The Record, Wednesday July 2, 2008
http://news.therecord.com/News/CanadaWorld/article/376451
The abortion controversy is back in headlines this week with the announcement that Dr. Henry Morgentaler is among those Canadians receiving the Order of Canada. As Terry Pedwell outlines in his article, not all Canadians are happy about this. Dr. Morgentaler opened an abortion clinic while they were still illegal in Canada and it was because of his court case that they became legal. While supporters of both sides argue over the kind of message giving Dr. Morgentaler the Order of Canada gives Harper and his government “were quick to distance itself from the decision.” This was a very good idea on their part since no matter what they say, they will upset many Canadians.
The abortion debate can get quite heated and brings out strong feelings in many people. I really am not one of them. I have my opinions of course and I would be upset if the law stopped reflecting them, but at the same time I can understand the views of both sides. I am personally happy that Dr. Morgentaler fought the law and made abortion legal in Canada. Now please don’t think I am a baby killer or something horrible like that, but think about it rationally. There are going to be women who get abortions whether they are legal or not; there are also going to be women who choose not to get an abortion whether they are legal or not. At least if abortions are legal then women can receive them safely with proper medical care instead of with “a folding table and a rusty knife” or however the line goes in Dirty Dancing. I think a better way to dissuade women from getting abortions is to educate them instead of outlawing it. Knowing what actually happens in an abortion and how far along the baby is, what different body parts are distinguishable or forming would give the woman a chance for an informed decision as well as the chance to figure out if it is right for her.
Pedwell quotes two women from different sides of the argument about whether or not they think Dr. Morgentaler should have received this honour or not. The opposing woman, Joanne McGarry, believes that the award should go to someone who represents something not so divisive in Canada. This is a good point however, are you ever going to get all Canadians to agree? We are a diverse society with different points of view and I really doubt we will ever fully agree on anything especially something so polarizing as abortion. Whether people agree about the ethical nature of it, Dr. Morgentaler did put Canada on the map as the “only western democracy with no criminal sanctions of any kind against abortion.” So the question then becomes what is the Order of Canada supposed to award? A Canadian who was loved by all or a Canadian who saw a problem and worked for change?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
You have some great points Laura. I also believe that safe abortion should be available to all women in Canada. I have heard horror stories about coat hangers as a desperate attempt at abortion. I do not want anything like that happen to anybody simply because they didn't want to be pregnant.
I also liked your point about never actually getting all of Canada to agree. I must say, it would be fairly difficult. And that does not mean that Dr Morgentaler should not receive this honour for all his hard work.
There's nothing to get people all hot under the collars like a good ol' fashioned debate, and what topic makes people more angry than abortion. I think you've done a great job staying fairly neutral on the topic and good for you. I completely agree that the black hole surrounding abortion (it is not illegal, but there is no law about it) is brilliant. And I want to thank the man for saving so many women's lives from horrible situations they may have gotten themselves into and for that I believe the man definitely deserves a prize, and what better than the Order of Canada? You are totally and completely right that there is not one single topic that brings Canadians together in complete agreement, and there shouldn't be, that makes life incredibly boring. So everyone, debate on, but give the man his prize he risk his own neck to save others and that's damn heroic.
Hello Laura: I was referred to you by Becky V. I have been following this issue closely. Back in the '70's I was forced into an abortion. I was NOT willing & it almost destroyed me totally. To this day I am still haunted, but I have accepted what happened all those years ago. Abortion to me is a fancy way to describe infanticide; it is murder...Dr. Morgantaler was a murderer; the women accomplices. it is that simple!! There are couples & single parents desperately wanting children & there were women who just threw a life away!! I know I am very pro-life in what I am saying here.
My religion teaches: "To save a child; you save a world. To destroy a child is to destroy a world." There are medical circumstances that make for the exception; but abortion should not be an acceptable form of birth control in my opinion. Thank you for letting me share my view here.
Sincerely, Sherriellen T-D.
Although I think it is important to recognize that the debate about abortion is still continuing today, I think many people are missing the bigger picture with this issue. The reason abortion is back in the headlines is because the Order of Canada was given to Morgentaler. Although his appointment has obviously caused the abortion debate to resurface, the focus should be on his good service to Canada and a celebration of this award. Unfortunately we have not had much time to appreciate his work after giving him the award as many others who have already received the award are returning the Order of Canada in protest. Unfortunately, Canadians will never agree on the abortion debate, but that disagreement is no justification to not reward a man who has done great things for the rights of women over their bodies. Thanks for bringing this issue up!
In response to your closing comments I thought it might be interesting to point out the qualifications for being nominated for the Order of Canada.
"The Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country)."
http://www.gg.ca/honours/nat-ord/oc/index_e.asp
It is also interesting to note that a vote of the deciding council need not be unanimous. So where issues are so divisive all that is required is that a majority agree that a nominee has worked to make our country a better place.
Whether or not you agree with the decision made I hope this sheds some light on how it was made and the spirit with which it was made.
This is a very interesting post. Abortion can be a very heated topic when discussed. I for one am extremely against abortion. I am speaking from personal experience, as my mom had me at a young age and was supposed to get an abortion and was at the clinic all ready to go but then changed her mind and here I am.
There are many other way that a mother can give up her child instead of going through the process of abortion. There is adoption and sometimes a family member offers to take care of the child.
I believe that everyone knows exactly what they are setting them self up for when they engage in intercourse. They know that one of the possibilities may be with a child being born, no matter if you used the proper precautions or not.
I do completely understand that there are some situations when a woman can feel helpless and had no choice in the matter, i.e when she has been raped. In these situations I understand that the woman may feel as though she does not want to carry a child that has been resulted of a random man's desire and fantasy but in this case there is adoption.
I know I may be very biased right now due to my personal experience but I do feel like that. I do respect others and their thoughts. But I do not agree that Canada should have made abortion legal. By doing this we can be influencing more woman to actually participate in this surgery. BY having abortion still illegal, not many women would feel as if they have the option of aborting their soon to be child.
Abortion always creates much debate. Safe abortions should be available in circumstances where there has been a rape or the mothers life is in danger but it should definitely not be used as a form of birth control.
As far as Dr. Morgentaler being given the Order of Canada, I don't think he should qualify. To me the Order of Canada should be given to someone who could be admired by all Canadians.
Abortions are a very sensitive topic to debate about but I am for adoption. I do agree with the fact that we should not take away life try to provide for them. This was my thinking and opinion for many years until one of my close friend had to decide between giving birth and getting an abortion. She was very young, barely 17 years of age, was kicked out of her house and was not financially stable. How can one tell her to bring a child into this world that she can not provide care for? I understand that she made a mistake and did get pregnant but that doesn’t mean the child has to live her mistake. I believe that these individuals should have the right to get an abortion, but in addition be required to attend safe sex programs. On the other if one is stable and has the ability to provide for that child, then they should not be allowed to get an abortion. My main argument is that some individuals are not in the right situation to bring life into this world.
Post a Comment