Perched atop Mt. Morality 

The opinion piece by Michael Shannon published on Feb. 6, 2019 is an example of ill-informed, divisive journalism. I was more than disappointed that The Times Record chose to print this piece of propaganda, vilifying those who are concerned for the health and well-being of pregnant women.   

It is clear that Mr. Shannon has little if any knowledge of the realities of the decision-making process of a woman who chooses to terminate a pregnancy.  He attributes it to “lifestyle” or a “mindset of convenience.”   

If he, and others who oppose abortion, were willing to listen to the stories of those who have had abortions, especially those in the second or third trimester, they might gain an understanding that the decision to abort is not taken easily, is not a matter of “convenience.” I personally know one mother who kept the pregnancy even though the prediction was that when born the baby would die within 24 hours. She became treacherously ill.  Terminating the pregnancy was the only way her life could be saved.  

What anti-abortion activists don’t mention is that virtually no woman wants an abortion during the third trimester. It’s painful, traumatizing, and heartbreaking. 

Most insulting of all is Mr. Shannon’s statement that “pro-life supporters don’t care what the woman does with her body.” That lack of caring is one major factor in the rise of maternal mortality in this country. The focus of research in recent years has been on the newborn.  Research about the health of pregnant women has been seriously neglected.  He and other “pro-life supporters” should be doing all they can so that a woman doesn’t die giving birth to the life they are trying to save.   

Mr. Shannon’s statement might be worth more if he himself got down off the “perch atop Mt. Morality” that he attributes to Gov. Northam.  Decent, respectful discussion can help us move forward on this divisive issue; not a barrage of insults casting ill-informed aspersions on those with whom we disagree.   

Julia G. Kahrl, 

Arrowsic 

Listen to your hearts, not dogma

Ernest Lamarre’s bitter letter against abortion and those who support it was truly sad to read. 

Women throughout the world want to plan their families. It is painful to see how some religions deny them that right as well as the use of contraceptives.   Others respect a woman’s right to plan their families.  No religion has all truths.  I wonder if Mr. Lamarre is of the Catholic faith and if so, how he feels about the thousands of priests throughout the world who have been sexually assaulting innocent children for many, many years.  Four years ago the U.N. concerned about children throughout the world being sexually abused by Catholic priests asked the Vatican for the names and addresses of guilty priests to protect children.  The Vatican would not and in countries where abortion is illegal, girls as young as 10 years old who have been raped and impregnated are forced to have babies.  Some die. 

Abortion was made legal because so many women died leaving children without a mother to care for them. Abortion saves the lives of girls and women we care about—mothers, daughters, friends, neighbors. Abortion is legal and safe in our country and should be protected from religious interference.  When fundamentalist religions approve of girls as young as 10 being forced to give birth after having been raped and impregnated, that is inhumane. 

I hope Mr. Lamarre and others like him will listen with their hearts rather than religious dogma. 

Gene Proctor, 

West Bath