WASHINGTON — On Jan. 23, 1973, when the Supreme Court struck down laws criminalizing abortion in Roe v. Wade, President Richard M. Nixon made no public statement. But privately, newly released tapes reveal, he expressed ambivalence.

Nixon worried that greater access to abortions would foster “permissiveness,” and said that “it breaks the family.” But he also saw a need for abortion in some cases — like interracial pregnancies, he said.

With all respect, it seems from these quotes (if they are not taken out context) that President Nixon did not understand the issue of abortion. Yes, it leads to permissiveness – BUT THAT IS NOT THE GRAVEST ERROR. It’s a matter of murder. It is not merely about permissiveness or “inter-racial” pregnancy.