In conversation with an advocate for values screening recently, I posed the question “Why do you suppose it’s unconstitutional to punish anyone for thinking non-conforming thoughts (as distinct from the legitimate legal strategy of punishing harmful conduct)?” The answer includes at least several elements. The reason is that it is loathsome and unhealthy for people … [Read more…]
I’m going to give you food for thought on two matters today. First, I’m going to describe briefly the history behind some important laws. Second, I’m going to ask you to think about whether the twin lights of reason and empathy have gone out in our society. The early days of our legal system are … [Read more…]
In violation of their conscience, Ontario‘s healthcare professionals are being punished for refusing to cooperate in arranging the deaths of other people. They are denied the right of conscientious objection given even to conscripted soldiers in times of national crisis. A Private Members Bill proposing that participation in euthanasia be voluntary was defeated in the … [Read more…]
The headline in the article found at the link below is an excellent example of false and deceptive journalism, in stating that MP Harder has done something inappropriate. What has MP Harder done that is inappropriate? Examining the actual reported facts, we see that MP Harder’s only action has been to offer to chair the … [Read more…]
Here’s the best answer I can give to the question of what you have to do to make change: Regrettably, too many politicians – possibly the majority – are interested only in what they refer to as “ballot box issues,” a euphemism for issues that will get them elected or un-elected. The chief feature of … [Read more…]
Below is a link to a report of yet another tyranny being imposed upon innocent Canadians. What is most disturbing is that thoughtful, intelligent Canadians, including our elected representatives (who are entrusted with safeguarding our basic freedoms), are not shocked by Canada’s rapidly accelerating descent into authoritarian governance. They think that Canadians simply do not … [Read more…]
I’ve come to an unhappy conclusion: So long as we fail to punish politicians who make false assurances to gain position and promptly abandon them upon achieving success, we will continue to get that kind of politician over and over again. Ultimately, there is no merit in voting for such politicians since we have no … [Read more…]
The report found at the link below describes surgery performed on a child’s heart before his or her birth. The individual whose heart was repaired is referred to as a “child,” but is not recognized as a human being, by Canadian law. In Canadian law, this child has the same status as a wart on … [Read more…]
At a time when the freedom of conscience guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been eliminated for some Canadians for the first time in many years, the casual misuse of the term “conscientious objector” in the headline of the essay at the link below is dangerous. A conscientious objector is one who … [Read more…]
Here are two important insights that emerged from a Facebook conversation I had today: First, when people choose policy on the basis of group identity rather than analysis of the merits/demerits, we move further and further away from serving the public interest and more and more toward serving factional interests. Second, and worse yet, human … [Read more…]