Letters: The sanctity of life, protesters at the Women's Care Center, IU and abortion
Holcomb, Legislature desire to help 'misdirected'
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desire to “make progress in protecting the sanctity of life” is being misdirected by extremists in the supermajority Indiana Legislature trying to convince him to call a special session to consider abortion restrictions on July 25. Restricting access to abortion does not stop abortion — it makes pregnancy more dangerous.
How is there any morality in restricting abortion access in Indiana when, according to United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings, as of 2020 we have the 8th highest rate of infant mortality and the 6th highest rate of maternal mortality out of the 50 states in the nation? More babies will die and more people giving birth will die because of the governor’s decision to follow the extremists in his party.
Banning abortion does not protect the sanctity of life, it guarantees that lives are lost. Those are actual heartbeats that will stop and they will be Gov. Holcomb’s fault. If the governor wants to protect the sanctity of life, give us formula to feed our babies, high-quality and free pregnancy care, free childcare, do not charge money for people giving birth, make menstrual products available, support families. That shows sanctity for life. Restricting abortion access denies Hoosiers healthcare.
Juliet Hardesty, Bloomington
Restrictions push actions underground
Making something illegal that most people want does not make it go away. It pushes it underground such as Prohibition of the 1920s or underage drinking today. Restrictive induced abortion laws in Indiana have already influenced maternal mortality in our state, which is one of the highest in the nation. More restrictions would increase this public health crisis.
We need common sense laws regarding induced abortions. If not, women of means will continue to travel to other states or countries to obtain timely care. Poorer Hoosier women will be maimed or killed in their desperation to end their pregnancies by ingesting toxic substances, attempting self-induced abortions, or going to “backstreet” operators. More than half of these women are in their 20s, unmarried, already have children, and are women of color. About half are financially struggling and poor.
If they are forced to bear an unwanted child, most will not give up their infant for adoption due to cultural norms. They will be pushed further into poverty and need our tax dollars for support. We need to make common sense laws on reproductive care for the sake of public health in Indiana.
Ruth Engs, Bloomington
Protesters' decision was 'unacceptable'
Overturning Roe v. Wade has led to nationwide protests, but the protest in Bloomington ran past any principles of civility and decency when "pro-choice" activists mobbed the Women's Care Center. They waited until WCC closed to surround and harass center staff, and police had to be called to restore order and protect the staff. This is unacceptable.
We have heard people say "if you do not like abortion, do not have one" for 50 years. But the hypocrites who mobbed the Women's Care Center refused to follow that principle: If you do not like a center that provides care, supplies and diapers to women in need, do not go there. They are right next door to Planned Parenthood, so no one is being denied a choice by the existence of the center.
By mobbing a nonprofit that cares for women, these protesters proved they are not interested in women's health or rights. They care only about a pro-abortion political agenda. The pro-abortion mob is trying to steal choice from women. This is the opposite of being pro-choice. Every official in city and county government should denounce this behavior and stand with the staff and volunteers trying to care for women.
Scott Tibbs, Bloomington
Where is IU?
Where in the world is Indiana University?
“I strongly support access to abortion services, and I will do everything in my power as president to ensure we continue to provide this critically important care.” So said University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman in a June 24 presser. I felt buoyed by her response in support of women and girl’s right to bodily autonomy.
Then I remembered I work for Indiana University, not the University of Michigan. But since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, IU’s public response has been crickets. IU’s statewide student enrollment is 100,000+, more than half of whom are female-identified. Of those, a majority engage in sex that may put them at-risk of unintended pregnancy.
IU owes it to them (and all of us) to advocate for a woman’s right to choose. No doubt that when the Indiana Legislature meets July 25 it will vote to further restrict Hoosier’s access to abortion. What is not inevitable is the extent to which it will allow exceptions for the health of pregnant women/girls, etc. That is where unrelenting pressure by IU’s trustees and President Whitten on IN legislators and Gov. Eric Holcomb can have an impact. Act now!
Trish Kerlé, senior lecturer, Kelley School of Business Indiana University
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Letters on the future of abortion in Indiana
