Mailbag: Planned Parenthood practice is barbaric

I was rather shocked by the commentary by Lynne Riddle (“Commentary: Planned Parenthood getting a bad rap,” July 31).

In the last paragraph, she disclosed that she has recently been appointed a member of Planned Parenthood of Orange County and San Bernardino County’s Community Action Fund. Perhaps she should have disclosed that in the first paragraph, since it most certainly slants her view.

In light of that, I too must consider the source. Riddle talks about all the good things that Planned Parenthood does for women. I don’t doubt that for a moment.

However, there has often been controversy about the abortion services provided by this taxpayer-funded organization, the most recent being the sale of baby parts — babies that have been aborted. It was very clear in the video that Riddle speaks of that indeed this goes on.

Personally, I think that is vile at the very least. That this practice can be defended by someone who appears to be intelligent and educated is also something that is hard to understand. It is sad that these discussions always seem to come down to political sides.

This is about humanity and how we feel about our fellow man. What is sad is that there appears to be little outrage about this barbaric practice. It breaks my heart.

Katherine Choate

Newport Beach

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Team Newport is beholden to no one

I wanted to respond to Jeff Herdman’s Aug. 1 letter to the editor, in which he calls for an audit of the Team Newport 2014 campaign (“Mailbag: City should request an audit of Team Newport’s campaign finances.”

I particularly didn’t like his inference that Team Newport was beholden to a particular group. I know Councilman Kevin Muldoon. I know Councilman Marshall Duffield. I know Councilman Scott Peotter. And I know Councilwoman Diane Dixon.

None of them are beholden to anyone.

Perhaps the writer needs to spend some time getting do know his City Council members before he makes another unfounded assumption.

Roy Englebrecht

Newport Beach

The writer was a City Council candidate in 2014.