Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to the letter claiming that Proposition
8 will not take anything away from same-sex couples by passing. The
proposition is straight to the point.
”
Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry.
”
It’s taking away a fundamental right, and in the process, adding
a discriminatory clause to our constitution. How can discrimination
be right, no matter what your viewpoint?
We’ve been posting letters as they come in, and there’s plenty more to read. Check out more letters here, here, here and here.
Taking away the right to marry for same-sex couples is discrimination
Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to the letter claiming that Proposition 8 will not take anything away from same-sex couples by passing. The proposition is straight to the point. “Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry.” It’s taking away a fundamental right, and in the process, adding a discriminatory clause to our constitution. How can discrimination be right, no matter what your viewpoint?
You don’t have to like me, or whom I choose to marry. Just because you cannot relate to someone does not mean that you have more civil rights and privileges than them. How many people have been married without the approval of their family due to religion, race, prosperity, or class?
Two people who choose to build a life together, start a family, own a home, run a business, two people making a commitment together can only strengthen others’ commitments. I have the right to marry, cohabitate, or be single. As do you. Why should any of us lose that right?
As to the kicker, dissolution of a relationship can be the same in a heterosexual marriage if there is no property, children, insurance, debt, or other ties together. It is no easier to leave a domestic partnership than it is a marriage. However, to be together and have it recognized legally, to protect individual rights within the domestic partner relationship, it is costlier, in taxes on benefits to partners vs. spouses, legal documentation of ownerships, inheritance, custody battles, and dozens of small every-day rights that have to be proven, documented, explained, and paid for.
And to suggest that ending a committed relationship involves no heartache is simply ridiculous. If there is no heartache, you were never committed to begin with, no matter what vow you take before God, state, friends and family. Please do not consider equality to be a non-issue when you go to vote. It’s what this entire country is about, the right to be treated equally.
Caitlyn Kelly, Gilroy
Will our elected officials have the brains and courage to scale back?
Dear Editor,
Every few years the business cycle takes a downturn. Each time this happens our elected officials are surprised at the lack of revenue. Many tears are shed as pet programs are cut. We have even gone so far as to float bonds to cover the deficit. This practice passes the debt on to our children and grandchildren.
Our state government is a good example of this foolish practice. With the advent of the mortgage scandal a more severe downturn is upon us. Depending on whom you believe the business cycle will last from 18 months to several years. Regardless of who wins the presidential race we will have some rough years ahead of us.
The question is: Are our elected officials smart enough to scale back?
Keith C. De Filippis, San Jose.
A word for those who would strike against Saint Louise Hospital
Dear Editor,
With people losing their jobs every day, they should be lucky they have a job.They should fire them all and hire people who will appreciate having a job in these hard times.
James Chamberlin, Gilroy
A poetic plea for publication
Dear Editor,
Is it my grammar, or my punctuation
That keeps my letters, out of your publication
Or is it because your paper, is so full of the news
There is no room left, to print my opposing views
I realize that we each have, different political agendas
But you seem to find space, for the other letter senders
And I understand, you have to evaluate,
the words that we use
But is this what determines, the letters that you choose?
I think mine seem mild, compared to some of the other writers
But maybe, they are some of your favorite insiders
It seems that every letter, that I send, in this poetic style
Always eventually ends up, in your large round basket file
So if you would be so generous, and print my view
For we Democrats, have opinions too
Tom Engebretson, Gilroy
Editor’s note: Dear Tom, it’s a problem with Iambic pentameter. 🙂
Obama’s judgments validated by history? C’mon … examples?
Dear Editor,
“Obama’s judgments on foreign policy, national security and diplomacy have been validated by history.” So says Lisa Pampuch in her Oct. 29 column … “… validated by history.”????
Please enlighten and educate us with three examples for each of those subjects. i have not encountered any references or actions on the part of B.H. Obama with a decisive conclusion in the field of national security, diplomacy or foreign policy. Please enlighten and educate us with a letter to the editor.
Dan Myers, Gilroy
Student representative makes the case for passage of school bond
Dear Editor,
I have read so many false statements from the anti-Measure B folks, and I’ve finally decided to speak up. BART will not take any money away from other Valley Transportation Authority projects or Caltrain electrification. In fact, the federal government forbids this!
The local funds to construct BART are already being collected through 2000’s Measure A, the state funds have been secured, and all we’re waiting on is federal funding. The feds won’t commit that kind of cash to us until we show we have a revenue source for the maintenance and operation of BART. Measure B provides that source. If the federal money doesn’t materialize, not one cent of Measure B’s very modest tax will ever be collected.
Better public transportation can only strengthen South County’s economy, as it will bring jobs to the area along the line and keep the whole region competitive. Cleaner air, less traffic, more jobs – and no effect on established South County transit options. That’s Measure B.
Kristi Martin, Morgan Hill
Build library and new City Hall downtown, and a Gottschalks, too
Dear Editor,
Yes, Gilroy needs a new updated library! The existing one is too crowded!
I suggest our city follows the city of Watsonville’s example (five-story building). Combine the library with a new City Hall and build it downtown on Monterey Street. Like Watsonville, it will help revitalize and bring more business and people in.
Also, I wish Gilroy had a Gottschalks department store! The one in downtown Watsonville has brought shoppers back and has increased business and tax dollars.
Jim Marshall, Gilroy
A letter in measure about lettered measures
Dear Editor,
It seems that Alan Viarengo doesn’t like,
any of the measures ending in letters
But all of us Dispatch readers know,
it doesn’t take much, to ruffle his feathers
He’s shouting from the rooftops,
to save us our tax dollars
But it won’t change the facts,
no matter how loud he hollers
He thinks that the schools and library
are a waste of our taxes
So education and books are not important,
that’s what he asks us?
And there’s Measure E, which would save the city a hundred grand
That would be a great savings, that he doesn’t understand
If the city held their elections, on the even years
I guess that this is one, of his most extreme fears
He wants you to think he’s for less government spending
But by opposing Measure E, what kind of a message is he sending
So please pass Measure E, for an even year election
Let’s put that tax money, in a better direction
Tom Engebretson, Gilroy
Wonderful physical program for girls in the Gilroy schools
Dear Editor,
I was pleased after reading “Let’s hear it for the girls.” I am glad that Gilroy has involvement with a group whose purpose is to help young girls stay active.
As mentioned in the article, child obesity is a growing issue not only in our country, but in our county as well. The Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative is doing a great thing with the young girls in our city. These sessions that are being held for elementary school girls are critical. Young girls are very impressionable and teaching them ways to stay active and healthy are habits that they can carry throughout their lives.
BAWSI has done well in removing the competitiveness from the team as a whole, creating a fun and welcoming environment for young girls to learn.
Nichole Parker, Gilroy
