination Form
http://www.gg.ca/forms/ocnom_e.html
We are not talking about protecting national security. We are not talking about protecting the identity of police informants. What possible reason can there be for making this information confidential? The Order of Canada is the recognition of an individual by our nation on behalf of all Canadians. Therefore Canadians are entitled to know!
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
First of all Jack it’s a nice mocking MSM touch giving us the photo of Layton, the Missus and the Butcher having a friendly chat.
The newspapers are making a lot of the fact that the Canada Council appointment is divisive, that it pits the pro abortion against the pro life and I think that misses the real issue.
What bothers me most about this is the complete lack of judgement in making an obviously controversial appointment. No matter what side of the abortion issue you’re on it’s still a weak lousy decision to give the guy a medal for it.
Now, the people involved in the selection are under the chairmanship of Beverley McLauchlin, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The implication from the Order of Canada business is that her Supreme Court decisions may also lack interpretive discernment, that her judgement, in addition to being merely controversial, is faulty.
Although controversial decisions may in fact move the country forward and protect everyone’s so-called rights, faulty decisions will not. And this decision is a faulty weak-minded decision made by an individual with enormous power over us.
If the Chief Justice of Canada has become somehow incapacitated, as seems evident here, then she should be removed from office.
No sane person would involve meritorious recipients of the Order of Canada with this muck.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:33 am
I think this award to this person is going to have the law of unintended consequences applied, along with for every action there is a reaction.
Someone nominated this killer, and we need to know who and why.
Beverly is going to get roasted, and therefore all the unpopular decisions she has made via the SCC will again become public.
If those nominating this killer are so sure he is deserving why have they not come forward to accept the blame. Could they be exposed as trying to embarass the government.
Seeing who defended this yesterday we could guess some of them were responsible.
Did anyone read the letter M sent to PET years ago threatening IMO, to name names of wives, mistresses, daughters, who had been on his table, if abortion was made illegal.
He still has those names so I await his book, that could be published after his death, with all the gory details.
We are constantly told that if we do this or that it could be dangerous to your health. Why is all the evidence that abortion can and has led to breast cancer in some women been hidden.
And, if you don’t believe that, pay attention to the increase in this disease in younger women. I am not suggesting that all those out walking for a cure have had an abortion or more than one. When one considers how many women have had one, killing their child, and the increase in mothers killing children, or fathers, teenagers killing whoever, we have really become a culture of death.
While praising a man for being responsible for thousands of women killing their child, we condemn other cultures for honor killings.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:04 am
I hope that when the Conservatives get a majority they show Liberals the same kind of respect on contentious issues.
Mike Harris for CBC Head and Don Cherry for head of NOW.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
And the ticking gift of Paul Martin begins the explosion. A radical GG coupled with a loose cannon Supreme Court Judge = Vot Ve Gotd!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
It’s red meat on a stick. Don’t bite.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Just the facts: dangers of abortion
Psychological effects, post abortion syndrome is similar to post traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms include
1. pre occupation with the death of their child
2. flashbacks of the abortion
3. nightmares related to the abortion
4. Inability to remain in longterm relationships.
5. Uncontrollable hallucination related to the abortion
6. fear, self guilt, lack of self esteem & self confidence.
Physical effects
1. perforation/ rupture of the uterus.
2. Pelvic infection & pelvic inflammatory disease
3. Miscarriage in later pregnancies.
4. Infertility
5. Death - hundereds of women still die from legal abortion.
http://www.ehealthforum.com/health/topic12664.html
“Though post-abortion syndrome is not officially recognized, many women often have long-lasting emotional problems following an abortion.”
http://www.wpclinic.org/abortion/health-risks/
And for being the ‘father’ of the legalization of this abominable procedure in Canada Morgentaler is hailed somehow aa a hero for women’s rights?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Yesterday I was angry and not thinking very clearly. Today, as I watch the ongoing dramatics I am better able to reflect on what is truly going on and it seems to me that this situation has very little to do with abortion and everything to do with firing another round across the bow of the good ship “Conservative” in an effort to embarrass the government.
I say that because of the timing of the announcement more than anything else.
I’m also thinking it could be a blessing in disguise because our government has now been provided “au gratis” with just cause for bringing in new abortion legislation — legislation which has long been missing from the Canadian legal framework.
“Oh, did I mention that if they do it will likely be a confidence matter?”
We all know how that works and there couldn’t be a better time in my view. I also note the government has said very little about it so far and when THIS government gets quiet we all know nasty things start to happen to the “left”. I don’t see any reason why this situation would be any different.
So, go get a box of beer and lot’s of popcorn, put your feet up and relax. It should be quite a show and maybe we can settle this damned issue once and for all.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Agree with you 100% Jack. Hence my comments vis a vis red meat on a stick. The Liberals did this to provoke a response from conservatives, so they can appeal to the eastern urban female career voter.
I can see the arch of this strategy now - it struck me the night after the cabinet shuffle, when CTV inserted a MqSquinty (the MP) talking head opining that “women lost” in this cabinet shuffle. The penny dropped.
The urban female voter is very influential. It’s the Liberal core vote constituency.
We should just go silent on this Henry the Organ Mauler kafuffle, let it die out, and see what these desperate rogues try next.
It’s down and dirty, isn’t it, when this ugly, corrupt cabal would try to wedge the country with as tender an issue as abortion - on our national holiday yet! Scum. Just scum.
Just let it go everyone. Don’t take the bait.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
And by the way, if I am, and the dots connect, it’s obvious as can be that this recent OoC action, and the media messages are being quarterbacked. It’s not bias. It’s co-ordinated.
How interesting. CTV inserts an MP quote on topic and out of the playbook. CTV news, clearly to me an active part of “the team”.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
It must be working because there is very little mention of the green shaft in the last few days. I agree, regardless of how I really feel, lets just wait for the next attempt by liberals and the media to bash PMSH. We know it is coming, like Christmas is coming.
Let’s just make abortion legal, up to and including late term abortions. But, put a cost on it, user pays not the taxpayer.
First trimester-1000.00, 2nd 2000.00 and 3rd, 10,000.
Keep the cost to the user in line with fines for smoking in a car with children. Imagine a government concerned for the health of children, if they manage to be born.
Instead of falling into the trap, we can show our outrage at the ballot box. Let this topic fall off the radar screen, like the sham scandals, in and out, and so many other things.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
LG Spot on about CTV being part of the Liberal team. I read somewhere recently, on another blog, that CTV was conservative. I nearly choked on my tea! One reporter refers to conservatives as knuckle draggers (Fife) and another continually refers to the Liberals as ‘the government’(Oliver).
I don’t think this issue is as big a winner as some think it might be, even with women. I know a bunch of women, aged between 30-60, who support abortion. When I told them I didn’t they were appalled. I told them about Canada’s abortion law - there isn’t one basically and anyone can have an abortion, for any reason, up to the day before they give birth - they thought I was lying. Once they looked into it themselves, they were not so keen on our system.
I think the majority of people support abortion as long as it’s done within 3 months of conception.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Good…this thread is now heading in the proper direction and we are all getting smart about this latest “leftie” stunt. To bad they politicized the Order of Canada in an effort to take out their hatred of all things conservative on Harper and company (and pretty disgusting when you stop and think about it).
Time for all to go silent.
We’re onto them and there are better ways to handle this crowd.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Adler is on QR77 now and his topic is the Order of Canada itself, and has it lost its meaning. He said with 75 mostly no names getting it, it is like opening the phone book and picking names.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Poll changed…please vote.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
MaryT I am not listening to Adler so I don’t know exactly what he is arguing but I am for honouring ‘no-names’ with this type of award. There are lots of people, mainly volunteers, who put a lot of time and effort into making their communities better with no recognition at all. I think it would be a good thing if we started rewarding those types more.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
jwl, the no-names was my term not his. His point IMO was that this honor should be awarded to those who, if we heard their names, would recognize them in some way. Not everyone, but at least their peers in the rest of Canada. No one should be given this award that has contravercy attached to them.
On looking at the 75 receipients this year, most names are unknown to anyone outside their group. Even those of us who don’t follow hockey knew who Wayne G was.
What has Peter M done outside of reading and twisting the news for liberals. Has he funded any camps for sick kids, started any foundation, what makes him a great canadian.
Another point he made was awards in general, many have been bought with contributions to some org.
Every city or town has some type of recognition for its citizens. That is where those you mention could be rewarded.
Nominations for the OofC award should also come from a cross section of canadians or groups. Who nominated Henry M other than the head of the Ontario Abortion Rights group. Was he nominated by any non abortion group. Twice he was refused.
And have you ever heard of a winner going public to say they deserved the award. Blowing your own horn says you know it is not deserved.
The largest crowd ever attended the celebrations on the Hill yesterday, even tho Peter said it was the smallest, at the start of his broadcast. Has this award ever been given or announced on Canada Day before. If not, it was a clear attempt to take the glow off of celebrations and try to divide and conquer. They will not succeed.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
According to Henry, he is surpristed the backlash to his award has not been more violent. (globe $ mail)
Is that what was hoped for, protests, attacks etc. from the prolife groups. What does that stmt mean.
Poll re should he have gotten it, 42% yes, 58% no.
Sorry libs your antics wont work. Try again, we know you will.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Liberal algebra: the eastern urban female will prefer leadership that champions a baby-hater over leadership that intends to keep rapists behind bars.
Go figure.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Jack I agree but think also that the Canadianleft is emboldened by what they see in the US as a certain win in November for Obama on account of the economy.
To that extent it’s bringing chief Canadian liberals out of the woodwork a bit - Oliver as an example and this Morgentaler deal as another.They think they have things in the bag and are starting to sucker punch a bit.
The economy is much driven by public sentiment and it’s not beyond the machinations of these people to go so far as to be using the left media to propagandize and to doom and gloom the economy to the brink, in order to get what they want
I follow the financial markets closely and it’s unwitting negative public sentiment that’s pushing things right now not fundamentals. The US economy, as we speak, is the strongest in the world bar none, and if we heard someone saying it we would be seeing a marked difference in conditions and much less chance of a win for the liberals (theirs and ours)in November.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Just heard on QR77 that an Edmonton Arch Bishop is spearheading a move to have this award recinded. He has written to the GG, about this. I don’t think he will be the only one writing letters to her.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
What’s next the Nobel Peace Prize?
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Another attempt to divide and conquer, lady from an abortion rights group in Ont, just on a talk show saying that it is only a small percentage of canadians who oppose abortion, and it is made up mainly of those of the catholic religion.
As to the thousands of women’s lives saved by HM, are we to believe that canadian women are so fragile that having a baby would lead them to mental illness or suicide. I wonder how many of these operations were really done to save a mother’s life. A very small percentage I would think.
I think more mothers would fight to save the baby in case of accidents etc. I would also like to know the true facts of women who became sterile from abortions.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
If this really is a conspiracy against the Harper government, then it’s even more despicable than Morgentaler getting the actual award. How low can the left go?
No limit, it seems.