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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2009

Death Or Contraception

Regarding "Obama's Abortion Politics" (Our Opinion, Jan. 29):

The editorial board of the Tribune certainly missed the boat. The so-called "global gag order" that President Obama overturned recently is about much more than abortion. This issue has been around since the Reagan era, with Democratic presidents lifting the ban and Republican presidents reinstalling it.

What the global gag order did was prohibit any aid group that received money from the federal government from teaching or informing the very poorest people in Africa about contraception or abortion. In Ethiopia the birth rate for each woman is 5.9 children. This, in a land with little to no food.

So to the Tribune editorial board I ask: Which is preferable - a child slowly starving to death or contraception?

F.M. YOUNGLOVE

Brandon

An Honest Discussion

Regarding "Obama's Abortion Politics:"

Thank you for such a sterling editorial, citing salient issues and concerns with this vital subject. It is clearly, succinctly and logically expressed.

One thought has occurred to me multiple times, and I have yet to see it expressed by the media; namely, if the lives lost through abortion had not been lost, the economy would be in much better shape. Stated another way, we've cut off our nose to spite our face - destroyed lives that would have been consumptive and productive.

It is obvious the pro-abortion champions, who sadly include much of the media, wouldn't want to give this fact any honest discussion.

WILBERT A. JANSEN

Sun City Center

The Debate Continues

I was an early and enthusiastic supporter of candidate Obama and was thrilled when he became president. In spite of the fact that I heartily disagree with his clear support for unrestricted access to abortion, I've always believed he would encourage responsible debate and listen.

I applaud your editorial of Jan. 29 as a thoughtful and articulate contribution to that debate.

JEANNE FISCHER ZYLSTRA

Temple Terrace

Big Business

Kudos to you for your well-stated opinion regarding Obama's abortion spending. The only "job creating" with this tax money would be in the abortion business - and it is big business in this country.

We do need that right now, don't we? Not!

MARIE BURG

Sun City Center

Population Control

What some people choose to overlook is that millions of women in underdeveloped countries lead abysmal lives, having babies who die in infancy, or as a result of rape, or are HIV-infected. Deliberately withholding birth control assistance to such women who seek it is evil beyond belief. Clinics that also do abortions probably save many lives in the process.

Beyond that, what better way to slow population growth than to help women who don't want more children, thus postponing a drastic solution like China's?

YOLANDE KERSEY

Tampa

JOIN DISCUSSION

The Tribune welcomes letters and e-mails from readers. The text should be original and no longer than 150 words. By making a submission, you agree the Tribune may edit the letter for length and clarity, and publish it in any medium.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Mail to: P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Or e-mail without attachments: tribletters@tampatrib.com.

Also, read and participate in the Tribune editorial board's blog, "Thinking Out Loud," at www.tboblogs.com/index.php/thinkoutloud/categories....

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