On Nov. 2, the newspaper wrote a misleading editorial, “‘Controversy’ getting in the way of health care,” about a perceived smear campaign by the Center for Medical Progress and its undercover videos of Planned Parenthood. The editorial called these videos a “cooked-up controversy.” The facts say otherwise.

Two forensic labs, one hired by Planned Parenthood, found no evidence of manipulation. In October, Cecile Richards, head of Planned Parenthood, wrote a letter to the National Institute of Health stating that the organization would stop selling fetal tissue to research labs. If these videos were cooked-up controversies, it seems likely that Planned Parenthood would have stood its ground instead of giving the appearance of guilt.

The newspaper also took a swipe at the pro-life movement, bringing up vandalism to abortion facilities. These acts are to be condemned, however, they are not representative of the pro-life movement.

Every Thursday, peaceful protests occur outside Family Planning in Augusta. Every January, hundreds of Mainers rally in solemn vigil at the State House in Hands Around the Capital. Every January, thousands of Americans peacefully gather in Washington, D.C. to remember more than 50 million babies who have died since 1973. The pro-lifers take peaceful action against a violent act.

The real violence occurs inside Planned Parenthood. I urge people to watch the videos and see for themselves.

Kathryn Swegart

Rome