D
derekohachey
Guest
I am considering submitting this response to our local paper here in Fort McMurray, AB, Canada in response to the following articles. I am trying not to target the authors too much, but I am trying to target the readers in a positive way. Your feedback would be appreciated.
fortmcmurraytoday.com/2012/10/07/leave-abortion-debate-alone
fortmcmurraytoday.com/2012/10/07/politics-should-be-left-out-of-life-debate
Why was Motion 312 needed?
There has been much criticism in the mainstream media and local partisan critics about Motion 312 spearheaded by Kitchener Centre MP, Stephen Woodworth. This motion would have studied the Criminal Code to determine if or when an unborn child would be considered a Human Being. Unfortunately, this debate was not challenged with convincing counter-arguments or evidence, but with a giant proverbial broom wanting to swiftly sweep this important issue under the carpet.
In the last 30 years, our understanding of human reproduction, genetics and embryology have grown leaps and bounds giving us ample evidence that what is in the womb is a human being and not simply a blastocyst. This knowledge was not available to the public when abortion became a socially acceptable solution, and nor was it considered by the Supreme Court of Canada when it struck down laws protecting unborn human beings.
In recent times, science has delivered humanity many inconvenient truths that propose to disrupt the very core workings of society. Whether it is the depletion of our ozone layer, climate change, acidification of the oceans, or the reality of what is present in a mother’s womb, we as a civilized society need to recognize the reality that scientific evidence presents us and adjust accordingly. Unfortunately, there are those who wish to deny or shun away the evidence. In the latest local criticism of M-312, healthcare was identified as the priority we should turn to rather than this debate, and I agree. Our current healthcare system is responsible for the unnatural termination of at least 65,000 pregnancies per year . This is equivalent to whipping out all of Fort McMurray every 2 years. Yes, our healthcare needs to be fixed in a very fundamental way!
We understand why critics of M-312 voice this objection though. One only has to look at history to see the pattern: Slavery & Segregation of African Americans, Women’s Suffrage, Environmental Stewardship, Protecting the Human Rights of the Unborn. All these issues challenged or challenges our very way of life. A common counter argument used in all these cases was that we have bigger problems to solve, this is a classic avoidance technique. These issues are all disturbing and they were all disturbing to solve. Extreme social conservatives opposed all these challenges. Unfortunately, some liberals today do not realize that in vehemently opposing the rights of the unborn, they have become extreme social conservatives willing to turn away from evidence and continue marching society down this path.
Eliminating abortion requires a multi-pronged approach. We must first and foremost support women in crisis pregnancy situations, particularly in enabling access to secondary and post-secondary education in funding for tuition and living support after birth if they chose to keep their child. We cannot afford to let women down because women are vital contributors to our society, but more importantly because of each woman’s innate dignity.
We must also improve our adoption system. Sadly today, many prospective parents cannot adopt a baby because not enough are available, older children available for adoption are often left in orphanages or foster homes, and prospective parents who wish to adopt face an enormous process to become eligible to adopt a child. There is tremendous opportunity for improvement in this system.
And finally, our laws must change to reflect reality. As the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, noted in 2011: “In many places, including my own country, legal protections have preceded, not followed, broader recognition of rights. Laws have a teaching effect. . . . It is often the case that laws must change before fears about change dissipate.” Which is why Motion 312 and others like it are absolutely necessary to be addressed today.
I would like to conclude by publicly thanking our MP, Brian Jean, Minister for the Status of Women, Rona Ambrose, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, and MP of Kitchener Center, Stephen Woodworth, for courageously standing up for the most vulnerable in our society.
Thanks for your feedback & God Bless,
Derek Hachey
fortmcmurraytoday.com/2012/10/07/leave-abortion-debate-alone
fortmcmurraytoday.com/2012/10/07/politics-should-be-left-out-of-life-debate
Why was Motion 312 needed?
There has been much criticism in the mainstream media and local partisan critics about Motion 312 spearheaded by Kitchener Centre MP, Stephen Woodworth. This motion would have studied the Criminal Code to determine if or when an unborn child would be considered a Human Being. Unfortunately, this debate was not challenged with convincing counter-arguments or evidence, but with a giant proverbial broom wanting to swiftly sweep this important issue under the carpet.
In the last 30 years, our understanding of human reproduction, genetics and embryology have grown leaps and bounds giving us ample evidence that what is in the womb is a human being and not simply a blastocyst. This knowledge was not available to the public when abortion became a socially acceptable solution, and nor was it considered by the Supreme Court of Canada when it struck down laws protecting unborn human beings.
In recent times, science has delivered humanity many inconvenient truths that propose to disrupt the very core workings of society. Whether it is the depletion of our ozone layer, climate change, acidification of the oceans, or the reality of what is present in a mother’s womb, we as a civilized society need to recognize the reality that scientific evidence presents us and adjust accordingly. Unfortunately, there are those who wish to deny or shun away the evidence. In the latest local criticism of M-312, healthcare was identified as the priority we should turn to rather than this debate, and I agree. Our current healthcare system is responsible for the unnatural termination of at least 65,000 pregnancies per year . This is equivalent to whipping out all of Fort McMurray every 2 years. Yes, our healthcare needs to be fixed in a very fundamental way!
We understand why critics of M-312 voice this objection though. One only has to look at history to see the pattern: Slavery & Segregation of African Americans, Women’s Suffrage, Environmental Stewardship, Protecting the Human Rights of the Unborn. All these issues challenged or challenges our very way of life. A common counter argument used in all these cases was that we have bigger problems to solve, this is a classic avoidance technique. These issues are all disturbing and they were all disturbing to solve. Extreme social conservatives opposed all these challenges. Unfortunately, some liberals today do not realize that in vehemently opposing the rights of the unborn, they have become extreme social conservatives willing to turn away from evidence and continue marching society down this path.
Eliminating abortion requires a multi-pronged approach. We must first and foremost support women in crisis pregnancy situations, particularly in enabling access to secondary and post-secondary education in funding for tuition and living support after birth if they chose to keep their child. We cannot afford to let women down because women are vital contributors to our society, but more importantly because of each woman’s innate dignity.
We must also improve our adoption system. Sadly today, many prospective parents cannot adopt a baby because not enough are available, older children available for adoption are often left in orphanages or foster homes, and prospective parents who wish to adopt face an enormous process to become eligible to adopt a child. There is tremendous opportunity for improvement in this system.
And finally, our laws must change to reflect reality. As the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, noted in 2011: “In many places, including my own country, legal protections have preceded, not followed, broader recognition of rights. Laws have a teaching effect. . . . It is often the case that laws must change before fears about change dissipate.” Which is why Motion 312 and others like it are absolutely necessary to be addressed today.
I would like to conclude by publicly thanking our MP, Brian Jean, Minister for the Status of Women, Rona Ambrose, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, and MP of Kitchener Center, Stephen Woodworth, for courageously standing up for the most vulnerable in our society.
Thanks for your feedback & God Bless,
Derek Hachey