I thank and agree with Bruce Fehring of Kilauea, who wrote objecting to the numerous articles by Kathryn Jean Lopez, and the lack of equal space given to opposing views.
He stated his opinion much more politely than I would. I am so fed up with one-sided religious dogma influencing our politics, which is supposed to be secular. Separation of church and state!
The article published Sunday, Oct. 30, on the same forum page by a man named Peter Roff also managed to upset me, and I am sending him an email as well regarding some of his printed interpretations of what he claims women feel and experience and need regarding the issues of abortion. I found his comments to be underhandedly accusative, judgmental, and belittling of women who are advocating the right to choose.
The use of terms like “abortion advocates” is so far from the reality of what women are fighting for. I doubt there is a woman alive who is advocating abortion.
Although the “conservative rightwing” is demanding that all people follow their belief that terminating pregnancy is sinful and must not be allowed to happen — no “liberal choice” advocate is demanding that the only solution for unwanted pregnancy is abortion, nor are they insisting that is what must be done.
Nor is abortion the true issue; it is having the choice of what is done to one’s own body and life. It is a personal decision and not one to be made autocratically by public or religious law.
Mr. Roff was very sneaky in his comments about Stacy Abrams saying in an interview that the decision to abort is influenced by economic issues. He denigrated her comments by saying that “her opinion is popular among those who argue abortion empowers women, leading to their economic and social success.”
Wow! Social success — I wonder what that means. Economics is a very big factor in the decision to abort or carry to term.
For at least the next 18 years, a parent will be economically responsible for that child in order for them both to survive. Issues like being able to work, at least during the first five years until school starts, and affordable child care, affordable housing, food, healthcare, etc.
Oh yeah, of course there are people who say, so go get welfare and food stamps and Medicaid, and only shop at the thrift store.
But there are U.S. states that make it very difficult to obtain these benefits. Ironically, these are states that are very pro-right conservative and religious. And if a female does manage to survive and keep her baby well cared for by utilizing these options, she is often badmouthed as ‘taking advantage’ of taxpayers’ money.
I truly wonder why so very many men are against abortion. Perhaps it’s male DNA from the beginning of time prompting them to impregnate — so the species continues.
I wonder how many of the men who are against abortion have adopted a few babies from women who chose to not abort, but instead were forced to abandon.
I wonder how many men who are against abortion have set up bank accounts and trust funds to keep a woman and her baby well cared for during the 18 years that the responsibility of child raising demands.
I wonder, too, whether the men and women against abortion who demand that abortion be denied to all because of their own personal religious beliefs, would accept being told that they must never again eat bacon with their eggs, or any pork or shellfish.
I wonder if the men would accept having to go get circumcised, if not already. I wonder why so many people think one’s religion’s laws must dominate the laws of the land and be followed by all.
Actually, I wonder why I just spent the last two hours thinking and writing about this. One last thought on this divisive subject:
I wonder why those men who are so adamant that no woman should ever get an abortion don’t just go and get a vasectomy.
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Judy Xenofos is a resident of Lihu‘e.
