Gay rights in U.S. ultimately about freedom

(PNI) Regarding "Churches split over gay rights" (Valley & State, Tuesday):

Republic reporter Michael Clancy did a good job showing there are conscientious Christians on all sides of this discussion. But we need to recognize that there are two issues here, and we must separate them.

The first is the moral legitimacy of the gay lifestyle and the second is the issue of gay rights -- the right of people to their own beliefs on morality as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others.

There are good Christians on both sides of the first issue. But if you believe in the Golden Rule, all Christians should be for gay rights in the second issue. The proposal being considered by the Boy Scouts is an example of a good solution -- allow the sponsoring organization of a troop to apply its own moral code to its own troop.

Freedom is the bottom line in this country. Sometimes, it's a balancing act.

--Doug Metzger, Phoenix

Megacity editorial weak

Regarding "Phoenix bashed in LA Times: Coast megacity a water vacuum":

The Arizona Republic editorial board, in its reply to an op-ed I wrote that was published in the Los Angeles Times on March 14, "Phoenix's too hot future," responds first by dismissing the author with a specious comparison (me to Edward Abbey) and second by pointing its finger at Los Angeles, whose habits and behavior, it says, are worse than Phoenix's.

That may be, but the diversion of attention leaves the core issue -- the exposure of Phoenix to a hotter and drier future -- completely unaddressed.

The Valley of the Sun indeed lies vulnerably in the crosshairs of climate change, which is the point of the op-ed and of the longer essay (at TomDispatch.com) from which it was drawn. If The Arizona Republic were to dig deeply into that subject, it would be a public service.

--William deBuys,

Chamisal, N.M.

No al-Qaida links in Iraq

Regarding "U.S. military did its job in Iraq" (Opinions, Sunday):

The Republic editorial board said our military "took the fight to the home of the al-Qaida terrorists and their sympathizers." I disagree.

On April 29, 2007, a former director of Central Intelligence, George Tenet, said on "60 Minutes": "We could never verify that there was any Iraqi authority, direction and control complicity with al-Qaida for 9/11 or any operational act against America, period."

Iraq, in fact, neutralized any threat to us from Iran. I wouldn't be surprised if President George W. Bush, the most incompetent and pathetic president the country ever had, received a thank-you note from the Iranians for handing Iraq over to them.

--Roger Vallie, Goodyear

Universal infringements

Universal background checks. Sounds great, sounds reasonable, right? And such a noble goal.

But how would we feel if police started stopping every driver on the road to check for violations -- let's call it "universal DUI checks." Or maybe "universal tax audits." Starts to sound a little invasive.

Here's the problem: Universal background checks will require that I go through a federal firearms licensee to hand down a gun to my children or sell it to a friend. The only way to know whether that happened -- to enforce the law -- is to register and track every gun, including documenting the 100million legal guns in law-abiding owners' hands today.

It is already illegal to sell a gun to a prohibited possessor. Universal background checks would only add one more unenforceable law to the pile that we already don't enforce. The other problem is that criminals don't get guns that way, so these checks do nothing to take guns out of the hands of criminals or crazies.

--Mike Pflueger,

Scottsdale

I have job touted in letter

Just what is the secure private-sector job with health insurance that a letter writer refers to ("Caring about Americans," Friday)? Moreover, where is it? Because I want it.

Wait a minute. I already have it.

Like a growing number of Americans, by choice or necessity, I am self-employed. Have been for 28 years. I have health insurance because I pay for it. All of it. And until my wife died, it cost more than my mortgage.

My payroll taxes for Social Security are nearly double what "employed" folks pay. I have paid vacation time, as long as I pay for it. I can never apply for unemployment even if I have zero work. If I want a luxury, like a telephone line, I get to pay the business rate, which is twice the personal rate, even though I make fewer calls than a typical teenager.

But, like the rest of you, I pay all the sales taxes, utility taxes, room taxes and all the other hidden taxes the federal government never talks about.

So, where is that job again? I sure would like to have it. Except at 60, I am probably too old and experienced to get it.

--John Green,Scottsdale

Ethnic studies important

Regarding "The real loss is local control" (Editorial, March 12):

You are wrong to brand Tucson ethnic-studies instructors "zealots" and blame them for "indoctrination." The real "wreckage" is caused by Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne and others who are afraid of knowledge.

I am a Caucasian, retired teacher who has taught both ethnic studies and U.S. history. Ethnic studies is a class that all students should take because U.S. history is taught from the vantage point of the conquerors. Ethnic studies offers the opportunity to learn the other side of the story -- America's history from the viewpoint of the conquered, displaced and subjugated.

Everyone, including Mr. Horne, should learn that the expansion of America was shaped by the racist ideology of "manifest destiny" and the desire to expand slavery to "free" Mexico. The Mexican-American War was opposed by many, including Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. Grant called it "one of the most unjust (wars) ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation." Or, the glorified Texas Rangers often resorted to ruthless, summary executions, torture and intimidation, usually against Indians and Mexicans.

Mr. Horne and others who want to deny students the right to learn all sides of our history would also benefit from this class.

--Steve Carl, Chandler

What GOP needs to do

Much has been written lately concerning the need for change in the Republican Party.

The GOP does not have to change its basic beliefs of low taxes and smaller government. It just has to change the attitude of half of the voters from: "What can the country do for me?" to "What can I do to make the country better?"

--James P. Giangobbe,

Litchfield Park

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