Governor’s veto of gay-discrimination bill
Re: “1 veto, 1 victory; Setback for gay workers; gain on hate-crimes law,” May 28 Rocky Mountain News article.
When Gov. Bill Owens vetoed Senate Bill 28, which would have added sexual orientation to the list of reasons employees can’t be fired, he cited the potential extensive increase in litigation as his reason. Yet, a recent Denver Post article mentioned a study that concluded that states that extended job discrimination protection to gays saw no appreciable increase in litigation. The governor’s real reason for his veto is because he caved in to the interests of the religious right that dominate his party locally and nationally.
Instead of sending the message that gays should be treated fairly within the workplace, our governor is communicating that it’s OK, at an employer’s convenience, to take away a gay person’s job and right to make a living.
John J. Orlando, Morrison
…
As an American, a former Coloradan, and a Catholic, I am disappointed by Gov. Bill Owens’ recent veto of a bill that would have banned discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation.
Growing up in Colorado, I came to understand that one of America’s cherished ideals is to fight all forms of injustice, including those suffered by gay Americans. Owens’ veto is a setback for progress made in civil rights and anti-discrimination policy.
Whether it is a lack of domestic partnership benefits or unwarranted dismissal of gay employees, including some businesses in Colorado, there is daily discrimination directed against gay Americans. Without the strongest legal protection, there is little to prevent injustices from permeating the workplace. Aside from immoral, this is just bad business.
Ken Seifert, Washington, D.C.
…
In response to Gov. Bill Owens’ veto of Senate Bill 28, Melissa Fryrear of Focus on the Family responded that homosexuality is not genetic and therefore should not be granted “special rights.” Excuse me, but when is Fryrear, who is a gender issues analyst, an expert on homosexuality? The American Medical Association, American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association all have official positions stating that sexual orientation is at least partly biological and is not a choice. Who am I going to believe: trained medical professionals or a religious analyst?
Also, if equal rights in this country must be qualified by genetics, then there shouldn’t be laws protecting people from discrimination based on nationality, some disabilities and especially religion.
Doug Wagner, Centennial
—————————————-
Recreational use of Colorado’s rivers
Re: “Rivers run free and so should rafters,” May 30 editorial.
I agree with your editorial about clarifying Colorado law so that river rafters have free access to Colorado rivers. Let’s not just limit our concern to rafters, but also include fisherman who are kept off of Colorado rivers by landowners’ claims that they own the bottom of rivers.
Colorado fishermen complain about crowded fishing areas – at times they are elbow-to-elbow with other anglers. It’s no wonder, with so much of Colorado’s rivers closed to the public. The lack of public access causes local anglers to resent out-of-town and especially out-of- state anglers, because they are all competing to use the limited waters presently available under Colorado law. If we made all of the rivers public, we would spread high-intensity use of our rivers over a much broader base and have a better experience for more people. This would help ease the conflict between locals and outsiders.
Recreation is a big industry and vital to Colorado’s economic growth. If we want our recreation economy to grow and we want to have high-quality recreation on the water for the majority of people in Colorado, then we need to open all rivers to the public.
Bill Rottmann, Steamboat Springs
—————————————-
Debate over embryoni stem-cell research
Re: “Bush is defied on stem cells,” May 25 news story.
Please try harder to avoid editorializing on the front page of your newspaper. Intentional or not, your headline, “Bush is defied on stem cells,” implies that Republicans who voted for stem-cell research tried to “defy” or “rebel against” George W. Bush. These are words used to describe naughty children who dare to disobey their father.
The brave Republicans who voted for stem-cell research are responsible adults who voted based on their consciences and the wishes of their constituents. Please give them the credit they deserve.
Thomas E. Glatzel, Fort Collins
…
Some time in the not-too-distant future, there will be treatments for diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s as a result of embryonic stem-cell research. It will be interesting to see how many of those who are currently opposed will refuse the cures on the grounds that they were developed by immoral means.
John Hallberg, Arvada
—————————————-
Women in the military
Re: “About-face on military women,” May 30 editorial.
The real issue for women in combat is all about an equal playing field for promotion and pay. If women are allowed in combat, they will have the same opportunity to receive promotion points for medals you can only get in the combat arena. When women are not allowed in combat, they do not have an even playing field for promotion and pay.
Jeanne Marie Bushur Morris, Denver
—————————————-
Crossing religious lines
Re: “Religious lines can’t be crossed,” May 30 editorial reprinted from the Gazette of Colorado Springs.
The Post should be ashamed for re-using the words “rabid secularists,” in its partial reprint of the Gazette’s editorial, to describe those “who are using an extreme reading of the Constitution’s ‘establishment’ clause to purge all religion from the public square.”
Although the article was originally published elsewhere, being reprinted by The Post has the same impact as had it been a Post original. I expect such brazen prejudice from the Gazette, but I hold The Post to a higher standard. Would you have dared use the words “rabid evangelical Christians”? I think not.
Bill Howell, Wetmore
—————————————-
Bush’s Teflon coat
Re: “Bush’s gravitational sling,” May 24 Ed Quillen column.
I always read and look forward to Ed Quillen’s column. In his May 25 column, he brought up a point I have wondered about but have never put into words – the fact that the consequences of President Bush’s actions seem to slide off him.
If I would have put this into words, I would probably have been more blunt and brutal than Quillen, who made his point in an almost entertaining manner – no small accomplishment considering the numerous distressing and depressing situations we have had, and which Bush precipitated.
B.E. Martin, Denver
TO REACH OPINION EDITORS
Phone: 303-820-1331
Fax: 303-820-1502
E-mail: openforum@denverpost.com (only straight text, not attachments)
Mail: The Open Forum, The Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver, 80202 or PO Box 1709, Denver, 80201
Letters guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 200 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.
Archives: Missed your favorite columnist or the latest Mike Keefe cartoon? Archives available at The Denver Post Online (www.denverpost.com).
