THE ISSUE: Melinda Katz’s pregnancy and the difficulty of child-rearing.
Another wonderful article by Andrea Peyser (“Melinda, A Baby is Not a Political Prop,” April 8).
What is it about us Queens girls?
Peyser is absolutely right. When are people going to start realizing that we have wonderful children in our own country who need loving homes?
I can’t wait for Peyser’s next column. It is the only reason I read The Post.
Lydia Bellfiore
Queens
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Peyser’s “Ode to Melinda Katz’ Pregnancy” is typical of one who indulges in man-bites-dog stories.
She gives a mean-spirited exposition and intemperate portrayal of a woman who simply wants to fulfill most women’s dreams: motherhood.
Peyser’s real motive manifests itself near the end of her screed. If only Melinda Katz had satisfied her quest for motherhood by “adopting from right here in our country,” it would have been OK with Peyser.
Peyser’s personal preferences should be less oblique. She seems to be damning not only Katz, but all women like her.
Ed Krauss
Scarsdale
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I want to thank Peyser for stating the facts.
So many of us wish we had figured out the mommy equation sooner – either by putting our sensational careers on hold or meeting our husbands when we were able to reproduce.
I wished and hoped, but, had that happened to me, I would not have our precious daughter, Lucy.
We adopted her at seven months, and today she is six years old.
As my husband so tenderly says, “We couldn’t have made a better one if we had made her ourselves.”
There are so many fabulous children waiting to be loved that are already here.
Somewhere, the fertility docs have to bear some responsibility, but, as I can tell you firsthand, it’s a real moneymaking business for them.
Nancy Gottfried
Harwinton, Conn.
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I believe that Katz’s comment that “most of her opponents have children” was implying that having children was a non-issue for the men in the race, and, therefore, it should not be one for her – single or not.
Katz rightfully did not want the perception that a single woman raising a child would do any less of a job than the men (with children) running for comptroller.
While I agree with Andrea that raising a child is very demanding, her comments were insulting to very capable and hard-working mothers – whether divorced, single or married.
Rori Goldin
Pleasantville
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Peyser’s assault on my colleague, City Councilmember Katz, for her personal decision to have a baby is outrageous.
Peyser has no business disparaging a working, single woman who has decided that she wants to have a baby.
Being a parent is one of my proudest achievements. I can assure you that my two children are not political props.
We would never accuse a man running for political office of having a baby for the sake of keeping up with his opponents.
It was 16 years ago that the controversy erupted when then-Vice President Dan Quayle criticized Candice Bergen’s character on “Murphy Brown” for having a child on her own.
Let’s not turn back the clock. Peyser’s attack on Katz has no place in our society.
The last time I checked, a woman still has the right to choose and has the right to choose to become a mom.
Bill de Blasio
City Councilmember
Manhattan
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Thank you for mentioning adoption as a viable alternative to the expensive and invasive process of donated sperm and eggs.
If you are going to suffer through the process of childbirth, an important motivator would be that the result be a genetic match.
A big challenge with domestic adoption appears to be that, in the United States, it is almost always an “open” adoption.
All of the couples I know who have chosen adoption have gone to other nations.
I asked one couple why. It was because they don’t want to deal with the complications and confusion that can arise when a biological parent decides to be part of the child’s life.
I don’t have children and haven’t ever felt the need to spend a small fortune to change that. But if I did, I would spend that fortune adopting a child who already needs a parent.
Bill Mack
Rochester
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If the front-page picture of smiling, mother-to-be Katz is any indication, she will be a great mom (“Birth Comptrol,” April 7).
James J. Ring
Ossining