STATESMAN AND GAYS

Newspaper shouldn’t run inflamatory letters

I am appalled at the number of bigoted, homophobic letters to the editor published by the Idaho Statesman. None of these letters have any real rhyme or reason to them, just that “gays are icky” and “God says so.”

This is very irresponsible. When you publish unjustified hate against the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community, you contribute to hateful social discourse about us.

You contribute to a sociopolitical climate in which it is “just an opinion” that I am less than human and do not deserve civil rights (and while you degrade me and deny my humanity, I must “respect your opinion!”). You contribute to a culture of hatred and violence against the LGBT community and force us to live in fear, of being fired from our jobs, harassed on the streets, bullied in school, physically attacked or even killed — either because of our gender identity or sexual orientation.

There is a reason anti-LGBT hate violence and LGBT suicide rates are on the rise. There is a reason the Add the Words campaign failed this spring. The Statesman gives a thumbs-up to bigotry every time it publishes irrational homophobia as just another respectable opinion.

LINDSEY KIRKHAM, Boise

Writer misses the mark

After reading Allen Marsh’s letter of July 3, I think it’s time he pulled his head out of you know where, wiped his eyes and looked around.

Special considerations, oh yeah, legally being able to lose your job or housing because you’re homosexual, wow, that’s special, I want some.

Or maybe getting beaten up Downtown, just because ... now there’s another perk. Then either not reporting it for fear of being “outed” and then the other perks kick in, or being told it’s not a hate crime, it’s just a case of he said, she said getting out of hand. Maybe you’re a tourist who read about Boise but didn’t see between the lines and realize what he was walking into — see Boise Weekly June 13-19, “Unreported Hate Crimes in Boise.”

Just once I would like to see a homosexual business owner or homeowner fire someone or throw them out because they’re straight, then the doo-doo would hit the fan. Oh, the screams of righteous indignation.

Equal is equal. Anyone who has ever cut up a candy bar for a child can tell you that. People are people. Let’s try to get it right.

GLORIA WALSH, Boise

NUCLEAR WASTE

Don’t expect another state to solve nuclear waste issue

Rocky Barker’s question “Nuke waste to stay in Idaho?” was prescient. The answer requires only a change of the punctuation. “Nuke waste to stay in Idaho!”

Blunt and final, Idaho’s waste is not going anywhere. There is nowhere to put it and no money to move it. For their own reasons, economic conservatives and environmental liberals will stop further search for a repository. Both will gladly kick that can down the road for another 50 years. And don’t expect the $22 million if the waste is not removed by 2035. The future budget cliff will eliminate that, too.

Idaho owns the nuclear waste problem and must either solve it itself or live with it unsolved. Years ago Gov. Scott Matheson of Utah solved a similar problem removing nearly 3 million cubic yards of uranium mill waste from the middle of Salt Lake City. Instead of accepting an unreasonable federal budget and schedule, he generated his own solution.

I believe the leadershiop in Nuclear Energy Commission can find a solution that profits the stae, the INL, unversities and industries in Idaho.

PAUL BLACKER, Meridian

SUGGESTED LAWS

These laws certainly would shake things up

Should our legislators be in need of new bills to introduce into law, here are some suggestions:

• Make it a felony for candidates to lie during election campaigns.

• During election debates, require candidates to actually answer the questions asked.

• Prohibit election campaign ads on TV.

• Prohibit male legislators from introducing bills limiting women’s rights.

• Require the governor to reside in the governor’s mansion.

• Prohibit elected political party leaders from penalizing their own elected party members for actually voting with their constituents in mind.

• Require the state superintendent to have a degree in education.

• Allow Idahoans to vote for the candidate of their choice, regardless of political party.

• Prohibit revenue saved due to layoffs during an economic crisis from being paid out as bonuses by thoughtless state agency directors.

• Repeal the Capitol parking garage bill — promote carpooling instead.

• Prohibit elected politicians from appearing on Sunday morning talk shows, unless they have something nice to say.

• Require road-kill harvesting stamps on hunting licenses.

• Revisit Idaho’s failed war on drugs.

• Revisit Idaho’s failed war on drunk driving.

Bring back common sense ... and hurry.

KEN WHITE, Twin Falls

UNEMPLOYMENT

Keeping jobs at home would help solve problem

For some time I have suspected our politicians were not too bright. They can’t understand whey there is so much unemployment. Duh! Stop sending all of the jobs overseas and stop bringing so many foreign nationals into the country to fill the jobs that are available. There used to be a limit on the number of immigrants that came into the country, but now it seems there is no limit.

Politicians keep wanting small businesses to hire more, but they are doing the best they can. We need the large companies that hire hundreds or thousands of people to step up. The Republican politicians are a disgrace. This is really a do-nothing Congress.

NORMA ELLISON, Boise

TEXTING LAW

Make penalty fit crime

Let’s see now:

Walking my dog without his leash in my hand ... $75.

Driving my care and texting ... $85.

What is wrong with this picture?

CONNIE EASTMAN, Boise

RIGHTS

Diversity is a strength of this great country

As a participant in the Independence Day parade, I am so happy to be able to stand up for my constitutional rights and proudly display my patriotism. I want to thank everyone who supported us and even those who did not, because we were there only to defend the rights Americans everywhere, even though they are considered by some to be enemies. I am a proud non-theist. An atheist. A humanist. I believe we can all get along and the parade swelled my heart with joy. I understand that the Coalition of Reason got some boos and some inappropriate language, but even the benign “God bless yous” were appreciated. That is the country we fight for, and one I will fight for — for the rest of my life.

LAUREN STUDLEY, Boise