I write in response to the article titled “Vigil held to remember deaths” that appeared in The Creightonian on Jan. 25, 2008. The article deals with a subject that most people find to be a sensitive one: abortion. As such, I tread lightly. And, for the record, I hope to see the abortion rate in the United States reach zero, just as I assume the individuals documented in the article do. There are, however, some aspects of the coverage, and the more general hullabaloo surrounding Roe v. Wade, that I believe The Creightonian failed to address in sufficient depth.

First, the title of the article struck me as being quite sensational. The word “death” did not appear in the article itself, yet the title used this “scare word” for no apparent reason other than to draw attention. If the subject of the article had been a new development in the debate over whether or not abortion is death, using “death” in the title would seem appropriate. But in the present context, the title seems to send a subliminal message to the reader: abortion is death. Right or wrong, this is far from a universally held belief, and the use of this formulation in a title reflects poorly on our student newspaper.

Second, the column outlining the presidential candidates’ views on abortion was overly simplistic. The article is correct in noting that Senators Clinton, Obama and Edwards, as well as former Mayor Giuliani, are against the repeal of Roe v. Wade. But what the article fails to grapple with is the notable difference between anti-abortion symbolism and legislative action on the issue. Senators Clinton, Obama and Edwards have worked to stomp out many of the causes of the unwanted pregnancies that, in turn, lead to abortion. Does this not merit mention in an article on abortion?

Many people, including myself, believe that this effort does more to actually reduce the abortion rate than do the hollow words of many would-be presidents on the issue. And this reminds me of the age-old truism: outlawing abortion will not end abortion, but rather drive our sisters, girlfriends, and other loved ones into unsafe, black market abortions. As someone concerned about all living beings, I believe that driving abortions underground is worse than the status quo of comparatively safe, legal abortions.

Finally, I wish The Creightonian would take note of the amount of good work that Creighton students are doing on other, less flashy, life issues. I personally know an Arts & Sciences senior who spends a great deal of her time working with local groups – Catholic and otherwise – on increasing awareness of the barbarity that is the death penalty. The Nebraska Unicameral is on the verge of repealing this antiquated practice – an area over which the state has total control, unlike abortion, which women and doctors will unfortunately continue to perform regardless of what the Supreme Court says. The death penalty issue is one where the life movement can make tangible gains in the near future, and I hope that this work will be covered to the same extent that this symbolic anti-abortion event was.

Jarrod Reece, Senior

Arts & Sciences