Sir, - Vincent Browne is to be commended for his honesty in declaring that he has changed his mind on the abortion issue (The Irish Times, May 10th). It is important for readers to be aware of the prejudices and personal positions of opinion columnists and, in fairness to Vincent Browne, he is not afraid to spell his out.
Two things concern me about the piece. The first is how easily Mr Browne was swung from his pro-life position to his new pro-choice position. This indicated a very superficial grasp of the subject in the first place. I would like to refer Mr Browne to the feminist book Swimming Against The Tide (which includes a foreword by President McAleese) for a comprehensive rebuttal of the trite "what if" concoction he presented, and many other pro-choice "what ifs" as well. I have no doubt he will change his mind again, upon further reflection. It is not just a lady's prerogative to change one's mind.
The second reason for concern is the decision to publish such a poorly-drafted article in the first place. It behoves a quality newspaper to include quality writing, and quality arguments. This article was one-sided, flawed in reason, and infantile in its intellectual merit. Merely because the opinion piece happens to agree with the general editorial stance of the newspaper (and the NUJ) on the issue is not sufficient reason to inflict it on the general readership. ail Committee, and in the interests of balance, I assume that your paper will offer the same column to another writer to present cogent arguments defending the foetus we all once were. (I will gladly oblige, if none of the Swimming Against the Tide contributors are available). - Yours, etc.,
Michael Peter Aherne, Meath Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.