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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Commentary Letters To Editor Abortion View Editor: Senate Bill 23 was signed into law by Governor Bangerter on Jan. 25, 1 991 . It must go through the courts and be legally challenged before it becomes law, which may take three years or longer. Senate Bill 23 was presented by LeRay McAllister from Orem and, essentially, the bill allows for abortions if the pregnancy is caused by incest or rape,' would cause a serious, condition to the mother, or the fetus is determined to be abnormal. The programs and services offered through the Southwest Utah District Health Department do not provide counseling to clients on the subject of abortion. The Department is in full agreement with the recently passed statute. I personally, however, feel a conflict within myself regarding abortion and the individuals right to make personal decisions for herself. I do not approve of abortions except under extreme conditions as stated in the law. I am a firm believer in an individuals right to make critical decisions or her own life. Those decisions may be right or wrong, but, nevertheless, should be respected. The relationship that should exist between the patient and physician should be respected and it becomes very difficult when government tends to regulate that relationship through law. Abortions have taken place since the beginning of time. It was practiced by the ancients and undoubtedly practiced today in some Third World countries, and people that self-abothemselves. It was not too many years ago when abortion was never discussed openly and the practice frequently' was performed by people who were not trained in medicine, or by those ng rt who had disreputable reputa- tions among the medical community. Their practices were not sterile and many women lost their lives simply because it was not an acceptable practice. We must bear in mind that once a woman decides to have an abortion, she will have an abortion whether it is self induced, or confined to the clinic area of a private practitioner. We must remember that there are many things that go unreported and, therefore, will make this law difficult to enforce. We must also bear in mind that a woman who desires an abortion along the Wasatch Front can go to Nevada or Wyoming to receive these services. Those in the southern part of the state have easy access to Las Vegas or Arizona. Abortion should not be a method of birth control. Birth control technology has advanced g to a level that no child-bearin- age, sexually active female 4 mWk should become pregnant unless she chooses to or is not taking necessary precautionary steps, which is uncalled for with todays medical technology. This technology is always affordable. Either way, lives are at stake and I personally would rather see legal abortion rather than illegal abortion. I once had a colleague challenge me on my position. You cant be against abortion and for individual rights. In this case, I can and will. William J. Coffman Director Southwest Utah District Health Department Screen letters Editor: We enjoy the Southern Utah News, but after reading the let-terfto- m Janine Wade concerning the abortion issue and then seeing the letter targeting Janine for her driving habits, we feel it is necessary to point out that surely Janine is not the only speedy driver in the Ranchos. Perhaps a letter about the is- to the Kane County Commissue of careless driving in the sion for their donation of $300 Ranchos would have been in also. We appreciate the recogbetter taste. nition of our work for the comWouldnt it be in the best inover the last five years. terest of Southern Utah News munity Now the city and county are and its many readers to screen a new phase of animal the letters before printing so the entering control and we would like to newspaper does not become a commend the police and council forum for personal accusations, for tackling the animal control but stay focused on issues inproblem head on. This is an opstead? to put Kanab and Concerned Readers, portunity southern Utah on the map. Crosbys and Gardners Some of you may have read in Boulder City, Nev. the newspaper or seen on TV the (Editors Note: This is a point action taken by the Peninsula very well taken. The editor did Humane Society in San Mateo not approve of the approach taken California. They are in in Blanchards letter and ex- County instituting a moratorium of dog pressed it to him. I advised him breeding except for licensed, that it would provoke sympathy certified breeders. This was so for Wade and criticism of him, that it hit the but he said he wanted to say it revolutionary national press. that way and was willing to take People all over the country are the flak. My position as editor is to a stop to the mass that the letters section should be trying put of millions of comas wide open as possible to slaughter animals that end up in panion present a true forum as long as shelters and pounds. Salt Lake people are willing to be identified destroyed 42,000 companand take responsibility. About City ion animals last year alone. the only thing I dont allow is Multiply that number by every profanity or something I think city and town in this country could be libelous. Theres a fine and have a shameful situaline in determining whats a per- tion.you sonal accusation, and I dont The source of the problem is want to be that kind of arbiter of the breeding of unwanted, unwhat is acceptable and what isn t. valued Each pet she uld be I feel its better in the letters wanted dogs. by a family who has the section toerrontheside ofgiving and facility to care time, money our readers freedom ofexpression for it than have the editor acting as Here in KanabFredonia we censor. I think we sell the readcan come to terms with the ers short when we decide our problem by taking advantage of judgment is better than theirs.) our low-cospaying and neutering program and making sure that all our pets are loved, cared Problem is breeding for and fixed. Editor: Our thanks again to Kanab Best Friends Animal Sanctu- City and Kane County for their ary would like to express our helpful contributions. thanks to the Kanab City CounFaith Maloney cil for their donation of $300 and Director, Best Friends st Animal Abuse turning the responsibility back to the city. They sincerely Editor: ABC-Tran documentary re- thought that by providing spaying and neutering they ports revealing shocking piccould help this city control its tures and statistics of animal They hadnt abuses in Utah. Excess promis- pet cuous breeding, abandonment, reckoned with attitudes. The council meeting was open starvation, strays, etc. for suggestions. The city has Ecclesiastes states, A man hath no preeminence above three cages out in the boonies, a beast; for all is vanity. Clearly no animal control officer, no stated this means an animal has means of euthanasia, etc., etc., as much right to a decent life as and apparently no money. In 86 we do. Unfortunately, many animals were led to a hole, shot, have not gotten beyond the word pushed in and covered with lime. dominion and choose only those Panguitch kills its animals with tenets in the Bible which fit their car exhaust fumes although they personal beliefs and lifestyles. A have a handy vet. At the meeting I suggested a true Christian must accept the tried solution to this plausible, whole Bible or not at all The local problem, namely, by adding reigning powers that be in Utah have the belief that animal and $1 to the utility bill of every low-co- V over-populatio- 3-1- st n. 9 environmental issues have no Kanab household (this would be place in the church or schools equivalent to 2 cans of 7 UP, 1 See LETTERS, Page 5 and apparently they have no place in the home either. So where do children learn about the sanctity and reverence for all life? This misconceived attitude was never more apparent than raTTmnrTTinnrrTrra when I attended my first City Council meeting in Kanab. I The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. went on behalf of those with no is published every Monday at 40 E. voice and no choice. BEST Center, Kanab, Utah 8474 . The News serves Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. FRIENDS, our local animal Address communications to 40 E. Center, sanctuary, through necessity is Kanab, Utah 84741, or telephone 0049-165- 1 Advertising rates available upon Southern Utah News DEADLINES News Pictures Wednesday, 12 noon & Display Advertising Wednesday, Span. Classified Ads Thursday, 12 noon re- quest Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741 . Newsstand price 35c per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Moccasin, Arizona, $17; others $25 (out of U.S. $35). The News reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. Matthew M. Brown Publisher Jeanette Rusk Editor POSTMASTER: SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARDS TO 40 CENTER KANAB, UT 84741 |