OPINION/LETTERS: Do you want reproductive rights restored? Vote in November.

Were every baby a wanted baby, the world would look quite different.

Sadly, that’s not the case. Girls are raped by their fathers, cousins, uncles, neighbors or strangers. Responsible parents have a family and can’t afford another baby. Teenagers realize that they can’t be a good parent at 13 or 15 or even 17, when they’re still a child. These are but three examples of why Roe v. Wade is of gargantuan importance. Despite criticism of Roe, the Supreme Court re-affirmed its “central holding” in its 1992 decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Abortions are going to continue, but also, deaths of pregnant women will increase. We’ve lived with Roe for nearly half a century. It works; it allowed women of all ages to safely terminate a pregnancy when necessary. No one ever gets an abortion frivolously. It’s an extremely emotional episode.

What’s coming next from this political Supreme Court? The end of gay marriage, of inter-racial marriages, of all the progress this country has made? Allowing for women to choose what they do with their own bodies, to let gay couples and mixed-race couples choose their life partners, are not only precious, they’re life-affirming.

We need to do all that we can to safeguard the progress this country has made. Go to the polls and vote!

Lee Bartell, Eastham

Why I am stepping down from the Barnstable Town Council

Taking advantage of a Special Town Election in September, I am retiring as councilor for Precinct 3 on Sept. 2. My wife and I are in our 70s and need to be closer to our children and grandchildren. We are returning to the New Bedford and Fall River area.

I will also fulfill my mission to continue focusing on social justice and environmental issues with various communities.

It has been my honor to serve alongside my colleagues, administrator, management and staff and citizens of the town of Barnstable. I have championed the citizens to the best of my ability.

Paul Hebert, Centerville

Civilians do not need weapons of war

There is no place for assault weapons among civilians.

Assault rifles are designed to kill or incapacitate soldiers wearing body armor from a great distance away. A non-lethal wound can permanently disable a soldier. A civilian body has no chance.

A Google search finds the following words used by emergency room doctors treating assault weapon victims. Bones are exploded, soft tissue is absolutely destroyed, amputations, multiple organs shattered, exit wounds a foot wide. Assault rifle victims often present with injuries so severe that recovery is not likely; damage beyond repair.

Why were DNA samples needed to identify the children in Uvalde?

Because of the destruction to bone and tissue, game shot with an assault weapon is not suitable for the table or trophy wall. Home protection is better met with a weapon that is suitable for close-range combat (12-gauge auto-load), not one that can kill a neighbor's granddaughter watching TV three blocks away. Any gun in the home is a danger to the entire family.

There is no place for assault weapons among civilians.

Walter Kangas, South Yarmouth

GOP's rejection of mail-in voting anti-democratic

A story titled “Suit aims to reverse enhanced voting law" appeared on the front page of the July 5 Cape Cod Times.

“Pathetic” is the word that came to mind when I read this story where the Massachusetts Republicans are suing to prevent an enhanced voting rights law (that includes universal mail-in voting) that a Republican governor signed into law.

The suit is nothing more than a pathetic con by Republicans to undermine the democratic voting process.

It’s part of a strategy being used across America, particularly on radio talk shows where Republicans are accusing Democrats of “cheating” with elections, sometimes even before the elections occur.

This is all Republicans have to offer?

Gerard Londergan, Dennis

Retiring teachers should be acknowledged for hard work, dedication

As the school year came to an end and no doubt, all over Cape Cod, veteran teachers are retiring.

I retired in June 2021 after 27 years of public school teaching on Cape Cod — four in Falmouth and 23 in Barnstable. Along with at least 13 other retirees in my town and one beloved assistant principal, we received absolutely nothing from our superintendent of schools or the Barnstable School Committee — not a card, a note, or even an email of acknowledgment or thanks.

It was heartwarming that those retiring from my school were celebrated by our wonderful, supportive and kind teaching colleagues. But the total lack of respect from the Barnstable school administration was stunning.

Last September I wrote via email to the Barnstable School Committee. A few days later I received a package from the former Barnstable superintendent of schools. It included a handwritten note from her, with my first name spelled incorrectly, and a tote bag. While the tote bag was attractive, I have little use for it now. No doubt purchased in bulk at a nominal cost, perhaps the tote bags should be given to every current, hardworking teacher in the town.

Retiring teachers who have given years of service to a town should at least be given some sincere acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication to the children in their care, and I hope school administrators in other towns will. I know the parents of the hundreds of wonderful students I taught over the years would agree with me.

Diane Mandeville, Marstons Mills

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Opinion/Letters: the ballot box is key to restoring abortion rights