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‘We Are Women Who Came of Age Before Roe v. Wade’ ‘We Are Women Who Came of Age Before Roe v. Wade’
(about 7 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
We are women who came of age before Roe v. Wade. Many of us had illegal abortions. We are the lucky ones who survived. Thousands didn’t. The process was fraught with committing illegal acts and being compelled to have blind faith in practitioners who had dubious medical credentials.We are women who came of age before Roe v. Wade. Many of us had illegal abortions. We are the lucky ones who survived. Thousands didn’t. The process was fraught with committing illegal acts and being compelled to have blind faith in practitioners who had dubious medical credentials.
We are outraged and appalled and afraid for women generations younger than we are. We know how fearful the specter of back-street abortions can be, and that is exactly what some states are legislating. But we know that women will always, for one reason or another, seek to determine their own — and their family’s — destiny.We are outraged and appalled and afraid for women generations younger than we are. We know how fearful the specter of back-street abortions can be, and that is exactly what some states are legislating. But we know that women will always, for one reason or another, seek to determine their own — and their family’s — destiny.
Clearly, state governments and the Supreme Court are forcing us to return to dangerous alleys, unreliable providers and, heaven help us, coat hangers.Clearly, state governments and the Supreme Court are forcing us to return to dangerous alleys, unreliable providers and, heaven help us, coat hangers.
We are now compelled to reach out to the readers of The New York Times to urge them to speak up to as many audiences as they can find to protest the outrageous Texas law, S.B. 8, a direct attack against women and against women’s constitutional rights.We are now compelled to reach out to the readers of The New York Times to urge them to speak up to as many audiences as they can find to protest the outrageous Texas law, S.B. 8, a direct attack against women and against women’s constitutional rights.
With the shadowed support of a majority of Supreme Court justices, the legal maneuvering in Texas has shoved American women’s constitutionally affirmed reproductive protections into a dark corner. The Texas law further anoints unlicensed citizens to act as the enforcers, essentially vigilantes, of the law’s provisions.With the shadowed support of a majority of Supreme Court justices, the legal maneuvering in Texas has shoved American women’s constitutionally affirmed reproductive protections into a dark corner. The Texas law further anoints unlicensed citizens to act as the enforcers, essentially vigilantes, of the law’s provisions.
Women in New York are fortunate that the State Legislature has legalized the protections of Roe v. Wade. Increasingly conservative states, however, do not have that same shelter. Rather, their lawmakers are seeking ways to further restrict women in their states from access to reproductive medical care — including abortion services. This pattern suggests that New York will likely see more women and their partners who, for their own personal reasons, seek abortion assistance.Women in New York are fortunate that the State Legislature has legalized the protections of Roe v. Wade. Increasingly conservative states, however, do not have that same shelter. Rather, their lawmakers are seeking ways to further restrict women in their states from access to reproductive medical care — including abortion services. This pattern suggests that New York will likely see more women and their partners who, for their own personal reasons, seek abortion assistance.
Join us and speak up now!Join us and speak up now!
Joan AdlerCaroline CoxLinda HoffmannCarol KammenNancy MillerSue PerlgutThe writers all live in the Ithaca, N.Y., area.Joan AdlerCaroline CoxLinda HoffmannCarol KammenNancy MillerSue PerlgutThe writers all live in the Ithaca, N.Y., area.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “U.S. Defense Pact With Australia Enrages France” (front page, Sept. 17):Re “U.S. Defense Pact With Australia Enrages France” (front page, Sept. 17):
In its strategic competition with China, the United States cannot afford to alienate our allies, including France, our oldest democratic ally.In its strategic competition with China, the United States cannot afford to alienate our allies, including France, our oldest democratic ally.
With the U.S.-British deal to help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines over the coming decades, the Australians canceled a $66 billion deal to buy less capable French-built diesel-electric submarines.With the U.S.-British deal to help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines over the coming decades, the Australians canceled a $66 billion deal to buy less capable French-built diesel-electric submarines.
To compensate France for the lost revenue to its military industry, the United States, Britain and Australia could offer to purchase an equal amount of additional French military and civilian equipment. This would help strengthen the alliance with France and assuage French outrage.To compensate France for the lost revenue to its military industry, the United States, Britain and Australia could offer to purchase an equal amount of additional French military and civilian equipment. This would help strengthen the alliance with France and assuage French outrage.
Jeffrey S. MilsteinBurke, Va.The writer served for 33 years as a policy and strategic planner in the State, Commerce, Treasury, Energy and Defense Departments and was an assistant professor of political science and international relations at Yale. Jeffrey S. MilsteinBurke, Va.The writer served for 33 years as a career policy and strategic planner in the State, Commerce, Treasury, Energy and Defense Departments and was an assistant professor of political science and international relations at Yale.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
One important aspect of the approach being taken to the problem with Rikers Island (and many other jails and prisons) is the ignoring of the needs of inmates who are living there with serious mental illness.One important aspect of the approach being taken to the problem with Rikers Island (and many other jails and prisons) is the ignoring of the needs of inmates who are living there with serious mental illness.
Part of the solution to abysmal jail conditions should be the construction and staffing of facilities that are designed to treat these individuals, rather than punish them, so that they have a chance to recover.Part of the solution to abysmal jail conditions should be the construction and staffing of facilities that are designed to treat these individuals, rather than punish them, so that they have a chance to recover.
There are far more people living with mental illness in our jails and prisons — at great expense, both fiscal and human — than there are in our psychiatric treatment facilities. This is money that’s being spent most unwisely. Their treatment would cost much less than their imprisonment, and these individuals, who are living with illnesses that are as treatable as cardiovascular disease, would then have a reasonable chance of becoming productive citizens.There are far more people living with mental illness in our jails and prisons — at great expense, both fiscal and human — than there are in our psychiatric treatment facilities. This is money that’s being spent most unwisely. Their treatment would cost much less than their imprisonment, and these individuals, who are living with illnesses that are as treatable as cardiovascular disease, would then have a reasonable chance of becoming productive citizens.
The present policy of criminalizing mental illness is seriously ill advised and badly needs correction.The present policy of criminalizing mental illness is seriously ill advised and badly needs correction.
Joseph W. Vanable Jr.West Lafayette, Ind.The writer, professor emeritus of biological sciences at Purdue University, is the author of “A Cause for Alarm: Mental Illness and Public Policy.”Joseph W. Vanable Jr.West Lafayette, Ind.The writer, professor emeritus of biological sciences at Purdue University, is the author of “A Cause for Alarm: Mental Illness and Public Policy.”
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “The Trump Coup Is Still Raging” (Opinion guest essay, Sept. 13):Re “The Trump Coup Is Still Raging” (Opinion guest essay, Sept. 13):
As Kevin D. Williamson writes, traditional conservative Republicans have no political home. They are “in all likelihood, permanently out.”As Kevin D. Williamson writes, traditional conservative Republicans have no political home. They are “in all likelihood, permanently out.”
As actions at the state and national levels have shown, and Mr. Williamson reports, the “right-wing nationalist-populists” have led a coup within the party itself.As actions at the state and national levels have shown, and Mr. Williamson reports, the “right-wing nationalist-populists” have led a coup within the party itself.
A critical question as to the future of our constitutional democracy remains: Why haven’t truly conservative Republican politicians organized and split from the Trumpists? Where is their united voice in opposition? They know full well that the stench of fascism smells the same regardless of time and place. To remain silent is to be complicit.A critical question as to the future of our constitutional democracy remains: Why haven’t truly conservative Republican politicians organized and split from the Trumpists? Where is their united voice in opposition? They know full well that the stench of fascism smells the same regardless of time and place. To remain silent is to be complicit.
Michael KatzWashingtonMichael KatzWashington
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “For Afghans in Albania, a Soft Place to Land, but Dread Persists” (news article, Sept. 14):Re “For Afghans in Albania, a Soft Place to Land, but Dread Persists” (news article, Sept. 14):
That Albania, one of Europe’s poorest nations, has committed to taking in up to 4,000 refugees from Afghanistan (more than any other European country) and is housing them in luxurious beach resorts rather than detention centers is no surprise to those knowledgeable about the remarkable generosity exhibited by Muslim-majority Albania to its own Jews and Jews fleeing German occupation during the Second World War.That Albania, one of Europe’s poorest nations, has committed to taking in up to 4,000 refugees from Afghanistan (more than any other European country) and is housing them in luxurious beach resorts rather than detention centers is no surprise to those knowledgeable about the remarkable generosity exhibited by Muslim-majority Albania to its own Jews and Jews fleeing German occupation during the Second World War.
The Albanians refused to comply with their German occupiers’ orders to turn over lists of Jews. In an extraordinary act of kindness, Albania also gave shelter to Jews fleeing Nazi occupation. As a result, Albania’s Jewish population was actually larger after the war than before it.The Albanians refused to comply with their German occupiers’ orders to turn over lists of Jews. In an extraordinary act of kindness, Albania also gave shelter to Jews fleeing Nazi occupation. As a result, Albania’s Jewish population was actually larger after the war than before it.
Besa, the sacred Albanian oath of honor that urges the aiding and protecting of all people in moments of need, played a large role in guiding the local population. The latest generosity exhibited to the fleeing Afghans by the Albanian government and its people demonstrates the importance of besa in Albania.Besa, the sacred Albanian oath of honor that urges the aiding and protecting of all people in moments of need, played a large role in guiding the local population. The latest generosity exhibited to the fleeing Afghans by the Albanian government and its people demonstrates the importance of besa in Albania.
Michael BazylerOrange, Calif.The writer is a professor of law and 1939 Law Scholar in Holocaust and Human Rights Studies at the Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University.Michael BazylerOrange, Calif.The writer is a professor of law and 1939 Law Scholar in Holocaust and Human Rights Studies at the Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “New Research Helps Explain a Population Crash” (Science Times, Sept. 7):Re “New Research Helps Explain a Population Crash” (Science Times, Sept. 7):
While climate change has exacerbated the situation facing North Atlantic right whales, daily threats from deadly fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes are decimating this species now and must be addressed immediately if we want to save them from extinction.While climate change has exacerbated the situation facing North Atlantic right whales, daily threats from deadly fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes are decimating this species now and must be addressed immediately if we want to save them from extinction.
Even a single human-caused death a year threatens their chances of survival. Updating outdated regulations, enforcing speed limits for vessels in areas where North Atlantic right whales are found, incentivizing fishing alternatives like ropeless gear, and increasing monitoring are ways the government can help them right now.Even a single human-caused death a year threatens their chances of survival. Updating outdated regulations, enforcing speed limits for vessels in areas where North Atlantic right whales are found, incentivizing fishing alternatives like ropeless gear, and increasing monitoring are ways the government can help them right now.
We need more aggressive policies that will reduce risk to North Atlantic right whales and fully support their recovery. Meaningful change is needed on the water now before we lose this species forever.We need more aggressive policies that will reduce risk to North Atlantic right whales and fully support their recovery. Meaningful change is needed on the water now before we lose this species forever.
Whitney WebberWashingtonThe writer is a campaign director at Oceana.Whitney WebberWashingtonThe writer is a campaign director at Oceana.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I have to confess to being a one-time anti-vaxxer. I was adamantly opposed to the vaccines against measles, mumps, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus and polio that I was mandated by the state to take. But I later realized that it was actually a good thing.I have to confess to being a one-time anti-vaxxer. I was adamantly opposed to the vaccines against measles, mumps, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus and polio that I was mandated by the state to take. But I later realized that it was actually a good thing.
Kindergarten changes a person.Kindergarten changes a person.
Patrick FlynnRidge, N.Y.Patrick FlynnRidge, N.Y.