Out of context To the Editor:
Elizabeth Song, in her most recent column ("A new threat to women's rights", DP, 11/30/06), misquotes me to support her view that Dr. Eric Keroack is an "anti-contraception nut" unfit to oversee federal "family planning" programs. President Bush has come under fire for appointing Keroack, an abstinence advocate, to head the Office of Population Affairs.
Song quotes me as saying, "I don't see why the appointment would be appropriate."
What I actually said was, "I don't see why the appointment would be inappropriate."
When Song interviewed me, I told her that it is hardly a surprise to see the president-himself a proponent of abstinence education-appointing like-minded individuals to key policy positions. Such is his prerogative.
I am encouraged by Keroack's appointment. Contraception cheapens the status of sex, makes men less respectful of women, and creates an unreasonable expectation of immunity from pregnancy that inevitably leads to more abortions.
For these reasons, I object to distributing contraceptives on the public dime. Since I explained this to Elizabeth, I was startled to see precisely the opposite position attributed to me. Alas, I, too, am an "anti-contraception nut", and I would be embarrassed if anyone were to think otherwise.
Frank-Paul Sampino College senior
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