As the target of a scurrilous tirade launched following my Nov. 5 letter published in the Cape Breton Post, I would like to respond to its author, Jill Ellsworth (‘My body, my choice,’ Cape Breton Post, Nov. 22.)
The haughty tone, which permeated Ms. Ellsworth’s column, dampened any respect I might have afforded her had she stuck mainly to pro-choice argumentation. Her tone was one of belittlement which, I believe, was her objective right from the get-go.
As citizens of a democratic country, we enjoy and cherish freedom of expression as a right. However, there are limits - safeguards around which we must operate. Overstepping these guidelines is paramount in many areas of Ms. Ellsworth's defence. Her claim to be a communications' specialist belies her unwillingness to show deference to another, regardless of position taken by the person in question.
To assume that any mature, casual reader of her column would be ignorant of the role of a woman's uterus is presumptuous, at best. Male gynecologists spend a professional lifetime advising women during and following the gestation period of their pregnancy.
Regarding the 5th Commandment, which she quotes, I can only say: “Get it right.” “Thou”, not “Though,” which makes no sense at all.
To condemn me for judging others (Romans x1v, v.13), tsk! tsk! Your whole script is one of "judging others," and you do so as if from a position of authority.
As to who has the right to abort under any circumstance (risky, dangerous, unwanted), Ms. Ellsworth, speaking on behalf of other pro-choice advocates, relegates this right to "one single individual", the mother of the foetus. RF. finite abortion-law, 1969, P.E. Trudeau vs. Divine Law (5th Commandment of God to Moses).
May Ms. Ellsworth learn a lesson in discretion (the greater part of valor) as she finishes reading this response. Some day she may learn to be less bold and more understanding that others, including the foetus "in utero", have rights, too.
Bill Forgeron
Howie Centre
(Chairperson, Cape Breton Right-to-Life Organization)
