Ruling is a catastrophe for women's rights

Now begins the test of our judicial system's wisdom and our freedom and protection under the law. The manner and speed with which many of our rights are being limited is astounding. Overturning Roe vs. Wade is catastrophic for women's human rights (YES, only women). How many women and children will needlessly perish? The western states (and others) are vowing to protect women's human right to choose their personal health, their lifestyles and their futures. Those states and individuals who support anti-abortion views will now be tested. How well will they protect the lives and health of these women and their innocent offspring? How much will this cost society in lives and money to protect and provide for the victims and survivors of this judicial action?

At the same time, we have a limited bipartisan agreement involving guns and gun violence. It's a good beginning response to a national safety issue. But to increase “open carry rights” and not place restrictions on the types of guns and the individuals who own them is overlooking our country's problem. We will now have more children (reference above) in already under-served, overcrowded schools. Educational institutions will begin to look (and feel) like prison yards with high fences and armed teachers and guards. How can this save more children, teachers, and parents from fear, loss, and grief? How will levels of historical facts and truths, reading levels, and math's problem-solving skills be affected?

Hopefully, some day soon, Americans will realize in order to preserve our personal rights, freedoms, and safety we need to reevaluate and consider ALL peoples' needs for equal human rights and justice. Try to better understand all sides of the issues. (I know that's not easy.) Our choices dictate our present and future morals and values. Save democracy for ALL of us. It's your choice and your right. — Mary Ann Wilkinson,

Pacific Grove