Four Letters from the Omaha World Herald
Omaha World Herald,
July 10, 2003
World Herald Square, Omaha, NE 68102
Fax: 402-345-4547
Email: pulse@owh.com
Letter: A Constitutional Query
A recent decision of “the Supremes” declared
unconstitutional any law prohibiting any homosexual act performed in privacy.
In addition, the ACLU has sued the State of Nebraska for
amending our constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one
woman. According to the ACLU, that portion of our constitution is not in
accordance with the United States Constitution and is therefore
unconstitutional.
The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives states
all powers not specifically delegated to or prohibited by the federal
government. It seems to be only a matter of time before “the Supremes”
will rewrite this amendment, just as they have done several of the others.
This leads to the ultimate question: What makes anything
in the U.S. Constitution constitutional?
—Harvey Headley, Omaha
Letter: Preserve Free Speech
This letter
is in response to Joe Costanzo’s July 7 Pulse letter (“Protests can do
harm”). It concerns Mr. Costanzo’s misunderstanding of what freedom of
speech is, and not his sexual preference or mine.
It would seem that Mr. Costanzo supports freedom of
speech as long as what is being said agrees with his point of view,
preferences and beliefs. The protesters whom Mr. Costanzo would like to
silence were exercising their legal rights, even though he didn’t like what
they were saying.
I find it distasteful and painful that the burning of the
U.S. flag is considered “freedom of speech.” However, I have to accept
that, in order for there to be freedom of speech. Truly free speech is a
two-way street that can either agree with or contradict oneself.
Contrary to Mr. Costanzo’s wishes, I pray that
Nebraskans never attempt to silence the freedom of speech, no matter how
distasteful it may be, just to suit him.
—Rick Krystof, Springfield, Neb.
Letter: Equality Is for All
I was amused
by Gene Dougherty’s July 4 Pulse rant about the moral and religious decline
in America due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s striking down the Texas sodomy
law.
Dougherty made two points—the first that we should look
to the Declaration of Independence. Indeed we should. It states: “All Men
are created equal.” It doesn’t say, “All heterosexual men, or all white
men, or all English-speaking men.”
Second, he cites Christian principles. As a Christian, I
highly value God’s great love for all people. As a parent, I highly value
the founding principles of this great nation—that all men are created equal,
and I teach those values of love, acceptance, justice and patriotism to my
children.
—Tom Bertino, Omaha
Letter: New Job for Columnist?
Cal Thomas
is one of the most provocative thinkers on the religious right. His July 4
column (“High court is wrong to jettison time-honored moral principles”)
came on the perfect day.
Thomas seems to believe that government law should be
structured so that government authorities should enter the bedrooms of adult
citizens. What better freedom is there than the right of the government to
force morality down the throats of its citizenry?
Thomas’ moving references to “the Supreme Judge”
and “thousands of years of law, history and theology” position him as a
prime candidate for a new government post—Supreme Mullah (or judge of
religious law). Mullah Thomas would have the authority to reject Supreme Court
decisions if they do not fit his version of divine reality.
Certainly, the recent decision striking down sodomy laws
shows the need for the United States to be more like Islamic fundamentalists
and legislate morality.
—Adam M. Schenck, Harlan, Iowa
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