‘Fanatics’ on Supreme Court

George Will accuses the U.S. Supreme Court of “judicial fanaticism” in the recent reaffirmation of women’s abortion rights. No, Mr. Will, it is you and other anti-abortionists who are fanatics. You are not genuinely interested in a woman’s health and welfare when you push one-sided information about abortion at her. If you wanted honest disclosure, you would also insist that every pregnant woman be told:

1--The potential harmful physical and psychological effects of childbirth and the financial costs of raising a child through college age.

2--The type of birth defects newborns may have--including pictures of the worst deformities.

3--The availability of abortions, the much smaller costs and places for abortion counseling--and that the woman is urged to contact agencies that help with abortions, before deciding on whether to have a baby or an abortion.

4--That the woman be provided with literature concerning the amount and type of physical injury she may suffer during different types and procedures used during childbirth--including the possibility of her or the newborn’s death.

5--That each pregnant woman be compelled to see pictures of women bleeding to death at the hands of illegal abortionists in the “old days”--or even by their own hands using crude instruments.

6--The profound psychological and social effects on her of even having a normal, healthy, active child around seven days a week for almost two decades. And also how she might feel if adoption is her choice.

7--The number of women left to raise children alone--by divorce, desertion of men or widowhood.

Now, Mr. Will, let’s all be fair, and put all the information on the table.

MICHAEL KLEIN

Santa Barbara