Gay vet deserved acceptance

Re "Gay member's suicide haunts church friends" (Page A1, Jan. 1): A man who declared his homosexuality on national TV and was subsequently discharged from the military is not "confused" about his sexuality. He knew who he was. He could be confused by the actions of his church, which claims to be Christian, while embracing hate and discrimination rather than the love of Jesus Christ, and withdrawing from their denomination because it supports ordination of gay ministers.

It is ironic that the current minister of Fremont Presbyterian Church could say of Thomas Paniccia, "He was like a son to me."

Another Sacramento Presbyterian minister, Merrill Follensbee, and his wife – who actually had a son who was gay – founded the Sacramento chapter of Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians. If Paniccia had had that sort of support and acceptance, he might still be with us today.

– Donald W. Brown, Courtland

Vet lacked true acceptance

It really is no mystery as to why Thomas Paniccia, a gay man, took his own life. In 15 years he had gone from being a national crusader for gay rights to being employed at the Fremont Presbyterian Church as the outreach coordinator.

Why is that so bad? Fremont leaders preach that homosexuality is a sin.

Paniccia's friend, David Larson, is correct when he says Paniccia was conflicted over his homosexuality and religious views. By contrast, the Rev. Donald Baird and his son, James, are in complete denial. "Media pressure" did not cause Paniccia to take his own life. The fact is that Paniccia was not "truly accepted" at their church. His homosexuality, which went to the core of his being, was not.

The lesson here is that gay people need to pick their churches and their friends very wisely.

– Bill Lower, Dixon

Christians would accept gays

Your continued articles about the problems of the Fremont Presbyterian Church remind me of why I am no longer a Presbyterian or a churchgoer. I cannot understand how any group that calls itself "Christian" can deny humanity to gay people. Do they not believe God created homosexuals? Do they think God made a mistake for which gay people should be punished by denying themselves the same human relationships as heterosexuals enjoy?

– Audrey Ohlson Smith,

Grass Valley

Sexuality is gift from God

The article tells a terribly sad and heartbreaking story.

First and foremost is the death of a fine man who in personal despair lost his will to live.

Second is a congregation tragically divided over the very thing that should unite people of faith, God's unconditional love for all persons.

Third is the unfortunate misuse of the idea that "we hate sin, and we are all sinners." The assumption in this context is that homosexuality is a sin.

In truth, homosexuality is no more a sin than is heterosexuality. Human sexual orientation is given at birth. A person's sexual orientation is a gift of God to embrace with gratitude and affirm in love.

– Richard K. Ernst, Loomis

164 heroes voted for tolerance

Thank you for your continuing coverage of Fremont Presbyterian Church and the vote by some of the members and leaders to leave the national church, partly in reaction to the ordination of a gay minister.

While not a member of the church, I live nearby and pass it many times a day. As I do, I always think of the 164 heroes – those members who voted for tolerance, and for remaining with the national church. I feel that it is important to publicly recognize their courage.

– Nadeen Ruiz, Sacramento

Wars drag down economy

Re "What are the lessons learned from Iraq?" (Editorials, Jan. 1): Alas, the most important lesson from the Iraq (and Afghanistan) wars was not learned: War is bad for the economy.

– Peter Jacobsen, Sacramento

Post office criticism is unfair

Re "Post office needs to fire up" (Letters, Jan. 1): J. Giordano says postal workers are lazy and slow and (horrors) unionized and going broke because of it – not because of the political war against them, of course, without which they would be profitable even though unsubsidized.

I was at the post office in the week before Christmas. The line was out the door, and I thought it would take forever. Employees were walking along the line, finding out what each customer needed and writing it down, so the people at the window could do it at once with no explanations. I was out in 10 minutes.

I never saw a private business any more efficient.

– Diane Moore, Davis

Put vets to work here at home

Re "Obama to run against Congress" (Page A1, Jan. 1): President Barack Obama has used executive orders to accomplish important things for the country despite the obstructionist Republicans in Congress. Since he is the commander in chief of the armed forces, I submit that he could give returning troops the option of remaining in the service and employ them to work on our deteriorating infrastructure. This would provide them with much-needed jobs, give them continuing pay to boost the economy here in the United States and replace deteriorating schools, roads, bridges, power grids, etc. Clearly a win-win for America.

If he requires congressional approval, he should ask for it and point out the unreasonable and inevitable opposition of Republicans who don't care about the country, but are focused exclusively on their attempt to defeat Obama.

– Victor M. Corbett, Chico

Economic enigma bigger than any Mayan mystery

Re "Can we realign our dark cloud?" (Forum, Jan. 1): Framed in the context of an ancient Mayan prediction for 2012, Stephanie Taylor ponders America's path forward.

But how does a country look forward absent consensus as to how we got to where we are? The causes of our economic debacle – despite incriminating evidence – have not been agreed upon, nor the best action to be taken. Finding a way out has, in part, been blocked by ubiquitous and deceptive symbols of extravagant wealth masking much of the current malaise, just as blue, sunny skies and images of pounding, frothy surf mask climate change and ocean pollution.

Has anyone fully captured the shock and helplessness of a stricken middle class, many of whom suffer in silence the pain and embarrassment usually reserved to the poorest among us? And in current circumstances few have the option to fall back on a contemplative life in dignified poverty.

America remains wrapped in an enigma far greater than any riddle from a Mayan calendar.

– Spencer P. Le Gate, Sacramento

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