'Ought to be Criminal'

Editor:

Regarding Thadeus Greenson’s coverage of the St. Joseph abortion case (“Judge Takes St. Joseph Abortion Case Under Submission,” Feb. 20), it seems to me that it is a mistake to call a hospital a “religious hospital” unless it is dispensing religion. Any physician feeling his or her soul is endangered could call in another qualified doctor whose concern is primarily for the life/health of the patient.

It is an unfortunate reality that we have very limited medical options here in Humboldt County and it seems something of a luxury to permit any religion’s dogma to decide life or death decisions. Doctors, not theologians, need to be in control of health care; theologians, not physicians, need to be in control of spiritual guidance. To give a patient who is obviously in serious condition “a bucket and some towels” just in case something happens in the car en route to Mad River Hospital, where she has been ejected to, is unforgivable and ought to be criminal.

I have long felt that “pro-life” and “pro-abortion” were terms of absolute nonsense. No one is for abortion and no one is against life. This is political bias, meant to make the other side look wrong, or worse — and, often as not, used to support the not always, but usually, religious side. People, women or other, in need of critical care, need to receive it (whether or not they’re Roman Catholic or any other religion). As Mark Twain said, “Them’s my sentiments.”

Patricia Lazaravich, Trinidad