Rights Denied

I have submitted to the Salt Lake Tribune Public Forum the balance of this post which starts with the new paragraph. I have approximated the word count at 210. I realize this is still ten words over their 200 limit but I am finding it difficult to say anything of substance with so few words. What do you think? We will have to wait and see about the Tribune's editorial staff's opinion.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence, the creators of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights all understood the value and the need to protect the rights of the people to choose. Many had left homelands ruled by monarchies influenced by religious dogmas in search of a land where government would be less influenced by such sources. They understood the concept of separation of church and state having more to do with undue influence of the state by the church rather than government’s limiting of religious practice. They also understood the need for checks and balances within their new government and provided for it with the three branches of our government, administrative, legislative and judiciary.

None of us who support a woman’s right to choose have ever attempted to infringe upon the individual rights and freedoms or the religiously influenced beliefs of those of you are against the right to choose.

Those of you who would deny a woman’s right to choose should take pause for a moment from your emotional stance and consider what your position would undo in the documents which frame this country. Your rights do not supercede ours nor vice versa.