Facts don’t support opinion

I am very surprised and disappointed the Frontiersman actually published Joy Davidson’s Spectrum, “When is it murder to kill a baby?”

First, it is a clear example of the pro-life agenda by using inaccurate, emotional rhetoric. This newspaper revealed a lack of journalistic integrity by not fact-checking Ms. Davidson’s statements. Legal limits for abortions in Alaska are 21 weeks and in Washington are 24 weeks. In Colorado, where the alleged murder took place, the limits are 16 weeks. So, the availability for a woman aborting a few hours before labor are preposterous.

Second, the Center for Disease Control found only 1.4 percent of the abortions performed in 2002 were done after 20 weeks. This is not common practice as insinuated by her piece and by most pro-lifers.

The best and only way to prevent abortions and unwanted pregnancies is to educate our children about sexuality and reproduction. The pro-life “abstinence only” stance does not work, per recent studies from the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy. The majority of these program do their best to downplay contraception by concentrating more on failure rates than on benefits. Even condoms have become politicized by our current administration, although recent studies still show they are highly effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV (preventing cervical cancer) and HIV.

Just taking away a woman’s right to choose is not the answer. In fact, we would probably see a lot more of these desperate acts. Educating our kids about the facts, helping them make informed decisions is the only way.

Lisa Boyles

Palmer