Imperfect adoption as an alternative to abortion

Regarding the May 8 letter ‘An alternative to abortion, care: “How wonderful it would be if adoption were a gentle option for babies born of unwanted pregnancies and their mothers. In addition to stating that “an woman should absolutely have the right to control her health needs”, the writer neglected to check the countless assumptions on which he bases his thinking. I will mention only two that are real. In 2020, approximately 117,470 children were expecting already to be adopted – where are the takers? – and if a fetus has been conceived through rape or incest, the impact on the woman to be carried to term can be traumatic.

Arlene Ustin, Delray Beach

Questions for a Post-Roe World

Can I ask a question? Are all these anti-abortionists ready to adopt and provide a loving and supportive home for these “unwanted” babies for the next 18 years? And what about a 12-year-old girl who is raped by her father or brother? Hmm.

Elinor Kaufman, Delray Beach

Congress should pass the Goldie Act

The United States Department of Agriculture is complicit in the suffering of dogs and puppies raised in federally licensed puppy mills, which is why I’m calling on Rep. Lois Frankel to co-sponsor and pass HR 6100, Goldie’s Act. This federal agency is responsible for protecting dogs from cruelty in USDA-licensed commercial facilities, but it rarely takes steps to fulfill this responsibility. The Goldie Act would make this model a thing of the past and ensure the USDA enforces the law properly.

A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced this legislation in honor of Goldie, a golden retriever who suffered before dying in an Iowa puppy mill. Goldie’s act would require the USDA to intervene in cases of visible negligence and notify local law enforcement of documented violations. Overall, this bill would help ensure that no dog suffered Goldie’s fate. I urge Rep. Frankel to co-sponsor and pass the Goldie’s Act to protect vulnerable dogs and puppies.

Mikell Howington, Palm Beach

Disabled kayakers need the ramp

We love our city which has so many places a family can go, including beautiful parks. Unfortunately, Oyer Park on the Intracoastal is a case of willful neglect. The kayak ramp and fishing pier both closed in March because they were deemed unsafe. The park is the only place with a specially designed ramp for disabled kayakers.

The kayak ramp officially opened on July 13, 2018. Less than two years after the completion of this taxpayer-funded project, the ramp was slowly collapsing due to lack of maintenance. In 2021, bolts were missing and two sections of the rail actually sank in water. It’s scandalous. It shows how the city of Boynton Beach, which just built a lavish city hall, is wasting taxpayers’ money and letting important pieces of the city’s infrastructure crumble. Now, thanks to city neglect, disabled and elderly kayakers are left with no safe place to launch their kayaks.

Greg Lukasik, Boynton Beach