Linking Abortion and the Death Penalty

I wonder why columnists such as Cal Thomas so often link discussion of the death penalty with discussion of abortion--two different subjects (“O’Connor Trips Over the Truly Innocent,” Commentary, July 10). Just because a person questions the barbaric practice of capital punishment is no reason he/she should oppose women’s rights to reproductive choice. I say bravo to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who told the Minnesota Women Lawyers of her concern that the death penalty is unfair and that it’s possible innocent people have been executed, and who has cast swing votes upholding abortion on demand. There may yet be hope for this unethical Supreme Court.

Jean Holt Koch

Los Angeles

If Christians like Thomas, who write so compassionately about the “pre-born” child or quote statements regarding the “fetus that may become a child,” could, just once in a while, demonstrate similar compassion for the pathetic, unwanted children living in poverty who are systematically abused, they might deserve a little more credibility.

June Maguire

Mission Viejo