Blue Like You

Obviously I am not pleased that Henry Morgentaler has been awarded the Order of Canada. It is an award that is supposed to unify Canadians and generate some kind of pride among the population. The recipient’s actions should be an example of good citizenship. It is not usually bestowed on a person who has taken an active role in ending human life.

However, let’s examine the strict criteria for being nominated for the Order of Canada.

Raphael has suggested that Morgentaler deserves the award "precisely because he is controversial, not in spite of it. His lasting contribution to changing the way we look at abortion in Canada has defined the spirit of that debate ever since. "

Well, if controversy is the criteria, then I can think of lots of people who deserve the award.

The official website explains the criteria as follows:

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.

A lifetime of outstanding achievement? - Notorious achievement perhaps.

Dedication to the community? - Well perhaps the pro-choice community.

A service to the nation? - In pragmatic terms, I suppose it could be considered a service that we don’t have millions of unwanted children. And perhaps the lives of many women have been saved and enriched because of Morgentaler. However, what about the lives of the females and males in Canada who were never given the opportunity to draw their first breath?

Judy Rebick says "millions of women owe their lives to the 85-year-old Morgentaler "because he put his life on the line, his freedom, his liberty and his health to defend women’s right to choice."

Millions owe their deaths to him too.

As the Order of Canada motto states, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country.)

Well, the unborn deserve a better country. They deserve some kind of abortion law.

And that is not Morgentaler’s fault. It is yours and mine.

We’re the ones who vote in the weak-kneed politicians who are afraid to even discuss the subject.

* * * *

Update: Or maybe it’s really just all about diversity… and Lord knows we love diversity in this country:

An independent council of up to 12 Canadians who reflect the "diversity and excellence in Canadian society" advise the governor-general on who should receive the Order of Canada, sifting through at least 700 nominations for the honour each year…

I wonder how many unborn Canadians won’t be getting the Order of Canada because of Henry Morgentaler?

What great advances in medicine and technology have we lost?

How many nameless faces of "Canadian diversity and excellence" have never been given a chance to let their light shine?

Afternoon Update: A symbol of moral decay - Ian Hunter (Post)

Honouring a remorseless extremist - Barbara Kay (Post)

Besmirching the Order - Post editorial.

Abortion activist says he deserves appointment to Order of Canada - Canwest.

Morgentaler ‘proud’ to be finally recognized - CTV .

The leftist leanings of the Order of Canada are detailed here - Order carries history of rebukes (Post)

Thursday Update: Panel divided on crusader’s nomination, vote suggests - Globe.

Crusader???

And the Sun’s Connie Woodchuck won’t read your emails and doesn’t care what you think:

…I’m just sorry not all Canadian women have access to abortion even now. For those without much money, who live in isolated areas or near a church-run hospital, it’s as far away as ever.

(And skip the raging anti-abortion e-mails. I won’t read them. Been there; done that. Don’t care what you think any more.)

I wonder if her editor would read the emails.

And here’s a lovely quote from Morgentaler himself:

…He said opposition to abortion on religious grounds does not trouble him, "as long as they are not allowed to influence other people, by force or by any other means."

‘Or by any other means’? What the flick does that mean? Are we still allowed to talk about this?