Prop 8 was a victory for family values
The recent letter to the editor expressing betrayal due to Proposition 8 passing was pitiful. The examples that the writer used, concerning the passage of Prop. 8 showed a denial of the will of the majority.
It was not a victory for intolerence and bigotry. It was a victory for traditional family values and the rejection of progressive change on this topic.
A responsible member of the community would tell the truth. There were many churches, of many denominations, across the state that supported Prop. 8. More than one church helped to finance Prop. 8, along with many individuals. The writer cites the Bible but fails to mention that the Bible states that man shall not lie with man. The gay movement always omits that passage. He also failed to mention that the people who voted for Prop. 8 did not vote on ethnic lines but as a whole, with African-Americans voting overwhelmingly for it. How dare he cite examples of the African-American civil rights movement and try to compare it to the gay movement.
It is these types of vitriolic rants that divide communities across the state. The accusations that people who voted for Prop. 8 feel smug and pious will show that this name calling and threats will only strengthen the resolve of the people who voted for Prop. 8.
L.M. Sweigert
Clearlake
Thankful for safe left turn lanes
I want to thank each and every one of you that worked hard so the community can feel safer now when making a left turn on State Route 53 from either 40th Avenue or Lakeshore Drive.
To each and every one of you that worked hard on the project: Thanks so much! I was one who kept asking to have it done. Thanks for listening.
Vicki Ellsworth
Clearlake
Remember our troops this holiday
As you know, we have all jumped on previous opportunities to send holiday cards to our wounded, and our troops in the U.S. and abroad. And, we should! Last year, I promoted sending to addresses at hospitals here and overseas, only to learn the cards would simply be tossed away due to security and staffing issues. Sad, but true.
This year, we CAN make it happen! The American Red Cross is accepting cards and will get them distributed. Their goal is 1 million cards. Let”s push them way over that number! If each of us did a few cards and shared the e-mail information and asked our friends and family to do the same, it would make an impact. This is a great group project too! Why not have a holiday gathering, share some goodies and write cards? What a great activity for Thanksgiving Day!
Come on; pay it forward people! I have included the link to its official Web page for you as well: www.redcross.org/email/saf/.
Remember all that you have to be thankful for this holiday season and stand for those standing for us!
Tango Mike! Thanks Much!
Ginny Craven
Operation Tango Mike
Please be careful of our children
It”s often been said that the children are our future. Perhaps that”s why lawmakers across the land have felt inclined to create laws that provide an extra level of protection for our youth.
As the School Bus Safety Officer, I have seen a growing trend in motorists not complying with the law designed to provide an extra level of safety for students that use the school bus as a means of transportation to and from school. I think that some of the confusion is due to a lack of understanding as to when a motorist has to stop for a school bus when it has its flashing red lights activated. In short, section 22454(a) of the California Vehicle Code reads that-any vehicle upon meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus displaying flashing red lights and a stop signal arm shall not proceed past the school bus. While the law is specific and clear that motorist traveling in either direction shall stop, I regularly see motorists drive past a bus with its red lights flashing and its stop signal arm deployed. Upon making an enforcement stop on a motorist for passing a school bus with its flashing lights on, some of the most common excuses I get are: “the bus is on the other side of the road,” “there”s a two way left turn lane between us, and I don”t have to stop,” or the very concerning statement I get on occasion, “what school bus?”
Because I too believe that the children are our future, please be extra vigilant when you see a school bus on the road with its red flashing lights activated no matter which direction you are traveling. And if you”re in doubt, please err on the side of caution whenever you”re sharing the road with a school bus. Each day that our children get to school and return home to us safely is its own reward.
Officer Mike Humble
California Highway Patrol
Clear Lake Area
Funding cuts would create catastrophe
California”s fiscal condition is dire and all individuals, families, businesses, and institutions must tighten their belts and make sacrifices during these difficult times. Our public schools already have absorbed $3 billion in cuts that have directly affected students. From Siskiyou County to San Diego, districts have spent reserves, reduced staff, eliminated transportation, or increased class sizes over the past difficult year.
The Governor”s proposed additional $2 billion in cuts to K-12 education would not only create catastrophic disruption in our schools and harm to our students in the middle of the school year, they would damage our future economy. I applaud the Governor”s efforts to stimulate our state”s economy and his willingness to consider new revenues as well as budget cuts. I strongly urge the Republican members of the Legislature to follow his lead so we can protect our schools and the future workforce of our state.
Nothing is more critical to getting our state back on track than investing in a well-educated workforce. Unless we continue to improve upon our efforts to close the achievement gap, our state”s economic outlook will remain bleak.
Jack O”Connell
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Don”t forget to write!
The Clear Lake Observer*American welcomes letters responding to articles and opinions that have appeared in this newspaper, as well as on topics of general interest. Letters can be sent to letters@clearlakeobserver.com or mailed to PO Box 6200, Clearlake, CA 95422. Please include complete name, address and telephone number. Anonymous submissions will be discarded.
