Times Poll on Abortion

Re “Americans Narrowing Support for Abortion,” June 18: The Times notes the inconsistency of the many Americans who personally believe abortion kills an innocent human being but are ambivalent regarding legislatively restricting the practice. If this ethic were followed to its logical conclusion, these same Americans would also have strong convictions about the impropriety of rape, murder and a host of other crimes but oppose the passage of laws to prevent them.

How do we account for this? Quite simply, most Americans still retain a vague recollection of right and wrong but lack the backbone and other-centeredness to enforce these principles in society at large.

TOM HOUG

South Pasadena

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I knew America was growing increasingly conservative, but these results were just plain scary. I am too young to remember, but prior to Roe vs. Wade women got abortions, and making it illegal will only bring those days back. The educated and the rich will still be able to have safe abortions (including the RU-486 pill) in neighboring countries or overseas, while the poor will either get botched procedures or abandon unwanted babies to the state’s care, some of them already drug-addicted. Is everyone willing to pay additional taxes to handle this problem?

It is time for feminist groups to make themselves heard again, before (male) politicians manipulate us into renouncing another one of our liberties. I will not vote for George W. Bush, based on the abortion platform alone.

FRANCOISE DUBOIS

Newbury Park

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When an abortion occurs, the second victim is the mother. In the name of choice, ironically, many women who abort do so because they believe they have no choice. Like no-fault divorce, abortion on demand is beginning to reveal the damage it does to women.

It is time for all Americans to take responsibility for our part in this tragedy and to do what we can to comfort those who have aborted and prevent those who have not from doing so.

LINDA MAGSTADT

Newport Beach