I am writing in response to the anti-abortion insert distributed with the Jan. 21 Daily and the latest assault President Bush has launched on women’s reproductive rights.The insert asserts that women selfishly have abortions because they are convenient and the easy way out. In reality, there is nothing convenient about having an abortion. Women are most often the primary caregivers of children and often under very difficult circumstances. Women have abortions because they want children brought into this world only under the best of circumstances. The decision to have an abortion most often reflects scarce resources and commitment to children, world poverty and relationships where men are not prepared to commit to women and children.Twenty-eight years ago Roe vs. Wade gave women the right to make decisions about abortion. Who can judge what constitutes a worthy reason to have an abortion? This is why women must be able to make this choice. Each woman knows her situation best.Why does the right to choose seem radical to some? Reproductive rights protect human autonomy and dignity at a basic level.Stacie S. Savits

Resident

Waterloo