Abortion: Responses to "Peaceable protection of the unborn," @issue, Feb. 7

Planned Parenthood pursues life, health

As the chair of the board of Planned Parenthood of Georgia, I feel compelled to set the record straight. For over 90 years nationally and 45 years in Georgia, Planned Parenthood has worked to provide prevention initiatives like birth control and comprehensive sex-ed programs for women and families. Anti-choice activists try to demonize Planned Parenthood and use the so-called "culture of life" mantra to further their interests, which do not do anything to help the living here in Georgia or elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood of Georgia served over 17,000 women and men last year with services such as medical screenings for cancer and HIV and health exams including Pap smears, and dispensed birth control methods. Giving women access to these services means giving them a life —- the liberty to stay healthy, pursue an education and career and have a family when the time is right. As a new mother, I realize more than ever the responsibility associated with parenting and ask that the state government not intercede in these most personal decisions.

LYNNE SEGALL

Segall is board chair of Planned Parenthood of Georgia.

We must protect rights of unborn

Those who have embraced a scientific view of man have often adopted a secular view of life that has encouraged a survival-of-the-fittest mentality. Today, some people treat their household pets with more respect than their children. Our nation continues to practice the rituals of primitive civilizations by performing abortions. A major social problem has been the neglect and abuse of children that is appalling, and it should break our hearts.

The Human Life Amendment reflects a deep concern about protecting the rights of unborn babies. Ultimately, religious leaders place their hope in God, using faith communities to encourage people to change their behavior and attitudes. It will take more than laws to radically transform the human heart.

BRENT MUIRHEAD, Alpharetta

More pain, not less, seems to be goal

As an animal lover as well as one who has the utmost respect for human life, I take exception to Rep. Martin Scott's recent column. First, Article 1 of the Georgia Constititution does state that "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property. ..." Does Scott fully intend to use that statute to deprive a woman of her liberty to terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester to first protect the rights of the unborn fetus?

Contrary to his dramatic portrayal of abortion as "brutal, gruesome, secret," does Scott really believe that the relatively quick and painless abortion procedure is worse than the prolonged psychological and emotional suffering of forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy to term against her will?

If Scott really studied the painful issue of doctor-assisted suicide as it has played out in Oregon, he would understand that many people are tormented by debilitating illnesses that have made their lives too painful to bear. Is it really up to "pro-life" conservatives to dictate to others that they must keep living even when their lives have become nothing more for them than mere existence?

It is ironic that when our pets are very ill or dying and no longer have a quality of life, we take them to be euthanized so that they will not suffer a protracted death. Might there come a time when Scott and others feel equally compassionate toward other human beings?

Cantor MARK PERMAN, Marietta

A skewed view of human rights

State Rep. Martin Scott unfortunately has a skewed understanding of the term "human rights." According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. ..." The operative word is "born."

It was ironic that Rep. Scott referenced the end of slavery and the importance of granting African-Americans personhood. During slavery, black women had no control over their bodies. HR 536 would return black women to the status of breeder, as in the time of slavery.

Measures such as HR 536 would exacerbate health care concerns, particularly for women of color. Comprehensive sex education, increased access to health care and the funding of social programs that assist those "simply in need of a caring heart and helping hand" grant dignity. Dignity does not come from restricting the rights of women to control their own bodies.

HEIDI WILLIAMSON

Williamson is advocacy and membership coordinator for SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective.

Keep religion separate from laws

In reading the column by Martin Scott, I felt a sense of dread. He was discussing HR 536regarding the establishment of "personhood" to the unborn from the moment of conception. To say this is a bad law is a vast understatement. It is not based on science, but on the religious beliefs of some members of society.

This country is based on a separation of church and state, and this proposal comes periously close to establishing a base for this separation to come undone. Despite what religious leaders say, at conception there is just a cluster of cells.

Until a child can exist outside the body of the mother, there should be no right to "personhood." We should not try to legislate that which is basically a religious issue. If we do, we risk becoming a theocracy.

LARRI BRADY, Stockbridge

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Baboon link lacking in maturity

According to Jim Wooten, referring to a study of yellow baboon families without daddies, a human female who is fatherless will not mature at an earlier age and therefore will not have the capacity to reproduce for a longer period of her life ("GOP angst, FairTax, fluid thinking," @issue, Feb. 8). He equates this to child cruelty.

Even if his cited baboon study were applicable to the much more complex human existence, I fail to see how it would be cruel to raise a girl without a father if the only repercussion is to delay reproductive maturity for a few years.

If indeed we can apply his baboon theory to humans, he's really onto something, but it's not what he thinks.

HEATHER HUNTER, Atlanta

Impatient drivers a fearful menace

In response to the editorial about crosswalks, I have to say something about how aggressive and hostile drivers are to pedestrians ("Personally speaking: Know what a crosswalk is, folks?" by Maureen Downey, Editorial, Feb. 8).

I am a non-driving adult who walks and uses public transportation. I always obey traffic signals and never jaywalk. However, I have had cars turn into the crosswalk when I am in it and aggressively inch their cars toward me if they feel I am taking too long.

The worst offense was a recent Tuesday when I was crossing East Ponce de Leon in downtown Decatur. A blind woman with a white-tipped cane was crossing opposite me and when she didn't walk fast enough, a woman wanting to turn honked at her. I truly fear for people walking anywhere in this state, especially children.

KRISTIN DAVIS, Decatur

Governor fiddles while Atlanta parches

Good ol' Sonny Perdue —- by prematurely relaxing outdoor watering restrictions and proclaiming "Swim, kids, swim," our governor attempts to cast himself as Santa Claus. Unfortunately, the legendary character he most resembles is Nero playing his fiddle while Rome burns.

GLENN PHILLIPS, Atlanta

Sudden GOP concern for deficit bemuses

All seven Georgia Republicans in the U.S. House voted against tax rebates that would benefit tens of millions of low- and moderate-income folks across the nation ("Georgia Republicans unhappy about rebate," News, Feb. 9). Reps. Lynn Westmoreland and John Linder were particularly critical of these tax cuts because they would add to the nation's deficit.

This objection seems to be self-serving and disingenuous, since Republican legislators didn't offer much resistance to the enormous debt incurred by the Reagan and Bush II tax cuts and spending habits. Of course, they will claim with mythical logic that the presidential tax cuts were the "right" kind, the kind most beneficial to high-income folks.

As a matter of fact, many Republican legislators have lately become very frugal. Hopefully, they are beginning to understand the catastrophic consequences of the borrow-and-spend fiscal practices that began in the 1980s, came to a halt in the '90s but rapidly accelerated again after the turn of the century.

JERRY HULSHULT, Canton

Small church has massive strengths

Thank you for the article highlighting the 150th anniversary of Central Presbyterian Church ("Central to Atlanta," Living, Feb. 9). Your words described well the church's significant history and outreach programs. However, the article also gave the incorrect impression that Central is a struggling downtown church. It failed to mention the extraordinary music that is a part of worship, the large and active youth group, the many clergy affiliates and the immeasurable love, energy and dedication of its 700 members, young and old.

Hopefully, some of your readers will come experience firsthand what a unique, vibrant church sits at the corner of power and powerlessness.

GINGER HEIDBREDER, Dunwoody