Jun 20, 2008

Letters to the Editor

Daily News

Gay marriage



Dear Editor: I am a bit surprised (and more than a little amused) by Mr. Young's grandiose condemnation of gay marriage. I question exactly what kind of "chaos" he hopes to "stave off" by preventing the public and legal recognition of love between two people.

I hardly think that California will drift off into any kind of "outer darkness" or "abyss" as a result, and I wonder why he is so concerned with such an issue when he could consider the darkness that comes with a country at war or the seeming abyss of a declining economy.

I think that love is the least of our worries as Californians, and Mr. Young would do well to concern himself with more pressing matters. I would also challenge him to articulate an argument against gay marriage that does not involve religious objections (however "natural" he believes them to be) and present a solid secular case against denying two people a legality to their love.

He says that "fools ... tread where angels fear to go," but even Milton's uniformly gendered angels have sex. If angels do not fear it, Mr. Young, then why do you?

Joseph Dierking,

San Mateo



Poker donation

Dear Editor: Regarding a June 19 letter about the poker donation story, I am not sure it is immoral to gamble, and what a person does with his or her earnings could be spent on far riskier behaviors. Gambling is a problem for some, and so is keeping up with the Joneses' conspicuous consumption.

What is "sad and ironic" is that we have a community dealing with involuntary manslaughter because the suspects lacked self-control - alcohol-fueled speed, or knocking one's block off after a baseball game. Responsibility and accountability are the byline of growth and maturity. An out-of-control person has himself to blame if he doesn't measure up or keep perspective. Gambling may be bad business but it is about choices and self-control that defines one's addiction.

If the person donating winnings honestly earned his proceeds, even if there was a bluff or two, that was his business decision. Everyone gambles daily; some are more prolific than others, some are lucky, some receive dividends from their risk, others lose. If we are such purists, our national educational system would likely not have the endowments today by their benefactors. Many people rose to prominence through illegal behaviors and never really got caught: Mature laws were not in place, ethics aside. Our local robber baron - Leland Stanford - lived well while endowing education. Maybe endowments are matters of maturing and evolving philosophy of their donors and not securing a place in heaven.

Decision Education Foundation should take the money, enjoy the benefit and let it do no harm.

Jack Kirkpatrick,

Redwood City



U.S. economy

Dear Editor: Our country is in a bad way. Our central government is dysfunctional and corrupt. Unemployment is increasing alarmingly with our jobs being outsourced to foreign nations. Credit card debt is rising exponentially, and much of it can never be repaid. China owns us, and still we continue to borrow to finance an immoral, criminal war in Iraq that has killed and injured thousands of our own as well as Iraqis. Our behavior has caused us to lose our good standing in the world. Our infrastructure is hopelessly in disrepair and decay.

A few courageous citizens speak out. Rep. Dennis Kucinich has sought impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Few in Congress supported this attempt, including Democrats.

There are those of us who anguish over the sad state of our country. How can we right these dreadful wrongs? Will the Republicans do it? The Democrats? Do enough citizens care about the dire straits of our country to take action?

It is getting very late.

Jeannette Andrews,

Palo Alto