112397 What is the nature of this choice? and 2) What is the source of the right?

To the Editor:

The buttons, that some of the abortion advocates wear, read, "I want my right to choose." To arrive at a rational conclusion with respect to "pro-choice", several related topics must be considered, 1) What is the nature of this choice? and 2) What is the source of the right?

The source of the alleged right derives from the Supreme Court decision written by Justice Blackmun. Among other statements Blackmun wrote that if the personhood of the fetus is established, the appellant's case collapses, for the fetus* right to life is then guaranteed specifically by the 14th amendment. Since he wrote this, many things have happened. 1) The test-tube baby was born. 2) A 23-week-gestional-age-baby weighing 17 ounces at birth, believed to be the most prematurely-born to survive, went home on her first birthday. 3) In a soon to be released book, Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who acknowledges that he presided of 60,000 deaths, makes it quite clear that what is destroyed in each abortion is a child. These and numerous other occurrences confirm the pro-life claim that the entity in the mother's womb is a human being--a person. It follows, then, that the appellant's case has collapsed; women do not have a "right" to abort.

Most people would be horrified if they observed a woman ripping a live chicken to pieces. Yet that is what the abortionist does when he sucks the child or removes him by a procedure known as dilatation and evacuation. (D and E). He rips a living child to pieces.

The abortion advocates would have us believe that pregnant women will be forced to patronize back alley abortionists if they are unable to obtain clean, safe abortions at public expense. However, revelations in Chicago and New York City give lie to the claim that legal clinics are clean and safe, Father they indicate that the regulation of clinics is not only desirable; it is a necessity for the protection of the mother as well as for the welfare of the pre-born.

No one denies that having an unwanted child can disrupt a woman's life style. However, it must be borne in mind that protecting the fundamental human and civil rights of one individual necessarily requires personal sacrifices of some significance by those against whom the right is enforced.

Another option is available to women; they may choose to carry their children to term. As a matter of fact, in its June 20, 1979 Poelker decision, the Supreme Court ruled that "the Constitution does not forbid a State or city from expressing a preference for normal childbirth." It is hoped that the Council of the City of Yonkers will exercise its rights in this matter.

 

Cordially

Patrick H. MoHugh