Give babies a chance -- don't abort them
I am writing in reference to Barry Raff's column about the Roe v. Wade anniversary (
Gathering Place, Star-Bulletin, Jan. 22).
As an adopted 15-year-old teenager, I was appalled at Mr. Raff's negative comments regarding the pro-life movement. The pro-life movement teaches the 100 percent guarantee against unwanted pregnancies, which is abstinence. However, Planned Parenthood refuses to teach this responsible way to avoid pregnancies, and instead gives more reasons for teens to be irresponsible and fornicate.
I know that I am incredibly fortunate that my biological parents decided to spare my life by not killing me. Instead of abortion, they chose to put me up for adoption, which is also found missing from the pro-death teaching curriculum. Instead, pro-abortion groups would rather kill babies who would have otherwise become fruitful and productive human beings.
Joey Gefroh
Freshman, Damien Memorial School
Critics defame peace-crusading mom
It is the mark of intellectual and moral poverty when one defames the character and motives of an opponent to justify a political policy (
Letters, Star-Bulletin, Jan. 17). Such accusations are double-edged and one as well might question that the author of such a letter is simply a captive of a particular political viewpoint and cannot enter into a fair discussion on the merits of the issue.
Cindy Sheehan has nothing to gain but sorrow by taking an unpopular position against a fruitless and vain war that has cost her the life her precious young son, as well as those of the more than 2,200 dedicated youths and the thousands on thousands of innocent Iraqis. All the victims desired life.
It is a mark of true patriotism to question an erroneous policy that causes such tragedy. If the only argument by those in favor of the Iraq war is to accuse her and other critics of harboring ulterior motives, they have reached the bottom of the bottomless bucket in this unnecessary and endless war.
Alfred Bloom
Kailua
Case might bring ex-Democrats back
Hear, hear, Ed Case, for making the move (
"Case to oppose Akaka," Star-Bulletin, Jan. 20). It's about time someone came in to revitalize the Democratic Party. Every politician in Congress should be replaced. They are so worried about keeping their cronies in office that they are forgetting what they were first put in there for -- serving the people of Hawaii.
They have the attitude that we the people of Hawaii are working for them. Maybe at long last we will have someone who will start working for us. And I hope more will step up to the plate and realize that they have a job to fulfill or they will be replaced.
If Case does for the party what I think he will do, then I will once again become a Democrat.
Adrienne Wilson-Yamasaki
Wahiawa
It's time for Akaka to step aside
Senator Akaka is a good man for whom I have voted. But at the age of 81, it really is time for him to step aside. The most surprising thing about Ed Case's move is that it surprised Senator Inouye.
Oh yes, and about both Hawaii senators voting for Arctic drilling -- their votes clearly were against the wishes of their constituents. That wasn't OK.
E.A. Connors
Kailua
No one should be 'assisted' in suicide
With the Legislature once again in session, we again face the talk of assisted suicide. That subject is taboo in most Western religions. Holland has set the standard with its euthanasia laws. Where will it stop and what will the criteria be for being "helped to die"? Will future children born with "defects" be eliminated at birth? Will others who are depressed or in ill health become a burden to others and be told "it's your time to go"? Do what you want to with your own drug concoctions, but do it by yourself -- don't involve others who wouldn't be a party to this situation ordinarily. Take an overdose of whatever and be done with it!
Why is it that the liberal side is so in favor of assisted suicide when they also are the ones against the death penalty? The people up for capital punishment are allowed to languish for years at the public expense. Let's get this straight, folks.
Kathryn Kane
Honolulu