To the editor:

While the action of protesters speaking out against the separation of children from their parents could be considered commendable and compassionate (as reported in the July 14 Independent), we should also take a look at another situation where children are separated from their parents.

Abortion separates a child from mother and father — “permanently.” On Jan. 29 the U.S. Senate voted 51 to 46 on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act; it needed 60 votes to pass.

Dr. Robin Pierucci, a practicing neonatologist, says that based on her experience in the neonatal intensive care unit, “edge-of-viability unborn babies feel pain.” Premature babies react to painful procedures in obvious ways-they wrinkle up their faces, kick their feet, clench their hands into tiny fists, curl their toes, arch their backs and try to wriggle away, or smack at the offending person.”

It is unfortunate that our two U.S. senators, Klobuchar and Smith, did not show compassion for innocent children when they voted against the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.”

Remember that when it comes time to vote for U.S. senators.

Phil Drietz

Delhi