Editor,

I am writing to take exception to Walt Mistler’s rebuttal to Joan Cross’s position on Initiative 1401.

I was quite amazed to read that unborn babies are “pre-human.” Perhaps Mr. Mistler ought to sit in on an ultrasound of a pregnant woman before making such a statement. Very early in the gestation period a baby has a beating heart, other organs that are developing and working and is definitely human.

This is a child to be cherished, not a commodity to be gotten rid of because they are not in “short supply.”

Protecting endangered species is a very worthwhile endeavor. How sad it would be if our grandchildren could enjoy snow tigers, white rhinos and many others species only in picture books. Think of all those extinct animals that are mere curiosities and are no longer with us to know, understand and appreciate.

However, that being said, it seems to me that I-1401, and the question of unborn babies, are two totally separate issues.

Being pro-life does not mean that babies are being “forced” into an already over-crowded world as Mr. Mistler states. Perhaps one way to deal with this problem is to find ways to disseminate birth control options to the peoples of those countries who may not have much knowledge regarding this subject. I do not think abortion is any kind of answer.

Phyllis Corson

Coupeville