ABORTION: Keep religion to self

In response to Bonnie Hayes; according to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, women have the same rights as anyone else to not have religious views imposed upon them. Precisely, religious special interests who’d turn to state governments to coerce women to have an ultrasound before they may seek an abortion. Since Ms. Hayes chose not to mention any of this in her letter to the editor, then there is a real question about her honesty and accuracy.

The first amendment includes this language, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” What Congress may not do, then state governments have no more authority to impose religious-based law upon any of their citizens. So, the question that I have for Ms. Hayes is this; you oppose, I am sure, tyranny if it comes from “the left.” Then is it no less a tyranny or an overburdening government, to coerce women to have ultrasounds?

Most abortions involve miscarriages. A smaller percentage involve other medical reasons inclusive of the fetus having died in the uterus (not belly). Then there are the reasons of rape, incest that involve children, as well as the socio-economic factor. I highly doubt that women simply desire to “slaughter” their “unborn children” in most cases. Where other choices could have been made; perhaps Ms. Hayes would like the man who doesn’t want the “child” he fathered—at least one reason for the woman obtaining an abortion—to be in the same medical clinic as the woman he impregnated, and witnessing the same ultrasound. Perhaps Ms. Hayes could tell us, where in these ultrasound laws, that men are coerced to accept responsibility for their actions. Otherwise, if such language does not exist, then those laws must be truly discriminatory indeed.

JOAN E. HARMAN

Coeur d’Alene