Twists and turns over Roe v. Wade

While I am thoroughly in favor of women deciding for themselves whether to end an unwanted pregnancy, I do not find it surprising or disturbing that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade [“Supreme Court overturns Roe; abortion bans allowed,” News, June 25].

The Constitution was written in 1787. It did not, and could not, provide legal parameters for all the situations that humanity would face as time progressed and our American culture evolved. In fact, the first 10 amendments were authored just several years after the original Constitution was ratified.

The justices apply existing laws, not legislate new ones. If the Constitution does not clearly speak to a modern issue, then the justices should not try to interpret it by their political beliefs. Instead, turn it over to Congress or the individual state legislatures for a democratic debate. This should also apply to other important modern issues such as gun control, climate change, mass immigration and anything else not foreseeable in the 18th century.

 — William J. Bennett, Huntington

Republicans overturned Roe based upon their contention that the Bible says that human life begins at conception [“What we need to do after ruling on Roe vs. Wade,” Letters, June 28].

First, we should not be imposing the viewpoints of one religion upon a population of many religions, including those with no religious beliefs.

Still, if you’re going to use the Bible as the basis for your beliefs, at least get it right. In Genesis, the definition of when human life begins is clearly stated. That point is when God breathed life into the nostrils of man, and he became a living being. In other words, when an individual takes the first breath.

 — Leonard Cohen, Wantagh

After reading the many letters reacting to the ruling, two letters stood out for their callousness, both written by unaware men [“Roe decision brings out emotions,” Letters, June 27]. They basically blamed pregnancy on women.

I was taught in biology that men’s sperm plays a role in making that happen. It’s not just an unwanted pregnancy that may make a woman choose to have an abortion (there are many reasons, none of which are frivolous), but medical reasons as well.

I’d like to ask these men to imagine how difficult it is to not only carry a pregnancy to term (it’s not all roses) but to be forced to do so when the contraception used fails.

Many women die in childbirth, and the United States has the highest mortality rate of any developed country. What riles women up is a man who thinks he has all the answers.

 — Susan Masone, Huntington

When reading some letters on June 27, I thought I had accidentally opened a Newsday Classic Edition. Two writers suggested that women were solely responsible for not getting pregnant. Besides ignoring the accountability of males, those points of view also do not consider that a female can become pregnant if sexually assaulted.

 — Chris McNulty, Great Neck

The Supreme Court is supposed to be apolitical and uphold the Constitution. However, I think most people see through the appointment process and realize politics plays a major role in who gets nominated. We experienced this with the Roe reversal.

The Constitution has no term limits on the court or members of Congress. Yet, over time, we have limited our president to a maximum of eight years and, with that, only if the people approve a second term. Maybe it is time for limits on the court.

First, decide on a fair term for each justice to be effective; say 20 years, but it should not be forever. Second, institute a mandatory retirement age. Maybe 75 or 80, giving credit for their experience and knowledge, but we should not have members above that age writing opinions showing how out of touch they are with the current world, capable of destroying people’s futures.

 — Bruce Glaser, Manhasset

Abortion isn’t a right; it is a difficult and often painful personal choice. Life is replete with difficult and painful choices; however, few of them carry the profound long-term consequences attached to abortion. Electing to bring a new life into the world is a great responsibility and requires a commitment to selflessness unlike any other endeavor. Having an abortion can bring the trauma and remorse associated with preventing and never knowing what could have been.

Hopefully, a woman facing this dilemma has access to a support group, of her choosing, to offer counsel and comfort. What she does not need is a justice system, state and federal legislators, and assorted zealots adding insult to her injury.

When our rights are challenged, we turn to the Constitution for protection. Our personal life choices also need protection, but because they are personal, they need to be respected.

 — Ed Weinert, Melville

Most people understand the phrase “win-win.” For almost 50 years, U.S. laws have created a “win-lose” situation regarding abortion. The “win” (at least short term) belongs to the mother who finds her pregnancy inconvenient to the point where she would rather have an abortion than bring her pregnancy to term. The “lose” always belongs to the fetus, which is defenseless in terms of saving its life.

I do not agree with those who support Roe v. Wade, but I do understand their frustration. This issue will never have a true winner, but it seems to me that abortion is not a solution to a tough problem.

 — Thomas Focone, Stony Brook

The right-wing Supreme Court justices gave a master class in judicial activism. Although Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Roe should not be overturned, the activists had their votes ready. It now appears their personal views will henceforth determine our rights. Justice Clarence Thomas made that clear in his concurring opinion [“Fear more rights could be affected,” News, June 25]. He said due-process precedents are “demonstrably erroneous” and must be corrected.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in 2006, signed an ad published in a South Bend, Indiana newspaper calling for Roe to be overturned, something she never disclosed to the Senate, as nominees are asked to do.

These are dangerous times for our democracy. Apparently no matter what the question is, if it’s good for the justices, it will have to be good for us.
 — Naomi Berman, Commack

So many depressing stories in the news. The war in Ukraine, mass shootings, COVID-19 lingering. But the news isn’t all bad. The Supreme Court giveth, and it taketh away. At least now young girls can pray in school that they don’t get pregnant [“High court: Coach can pray on field after games.” Nation, June 28].

 — Mark Gold, Lynbrook