GadgetVicar

Abortion Vote in House of Commons Tomorrow Night

Westminster MPs will vote tomorrow night on an amendment to lower the number of weeks at which a baby can be aborted from twenty-four to twenty-two, twenty or even sixteen weeks. It's the first potential change to abortion law in eighteen years.

The debate involves two important questions.

Firstly, is a baby viable at twenty-four weeks? That is, can a baby survive (even with massive assistance) being removed from the womb at this stage? If a baby is viable, it's argued that an abortion should not be permitted.

Secondly, is a woman's right to choose being denied by lowering the number of weeks?

The Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo has accused those backing the change of campaigning for a stricter law on abortion because they have a hidden agenda which aims ultimately to prevent all terminations.  For a few MPs, this may well be true. But not for all. They will be looking at the evidence for viability and weighing this carefully.

Many MP's in favour of such an amendment are not against a woman's right to choose. They will simply argue that she should choose sooner.

It might be helpful to consider where the European Union nations stand on this issue:

Illegal
Ireland
Malta

10 weeks
France
Portugal
Slovenia*

12 weeks
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic*
Denmark*
Estonia*
Finland
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Luxembourg
Poland
Slovakia
Spain

14 weeks
Romania

18 weeks
Sweden

24 weeks or above
Cyprus
Great Britain
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands

*social abortions can be allowed later if authorised by a special committee.

If even a socially liberal nation like Sweden can have a lower number of weeks, maybe we ought to consider a change?

Stranded

GV Girl No. 2 has been enjoying the delights of Paris all week with fifty four of her Primary Seven classmates. I went to pick her up from Prestwick Airport last night. The flight was due at 2320. The Arrivals board said it had been delayed until midnight. I bought a book to keep me occupied during the wait. The next time I looked, the board said the flight had been cancelled. Cue much concern from Jordanhill parents for their little ones stranded at Beauvais Airport. Cue also not very much help or information from Ryanair. All we know is that there was some kind of security alert.

I got back in the car and returned to Glasgow.

GV Girl No. 2 sent a text which read, "Dad, soz but the plane was delayed. We're sleeping here tonight, so don't worry. Nite dad. Love Mollyxxx". I guess she is taking it as a a bit of an adventure. Why do I feel that she has become a seasoned traveller very quickly?

I imagine not much sleep was had by pupils or teachers. This morning I await a call to say what is happening.

Update: The pupils and teachers spent the night on cots in the airport. They will be on the plane arriving at Prestwick at 2320 tonight. Hopefully.  Expecting very tired and tearful wee souls. Though our wee soul sounded decidely cheerful on the phone this afternoon.

U-Turn Or Repentance?

I saw a learner driver gingerly executing a three-point turn yesterday. It took forever in the narrow road.

Alistair Darling also carried out a turn yesterday. Some commentators are describing it as a U-turn, but I wonder whether it is more of a first manoeuver in a complicated turning process, in order to win back some of the goodwill New Labour has lost in recent years. Will there be true repentance for mistakes made? Wouldn't that be refreshing?

What other suggestions for a turn around would you make to the Prime Minister?

Sabbatical Plans

My plans for a sabbatical over the summer have changed quite a bit, but I'll still be travelling, racking up the frequent flyer miles (or carbon footprint?). I've got a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in June (can you guess when?), a fact-finding trip to Kampala and Kabale in Uganda in July, and another pilgrimage to Willow Creek Community Church, Chicago in August lined up. I also hope to visit some friends in the USA on a road trip while over there and possibly even attending Lollapalooza with GV Boy (cos Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails are on the same bill).

Could there be some therapy in all this?

The Life of Christ

Why not get yourself down to Kelvingrove Park to see The Life of Christ on Friday 16th May at 10.30am or Saturday 17th May at 2pm? Thief No. 2 is a personal friend of mine. As is Pontius Pilate. The company some clerics keep, eh?

Hooray For The Delays

Off at another gig tonight. This time it was The Delays. An exuberant crowd, uplifting harmonies and some truly great songs made for a good night out. I left the ABC with a smile on my face.

Dragons' Den?

I'm off with some of my fine vestry/finance colleagues to St Andrews Church, Irvine today in order to give a presentation on Building for the Future to the Diocesan Council. My mum is a member if the Church of Scotland congregation and my dad is a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church congregation which share the St Andrew's building in ecumenical partnership. I just happen to have been baptised there.

So why do I have this strange feeling like I am making a pitch on Dragons' Den?

Beech Tree

I was climbing trees with GV Girl No.2 the other evening. Here's one of the trees we climbed. It's the Beech Tree in Pollok Park. I can't enthuse enough about the importance of climbing trees.

Stronachlachar Pier Tea Room

Because she did me such a good deal (twice!) on a bowl of soup with a bacon and brie panini, I promised the nice lady at the Stronachlachar Pier Tea Room that I would publicise their fantastic home made soup, so here we go. Cycle around Loch Katrine, or if that is too much, you can drive to the end of the B829. Recommended.

A Eurovision Turkey

It's that time of year again, when sad people like me begin to anticipate the feast of musical talent that is the Eurovision Song Contest. It will be beamed from Beograd to its millions of afficionados around the world on the 25th May.

Among the truly diabolical acts, here is the (coughs) 'gem' that is 'Irelande Douze Points', sung by Dustin the Turkey. Shades of 'My Lovely Horse'? Watch, listen and be amazed: