Opinion : Letter to the Editor: SCOTUS and Responsibility

By Vinton Today · June 30, 2022, 11:20 am

Dear Editor:

Greetings and salutations.

It was an interesting discussion on the aspects of the SCOTUS decision on reversing ROE V WADE. This was never law as some have stated as the Judiciary cannot make law but only make decisions on whether the law is constitutional or otherwise legal. The Democrat Left has made it a hallmark that if they cannot attain their result by legislation (as it should be) they search for an “activist” judge to rule in their favor. If it deems in error by those affected, their remedy is to appeal to a higher court. That is the roadmap.

The whole discussion by the dissenters missed the major point – a human unborn baby is killed by this abortion procedure. Dr. Ben Carson has stated that 400,000 black unborn babies were aborted last year. Our black population is only 12% of the total, why so many aborted? Guttmacher’s latest available figures are from 2020, when it says there were 930,160 abortions nationwide, up from 916,460 in 2019. The math says 43% of the abortions in 2020 were Black unborn. The data may or may not be totally accurate, but I think you get the picture. Planned parenthood is RACIST. Margaret Sanger's position was to “weed the garden”. That was directed to the Black Population!

How many Dr. Ben Carson’s, Charles Payne’s, Walter E. Williams's (RIP), and Thomas Sowell‘s, would there have been if all these black babies had survived?? Would one if they had survived found a cure for any of the many diseases that prove fatal to us?? We will never know.

A woman who chooses to have sex must assume there is a possibility of pregnancy. There are so many readily available contraceptives available – the question; why not protect yourself if you choose to have sex with a fertile male???

No dissenter addressed that issue.

Regards,

John Stiegelmeyer

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AB July 6, 2022, 1:56 pm "Science sure has changed since I went to school" Funny thing about science. It's always coming up with something we didn't know before. Did you know, for instance, that the length of a meter changes every few years as our ability to measure the diameter of the earth becomes more precise?

JS July 5, 2022, 11:14 pm As a former U.S. Air Force Officer and Jet Pilot I am totally familiar with ass chewing. To Glen Shepherd -I thank you for your service as a veteran with many deployments - more than my own. For my active service was only 5 years, but that does not imply that I am not angry at the Politics of War. As in Vietnam we won the ground battles and the air battles, but lost the people's resolve. It became more apparent to me that on one of my deployments to SEA, with an overnight in Hickam - I met a Air Force Academy grad I knew at Webb AFB, Big Spring, Texas. I sat down beside him and entered into discussion - "Where are you heading?" Answer - "The World, I'm resigning, the next war is on them". A Regular Officer could do so I as a Reserve Officer could not. So I did not want to end my commitment beyond what I was committed to do, but I could see that the Political leadership would not seek victory in that theater. I do not recall how much more service I had to achieve, but it was obvious it was not worth the effort to make my wife a widow or my children orphans. That is a hell of a thing to say, but many of us Company Grade Officers felt the same way. We should never send our best into combat unless we intend to WIN! As to comments about men being responsible for the children they help create. Yes they should be responsible, but when Dems held the majority they did nothing about that problem. As for myself, I regularly donate to "Operation Birthright". That is my obligation to those females who feel abandoned. I will continue to give as much as I can. Thanks for all the comments. The first amendment is alive and well. Regards, John

TW July 5, 2022, 11:10 am Anthony Bopp. I hate to say it but I think Gerald is baiting you. He most certainly did interject the subject of gender when it had nothing to do with the thread. He has also tried to bait with his comments about Biden. If he were on social media, he would be called a troll. Don’t feed the trolls and they eventually go away. Your comments are as valid and important as any here. Changing the subject when they lack a reply is a tactic that doesn’t need a response.

GB July 3, 2022, 6:14 pm Than you Dave. Not sure why Anthony feels compelled to isolate each comment and comment of each sentence. Anthony has an identity crisis. I truly do not care which side people lean, left or right, straight or gay as long as they did their job and respected others' beliefs. I truly never cared until they started forcing their views and beliefs on the rest of us. May God bless America this Independence Day! Again as our current President would say, Merry Christmas (In Chinese)

DC July 2, 2022, 9:58 pm Wow, more than two Genders. Science sure has changed since I went to school, but that was before wokeness arrived. I want to define myself as a elephant. Change the doorways.

DC July 2, 2022, 8:03 pm Mr Bates You mentioned for someone to post their own opinion on an issue. It seems as though many of the usual commenters only post opposing views to the original person posting. Heck, I'm still waiting for some of those exact posters to show me Biden's accomplishments. Later Dave

AB July 2, 2022, 6:32 pm "I know there may be some who read this and may not be able to define what a woman is as we witnessed during the latest Supreme Court confirmation hearings and if that holds true it would not be a stretch to assume they can't define what a man is either. That would pretty much identify the problem." "Maybe you should post a new opinion and I am sure you will generate the attention you seek there but right now it takes away from the original message John posted." Perhaps it's helpful to recall that you first introduced the subject of gender identity opinions, and it was wildly inaccurate.

AB July 2, 2022, 6:26 pm "Anthony, I am sorry to say it but you appear to still be confused. I can't help you with that except maybe to suggest another source to get your "science" from. If by chance you have been watching The View, that's not real science Anthony." I have never seen an episode of The View or anything remotely like it. I get my science information from science. I suggest you find the same source to get your view from.

GB July 2, 2022, 5:38 pm Awww, Glen and Anthony missed me. Glen, thank you for your service. As a veteran myself I appreciate you sharing that with us. Anthony, I am sorry to say it but you appear to still be confused. I can't help you with that except maybe to suggest another source to get your "science" from. If by chance you have been watching The View, that's not real science Anthony. This started out over the Supreme Court case which has nothing to do with the topic you seem to be obsessed with. Maybe you should post a new opinion and I am sure you will generate the attention you seek there but right now it takes away from the original message John posted. God bless everyone. Happy 4th! Or...as our current President would say, "Happy Easter!"

GS July 2, 2022, 4:42 pm Mr. Bates, Since you questioned my integrity, I never said I was a counselor. My experience is that of a retired Air Force officer who had the honor of leading diverse military personnel at the combat crew, flight, squadron, base and center level. As I’m sure you remember from your time in the military, we are responsible for the well being of our troops and to assess on a daily basis their ability to serve. When they run into challenges that impact that ability, we have a duty to help them – we call that counseling. Hopefully, it’s not a surprise to you that we do have female military members. While I may disagree with John’s perspective on these issues and the way he states them -- sometimes poking a little fun. I always respect his right to express that opinion and I appreciate his status as a military veteran. On the other hand, you seem to take on a position as a cheerleader for intolerance especially on the topic of gender identity and roles. I don’t know you so I will not hazard a guess on why you’re so focused on the issue. I accept your position as yours. Perhaps you should accept that others have a more tolerant perspective and prefer to let others live their lives on their own terms. Best Regards and Happy 4th of July -- may God continue to bless each of us with freedom and democracy

AB July 2, 2022, 4:19 pm "Anthony and Glenn, I guess "Men" have no right to choose, is that the position you both take?? Also, I apologize of I confused you both with the question about identifying gender. Most people are not.." Couples have the right to choose. You seem to be of the opinion that ONLY the man has the right to choose, and no one has the right to choose responsibility when abortion is concerned. Most people today are not confused about gender identity, because they learn things. People who refuse to learn are generally confused about a lot of fairly obvious things, including all of the factors that determine gender identity.

AB July 2, 2022, 4:12 pm I don't know how I'm confused about gender when my understanding of it is perfectly in line with current science. And again, when justices say something is settled law in their confirmation hearings, they themselves believe that the law exists. Odd how the less legal experience one has, the more likely they are to believe that no rights were taken away. That seems to include authors of letters to the editor as well as supreme court justices. Coincidental that the justices with the least legal expertise are most likely to be in favor of removal of rights.

GB July 2, 2022, 12:09 am Anthony is still confused about gender and Glen claims to be a counselor or wants anyone else to believe he is.. Again, no woman or man lost any right due to any decision made by the Supreme Court. They simply put the discussion back on each state where it should have been from day one.. Anthony and Glenn, I guess "Men" have no right to choose, is that the position you both take?? Also, I apologize of I confused you both with the question about identifying gender. Most people are not.. Kind regards and Happy Independence Day to everyone!

GS July 1, 2022, 5:46 pm Dear Sir, I read your opinions regarding gender and rights and feel as if you’re stuck somewhere between regurgitating Fox News punditry and reading from an animal husbandry textbook you used as a freshmen at ISU. “Before allowing your ‘fertile male” bull access to the cow make sure she’s considered the consequences.” It makes me wonder what experience you bring to these discussions. Have you ever had to counsel a woman in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy? Helped them reconcile the hopes they had for their future with the new expectations for what lies ahead if they choose to be a single mother working to sustain a career and now care for a child? For those of us who have, especially as a male, the experience makes us more circumspect and less judgmental when it comes to espousing who should have the right to do what when it comes to their body and their future. I was lucky, my experience was as a leader in the military where our folks have easy access to healthcare, pay that increases if you have dependents and if their lucky even on-base day care…but there are still huge implications for the female troop such as deployability. In today’s military, you can’t serve if you can’t deploy. Simiar challenges must exist for other women trying to make it in other careers. It’s easy to stand tall and mighty when you have no skin in the fight. And quite frankly, the man can walk from these situations – even in the military where we hold some sway over our members’ behavior. Bottom Line: Perhaps us males should just shut up and let our sisters lead on this one.

AB July 1, 2022, 5:40 pm "The usual critics love to blame men, Republicans and anyone who disagrees with them. They talk about holding "men" accountable (as if it was not consensual sex) and yet leave men out of the discussion about the right to choose.." I woudd certainly agree with accountability, except as regards to Republicans. In my experience, Democrats are mostly held accountable, thanks to Neanderthal views.

AB July 1, 2022, 2:45 pm "I know there may be some who read this and may not be able to define what a woman is as we witnessed during the latest Supreme Court confirmation hearings and if that holds true it would not be a stretch to assume they can't define what a man is either. That would pretty much identify the problem." Let's please keep in mind that science is real and that gender identification is not as simple as knowing what's between your legs. That's not a problem. It's understanding.

GB June 30, 2022, 10:49 pm John, you are exactly correct. The usual critics love to blame men, Republicans and anyone who disagrees with them. They talk about holding "men" accountable (as if it was not consensual sex) and yet leave men out of the discussion about the right to choose.. Let's talk about that. I believe both the man as well as the woman (consenting adults) should be held equally accountable for their actions, they both took together. Therefore, why should the man not also have a choice in the argument the left makes about a woman's "right" to choose?? If it takes both a man and a woman to create life, why then should the man not be included in the decision a woman may or may not make to abort that life?? I know there may be some who read this and may not be able to define what a woman is as we witnessed during the latest Supreme Court confirmation hearings and if that holds true it would not be a stretch to assume they can't define what a man is either. That would pretty much identify the problem. Kind Regards to everyone and I hope everyone enjoys a safe Independence Day!

AB June 30, 2022, 8:51 pm "This was never law as some have stated as the Judiciary cannot make law but only make decisions on whether the law is constitutional or otherwise legal." Again, most of the justices currently on the court described Roe as "settled law" in their confirmation hearings, which suggests that they, themselves, thought that it was, in fact, law.

AB June 30, 2022, 8:47 pm If a man is not prepared to be a father, or financially support a child, it is his responsibility to make sure his partner does not get pregnant. No one else's. If the man is not that responsible, it is reprehensible to expect the woman to bear the burden of his irresponsibility.

AB June 30, 2022, 8:35 pm Apparently the male is under no such obligation to make such an assumption? The statistics you quote only serve to undermine how critical this choice is to have available. That does not make a person pro-abortion, only pro-dignity. It is utterly unconscionable for any person to insist their views are mandatory for every person to abide by.

TW June 30, 2022, 5:56 pm Mr. Stiegelmeyer: I haven’t read a lot about Margaret Sanger but I do know who she is. I do believe her “weed the garden” comment was related to sterilization and not abortion. Not that that is any better, but she seemed to have some very strong feelings against abortion. Regardless, she has been strongly criticized for her belief in eugenics and rightly so. A serious blemish on the beginnings of Planned Parenthood. As far as Ben Carson, I have a hard time believing anything he said in his pursuit of a political office. His work at HUD did nothing to help the black community. I am sure you are well aware of his lack luster work while he held that office. He had expensive redecorating taste on the taxpayer dime and didn’t mind self dealing for his family, a hallmark of that administration. I guess that is what happens when you appoint a brain surgeon with no housing experience so that you have a token person of color in your administration. I think his comments about Planned Parenthood opening more offices in black neighborhoods as part of a covert campaign to “weed the garden” was debunked in 2015. Anti-abortion activists roll out those comments every so often any way. It is true that people of color are 4x more likely to seek abortion than their white counterparts. Do you suppose that has anything to do with the poverty? According to an article I found on Census.gov, the poverty rate in 2019 was at a historic low of 18.8% for the black population. The poverty rate for whites in the same period was 7.3%. Quite a difference. Possibly it could also have something to do with reproductive education and access, as well. It is also true that black women experience maternal mortality two to three times higher than white women. I found a great article on the subject at: https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2008/08/abortion-and-women-color-bigger-picture. Although written in 2008, it still seems relevant. It also seems that black women have a slightly higher risk of rape in their lifetime than do other ethnic groups. Respectfully, it’s easy to talk about our opinions about whether it was a right provided by the constitution or not, and the moral implications. But so many questions are left unaddressed. I would be very much interested in your thoughts on the following. What would be your recommendation for the male part of this equation? You certainly didn’t address that in your first post in this thread. You seem to lay responsibility at the door of the woman only. I know more women who have been left high and dry by the fathers of their children than have had abortions. I also know more men that have fathered more than one child for whom they have taken zero responsibility. Maybe once the child is born and a dna test confirms the parentage, the dead beat dad is forced to make restitution of all pregnancy expenses, furnish housing, health insurance and education expenses, loss of work by the mother, or face severe penalty? Should a man be forced to supply his dna against his wishes? Sterilization for any man who fathers more than 1 child before marriage or that he cannot financially support? (I am kidding about this one…sort of. Vasectomies are reversible after all.) What are your recommendations for rape, incest or the life of the mother? What happens in the case of severe birth defects? I am sure you are familiar with the case of Sherri Chessen whose 5th child stood a high probability of being born without arms and legs due to medication she took while pregnant. Anticipating more women will place babies up for adoption, do you think gay couples should be able to adopt? Single people? How do we evaluate the suitability of the increased number of adopters? Anticipating there may be a need for institutional state sponsored care for more children would higher state income taxes be acceptable? It will be necessary. We have all heard horror stories of the substandard care provided by these human warehouses, most of them church sponsored, pre Roe. How do we protect the children in their care? Should women who have abortions be prosecuted? Drs? Fathers? I don’t expect you to have the solutions, just curious for your thoughts. Maybe any conversation about this subject is lacking without an honest discussion about the implications. Ps. I did chuckle that you speak of the tactics of the democratic left but fail to mention the republican tactic of stealing Supreme Court positions. But that is another topic you could start a new thread on and we could discuss.

TS June 30, 2022, 2:20 pm There is so much in this letter that is infuriating and hurtful to so many, I can't simply click on the delete button and move along. Planned Parenthood is racist? Women should choose to protect themselves when having sex with a fertile male??? Clearly, in your mind there is only 1 responsible adult when it comes to an accidental pregnancy, (which is NOT the only time that an abortion is the final, sometimes only option for women AND men AND families!). Planned Parenthood offers a multitude of options to women and couples, including contraception and education and support....what are these women and families going to do when their clinics are closed? This is a very personal topic to those on both sides of the argument. I am disappointed that you would choose this issue to share yet another one of your opinions. Sometimes it's ok to be quiet, John. This would be one of them.

RB June 30, 2022, 1:54 pm I'm not crazy about abortions, especially the later they occur. With that said it is not my decision what a woman does with her body. Also, there is virtually no accountability for men. I don't think I need to remind John that it takes two to tango. What accountability does that "fertile male" have? Were they not part of "choosing" to have sex or are they totally innocent? More often than not these women are forced to raise the child alone with little or no support. The "fertile man" can just walk away. What if the man would have his wages garnished once they prove paternity? Might make men think more bout sex. It is the Christian religion where the argument is made that life begins at conception. In the Jewish religion, and many others, the fertilize egg is part of the woman's body. They believe that you are not alive until you draw your first breath. Republicans are actually pro birth because they tend to abandon the women and child after birth. They are first to want to cut health care, food stamps, planned parenthood, etc. Many states are going to force a teenager to have a child even in cases of rape and incest. Do you actually believe that is good policy? There is a good compromise found in this argument. Reynolds wants to put a law in place that sets six weeks as the deadline. Most women don't even know they are pregnant by then. The majority of Americans support abortions, especially if they can be handled in a reasonably timely manner.

PW June 30, 2022, 1:32 pm In the olden days, it took two to tangle. Isn’t the man responsible for getting a woman pregnant? Doesn’t he have a voice in the matter of abortion?