March 29, 2024

Letters

Sept. 26, 2010
Discrimination will never last in America
I support the proposed Traverse City ordinance to add sexual identity
to the long list of reasons why a person cannot be discriminated
against.  This list already includes religion, sex, weight, marital
status, height, disability, etc. We are talking about the equal, not
special rights, of TAX PAYING AMERICANS.  This is about liberty. I am
sorry if your religion does not condone homosexuality.  However, this
country does not make laws based on religious beliefs.  The church and
state are separate, as promised by our founders.
Those who say that this modification “stirs up hate” are suggesting
that as long as gays and lesbians remain unequal, they can be
tolerated. Who is threatened or angered by another person’s equality?
Do not indulge this fear. The proposed ordinance does not apply to
religious organizations, or a room rented in your residence. Gay
workers or tenants can still be fired or evicted, just not because of
their sexual identity. Businesses and property owners should not need
“special training” to recognize a qualified person who wants a job or
an apartment. We should be willing to risk unnecessary lawsuits, just
as we have been to protect the equality of women, racial minorities
and disabilities.
Civil rights are being extinguished by intolerance.  If we don’t
include sexual orientation to this “non-discrimination” ordinance, we
are condoning continued discrimination.

 Laurie Mackowiak • Traverse City

Gay rights issue
stresses city
Commissioner Carruthers and the HRC are responsible for the way our
tax monies are spent. How much of the cost of Carruthers Gay ordinance
will city taxpayers have to pay? The answer is, $20,000 dollars Plus
staff time, Carruthers and the HRC tried to slide this past taxpayers.
Carruthers used Marshall Persky, and the HRC to front for his Gay
protection ordinance. The HRC and City Commission were hoping to keep
it quiet, pass it, and have it lost in time. They even had it placed
on the consent calendar for the September 7th meeting. Items placed on
the consent calendar are meant to pass without public or commission
discussion.
The ordinance would allow Carruthers, our gay activist commissioner,
to tell everyone he made good on his promise.  He didn’t seem to care
what kind of stress it would put on our city. Citizens will request
their Right to Vote by petitioning the city for a special election in
February.  The sad part is the only loser will be the City of Traverse
City.  When did politicians lose the ability to use common sense in
decision making?  People that define their lives by their sexual
preference seem to be oblivious to the feelings of others, too bad
isn’t it?
Carruthers talks about gay dollars, have you ever considered the cost
of a fiscal backlash to the ordinance?  The city won’t be paying the
$20,000 cost of the ordinance with “Gay Dollars”; it will be every
city
taxpayer who picks up the tab. Do you believe gay businesses would
trade this non
enforceable ordnance for the losses they would incur if local
organizations were to boycott gay businesses, the way gay activists
boycott the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, and many other
religious and family values groups.

Paul Nepote • Traverse City

(Editor’s Note: To clarify the cost of this ordinance, opposition
groups have vowed a petition drive to enable a referendum vote in
February. That vote, if it occurs, will cost city taxpayers $20,000.
Passing the ordinance itself does not cost money.)

Fishing is not harmless
In its weekly fishing report for September 16, Michigan’s Department
of Natural Resources and Environment reminds anglers to “carry out
everything you carry in.” From carelessly discarding bait containers
and other trash to leaving behind a trail of tackle victims, anglers
are anything but eco-friendly. Milton Love, a UC Santa Barbara
research biologist, told the Los Angeles Times that he has seen “more
Bud Light cans” than fish in some recreational fishing areas that he’s
studied.
Wildlife rehabilitators have also consistently told PETA that
discarded fishing tackle is the number one danger to aquatic animals
today. Birds who swallow fish hooks often suffer lacerated beaks and
throats; most will slowly starve to death. Animals who get entangled
in line that is on the ground can become trapped underwater and drown
if it catches on rocks or debris. The more animals struggle, the
tighter monofilament line becomes—animals who don’t die can suffer
severed wings or feet.
Fishing is not a harmless pastime. Find out more at www.PETA.org.

Paula Moore • Norfolk, VA

Stepka—the only choice for judge
I have worked for Mike Stepka for more than seven years, so I know he
would be a great judge! He has always treated his clients, other
attorneys and the courts, with respect and dignity, and his knowledge
of the law is impeccable.  There have been many times when a person
who needed legal help, but could not afford it, did receive legal
assistance from Mike. That’s why Mike was the recipient of the Pro
Bono Award in 2007. I have nothing but respect for Mike.  In my
opinion, Mike is the only choice for Judge!

Vicki Parzych • Rapid City, MI

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