Doctor: Idaho’s abortion laws are a confused mess and have to be fixed soon | Opinion

Clarify Idaho’s abortion law or lose it

Idaho’s current abortion law only states a doctor can terminate a pregnancy to save the woman’s life (or for rape or incest). No further details are provided and doctors are afraid to act for fear of prosecution. Pregnant women in Idaho are at risk of not getting timely treatment when a complication arises. A doctor must know for sure that he can terminate a pregnancy if a woman may develop a lethal complication or even a risk of serious damage to her bodily function.

This clarification of the abortion law can be accomplished by adding language to the law at the 2025 Idaho legislative session and by providing education to doctors on what that language means.

There has been a proposed new law submitted to the Idaho Secretary of State to allow abortions for any reason up to about mid-pregnancy. I don’t believe the life of an innocent human being should be taken unless the mother will die or have serious damage to her body.

Dr. Stephen Schmid, Twin Falls

Skipping Garland and Prelogar

A couple of weeks ago, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, along with U.S. Solicitor General Eliabeth Prelogar (a Boise native no less) visited Boise to discuss crime and drugs, particularly fentanyl. The pair spoke with Ada and Canyon County sheriffs, police chiefs from Boise, Nampa, and Caldwell, Idaho State Police leadership and leaders of local federal agency offices like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshalls and Drug Enforcement Agency. U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Josh Hurwit hosted the meeting. Noticeably absent were Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador.

Why would two of the highest-ranking officials in Idaho, who are always campaigning on and complaining about crime and drugs, not show up to speak with the U.S. Attorney General about their proclaimed concerns? Could it be they are just using those tactics to scare the people of Idaho into voting for them? Or is it because the visitors are Democrats? Could it be possible they are hypocrites? Or did they not want to hear that crime here and across the country is going down, not up. It seems it is all of the above.

Tony Moody, Boise

The example you set

Reflect on this before you vote in the upcoming presidential election. Which candidate can you honestly say you would want as a leader in your community?

Here is a simple litmus test to consider when voting for the person you trust to be the leader of the United States: Would you trust this person to be your mayor or a member of the city council? Would you trust this person to be the school superintendent, a principal, a teacher or a member of the school board? Would you trust this person to be a leader in your church? Would you trust this person to be your banker? Would you trust this person to be the general manager of your gym?

Which candidate running for president has demonstrated over the years that he or she is trustworthy and honest? Your children and grandchildren look up to you as a role model. Hopefully, your vote takes that into consideration.

Mary Feeny, Boise

Lives are improving

I think people should remember when they say the American economy is in ruins.

Just three-and-a-half years ago, America was in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. It took 12 years for America to recover from the Great Depression.

Just three-and-a-half years ago, America was in the worst health crisis in 100 years. There were 3,000 people dying per day, so many, that refrigerator trucks were used to help with the situation.

Hospitals were in crisis and overwhelmed with so many patients they had to place them in the halls.

Just three-and-a-half years ago, millions of people were out of work. People were losing their homes to foreclosure. America had one of the highest unemployment rates ever.

And, yes, people were hoarding toilet paper.

The list goes on and on.

So, yes, we are better off than we were three-and-a-half years ago, and that’s a fact

There’s still much to do, but America pulled itself out of the depths of this crisis.

I for one, do not complain about the economy because I am so thankful to even have lived through COVID pandemic.

I, for one, am so thankful all my family members survived the pandemic.

Cherry Woodbury, Meridian

Why I’m voting blue

What a difference a month makes. In July there was doom and gloom on the horizon. Then August came and the sun broke through the clouds of doubt. Suddenly hope and joy could be seen throughout the land.

We don’t need to accept the naysayers shouting America’s best days are past. We don’t have to accept what they say. We can choose our own life’s direction without governmental control of our bodies and minds. We can be free to read what we want; we would be able to love who we want; and have the right to decide when or if we have children.

The method we use to make these choices again is simple: vote. For too long the extreme right has legislatively controlled much of this country. The way to re-establish our rights is to vote. The GOP nominee for president has declared frequently if you vote for him, you will never need to vote again. Say what?

The GOP ticket, top to bottom, continually promotes a us-versus-them mentality. The Democrats have a message of fairness and a better tomorrow for all. A message of hope and equality for everyone. I chose hope, and I’m voting blue.

Gilbert E Beyer, Sandpoint

Democratic Convention convinced me

My takeaway from the Democrats National Convention: Being decent, honest, empathetic and humble isn’t a weakness. It’s the prerequisite for our nation’s next president.

Ralph Sims, Eagle