The argument Tanner Davies uses in his June 10 editorial is absurd. He is assuming so much about the agonizing decision any woman makes to end a pregnancy for whatever reason. He disregards the reasons the decades-long fight for women’s lives (pro-life!) before Roe v. Wade. He doesn’t address the minimal effect this movement has on the lives of the men involved in unplanned or unviable pregnancies. He disregards the plight of millions of children who are faced with survival in war-torn countries or being ripped from their parents at the border of the United States.
The truth is, abortion in one form or another has been around for centuries, and overturning of Roe v. Wade will not end it; it will only end safe legal abortions for some of the most vulnerable women among us, and the data and education that have resulted from legalized access to safe abortion.
According to Christian Life Resources, the number of abortions has steadily declined since 1986, significantly since 1997. Banning abortion again means women will die, children will be left without mothers, and back-alley abortionists will prey upon desperate poor women who feel they have no other choice. Safe abortion will still be available to women of means who can travel to a state where it is still legal.
“Pro-life” will continue to be an ironic joke plaguing our country and uniting one-sided crusaders until they can actually embrace life: end the death penalty, welcome children seeking asylum, fight to reduce poverty and child abuse, take effective action to curb the gun violence killing our children through mass shootings and suicide.
Until that time, the so called pro-life movement is nothing but a straw man, a man like Mr. Davies, who has never had to face that decision, believing they have taken the moral high road, when in reality they are stuck in the mud.
Lisa Kolstad, Salt Lake City