Archive for Wednesday, April 13, 2005  Can conscience override
common sense?  April 13, 2005   — To begin with, I don't believe
that anyone should be compelled to do work they regard as
unethical. History is full of heroes who rebelliously followed
their consciences. It's also full of people who shamefully
followed orders.  For that matter, I believe that companies and
institutions should have a code of ethics. What is the
alternative to corporate responsibility and public morality?
Enron?  So I approach the subject of conscience clauses rather
gingerly. The very first such laws offered an exemption for
doctors in 47 states who don't want to perform abortions on
moral grounds. That seems to me a matter of common decency.
Doctors are not automatons who leave their beliefs at the
operating room door.  It also seems like common sense. Who would
want their abortion performed by an opponent?  Gradually
however, we have had the incredibly expanding conscience clause.
In 10 states health care professionals can consc