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August 2000
IN BRIEF
CANADA
Day would overrule court
TORONTO - In a recent interview with a homosexual magazine, Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day said he would invoke the constitution's "notwithstanding clause" to block any court rulings that would sanction gay marriage. In an interview in Toronto's fab magazine, Day said he would use the notwithstanding clause after wide debate and a free vote in the House of Commons. He also reiterated his view that homosexuality is a choice, rather than a genetic condition. "I would say it [gay marriage] would need a full public discussion," Day said. "I think the public is coming to the point where people can have this discussion without hurling flaming spears at one another. The discussion ... is something the public is ready for without hurtful accusations." The same issue of fab magazine says that as Prime Minister, Day could "undo years of equality gains."
‘Morning-after' pill on hold
VICTORIA - Easier access to the aborttion-causing "morning-after pill" (called "emergency contraception by supporters) may have hit a snag in British Columbia. Fearing possible lawsuits, the province's health ministry decided in late July to delay plans to allow women to obtain the pill directly from their local pharmacist. Distribution of the pill was originally scheduled for May 1. The delay stems from concerns that the pill's distribution plans would in effect give pharmacists the authority to prescribe a controversial new drug. Although the province's College of Physicians and Surgeons and its pharmacy association basically support wider access to the pill, the two bodies are uncertain as to the delegation of prescription authority.
UNITED STATES
Unborn stay of execution
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives approved a new bill July 25 that would prohibit the state from imposing the death penalty on pregnant women convicted of capital offenses. The bill prevents the executing of a woman "who carries a child in utero." Presumably, the bill allows the death penalty to be imposed once the convicted women has given birth. Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinin of Florida said the bill protects unborn children from paying for the crimes of their mothers. Debate over the new legislation emphasized U.S. Vice-President Al Gore's pro-abortion hardline. The Democratic presidential candidate said women facing the death penalty should still have the right to an abortion.
Priests for Life on voting
WASHINGTON - The Priests for Life organization is taking a higher profile in this year's U.S. presidential election. At a July 19 media conference, Priests for Life targeted Christian politicians who support abortion as "false prophets." Father Frank Pavone, director of the international organization of Catholic priests, said the campaign includes newspaper and television advertisements alerting voters of the need to make informed choices. "Voters are free to elect whom they choose," Father Pavone
said, "but to be free, one has to be informed of the implications of one's choice, including the moral and spiritual implications." Secular groups have pledged to monitor the Priests for Life campaign with an eye to lifting the organization's tax exempt status.
Abortion grief plea
DES MOINES, Iowa - A woman facing first-degree murder charges in the death of a 21-month-old child in her care claims that depression brought on by a recent abortion left her less culpable for the crime. Tifany Myers, 18, is alleged to have thrown baby Joel Vasquez to the floor after she became upset with the child's crying. Myers, who had undergone an abortion two days previously, is said to have experienced a form of post-partum depression. The trial has been postponed to allow lawyers to prepare for the novel defence argument. Pro-life groups take special note of the case for its impact on the study of post-abortion syndrome. Depression has long been associated with abortion, although its use as a justification for bringing harm to children is certain to provoke additional debate. Myers could be tried for a lesser charge if her defence can convince the court that post-abortion depression hindered her ability to process information.
Abortion at gunpoint
FORT PIERCE, Florida - Glenda Dianne Dowis, 42, who according to police attempted to force her 16-year-old daughter to have an abortion at gunpoint, has been released on $50,000 bond. Dowis is prohibited from having any contact with her daughter. The Sun-Sentinel newspaper reports that assistant States Attorney Dean Merten said his office would review the charges - aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated child abuse - and announce in late August whether they will be pursued. Dowis faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Christina Dunigan of Pro-Life Views at About.com reported Friday that the alleged father of the baby, Jeffrey Watson, is 23 years old. Watson said that Brittany's mother threatened to file rape charges against him if Brittany didn't have the abortion. No charges are currently filed against Watson for his unlawful intercourse with an underage girl.
IRELAND
Youth Defence victory
DUBLIN - Youth Defence, one of the Republic of Ireland's leading pro-life groups, scored a partial victory in July with the overturning of convictions against six of its members. The six were charged with obstructing police and disturbing public order for their role in a May, 1998 picket outside a Dublin hospital that offers abortion counselling. The six Youth Defence members had their convictions dismissed, although they are subject to certain probation conditions. The protest two years ago resulted in a skirmish when police moved in to arrest pro-life demonstrators. There is some discrepancy between police and Youth Defence accounts of the incident. Police claimed that pro-lifers obstructed their efforts, while Youth Defence says the police acted with excessive force.
MEXICO
Abortion for rape outlawed
MEXICO CITY - The ruling National Action Party in Mexico's northern state of Guanajuato passed legislation recently making the state's laws on abortion more pro-life. Catholic World News reports that the legislature passed a law protecting unborn babies conceived during rape from abortion. While abortion is illegal in most of Mexico's 31 states, there are exceptions in cases of rape or when the life of the mother is said to be in danger. The new ban will automatically go into effect on October 1. "As legislators, we have to consider not only the damage and pain of a woman who has been raped, but the greater evil that would occur with the death of an innocent minor," the legislators said in a statement explaining their vote.
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