Abortion shouldn’t be used as birth control

I became angry while reading the Jan. 15 article “Women’s Rights: Pittsburghers Will March at the Capitol on Saturday.” As a woman, I am all about women’s rights. Having rights is an inherent property, a protection to be ourselves that allows us to blossom into who we are meant to be. I am also a strong believer in birth control. That is a right, too, in my opinion. But then I read the words from one marcher that “Planned Parenthood was the first place I went to get birth control, and I have personally had two abortions.”

Really? Seriously? What is going on here? First, if you are using birth control, you shouldn’t need an abortion. Second, if you undergo one abortion, should that not be your last? Are lessons not learned? I support Planned Parenthood as it relates to birth control, but not abortion. You do not have to terminate a life if you do not create one in the first place. Let us remember, children do not ask to be conceived. Women’s rights are not about having an opt-out for unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. Having a right isn’t simply a matter of convenience.

Part of being a woman is taking care of and being responsible with our own bodies and that includes our fertility. If you do not wish to become pregnant, then, by all means, go to Planned Parenthood and obtain birth control to prevent pregnancy. This is utilizing your right of choice, while being responsible for your own actions and preventing the formation of a life that you cannot or will not be able to support.

For me, this isn’t even a religious issue. It’s a moral one. Abortion is not birth control. If someone kills a pregnant woman, he or she is charged with murdering two, and yet the same woman can terminate her pregnancy and it’s her “right.” But is it right? And yes, many will cry foul regarding my words because of the outliers of those molested, raped or where the mother is at risk during pregnancy or the child is with severe birth defects that will prevent life after birth. I fully acknowledge the gray areas and accept them, but being a responsible woman is not gray, it’s simply black and white. RACHEL NECHYBA

Squirrel Hill

Also vulgar

From my perspective, the group of women who are knitting their “P” hats to wear them as they demonstrate against the incoming president (“Women’s Rights: Pittsburghers Will March at the Capitol on Saturday,” Jan. 15) are displaying a level of vulgarity beyond Donald Trump’s comment. Learn to forgive, ladies. KATHY A. LASLOW Ross

Snowden’s no hero

Re: “Snowden to Address Pitt Students Via Video Stream” (Jan. 11):

To pay Edward Snowden to speak via teleconference, regardless of what university account the money comes from, can be seen in no other terms than aiding and abetting a fugitive. I hope that alumni will show their displeasure with their check books. JOHN F. LINN University of Pittsburgh Class of 1988 Stanton Heights

Media despicables

I couldn’t help but notice that every published letter in the Jan. 14 issue was a liberal screed of one form or another.

Particular among these was Shaler resident Elaine Herman’s condemnation of President-elect Donald Trump’s dealings with the media (“Trump’s Contempt for News Media Is Troubling”). Ms. Herman characterizes Mr. Trump’s contact with the media as “despicable.” Maybe she really meant to say “deplorable”?

Perhaps if the media in this country had done its job to honestly and impartially report to the people, instead of blatantly distorting the truth, and attempting to influence and sway public opinion against Mr. Trump, then Mr. Trump might not display the utter contempt for much of the media that they so richly deserve. They and the incessantly whining liberals are the truly despicable. MATTHEW BURK

Marshall

Decline and fall

I hate to be the bearer of bad news; but there is an ominous trend that indicates the possibility of “the decline and fall of America.” In 2000, the winner of the election was in doubt until the Supreme Court ended the recount in Florida, giving the election to President George W. Bush. In 2008, the far right of the Republican Party became determined to make sure President Barack Obama would be a one-term president. They failed.

Today, the election of Donald Trump is being questioned on two fronts. One, FBI Director James Comey’s revelation 11 days before the election about emails traced to Hillary Clinton that somehow involved her in some kind of illicit behavior when she was secretary of state caused her loss. Two, Russia somehow caused Ms. Clinton’s loss. For the record; Donald Trump didn’t win the election of 2016 — Hillary Clinton lost it. She should accept this gracefully, as others have in the past, and move on with her life as a grandmother.

There are now three elections that are questionable in the minds of some. We will go through another four or eight years where the 2016 election is questioned. How do we avoid the breakup of the United States? Or will those in the near future want to avoid the question or truly want it! There is a real possibility of this happening.

In these very modern times of mass communication, can we withstand outrageous hyperbole, the uncivil talk of right and left pundits, questionable online news reports or the real possibility of a financial collapse, during which the U.S. government is the lender of last resort and the people pay the bill with a lower standard of living?

As long as we are uncivil toward one another, I am of the mind that America will break apart in the not-too-distant future. Perhaps by 2028 or 2032.

Somehow President Trump must unite this nation, a monumental task. If he does, he will be one of our greatest presidents. If he doesn’t, one of our worst. FREDERICK J. ROKASKY

Squirrel Hill