Wednesday's letters: Rights at risk, 'It Takes 2,' another dog beach, more

If Roe overturned, other rights at risk

In his May 5 column, George Will laments at length the impact of the leak of the draft opinion on Roe v. Wade (“Alito’s Roe argument is a starting over point”).

Will does not lament the potential impact for many other decisions that, like Roe, have expanded individual rights that are not enumerated in the Constitution.

I fear Roe will be only the first decision where a previously well-established human right is taken away. Alito’s basic “originalism” philosophy implies that other rights not specifically granted by the Constitution may be at risk.

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Regarding Roe, we can already see the pattern emerging in many states where abortion exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s life are ignored. By any rational measurement, this is a huge step back.

The abortion “bounty hunter” provision in the recent Texas law has already spread. HB 167 contained such a provision this year but died in committee.

Neither the right to vote nor gay marriage rights nor the right to an abortion nor any similar human right should vary by state. We are U.S. citizens and deserve the same individual rights in every state.

Derry Beck, Sarasota

‘It Takes 2’: Use DNA to get child support

With the Supreme Court likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, may I suggest some real “pro-life” legislation that should gain bipartisan support.

Require a DNA test for any pregnant woman who cannot provide evidence of significant child support from the father. Once identified, the IRS should garnish 50% of the father’s wages, income or assets, which would go to support that child until he or she turns 18.

If the father is under 18, his parents should provide such support.

We’ll call it the “It Takes 2” bill. Now who could possibly oppose that?

Steve Downes, University Park

Abortion restrictions tough to enforce

Thank you for Kathleen Parker’s May 6 column, “The court has shifted on abortion since Roe; I have, too.”

The Supreme Court is on the precipice of overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling of 1973 that granted women the legal right to an abortion.

Unlike Parker, I haven’t shifted my opinion.

Unfortunately, the columnist won’t take my call, the Roberts Supreme Court apparently does not have a listed number and I’ve got questions that no one else is asking.

• How will states enforce these new anti-abortion laws?

• Will the abortion courts really hand out life sentences to a young woman for the murder of her unborn baby?

• If abortion is murder, then it is also premeditated murder and doctors, by default, are murderers-for-hire.

• Will the “abortion police” have access to the gynecological records of every confirmed pregnant woman?

• Will women have to report weekly to confirm that their pregnancy is still intact?

• Will women be forced to wear ankle bracelets?

• Will the abortion police be allowed to “snoopervise” at doctor appointments?

The abortion “police” are coming soon, so it may be appropriate to paraphrase some famous lyrics by The Police: “Every move you make, every breath you take, they’ll be stalking you.”

Doug McClaugherty, Sarasota

Dogs welcome under Ringling Causeway

The May 6 article about Sarasota being among the top dog-friendly places to live stated that “Venice Beach is the only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota County.”

The article forgot to mention the dog-friendly beach under the Ringling bridge. That beach is walking distance from the many apartments in downtown Sarasota. as well as the near surrounding area.

Arnie Moschin, Sarasota

Can’t keep LGBTQ issues out of schools

Imagine this scenario: Young students are talking about vacations and holiday plans and one asks: “Where are your mom and dad taking you this summer?” or “What did your mom and dad do for your birthday?”

One child says: “My dads took me fishing.” Another talks of her moms taking her shopping.

Are there not going to be questions about these answers? Are these students not allowed to talk about their families?

How are teachers supposed to skip around these issues? Why should a child be shushed for mentioning his family? How did we fall into such a miasma in Florida?

Jane S. Oaks, Longboat Key

Governor promises Disney will pay

Gov. Ron DeSantis has asserted that Disney, if and when its special status is removed, will pay for its own millions in debts, that Floridians will not have to pay.

This sounds eerily like Donald Trump’s repeated promise that Mexico would pay for the wall on our southern border. Mexico never paid. We did.

Stephen D. Fox, Englewood

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Roe decision could put other rights at risk, another dog beach