Letter: Freedom to choose not being taken away

Saturday, March 11, 2006 | 7:28 a.m.

In her March 8 letter, Ama Trussell states that the South Dakota "ban on abortion attacks the rights of women and families to make private, personal decisions about whether and when to have children." She also states, "The government shouldn't be able to force us into life-altering situations involuntarily" and "force women into having children."

The last time I checked, conceiving a child was still, except in the case of rape, a wholly voluntary - although possibly irresponsible and inappropriate - act! I am well aware that many pregnancies are inconvenient and unwanted for some families, especially a 15-year-old girl. However, how can anyone rationalize the belief that these are good reasons to bestow upon every female the unfettered right to destroy human life?

Every female and every family has the right to choose when to have children and how many children to have. How can anyone demand the right to destroy innocent human life? When indiscriminate, on-demand abortion is banned, women will retain their right to choose the timing and quantity of children.

I agree with Ms. Trussell that America stands for freedom and liberty for all. To protect everyone's rights the potential abortionee should be allowed to gestate at least 18 years and 9 months so he or she can make responsible decisions regarding their termination. Then and only then will everyone's rights be protected.

F. Jay Harrell, Las Vegas

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