Columnist clouded in judgment
This in regard to Common Sense writer Rey Flores' support for demonstrators ambushing families with graphic pictures of abortions (July 16). I realize that Flores is an ardent supporter of the anti-abortion movement, and it seems he will do and say just about anything to promote this cause. But Flores has clearly allowed his fanaticism to cloud his better judgment.
No one has the right to shove disturbing pictures in the face of unsuspecting passers-by and the children that they might be accompanying. If the pictures were of blown-up soldiers or mangled war victims, would Flores be just as supportive of this type of protest (after all, he claims to be anti-war)? If they were autopsy photos of women who died getting back alley abortions, would Flores want to subject his elementary school-age children to these images? How about a nice sign featuring the stoning deaths sanctioned by our good buddies in Saudi Arabia?
There are appropriate venues for this vile form of protest. All of them are out of view of innocent children. I don't need Flores and his ilk deciding if and when my kids will discover the nature of abortion (or war, or the ravages of poverty, or sexual abuse at the hands of Christian church leaders). Those are subjects that I will explain to my children when I, not Flores, deem they are mature enough to handle them.
I'm all for sharing as much information on any subject as is sanely possible, but it would never be at the psychological expense of children. Obviously, Flores harbors no such qualms about damaging sensitive juvenile minds, as long as he gets his viewpoint across to the public.
Paul Winkelmann
Romeoville
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/opinions/letters/478556,4_4_JO22_LETTERS_S1.article