Andrew Christensen's response to my letter on partial-birth abortion reveals his ignorance of the nature of partial-birth abortion and of abortion law. Unfortunately, the man he defends, Jim Matheson, has no such excuse for his vote in favor of this barbaric and cruel practice.
Mr. Christensen is apparently unaware that the "doctor" who developed the technique has admitted that he has never heard of a medical condition that would make partial birth abortion necessary. The American Medical Association does not even recognize partial-birth abortion as an indicated procedure. Mr. Matheson has been told that countless times. Mr. Christensen is apparently unaware that in partial-birth abortion, a full-term baby is delivered, except for the head, which is then pierced by the abortionist. How can the mother's life be affected?
To argue that the Court left any significant latitude to the states in this area is laughable. If the states were free to ban partial- birth abortions, every single one would do it. Mr. Christensen makes a valiant effort to defend his congressman, but in the end, Matheson's vote is indefensible, and I suspect both of them know it.
Gordon S. Jones
Draper