Columbus Mayor Ginther's new TV ad is laughable| Letters

Letters to the Editor
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Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther speaks to media following a "call-in" session hosted by the city's Office of Violence Prevention at the Church of Christ on Genessee Avenue.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther speaks to media following a "call-in" session hosted by the city's Office of Violence Prevention at the Church of Christ on Genessee Avenue.

Bad ad

I had to take a second look at a political ad from Mayor Andrew Ginther. He begins with the statement "My job is to keep Columbus safe."

Well, sir, you have failed badly!

Enough said.

Cam Shipley, Chillicothe

Guys must speak up

There are times in our lives when we are called to make very personal and difficult family decisions such as ending a marriage, cutting off ties with a family member, or making end of life choices for aging parents. In these times we do the best we can, hopefully with the support of close friends and family. It’s never easy and is often painful.

Deciding to end a pregnancy is just such a situation.

More: Will abortion and marijuana become legal in Ohio? Election prediction from Thomas Suddes

It is obviously something that should never be taken lightly. It should only be done with all the awareness and compassion we can find.

I believe such a choice can only be made by the pregnant woman and her loved ones, not by the government, the Ohio legislature, our national congress, president, or supreme court.

I respect those whose beliefs lead them to reject abortion. I do not respect their right to make that decision for others.

I do not respect those who produce distortion and misinformation to further their agendas, those who try to use this deeply personal issue to further their own fundraising and political careers.

I’m a guy.

It is important for us guys to speak up and stand up at the side of our wives, daughters, granddaughters, and sisters.

Please vote "yes" on Issue 1 on Nov. 7.

It is the only way to keep this intimate and challenging decision in the hands of the women and their families.

John Schmieding, Athens

The truth about Issue 1

Oct 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Many people from in and outside of Columbus came to the Ohio Statehouse to show their support of voting YES to Issue 1 in November.
Oct 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Many people from in and outside of Columbus came to the Ohio Statehouse to show their support of voting YES to Issue 1 in November.

Here are three things to consider about Issue 1— The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety.

  1. If you support the right to make one’s reproductive decisions, then you probably want to vote "yes" for Issue 1. With the passage of Issue 1, abortion would be legal up until viability of the fetus– as it had been under Roe v. Wade. After fetal viability, abortion would not be permitted, unless, in the professional judgment of a physician, an abortion is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health. Access to miscarriage care, contraception, and fertility treatments would also be protected.

  2. If you believe that all abortions are unacceptable—even to save the life of the patient—then you probably want to vote NO on Issue 1. In this case, you are permitting the General Assembly to pass legislation banning or restricting abortion and other reproductive decisions.

  3. If you’re confused by claims that Issue 1 will diminish a parent’s rights or leave children unprotected, don’t be. Issue 1 is silent on these issues. Whether you vote Yes or No, a parent’s rights over their minor children will remain unchanged under current Ohio law. Likewise, statutory protections for children will be unaffected by the passage or failure of Issue 1.

Read the ballot language.

Exercise your right to vote at the polls on Nov. 7 or by early voting until Nov. 5.

Cheryl Roller President, League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What do you need to know about Issue 1, the Ohio abortion amendment