Letter: Misunderstood care

Reacting to my letter to the editor "Negative externalities on society” published in the June 11 edition of the Daily Journal, John Bloomstine of San Carlos asks "How can one truly care for the unborn and be in support of funding the largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood?” ("Who really cares for the unborn?” published in the June 26 edition of the Daily Journal).

It is rare for me to quote President Reagan, but his famous words "here you go again” seem appropriate. This may not have an impact on Mr. Bloomstine and his ilk, but, for the record, I can not think of any organization that does more to prevent abortions than Planned Parenthood. The most effective way to prevent abortion is to prevent unwanted pregnancies through sex education and availability of contraceptives. This is among Planned Parenthood’s main objectives, besides general health care for women which includes breast and cervical cancer detection early stages.

Abortion is but a minor part of what Planned Parenthood does. The actual proportion of Planned Parenthood’s abortion activities is nowhere near the percentage that math-challenged Republican Senator Jon Kyle recently claimed.

The most amazing thing though, is that so many people fail to grasp that abortions are greatly reduced by exactly what nonprofit Planned Parenthood is doing. Thus, Planned Parenthood is worth support and compassion. Nevertheless, abortions, due to the condition of the fetus, the mother’s health and age and the often horrible circumstances surrounding unwanted pregnancies, are unfortunately still facts of life that cannot be ignored, despite heartless exploration for political reasons.

Finally, how could Mr. Bloomstine miss my main point that stricter environmental laws would reduce the number of innocent babies born with birth defects due to industry caused pollution and then often be denied medical care due to "pre-existing conditions”? What does that have to do with his pet subject: abortion?

Jorg Aadahl

San Mateo