GAY RIGHTS

Business owners also have First Amendment rights

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy created a firestorm when in an interview he said he supported the “traditional” view of marriage. Gay marriage advocates and the left went nuts. Calls for a boycott raged across America. I just have two questions. First, since when has a business not been allowed to take a stand on a controversial issue? Both Starbucks and Oreo have gone out of their way to support gay marriage. Second, who is forcing you to eat Chick-fil-A? You never had to eat there in the first place, and I highly doubt many of the people calling for the boycott ever did.

But really, do you need to call for a boycott of the business when it shows no discrimination in its hiring practices, gay or straight?

Everyone needs to take a deep breath and calm down. Gay marriage is inevitably going to be legalized. But we need to be careful not to demonize those who disagree with gay marriage’s merits. That is what we do in a democracy, children, and why we have a First Amendment. Eat there or don’t, but don’t attack a business for the words of its owner.

GABE IACOBONI, Boise

Problems can be solved with love, understanding

We are a great nation of wise men and a vast army, but we are great also because we protect and lift up the downcast and the spit upon, the child who has no champion, the widow who is penniless.

Look at what we do when we let ourselves burst with love. Free people here, defend a nation there, whether they are of our faith or heretics or no religion.

We can and we will again lift up one of our own.

So, say Lois didn’t wish to be on the wrong side of history. Say she was embarrassed that it has taken so long.

Mostly you can say she was just tired of seeing people, who are not criminals, who are natural-born citizens, flit shadow-like, maneuvering with the deftness of a great PR man, leading most of society to believe they are someone other than their true Clark Kent identity.

Anderson Cooper and Elton John aside, most gay and lesbian people cannot let everyone know who they are for fear of repercussions. Teenagers cannot “come out” without a landslide of dangers.

It is time non-gays say it loud: We are proud of gay marriage rights.

LOIS SHUCK, Weiser

MIDWIVES

Baby Place offers good, caring service

I am disappointed in the recent midwife article. Reporters have a moral obligation to get both sides of the issue before smearing someone’s name. We have had one of our children delivered at The Baby Place and had a wonderful experience with Coleen and Jerusha. We have gone to a traditional hospital, birthing center and The Baby Place. We had our best experiences with The Baby Place.

We personally know more details about these great women and find it hard to believe that the picture painted in the article is the complete truth.

Health care is a big machine that has the money and power to crush those who choose alternative ways to deliver babies.

I hope that you’ll reconsider this article and make any changes you feel are necessary and right. The moral obligation of reporters is to deliver the truth and let the public decide. There are always two sides to a story. I heard one side in this article.

Jerusha and Coleen are good people. I believe you’ll find that the great majority of those who have had them deliver their babies are very grateful for their expertise in midwifery.

GREGORY D. HYMAS, Middleton

REPUBLICANS

Don’t believe the GOP

Social Security was passed in 1935. The Republican Party was against it and has been ever since. Medicare was passed in 1965. The Republican Party was against it and have been ever since.

Now, Republicans are saying they are going to save these institutions.

Why should we believe them?

STIOFAIN GAEL MAC GEOUGH, Pocatello