Many women who need help from family planning funds may be denied basic female health care. They may not have access to breast exams and Pap smears to detect cancer. They may not receive education on the cause, prevention and care of venereal disease or health care for unwanted pregnancies or pregnancies that are planned.
Without funds for family planning, women will die prematurely and unnecessarily.
Janet Daniels
Ellicott City
Decision on abortion isn't taken lightly
Gregory Kane's column "Corrections, oversights - and `extreme' irony on left" (June 29) accuses the Democratic Party of "extremism" in its views on issues such as gay rights and abortion and says the party supports "abortion on demand."
The phrase "abortion on demand" is too often used incorrectly to imply women demand abortions with the same impulsiveness a child demands candy in a grocery store.
In fact, women and men faced with unintended pregnancy carefully weigh their options before deciding to have an abortion. The choice is personal, private and difficult.
And the platform of the Democratic Party calls for the reduction of the need for abortion.
Daniel M. Clements
Columbia
The writer is chairman of the board of Planned Parenthood of Maryland and a former trustee of the Maryland Democratic Party.
McNatt throws light on the world of art
I wish to single out Glenn McNatt and praise him for his wondrous flair and style, and always doing his homework.
His review on the Baltimore Museum of Art's acquisitions once again throws light on his growth as an art critic ("An Artful Amalgam," July 2). I have saved and savored many of his fine reviews, and now I wish they were all available in book form for future reference.
Mr. McNatt is my main reason for reading The Sun.
Edward Riggio
Towson
