Letters to the editor Oct. 9

Gay marriage would ultimately benefit society

Scripture states that when couples of the same sex share a bed in the same fashion as man and wife, they have created immoral and unnatural sin, detestable in the eyes of God. However, 1,400 years later, Jesus says, "Judge not that you not be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This passage reminds me that the path to Heaven does not include judging people's beliefs or orientations. Gay and lesbian marriage should be allowed for three beneficial reasons.

First, the United States was established on the ideals of freedom, individual liberty, and equality. The First Amendment guarantees Americans the right to freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. These principles should guarantee homosexuals the same equality which their counterparts enjoy in choosing whomever they marry; the same freedom from governmental obstruction.

Second, gay and lesbian married couples ought to have the same opportunities to demonstrate effective parenting through any custody or adoption issues. This would prevent custody complications to the children's lives, and avoid foster care placement.

Finally, allowing gay marriages will provide financial benefits to individuals and relief on government services.

Eventually, the American people and lawmakers will recognize the benefits of same-sex marriage. A handful of states already recognize gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnership. How much more time until all 50 states do?

Michael Rooker

Carson City

Brown will bring right stuff to Assembly 39

Our local Assembly race has not drawn a lot of attention, though this is an important session for the Legislature. State income falls woefully short of meeting its costs, so some serious decisions will have to be made in the state budget process. Plus, this is the year for reapportionment, always a tussle of competing interests.

Former Douglas County Commissioner Kelly Kite is one of the candidates for this position. As commissioner, he made really bad decisions for us. He was the only commissioner to vote for a master plan amendment that would have allowed Park Cattle to build 4,500 new homes on the east side of town. He supported the controversial $24.7 million redevelopment grant to Riverwood Redevelopment LLC for another shopping center in the north county, which many felt was poor, and possibly improper, use of our property-tax-funded redevelopment monies. He was on the commission which kicked the problems with the private water systems down the road, which we are dealing with now at great expense.

Because of this, I will be supporting JoEtta Brown for Assembly. She currently serves us well as vice-chair of the planning commission, is knowledgeable about budgets, finance and housing, is fiscally responsible, has done years of volunteer work on behalf of children, working families and seniors, and has a desire to get our state back on its feet with good jobs and education. She is a leader. I urge everyone to vote to make her our next assemblywoman.

Janet Walls

Minden

Antiquated law allows waste of water

So, this high-level bureaucrat irrigates a crummy, unfenced, two-acre plot of land to water weeds to satisfy state law on water rights. The wild horses drop by for dinner, and the solution is to round up the herd to be put into relocation camps.

I'd be willing to bet that state law is probably more than 100 years old, when land use and population were quite different than now. If using a precious commodity to water an unused weed patch is "beneficial use" for the water rights and satisfies this law, then perhaps it's time to change it.

To hide behind this law and claim, "I have no choice," is weak, considering his connections to state government.

It's too bad that all the enthusiasm the BLM and Department of Agriculture have for permanently removing the horses could not better be used in real progress to ensure their survival where they have always been - here.

Mark Humboldt

Stagecoach