Charlotte Ostermann

January, 1998

I applaud the Journal-World's recent series on child safety, which helped educate the public about possible dangers to children in the context of their work. I could not help noticing, however, the irony of juxtaposition when this series was joined by an article on the booming abortion business in Kansas.

Abortion advocates would have Kansans proud to be providing 11,000 abortions annually in defiance of the scruples of neighboring states where such services are more limited. If any child labor practice resulted in the deaths of 11,000 children per year, wouldn't the JW raise a cry of alarm and attempt to be a force for good in shutting it down? There is clearly no sweatshop, farm, or factory as dangerous for a child to be in as an abortuary!

I, for one, am not proud that Kansas is home to the hard-to-find third trimester abortion, which attracts so many across our state lines. I am, perhaps, acutely sensitive on this score - feeling my third trimester baby kick, hiccup, and somersault every day as I thank God for this new life. I am not convinced that thousands of women per year are in mortal danger from their unborn babies and must kill them in self-defense. Hundreds of people could be found to care for every one of these children regardless of defects. Now THAT would be something to be proud of : saving 11,000 lives per year in Kansas!