Editor, Times-Union: The report on a recent AP poll regarding abortion and the Supreme Court appeared in the Monday, Nov. 29, edition of the Times-Union. The poll found that 59 percent of Americans say Bush should choose a Supreme Court nominee that would uphold the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. However, the poll qualified the question by first telling respondents that the "1973 Supreme Court ruling called Roe v. Wade made abortion in the first three months of pregnancy legal."
That statement is not true and may have affected the answers that people gave. In fact, the truth is that Roe v. Wade made abortion legal for any reason at any time until "viability," the 22 - 24 week point in pregnancy where an unborn child, with medical assistance, can survive on his or her own outside of the mother's womb. After viability, the Supreme Court says abortions may be performed for any reason to protect a woman's "health" - a term that has been so broadly defined as to include virtually any reason.
The AP poll actually contradicts previous polling data. A Wirthlin Worldwide poll, commissioned just after the presidential elections, found 55 percent took a pro-life position and only 40 percent took one of three positions in favor of legal abortions. Only 9 percent said abortion should always be legal at any time during pregnancy and just 25 percent agreed with the AP presentation of Roe v. Wade, saying abortion should be legal for any reason within the first three months of pregnancy.
Many people also don't realize that even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, all abortions will not be illegal. If the Supreme Court reverses the decision, states will be able to make their own laws on abortion. Some states will choose to keep abortion legal even if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
For those who would like more information regarding this and other pro-life issues, go to www.lifenews.com
Dave Koontz Director Kosciusko County Right to Life
via e-mail
Samaritans
Editor, Times-Union: On the Wednesday morning, a very icy morning, my son had the misfortune of losing control of his truck on the way to school. He was traveling west from Oswego and hit a very slick area, slid into the ditch and rolled over several times before coming to rest with the truck on its side. A few cars passed as he climbed from the truck and one compassionate commuter was kind enough to go out of his way when he saw the truck in the field and stopped to see if he could help. I don't know your name, but I would like to thank you for taking the time to give him a ride to the Munch Box in Oswego and I hope your boss knows what a good person you are. I would like to thank the people at the Munch Box (thank you) who called police and ambulance and gave comfort until they arrived. The injuries sustained were not serious and the truck can be replaced, but we all feel better knowing we have neighbors that will help when it counts.
