Letters to the editor: July 28 | Lexington Herald Leader

Editorial distorted Barr's message

Your sleight-of-hand swipe at Congressman Andy Barr over his remarks at the 2014 National Right to Life Convention in Louisville is patently dishonest.

The editorial substituted Planned Parenthood "of Kentucky" for Barr's remarks about "Planned Parenthood." Barr was speaking at the National Right to Life Convention to pro-life activists from around the U.S. He did not say "Planned Parenthood of Kentucky."

Planned Parenthood is the largest provider and promoter of abortion in the United States. According to its 2012 annual report, it performed 333,964 abortions — almost a third of all abortions performed in the U.S.

In human terms, that's one life killed every 94 seconds. That's also 145 abortions for every one adoption referral.

Planned Parenthood sold T-shirts that read "I had an abortion." It never produced or sold a single T-shirt that read "I put my child up for adoption" or "I had cancer screening."

Michael Janocik

Assistant Director

Right to Life Educational Foundation of Kentucky

Louisville

Barr owed an apology

When Congressman Andy Barr addressed the National Right to Life Convention in Louisville June 28, I was at the head table with him and other national and statewide pro-life leaders.

Barr's mention of Planned Parenthood referred to its national organization and did not intimate in any way that Kentucky affiliates performed abortions. He did not even state that Planned Parenthood refers clients to abortion facilities.

The accusation that the Herald-Leader used in its July 17 editorial was deliberately done to try to mislead Barr's constituents to think that he does not know the facts.

I have always been impressed by Barr's knowledge of current affairs and by the ethical principles he shows in public life. He deserves a public apology by the newspaper.

The total number of babies aborted in the United States per year is 1.06 million. Current figures indicate Planned Parenthood performs nearly one third of them.

Margie Montgomery

Executive director, Kentucky Right to Life Association

Louisville

'Abortion factory' is correct

U.S. Rep, Andy Barr got it exactly right when he stated that Planned Parenthood was an "abortion factory."

It is the No. 1 abortion provider. Planned Parenthood Federation of America reported 333,964 abortions from their U.S. affiliates during the 2010-11 reporting period. In 2010, it sent a mandate to all affiliates to perform abortions or cut ties.

The organization promotes sex education and birth control in schools. After the so-called birth control fails, it can send their customers to the abortion mill.

All affiliates promote the morning-after pill, which I believe causes a chemical abortion and is dangerous.

Planned Parenthood's "nakednotion.org" website tells young people that sexually transmitted diseases are just a part of life, not to worry, they will still have happy, healthy relationships, they are still going to have great sex. Really?

Lorrie Parker

Lexington

It only takes one click to Planned Parenthood's website to learn it is in the abortion business. In the center of the home page, the morning-after pill is the top topic, followed by birth control and abortion.

Planned Parenthood in Lexington does not perform surgical abortions. This is true. However, they do make referrals to a clinic which does perform abortions in Lexington.

Planned Parenthood in Lexington may not perform surgical abortions, but affliates across the United States do.

The 2012-2013 annual report on the website indicates that 1,590,000 "emergency contraception kits" and 327,166 "abortion procedures" were provided. Conversely, Planned Parenthood only lists the number of "adoption Referrals to other agencies" at 2,197.

Planned Parenthood is not in the business of "parenthood" at all. Rep. Andy Barr's comments at the National Right to Life Convention were not misguided.

Jennifer Longworth

Lexington