Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor - Reader disappointed

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

February 17, 2023

I have enjoyed the writing of Sawyer Crenshaw in your paper, but I have to say I was very disappointed in his February 15 editorial, Women’s Rights.

His claim that women have a RIGHT to abortion is supported only by his use of all capital letters. This opinion perhaps deserves its own editorial.

I recognize a precious few inalienable rights such as life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. These God-given rights exist regardless of what laws may say. Despite the claims of politicians and editorial writers, this short list does not include such very specific claims such as free housing, medical care, education, and abortion.

All other rights exist because laws grant those rights. Our Supreme Court has recently ruled that our Constitution does not guarantee the right to abortion. Nor does it prohibit it. So abortion will be a legally granted right where laws grant it, and it will not be a right where such laws prohibit it. Capital letters notwithstanding.

Mr. Sawyer then rails against the Idaho Freedom Foundation, claiming it to be a “fascist organization.” It may well be. I am not familiar with this foundation. I am aware that the term fascist is thrown around with alacrity these days. But I am certainly not persuaded by his ad hominem attack. This polemic weakens the editorial rather than strengthens it.

His main point is so obviously true, but his path there is truly problematic.

Sincerely,

Ken Cunningham

Mountain Home

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