Pro-Choice Politicians

Re “ ‘Choosing’ Not to Say What They Mean,” Commentary, May 18: Cardinal Roger Mahony has a point in taking to task the weasel wording prevalent in our society, particularly among the politicians who represent us. The careless use of euphemisms can have the effect of making the unpalatable somehow acceptable, thereby brutalizing us.

The cardinal, however, is also guilty of the manipulative use of language when he implies that those of us who disagree with his position “support the termination of a pregnancy” or are “abortion advocates.” I am sure that I am not alone when I say that while I do support the right of a woman to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, at least in an early term, I find abortion repugnant and a poor solution to one of life’s problems. I may even believe it to be immoral.

I just don’t happen to believe things are made better by criminalizing that which is a very personal matter between a woman and her God or her conscience. To say that by taking such a stand I am an abortion advocate is a gross distortion of the language itself.

JACK WIDMARK

San Pedro

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Mahony bemoans the fact that pro-choice politicians do not complete the sentence. That’s the point. These politicians are not completing the sentence because to do so would take away the alternatives: have the baby; have the baby and put it up for adoption; or have an abortion. Under the cardinal’s analysis, there is no definition of morality other than his own; therefore, only he, not the pregnant woman, has the right to complete the sentence.

BONNIE ANN BAKER

Orange

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There have been times when I have not agreed with Mahony, though I have always held for him deep respect. He places on the table a question that few can challenge as to its fairness. Why are political leaders and abortion advocates afraid to simply say aloud, “I support the right of a woman to have an abortion and terminate her pregnancy”? If they are so strong in their belief in abortion, why are they so vague in their support?

TOM GHYSELS

Whittier