Bureaucratic Comfort

In your recent story on abortion doctors ["A Matter of Life and Death" by Jesse Fox Mayshark, Vol. 8, No. 47], I was reported as sponsoring anti-abortion legislation in Nashville.

The bill I actually sponsored regarding this issue required abortionists who travel around the state and into other states to have another doctor on call for women experiencing problems after undergoing an abortion.

In many cases abortionists do the abortion, get their money and leave town, leaving behind a woman who has just undergone an invasive surgical procedure with no physician to call if complications arise.

During the committee hearing, I cited several cases where women actually died because there was no follow-up care in the case of emergencies. Many members of the committee were surprised that someone as pro-life as I am would carry legislation to protect a woman who had just undergone an abortion. My reasoning was that we had just lost one life (the baby's) to abortion, we didn't need to lose the mother's also.

My bill was killed when Planned Parenthood (which says they are for "safe" abortions) lobbied against it. They chose to put their bureaucratic comfort over the lives of women. Action speaks louder than words.

Bill Dunn
State Representative
Knoxville

Ed. Note: Mr. Dunn is a long-time member of Tennessee Right to Life.

We Row the Line

Many Knoxvillians look to Metro Pulse as a source of information about area culture. How many know that in addition, Metro Pulse supports and enhances unique local and regional events? Knoxville's premier rowing event, the annual Head of the Tennessee Regatta, held this year on October 31, was generously sponsored by Metro Pulse. You provided publicity, a Regatta Guide, and a vibrant on-site presence at the Metro Pulse vendor tent. More than 3,000 participants and spectators enjoyed rowing, learning about the sport, sampling delicious food and varied merchandise, and even listening to live, old time mountain music. We appreciate the tireless and gracious efforts of Metro Pulse's entire staff, and especially wish to recognize production manager Martha James, staff writer Jack Neely, and all the account executives who made the vendors' presence possible. Kudos to Metro Pulse for bringing new visibility to the wholesome, picturesque sport of rowing by sponsoring the 23rd annual Head of the Tennessee Regatta—the South's oldest head race and a beacon of Knoxville tradition.

Laurel Goodrich, Jane Gulley
Knoxville Rowing Association
Knoxville