Proposition 1

Re “Banning abortion is what’s extreme” (July 31):

Wendy Fontaine calls Jon Fleischman’ column “not only deeply flawed but deeply sensational.”

I disagree. She’s saying his wording “exaggerates and distorts the issue”; however I think he points out the relevant and dangerous “loophole” in this blanket legalization of abortion at any stage from conception to birth. Even granting Fontaine’s stats (for which California is one of three who refuse to report), her 1% of the 1 million “procedures per year” that “occur after the 21-week mark” means that for her it’s acceptable that up to 10,000 abortions may be to babies that have reached viable status as a human being. I am both pro-choice and pro-life, and consider this constitutional amendment, the way it is proposed, to be an unacceptable risk for thousands of our future generation.

— Suzanne Potter Zmudosky, Moreno Valley

Combating inflation

Re “What inflation looks like to shoppers” (July 31):

Inflation is a word abstraction for the rise in consumer prices. In a free market-driven economy, businesses are free to sell products at a profit. In a centrally controlled and managed economy, such business entities must sell products at prices set by the central government. That said, the Biden administration cannot control the rise in prices unless it decides to intervene and establish price controls. The first time this occurred was during WWI and subsequently during WWII. Republican President Nixon used price controls on gasoline. Since then, the Federal Reserve has taken a more primary role in controlling inflation.

— Larry Naritomi, Monterey Park

Celtics great Bill Russell

Re “Russell was a treasure in L.A.” (Aug. 1): I am a die-hard Laker fan and don’t enjoy beating any other team more than the Celtics. But that enmity is rooted in respect for a worthy adversary who pushes us to reach heights we wouldn’t attain without such fierce competition. That is the essence of sports and no one represented it better than Bill Russell, on and off the court. Thanks for all the great competition, the great achievements, and teaching us the struggle need not be personal, overcoming with grace, the true victory. With the greatest respect to the ultimate champion, rest in peace, Bill.

— William David Stone, Irvine