Published: February 08, 2009 05:46 pm         

Readers' Forum: Feb. 9, 2009

‘Liberal’ should not be used as a derogatory term

My nephew Dan recently loaned me one of his books, “Why We're Liberals”, by Eric Alterman, and said, “Here, you should read this.” And I did. It hit all my buttons because I am liberal, and I have never understood why the word has become a derogatory term.

Prominent among those people, living or dead, whom the author listed as liberal was Jesus. Of course, he was more than liberal; he was radically so. And while I am also pro-choice, that does not mean that I favor abortion. However, I do think that it should be a woman’s choice. Overturning Roe v. Wade would be tragic for women whose lives could be at risk, medically or in some other way.

I wonder how many people are aware that there were fewer abortions during Bill Clinton’s eight years in office. Roe v. Wade was still the law, and in fact, it was probably a bit easier to obtain an abortion during that time. However, there were fewer people in poverty. There was that slight narrowing of the gap between rich and poor, not enough, but enough that more women felt financially able to care for a child. It was also easier to get help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Since then that gap between the rich and the poor has escalated exponentially. I will better understand the efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade when people become just as concerned about the welfare of the child after it is born, than while it is still a fetus.

— Jane White

Rockville



‘Angel’s’ actions truly a blessing

I would like to thank a man from Brazil, who I believe to be the owner of Eddie’s Sandwich Shop.

On Halloween, my 15-year-old and 19-year-old girls took me to get their brother, who is 7 years old, in North Salem. I live on a fixed income and don’t get to treat my kids to dinner out often, but I decided that evening to take money from something else and do it. So we went to Eddie’s (the kids love it and so do we).

While the boys and I were inside waiting on our order this wonderful angel asked my girls if he could buy our dinner and gave them $20, which covered the most of what I spent, which I was able to put back with my bill money.

So, to sum it up, there are still more wonderful people than you think in this world that is ever-changing. So I just hope this gives a little faith back to you all like it did me. To the man, you’re truly an angel to us, bless you always and thank you.

— Leslie Mason and family

Terre Haute