Letters to the editor

Civil society

Seattle, where right is superseded and is left in fear

Editor, The Times:

I moved out of Seattle for many reasons, one being that I was disgusted at how the gay population received enormous preferential treatment [see "Boycott sought over bill backing gay rights," Times, Local News, Jan. 17].

I will give you an example. I worked for the Parks Department for many years. I was told that the City Council has given orders to not arrest or charge any of these individuals doing lewd acts, etc., because it would seem like the city were targeting a special group of people.

On the other hand, if a straight person or couple was engaged in activities of such nature, they would be fined, arrested, charged.

It seems that everyone is afraid of Seattle's gay population and power. It all has to do with votes. Gays are voters, too, and account for a large percentage of ballots.

Seattle is not a fair place to live unless you are a minority, and if you're gay, then you are top choice in jobs, politics, preferential treatment of all kinds. Why? Simple: The government and employers are all afraid of lawsuits!

I'm just glad I'm here in sunny Hawaii and Seattle is still gloomy, rainy and living in the Dark Ages, shielding themselves from fear of being truthful and open as to how they feel about homosexuality.

Cheers to the Rev. Ken Hutcherson on his efforts!

— Frank Battaglia, Mountainview, Hawaii

Taxation without repression

I am a conservative Christian who shares the same theological perspective as Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, Thurston County, and Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church of Redmond. I stand with them on many issues, including opposition to gay marriage.

However, I differ on the issue of this proposed bill that will protect homosexuals from discrimination in the area of housing and jobs ["Gay-rights opponent believes 'it's a sin,' " Local News, Jan. 18].

Gays and lesbians are taxpaying citizens just as we are, and they are entitled to the same fundamental rights as we are. Their sexual practice, while maybe something we disagree on, is not a basis for them to be thrown out of their home, or fired from their job.

We fear this legislation because we worry about the slippery slope and where it will lead. I would suggest we take each issue one step at a time and evaluate it on its own merits.

I hope that all of my fellow Christians and people of conservative perspective will really think through (and pray, if they are so inclined) what the implications are. I hope they will support basic protections for our fellow citizens who deserve them as much as we do.

— Scott Santos, Snoqualmie

Heaven can wait

Sen. Dan Swecker couldn't care less if homosexuals continue to be marginalized, discriminated against and persecuted for what he believes is their choice of lifestyle, but he does hope they join him in heaven: "I want those people to know the truth so they can be in heaven with me, if that's possible."

Wow! His audacity is worthy of applause. Swecker is so self-righteous, he is certain he will depart straight to heaven. Did he receive a confirmation number for that ticket?

I'm not gay or religious, but if given the option, I would refuse to join a bigoted politician like Swecker in heaven.

— Paj Nandi, Auburn

Twisted logic

Reverse this sentence

Regarding "DNA testing confirms man executed in 1992 was guilty" [News, Jan. 13]: DNA testing has confirmed a guilty man was executed for the crime he committed. Death-penalty opponent Peter Neufeld says, "Obviously, one case does not in any way reflect on the correctness of the other 1,000 executions we've had in the last 30 years."

I wonder, would he have made that same remark if the DNA testing had proved [condemned man] Roger Keith Coleman were innocent?

— Ron Sewell, Edmonds

Second string

Watching from the '50s

I am not a sports fan of anything. So you can imagine my take on the current "community obsession" on the success of the Seahawks. I'm not happy with all the "hubbub" but the final straw was when I walked into church and they were playing the theme from Monday Night Football! What has happened! Has everybody taken leave of their senses? Has this whole Seattle area checked its "good judgment" at the door?

I hope this team loses and loses big! I hope all the sports teams decide to move to Outer Mongolia and people get serious! I want a return to sensible, responsible, sacrificial living. A place where people go to work and come home and clean their houses and wash their windows and just live a quiet life; period!

Maybe I want "Pleasantville" minus the sinister flavor. How about the 1950s all over again with a return to decency and order.

— Marietta Alexander, Everett

Evergreen leaves

Clashes with Auburn

As a resident of Auburn I was offended by the comments of Maurice Cooper in "What's in a name? In this case, a shirt" [Local News, Jan. 19]: "We're the third-best company in the state, but people never see us because they don't know where Auburn is ... By moving to Renton, we're moving back into the known world."

This is the type of elitist statements that make enemies rather than friends. Auburn has been good to the ballet company and many residents have enjoyed their work. This is a spiteful statement that divides communities. Evergreen Ballet should be ashamed!

— Mel Johnson, Auburn

Listen carefully

Were you saying something?

"Turn down your iPod!" [page one, Jan. 11] really surprised me. I never thought it was that dangerous. I've been listening to my iPod for a while now, and I keep my volume pretty close to the max. I haven't really noticed a huge difference in my hearing since I got my iPod. I normally listen to it like 40 minutes a day when I'm in my carpool.

It's not like I'm trying to make my ears bleed, but sometimes I need to turn it up so I can actually hear because everything else is so loud.

Thanks for listening,

— Jake Yearous, Seattle