License for Life?

The Washington Times, Letter to the Editor, April 14, 2003
Nancy Northup, President, Center for Reproductive RightsTo the Editor:In his column, “No license for life” (Commentary, Wednesday), Chris Jolma, an editor for the Commentary pages of The Washington Times, not only derides those who support the First Amendment the bedrock of our democracy as “crybabies,” but also implicitly endorses the idea that a state should be able to sell “pro-life” license plates to raise funds for organizations that lie to women making health-care decisions. By barring funding for organizations that counsel on all options including childbirth and abortion these laws are intended to legitimize “crisis pregnancy centers,” or CPCs, by providing them with government funding.In telephone books and ads, CPCs promote themselves as women’s health clinics that offer the full range of reproductive health services, from pregnancy testing to information on abortion. In reality, these organizations subject women to anti-choice propaganda, including information that has been discounted by medical groups and government agencies. Some, for example, tell women that abortion increases their risk of breast cancer, which is a claim rejected by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. Others have been charged with misrepresenting the results of pregnancy tests in an effort to prevent women from obtaining abortions.States should not be fundraising vehicles for organizations that mislead and scare women about their pregnancy options. Women deserve unbiased and accurate information when deciding whether to continue a pregnancy. NANCY NORTHUP
President
Center for Reproductive Rights

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2003/apr/14/20030414-090721-6851r/