Graphic Abortion Images: For?

In response to Maria Clare's letter (Register, Dec. 2026, 1998, regarding the article “Graphic Abortion Images,” in the Nov. 29-Dec. 5 issue): I admire her deep concern and compassion for the poor women who have had abortions and the effect which gruesome pictures have on their healing and reconciliation. I do remind Ms. Clare that the pictures, graphic as they may be, are, in reality, the results of this horrible evil! Since 1973, more than 35 million legal abortions have taken place in this “Christian” nation.

I respect Ms. Clare's sound reasoning and concern for those who have been traumatized by abortion, but I pray she shows the same kind of concern for the unborn, for whom the burden of guilt, shame, and despair is not an option—but for whom death is a reality.

Barry Kiernan Fort Lee, New Jersey

Or Against?

I support Maria Clare's letter on “Graphic Abortion Images” (Dec. 20-26) for its compassion and care for human dignity, but I would like to add something.

No one in human history ever saw so many gruesome images of death as we can see today at the dinner table: Holocaust footage, TV war reports, slasher movies, Dr. Kevorkian killing someone on 60 Minutes. Do we have more respect for life, because of this?

The only way to change this is to respect everyone's dignity—including those poor, dismembered, mutilated infants in the “prolife” images. Those babies deserve our prayers, our love, even our tears. They do not deserve to be put on public display to make a point, no matter how valid that point may be.

Far from healing the wounds of abortion, these pictures are just another offense against the dignity of the unborn.

Think of it this way: if you had a friend or a loved one who died, would you want their picture used to make a point?

My mother died of lung cancer last year; I spent my whole life trying to get her to quit smoking. Would I want a picture of her body on an anti-smoking poster? Not on your life.

John Williams Baton Rouge, Louisiana