Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

ROTHENBURGER -- Abortion certainly isn’t a non-issue in this country, but there’s no sign it will become a serious issue in this year’s federal election


An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.
Used with permission -- credit to CFJC Today

WILL THE ANTI-ABORTION DEBATE return to a neighbourhood near us?

A lot of people seem to be asking that question as the issue suddenly returns to the headlines south of the border, where several states have approved pro-life legislation aimed at turning back the clock.


Using so-called “heartbeat bills,” they impose ridiculous penalties on those who participate in abortions after set time limits of a few weeks of pregnancy. And several other states are preparing to jump on the bandwagon.

There was a time, 30 years ago, when the abortion debate raged in B.C. and in this community. Nobody wants to be “anti” something, so the anti-abortion advocates took on the name “Pro Life.” And nobody wants to be “pro” something like abortion, either, so the other side assumed the moniker “pro choice.”

The actual meaning of “pro choice” is now part of the renewed debate, with pro-choicers saying they don’t advocate abortion for everyone, so that’s pro-choice. And on it goes.

Unless your old like Methuselah, you probably don’t remember the days when Royal Inland Hospital was ruled by its own board, and when elections to that board were fought on the abortion issue.

And when pro-lifers planted pretend-tombstones in front of the hospital, each representing an abortion carried out at the hospital, and then rallied with placards.

Those weren’t pleasant times. They were the times of Dr. Henry Morgentaler and his chain of abortion clinics, and finally winning a constitutional challenge. He was awarded the Order of Canada for that.

Abortion certainly isn’t a non-issue in this country, but there’s no sign it will become a serious issue in this year’s federal election.

In a country that pays for abortions with medicare, it’s hard to imagine going back; but never say never.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.


Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interfor Moves Headquarters Out of BC as Forestry Crisis Continues

NDP policies are driving businesses out of B.C., and the forestry industry just suffered yet another calamity. Interfor, a BC company founded more than 60 years ago and now one of the world's largest lumber producers, is moving its headquarters from Burnaby, BC to Atlanta, Georgia. As BC’s forestry sector faces mill closures and mounting uncertainty, this move is another warning sign that the crisis is deepening and conditions are fatal. “This is the NDP’s record: endless job losses with no hope in sight for the forestry sector,” said Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry. “Interfor still has three mills in BC which are now in serious jeopardy, and it is likely we will see even more companies pull out of BC. The NDP government is suffocating the forestry industry with high taxes, excessive regulations, and permitting delays, while DRIPA has made it impossible to plan for the future.” “Decisions like this are sadly not surprising given the NDP’s indifference if not hostility tow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Hypocritically Admits Natural Gas Power Was Needed All Along ~~ BC Conservatives

The NDP just got caught buying back the exact kind of power plant it spent years telling British Columbians they didn't need. The NDP government announced today that BC Hydro is purchasing the Island Generation natural gas facility in Campbell River, an admission that its electrification-only energy policy was never realistic. The 275-megawatt plant was originally privately owned yet kept to a minimal backup role under the NDP, operating just 15 days a year on average. Now, with demand outpacing what the NDP's plan can support, the government is spending taxpayer funds on the very gas capacity it once treated as obsolete. "You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn't matter," said Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy.  "Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn't keep the lights on. It's a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more