The wrong direction

Anti-abortion legislation has occasioned this letter. New laws in several states, most recently Alabama and Missouri, would make abortion a felony for the performing doctor, and do not make exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Ironies abound, but I’ll point out two.

First, that the Republicans—the party who says it wants to get government off your back—apparently have no problem getting it into your womb. The second is that, at least in Alabama, the doctor who performs the abortion can be sentenced to up to 99 years for what might be considered a compassionate act to the rape victim. That’s very likely much more time than the rapist, who committed a violent act against the woman, will get.

The pols who enacted these laws openly admit they are doing this in hopes of getting court challenges, one of which will eventually make its way to the Supreme Court, hopefully to overturn Roe v. Wade now that there is a conservative majority. Sure, they pay lip service to the sanctity of life, but this is nothing short of a calculated move to advance their agenda.

The cynicism and cravenness are stunning.

The lack of exceptions for rape and incest shows an appalling lack of compassion for women—and girls, who are more often victims of incest—who have been victims of a heinous violent crime. Making them carry the babies of their attackers victimizes them twice. Forcing them to do so by law is barbaric. Where will the state be when these children are born? Like a deadbeat dad, nowhere to be found.

Bill Clinton said abortion should be legal but rare. These laws are a step in the wrong direction.

THOMAS BECKETT Siloam Springs