On Naomi Wolf, Abortion and the Debate That Goes On

Re “A Decision Between a Woman and God” (May 24): On the one hand, Naomi Wolf claims that abortion is a matter between a woman and God. Agreed and understood.

At the same time, she states that those who refuse to consider abortion as a moral issue may become “callous, selfish and casually destructive men and women. . . .” Suddenly, men--who do not figure into this “woman and God” relationship--are equally guilty of any selfishness or destructiveness women may display in their handling of unplanned, unwanted or complicated pregnancies.

The message is that men have no rightful say in the matter, but do share in any negative criticism that opponents of abortion may feel is deserved.

SETH WITTNER

Glendale

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Re “A Decision Between a Woman and God”: If Naomi Wolf can prove there is a God, then I might see some validity in her argument.

If she doesn’t, then a woman has a right to an abortion for any reason. And it’s nobody else’s business.

JENNIFER L. WOOD

Bakersfield

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Naomi Wolf compares laws that would force a woman to bear a child against her will to having government force someone to donate bone marrow to save the life of a stranger. The two situations are not analogous.

More than one person can qualify as a bone marrow donor. A pregnant woman has a specific relationship to the fetus that is not comparable to any other relationship. The total dependency of the fetus on the mother creates a relationship that may, unfortunately, require government intervention.

Even Roe vs. Wade held that the state, subsequent to the stage of viability of the fetus, may, in certain circumstances prohibit abortion due to “its interest in the potentiality of human life.”

JOHN HAGGERTY

Woodland Hills