To the Editor:

In response to “Applauds Politicians Who Defend Babies Against Abortion:”

I knew immediately upon reading Rev. Blanchard’s appeal to restore Planned Parenthood funding that it was only going to be short order before we heard from an ideologue. We could have set our clocks to this one.

I’ve read both Rev. Blanchard’s opinion and Ms. Scruggs response very carefully and thoughtfully. I would like to submit the following.

First of all, the recent secretly videotaped events at Planned Parenthood facilities that Ms. Scruggs referred to, which I have also seen, I’m afraid to say, did not involve actual pimps inquiring about offering potential abortions to 14-year-old girls. They were conservative operatives, sent in by their handlers, for the sole purpose of setting up and embarrassing the Planned Parenthood workers in order to further their very real extremist agenda that Rev. Blanchard referred to in addition to his several real, cited examples.

People see and believe what they want to see and believe. Doesn’t make it true.

Secondly, Ms. Scruggs asked, and I quote, “And have we completely lost the thought of placing these ‘unwanted’ babies up for adoption?”. Fair enough. Good “thought”, if you will.

But perhaps Ms. Scruggs can illuminate us as to how many children she has personally adopted? How many times have you given the love, the time, the emotional and financial expense and considerations involved in adopting and raising an “unwanted” child? A child which statistics show us more often than not has emotional and developmental challenges unique to their station in life in being adopted?

It’s very easy for one to talk the talk and tell other people what they should be doing with their lives, their bodies, their very personal and often very difficult choices, when it suits an argument. What’s much less easy is leading by example.

Lastly, we know how the respondent feels about our 21st century reproductive health system, which allows for rare, safe, and legal abortions. I’m curious, is she for or against the death penalty?

Leland Farnsworth, Massena