Who Among Us Is Qualified to Judge?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Paul Dunn’s column (March 14) was unparalleled in both its substance and tone. His capacity to approach the acrimonious abortion controversy in such a dispassionate and thoughtful manner produced an article that was long overdue.

Justice Harry Blackmun, in writing for the majority, set what should have been the decisive tenor and legal precedent for all future Roe v. Wade discourse. His was an untenable and difficult task that he accomplished with high aplomb, demonstrating the essential element of the separation of church and state. I have read Roe v. Wade and often wondered how many right-to-lifers have also taken the time to read it before launching their vitriol diatribes.

I, too, have driven past Calvary Memorial Church in Southern Pines and seen the rows of pink and blue flags. The church has an earnest and devout congregation noted for their good works. However, their energy could be better used to promote their pro-life beliefs by distributing birth-control and sex education material throughout our community.

Those of the pro-life persuasion consistently refer to abortion as murder and yet remain conspicuously silent on the topics of capital punishment and war. By their own standards, would not taking the life of an individual sitting on death row constitute murder as well? What about taking the life of an enemy in combat? Who among us deem themselves qualified to judge which lives are innocent and which lives are not?

Carol Gelfo

Pinehurst

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wixie 3 years, 1 month ago

Carol,

Honestly, they have been teaching sex education in the public schools for MANY years and what good has it done?? None that I can see, kids are still having unplanned pregnancy and still getting std's.. It is obvious to me this approach is not working! How about teaching some morals and put the Bible back in school? The Bible supports a time for war. For those on death row they committed a crime that justifies that punishment , a baby on the other hand is innocent.

ricksarno 3 years, 1 month ago

Although I may not agree, I could understand and maybe empathize with all you said, until the last paragraph. Comparing the taking of the life of a baby in the mother's womb to a murderer on death row, or even killing in the time of war, is astounding. Do you really believe it's the same thing?

irkim13 3 years, 1 month ago

The term Pro-life is used to describe people who are against the taking of innocent life in the abortion debate alone. Carol pro-choice people like to make the comparison between capital punishment and abortion, do you support the torture and murder of an innocent baby (ever seen an ultrasound?) but stand against the punishment via capital punishment of a convicted criminal who chose to commit his/her awful crime?