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The Saturday, Feb. 17, edition contains two items I’d like to comment on. One is about a John Day woman who supports moving Oregon’s border such that two-thirds of Oregon becomes part of Idaho. I’m opposed to moving Oregon’s border, which in my opinion has zero chance of taking place. So I don’t fret over the proposal.

The second article I find very concerning. Idaho has the nation’s most restrictive law banning abortions. (I was born in Boise, Idaho, but am very glad I’ve lived almost my whole life in Baker.) Here’s my concern, which I’ll preface with some stats about the male vs. female composition of the Idaho Legislature.

Of the 35 members in the Senate, 24 are men, 11 are women. In the House there are 70 members, 49 are men and 21 are women. Totaling in the two branches: 73 men, 32 women.

I’m sure by now you’ve already figured out where I’m going with this letter. Men, to be sure, have a biological role in creating a child. But the pregnant woman bears all the risk of pregnancy and birth.

In order to make things fair, my fanciful solution would be that all males be required to recuse themselves from voting on bills restricting abortion.

Gary Dielman

Baker City