I am writing this just before our family's annual trek to holiday country. This year we are going to an idyllically named place, "Veranda Beach". Each house in this vacation community has – guess what – a veranda. It sounds so old fashioned and removed from the busy-ness of everyday life. I plan to focus totally on my husband and the three of our four children who have decided to accompany us.
There are good things happening around us! In Calgary, the Canadian Centre for Bio-ethical Reform, CCBR, has begun a campaign to educate Canadians to the reality of abortion being the death of a human being. A large white cube truck comes out only on weekday mornings, its sides and back adorned with an image of a hand holding the remnants of an 11 week old fetus after abortion. A delicate arm and hand with fingers and thumb, and a tiny foot with toes are obvious on the palm of the rubber-gloved hand holding the mass of dark red tissue. At this time of day, people are on their way to work and have less time to cause trouble. Behind the truck, CCBR volunteers follow in a late-model Crown Victoria (the same kind used by police, a volunteer points out) with a camcorder mounted to the dashboard, filming every move the lead vehicle makes.
"We just want to make sure we get our message out and that nobody's going to do anything violent," says Ms. Stephanie Gray, 27, executive director of the CCBR. The National Post reported that Ms. Gray understands that her tactics will upset some people, but she insists she isn't interested in popularity. "Social reformers are never liked," she says. "They always make society angry."
The more outraged and angry Calgarians get at Ms. Gray and her truck, the more certain she is that she is on the right side of history. While the CCBR's project does not meet with all pro-lifers' approval, it comes to Canada just after the CBC Facebook Wishlist for Canada's 140th "Birthday" concluded with Abolish Abortion being the number one wish by a very healthy margin. The controversial issue of abortion seems to be making a comeback as a topic of debate in Canada. What a healthy change!
Also this summer, Truro, Nova Scotia Mayor, Bill Mills, and town council voted almost unanimously against allowing the homosexual pride flag to be flown on the town's flag pole. Hurrah for Mayor Mills and council! Mayor Mills was quoted saying he based his decision on his beliefs, which happen to be Christian.
And in another act of courage, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle called a press conference at City Hall Tuesday, July 24th, telling reporters that he intended to make an "apology." Reporters and homosexual activists expected the Mayor to retract comments published earlier in a local paper in which the mayor said that a proposed self-cleaning, automatic toilet the city was going to buy for the beach would have an added benefit of deterring "homosexual activity.'' The Mayor did apologize at the press conference, but to the citizens of Fort Lauderdale — for failing to do more to put an end to the public homosexual activity taking place in Fort Lauderdale's parks, beaches and public restrooms. He stated "I was not aware how serious the problem was of the sexual activity that is taking place in the bathrooms in public places and parks around Broward County, particularly in the city of Fort Lauderdale. I've been educated on that and I want to apologize to the children and to the parents of our community for not being aware of the problem."
Interestingly, I understand that the Mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, is considering putting those same toilets in downtown Vancouver before the 2010 Olympics. Will Mayor Sullivan also apologize to the children and parents of Vancouver and the surrounding communities for failing to do more to put an end to the public homosexual activity taking place on Vancouver's beaches, and in Vancouver’s parks and public restrooms?
I am enjoying hearing from those of you who have sent notes and letters to me. It is wonderful to have a connection with Canadians from across our country — Canadians whose values and beliefs I understand and share. Thank you for your kind words, prayers, and words of encouragement. Across the country all of us desire the same rights to life, liberty and health. Our organization continues to respect all human life from conception to natural death, and the liberty to publicly promote the traditional Judeo-Christian values on which this country was founded.
Until next time!
Laurie |
