Columnist failed to respect choices by Iraqi women, disregards traditions

TO THE EDITOR:

Upon reading Emily Batchelder's last two commentaries I have to admit, as a guy, that she did a great job expressing the plight of women and dutifully acknowledging what needs to done.

I don't want to appear to be misogynistic fella', but I refuse to accept "contraception is a basic standard of health care and should be viewed as such by the President."

There is nothing wrong with pursuing your own agendas. The country has more problems to deal with than your perception of what the president ought to do.

I hate the president's guts and wouldn't vote for him if my life depended on it, but if there is one thing I disagree with, it's your attempt to equate what's going on with Iraqi women to American women.

Iraqi women know what's best for themselves, and if they are happy with maintaining and following their own traditions, whatever those might be, we shouldn't introduce these rights that you seem to advocate.

Some of these women are genuinely happy with their lives, as shown on the Oprah Winfrey show.

You need to move out of your comfort zone and look around because there are more devastating issues that women have to live with than whether they can get contraceptives or not.

You're right by saying "men and women of this country deserve better," but don't forget that there is more to health care than women's right to contraceptives - which is what you seem to prioritize.

Our citizens, by the way, are not being disenfranchised. You talk of a major decline in women's health care but you don't even offer any proof.

Joseph Wanjohi
Freshman
Undecided