Letters to the editor

Schubert's 'dubious success'

Re "Local PR man is pivotal foe of gay marriage" (Our Region, Nov. 8): In his column, Marcos Bretón observes that Frank Schubert of Sacramento has engineered campaigns to defeat gay marriage in both California and Maine. In the glow of this dubious success, I doubt that Schubert has considered the constitutional implications of his work.

Because his religious faith requires him to repudiate marriage for gay people, he has helped to make marriage for gay citizens illegal in two states. That means that others, whether they share his convictions, must live by his version of religious rectitude. It means that the majority has crushed the civil rights of a minority. And it means that there is one set of laws governing straight people and another set of laws governing gay people.

This must be Schubert's version of "liberty and justice for all." Bretón describes him as a "genuinely nice man." I'm sorry to demur. Nice people acknowledge equality under the law and the human dignity of all people, not just those who agree with them.

– Ann Weldy, Sacramento

'Wild exaggeration' in Maine

Re "Local PR man is pivotal foe of gay marriage" (Our Region, Nov. 8): Obviously, Sacramento public relations man Frank Schubert is entitled to have any opinion he chooses on gay marriage, and he is certainly free to contribute in any way he can, professionally or personally, toward the defeat of ballot measures to legalize it.

It's too bad, though, that Schubert's successful strategies to defeat gay marriage ballot initiatives in California and Maine, as reported in Marcos Bretón's column, are based on wild exaggeration rather than reasoned arguments. The Associated Press reported about one Maine commercial that implied that, if gay marriage were approved in the state, students would have to take field trips to lesbian weddings. Like this is really going to happen.

If the public is really opposed to gay marriage, as Schubert strongly contends in Bretón's column, then why must he resort to misinformation to win at the ballot box?

– Eric and Susie Johnson, Elk Grove

Gay marriage legality is coming

Re "Local PR man is pivotal foe of gay marriage" (Our Region, Nov. 8): If Frank Schubert doesn't want to be remembered for his role in this battle, he shouldn't have been involved in it. History will point to his activism and will not look kindly.

Today, people ages 18-29 overwhelmingly (around 70 percent) support marriage equality. It is my generation, I'm afraid to say, and that of my parents (though my parents are fully supportive of same-sex marriage), that oppose SSM, so it is only a matter of time before votes go the other way (remember in Proposition 8 and in Maine, support for SSM was nearly 50 percent).

But that point may be moot, as it may stop coming to votes one day (hopefully) because it's a waste of time and money. Gay marriage nationwide is inevitable. Bans on gay marriage are simply unconstitutional and the Supreme Court may well overturn state laws against SSM before we have to endure too many more of these votes.

– James Fitzpatrick Jr., Sacramento

Don't force your 'truth' on me

Re "Local PR man is pivotal foe of gay marriage" (Our Region, Nov. 8): There is great variation within the Christian community as to how the Bible is interpreted. Frank Schubert's interpretation is just one of many.

He is certainly welcome to believe whatever "truth" he wishes, but he does not have the right to force it on everyone else. His faith sounds to me to be similar to the Taliban and his "truth" is just as twisted as the terrorist bombers who believe they will live in paradise forever.

– Jerry Barnes, Fair Oaks

Thank veterans this special day

I have been to war in the past with many patriotic citizens who have sacrificed all that they have for the freedoms of our nation and our way of life.

I'm retired now, but I still have good friends and relatives in Iraq and Afghanistan serving during multiple deployments.