Letters to the editor

Writer’s research misleads readers

In “Prop. 73 unrealistic, harmful,” (Sept. 25) all
of Lara Loewenstein’s arguments against Proposition 73 are
based on incorrect statements.

First she claims that Proposition 73 “would require women
17 years old and younger to procure parental permission before
being able to acquire an abortion.” However, Proposition 73
does not require parental consent, only notification. The doctors
must notify the parents, then wait 48 hours; the minor can still
get an abortion without permission from her parents. Abortions will
not be any more difficult for minors to obtain, as she so
insists.

A minor may also petition the court if she wishes to have an
abortion without her parents being notified. Loewenstein claims
that this procedure will emotionally traumatize the girl, as she
must “reveal her story to complete strangers.” However,
the minor’s name is kept confidential throughout the whole
process, and all of the records are sealed.

Is this the kind of journalistic integrity that I can expect
from the Daily Bruin this year? Perhaps Loewenstein’s next
article should be about the importance of being an educated
voter.

Stephen Campbell

Second-year, business and economics

Concern over fetus’ life baffling

With some surprise I found in Lara Loewenstein’s column,
“Prop. 73 unrealistic, harmful”, that “making
abortion so difficult for teens might result in an increased use of
“˜back-alley’ techniques that would endanger the life of
both the fetus and the mother.” I don’t get it.
Endangering the life of the mother, that I can understand. But
since when is the life of the fetus cared for when abortions of any
kind are discussed?

Gabriel Cazes

Post-graduate researcher,

atmospheric and oceanic sciences