Civil Unions A Legal, Not Religious, Matter
Regarding Bruce Luerson’s letter to the editor (“Biblical principles shouldn’t be changed,” The Daily News, May 21): The Bible is a sacred book, and as a Christian, I revere it. However, as far as gays having rights to civil unions, that is a legal matter, not a religious one. It involves property rights, insurance, medical decisions, custody rights, etc. These are legal issues, not religious.
As taxpaying citizens of these United States, they have the right to establish these unions and expect protection under the law, not the Bible. Churches and individuals are welcome to their beliefs, but legally, a taxpaying, law-abiding adult should be able to legally determine a partner in life and decide on legal issues, unhindered by Biblical scripture. Simply put, it’s not your personal business to determine how someone else chooses to live.
It is very much like the right to ride the bus. People are free to choose, and your religious beliefs, sexual orientation, race, physical/mental handicaps, etc., do not make anyone more or less than any other citizen. Rights are rights. Religion and faith are our personal rights; legal rights are the ones that should belong to all of us as citizens.
Kathleen Jeffcoat
La Marque
No One’s Willing To Take A Stand
Thank you, Bruce H. Luerson, for a well-written and timely letter (“Biblical principles shouldn’t be changed,” The Daily News, May 21). The public and the churches have been cowed, and everyone is afraid to stand up for morals. Thank you.
David Parker
Galveston
Letters Sometimes Are Entertaining
I always chuckle as I read about the parking problem on Galveston Island. Today, I read a letter by Chuck Combs, of La Porte, wanting casinos on the island (“Casinos would only make it better,” The Daily News, May 12). Where would the people park, so they could spend their money? Maybe they could park in League City and other locations along Interstate 45 and be airlifted to Galveston to gamble or have the casinos built on the mainland.
No park-and-rides would be permitted in League City — especially if you are old, poor or a veteran. The coldhearted League City council would never stand for helping the less fortunate or needy. So please keep the letters coming, as they are very entertaining.
Thank you for your time and the humor.
Pat Hoyland
League City
Loved Ones Should Be Respected
In reference to E.J. Petree’s letter to The Daily News on May 20 regarding Calvary Cemetery needing help (“Calvary Cemetery needs help, too”): All those problems were requested fixed several years ago. I wrote my letter, years before Hurricane Ike hit Galveston, to the newspaper with the intention that all the city council members and higher personnel would understand my plea.
Coming from a family of 21 children and being the last one living, I am giving it another try. I live near the cemetery, and I always put flowers on all the family’s and friends’ graves for special occasions. In fact, on Mother’s Day, I had to clean off the cut grass so I could read the stones and was attacked really badly by red ants.
My point in writing was to ask the city to please pave 65th Street to the entrance and make the entrance more attractive. I cringe when I see a funeral going down that street. It is in such horrible shape. There are so many of our loved ones who are buried at Calvary, and I feel they should have our everlasting respect.
Christine (Bertolino) Welsh
Galveston
Review smacked Of Petty Criticism
Regarding Shannon Caldwell’s review of “Miss Firecracker Contest” at Island ETC (“‘Firecracker’ a Southern gem in need of polish,” The Daily News, May 18): Did I see the same show that Ms. Caldwell “reviewed”? I think not. In fact, I’m not convinced Ms. Caldwell knows what she reviewed. Based on this review, I have to wonder at her credentials. Does she read the scripts for these plays?
As it happens, not only have I read this script, I have seen more than one production of this particular play. Island ETC’s production of “Miss Firecracker Contest” was incredibly well done and on target. Kim Mytelka’s casting and direction captured the tone perfectly, in my opinion.
I have driven from the Dallas area to see several ETC productions and have never been disappointed. Certainly, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I have to question why I came away from reading this review wondering, “What does this person have against Island ETC?”
Ms. Caldwell’s opinions smacked of personal/petty criticisms, and while I don’t claim to be an expert, I don’t believe that is what a review should reflect.
Kudos to Kim Mytelka, the staff of Island ETC and cast/crew of “MissFirecracker Contest.” I enjoyed it tremendously.
Dana Edwards
Irving
Where Are The Headlines?
I must have missed something. After the results came in from the Galveston municipal elections, I have been waiting for the The Daily News’ front page story (complete with “World War III breaks out”-sized font) to the effect that the anti-public housing vote dominated the election results. But other than an oblique mention deep in one of Amanda Casanova’s pieces — nothing.
However, The Daily News breathlessly reports, complete with super sized font, that Texas City has selected its first woman as superintendent (“Super Lusignolo,” May 16, The Daily News). Oh, the diversity!
Now, I understand journalists tend to be liberals and liberals have a long history of underreporting things that displease them (e.g. the use of legally possessed guns to deter crime and the recent epidemic of black-on-white crime around the county), but the voters’ smack down of the Galveston public housing proponents is a major event. The losers were flush with money from off the island, especially Mayor Joe Jaworski, yet islanders overwhelmingly rejected their plans for more government housing.
Unfortunately, the diversity so dear to liberals is, after all, only skin deep. Galvestonians, on the other hand, demonstrated true diversity — diversity of thought and opinion.
Ed Hooven
Galveston
Propaganda Has More Than One Use
I would just like to take a minute to thank all those considerate candidates running for office who have been making sure that my mail box is stuffed every day with their propaganda fliers. It thrills my heart to know there are so many conservative Christians who want to take America back.
Back to when, I’m not sure.
The 50s perhaps? The days when women had no rights? The days when minorities had no rights? The days when they could legislate their particular religious beliefs, despite the fact this country was founded on the principle of separation of church and state by highly respected clergy, such as Roger Williams?
I also appreciate the blowing of what must be significant funds to try to get my attention. You got it. I now know who I will not be voting for come November.
So, thanks again for all your fliers — my shredder really needed the workout.
Karen Rex
La Marque
Politicians, Do Not Call
Apparently, politicians are not required to abide by the “no-call list,” and I’d like to know why.
We subscribe to that program because we don’t want annoying, constant, unsolicited sales calls, so why are we still getting them from politicians who are trying to sell us their line of bull?
I’m on the verge of not voting at all, but being a responsible citizen, I think I’ll just keep score and vote for the candidates who call the least.
Annie Crouch
Galveston
SA Majors Should Remain On Isle
The dates haven’t been set to make the trip to Dallas to persuade The Salvation Army divisional commander for the state of Texas to reverse the decision to transfer Majs. Harvey and Ann Johnson from Galveston to Amarillo. The community group is awaiting response to a letter requesting to speak with him. Anyone wishing to participate in this meeting can call 409-996-3034.
Majs. Harvey and Ann Johnson, who have been commanders in Galveston for less than two years, already are being transferred, even though they have done an excellent job of building The Salvation Army here. Many letters of support asking that the Johnsons not be moved, seemingly have been all to no avail.
Maj. Johnson announced that he was told by the divisional commander to tell the letter-writers to stop writing. However, we feel we should be able to express our opinions as long as it takes. We are hopeful our visit to Dallas will convince the commander that the Johnsons are still much needed in Galveston and very much wanted. Again, we are waiting to hear from him in order to schedule this visit.
Nancie Molina
Alvin
US Must Practice Fiscal Responsibility
No candidates seem to reflect my beliefs, which are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I do not care who marries whom or who gets an abortion, but I do not believe in spending, borrowed federal money being used to buy school buses (the local district’s expense) or repairing homes for people who did not bother to buy insurance.
After we were flooded by Hurricane Carla, when no flood insurance was available, we borrowed and repaid the money to repair our homes. I would love to see all American personnel and money withdrawn from Afghanistan and Pakistan. We cannot afford to continue to pursue this unwinnable situation.
Joanne Butler
Texas City
SF Chamber On New Initiative
The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Inc. has embarked on a new economic development initiative. The goal is to attract new business and industry to Santa Fe and to retain and expand current business and industry.
The chamber is building a list of commercial and retail properties for lease or sale. Realtors or individuals can list commercial properties on the chamber website so prospective buyers, tenants, brokers and developers who are interested will be able to view what is available in the area.
Once this list is on the website, we will be contacting brokers and developers in the Galveston/Houston area and inviting them to discover Santa Fe.
If you would like your property listed with the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce at no cost to you visit www.santafetexaschamber.net/real_estate/index.php?page=register, and register as a user. From there it, will walk you through on how to enter your properties and pictures.
For information or for assistance through the process, contact Fay Picard at 409-925-8558.
Fay Picard
Santa Fe
