"I am writing in response to your editorial, Abortion Decision shows Supreme Court out of Touch with Americans, 7/5/00. I wish I had advertising in your paper which I could yank to demonstrate how wrong I believe your position to be.

My body is no burning schoolhouse - you devalue women in making such a comparison. Were I in a position to need an abortion after the first trimester, I would trust in the wisdom of our Supreme Court to protect my rights to have that abortion. You're out of line to use The Observer to forward your opinions about what I, or any other woman, can do to ensure the health of our bodies. I am a voting American - and the Supreme Court is in touch with me, and with most women I know" (Cali Gaston, Earlysville).