Abortion and Intolerance

* It is hard to fathom how The Times could allow Michael Ramirez’s irresponsible cartoon to run Oct. 28.

This cartoon, published days after Dr. Barnett Slepian was tragically murdered for helping women safely, legally and conscientiously end their pregnancy, contributes to the social climate of hate created by years of inexcusable rhetoric from the so-called right-to-life movement and the religious political extremists with whom it aligns.

For such hatemongers, sound bites and cartoons such as Ramirez’s are just a game. That game has turned deadly. People associated with abortion have been vilified, harassed, threatened and murdered. Incendiary rhetoric that abortion providers are committing murder can only fuel more terrorism. While thoughtful readers of The Times may ignore this appalling cartoon, the most extreme fringe of the anti-choice movement takes these words and images seriously and acts on them.

It is time to point the finger where the blame belongs: at the doors of the people who spew hate from radio and TV talk shows, Web sites and pulpits and now, sadly, the Los Angeles Times.

Let us end this climate of hate and intolerance and see to it that Dr. Slepian’s death is the last in the long list of monstrous crimes against abortion providers.

CHERYL ROLLINGS

President,

Planned Parenthood

of Santa Barbara, Ventura

and San Luis Obispo Counties