LIBERAL LEADERSHIP RACE: Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff are supported by the Desmarais family. Bob Rae is considered the more antithetical to unborn rights. It is thought that if he wins, the pro-life Liberal MP's will be pushed out. He's the one who oversaw the prosecution of eighteen pro-life protesters for blocking an abortion clinic.
GARTH TURNER SAGA: Many so-cons had hopes for Garth Turner. They are sorely disappointed. Halton is a riding that so-cons could win if they give their effort a good push.UNCONFIRMED RUMOUR: Pro-life Senator Anne Cools supports Garth Turner. Confirmation sought. UPDATE: found the story.
That level of secrecy worries outspoken Conservative Senator Anne Cools, who herself has been yanked from three Senate committees in recent months.
She said she was ashamed and disappointed by the suspension, and says that a secret caucus meeting should not be used to undertake an expulsion - something that should only happen for the most "reprehensible behaviour."
"One cannot rely on secrecy to conceal punitive actions, or to conceal wrong actions or bad actions," said Cools, who has not set foot in a caucus meeting since the summer.
"If one sets out to punish there has to be a clear process - look at the humiliation and embarrassment he's been put through today."
UNCONFIRMED RUMOUR: PMO told the UN delegation to behave in a bit more so-con fashion, but that directive was ignored.
UNBORN VICTIMS OF CRIME BILL: It will be re-introduced, but there is a rule that an MP cannot bring back a bill that has already been defeated. A different MP must do it, and it must be altered. Conservative Pierre Lemieux is expected to reintroduce the Bill, with alterations to satisfy constitutionality.
PAUL STECKLE'S LATE-TERM ABORTION BILL: Is expected to be debated in the Spring if there is no election. It's not expected to go anywhere, unless the government lasts that long.
UNCONFIRMED RUMOUR: Beaches-East York MP Maria Minna is dying to get some kind of government posting, as she is afraid to face her electorate. She does not want to run.
DISCUSSION RE: PRO-LIFE BILLS: Campaign Life is critical of bills that are based on a gestational approach to banning abortion. They do not regard them as immoral, but, they think they are a poor strategy, because of the tactics used by the opposition to weaken the bill. What happens is the pro-aborts make so many amendments, e.g. raise the limitations, add "health" clauses and all kinds of exceptions, that what the pro-lifers end up with is a bill that can be passed, but is so weak, that it's virtually useless. Britain is cited as an example. They've had the same limitation for decades, and can't lower it or make amendments.
Campaign Life prefers to ban procedures, or introduce consent laws, conscience clauses, notification laws, etc.
DISCUSSION: "USELESS PRO-LIFE LIBERALS". Campaign Life was extremely adamant in defending pro-life Liberals and were critical of the strategy of "blindly" voting Conservative, no matter who the candidate was. Tom Wappel is looked up to. He has brought forward much pro-life legislation. Dan McTeague was extremely instrumental in preventing recognition of abortion at the UN. Paul Szabo was exemplary in the stem cell debate. Much of what pro-life Liberals do cannot be revealed to the public for strategical reasons.
RUMOUR WITH STRONG FOUNDATION: Ottawa Mayoral candidate Larry O'Brien is pro-life. Based on a testimony of an activist. Also: Bob Chiarelli once declared a pro-life day (sure is news to me!!!)
PRAYER REQUEST: 4 My Canada will be lobbying MP's this week on the marriage issue. The CBC will be following them and documenting the rise of the religious right. Your prayers are requested. The name of the group doing this is the "Josiah Team".
