We all have family and friends with different religious, moral, ethical and political views on abortion. Abortion is a very personal issue and I fully respect each person and value their opinion. However, I do not know anyone who believes that abortion should be criminalized for cases of rape or incest. We all thought this issue was settled years ago.
Unfortunately, it is back in the political debate.
On Aug. 21, the Republican National Committee unanimously adopted a policy to support a constitutional amendment to legally ban all abortions, including those for victims of rape and incest. The amendment will also ban the procedure to medically save the life of the mother. Their proposed constitutional amendment would have no exceptions - period!
Congressman Bill Johnson has publicly embraced this policy. He also supported the personhood amendment, which would eliminate exceptions for rape and incest and he supported the original version of HR-3 to redefine rape as only "forcible rape." I respectfully disagree. Rape is rape and no man has the right to redefine it.
Bill Johnson's position is shared by Ohio senatorial candidate Josh Mandel and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan. Gov. Romney's position is still unclear. In 1999, he proudly supported Roe vs. Wade with no limits. In 2006, he changed to pro-life. Now, he supports both the "personhood amendment" and rape/incest exceptions even though the two positions are incompatible.
Congressman Charlie Wilson, Sen. Sherrod Brown and President Obama support limits on abortion but will always stand with women on exceptions for rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger.
Jim Rapp
Lowell
