Don WernerâÄôs letter to the editor that was published on Monday is a perfect example of why I fear a religiously fervent conservative administration for our country. I not only disagree with WernerâÄôs opinions about abortion and gay marriage, but I am more concerned with the prominence given to these topics by many voters and politicians. The thought of leaders who emphasize the denial of rights of marginalized groups, such as women and homosexuals, as major campaign points over the increasingly more pressing problems that require our immediate actions is extremely distressing. Recently, globally important issues such as the economy, the wars and the dangerous depletion of resources have not been sufficiently dealt with by our government. The upcoming election has so much at stake. For many of us, this is our first chance to have a say in what happens in the democratic process, and I for one am very excited to make my voice heard. So letâÄôs use our right to vote to elect officials who will focus on the most urgent matters and who will fix global crises instead of fixating on religious dogmas. Britt Paulson University Student Registered Voter This is in response to Don Werner’s letter to the editor titled, Voting on Abortion and Gay Marriage (10/06/08). Mr. Werner’s letter completely ignores the fact that our country is one that provides its citizens with freedom of and from religion, not to mention the fact that our country operates on the basis of separation of church and state. People are free to live in this country without having someone else’s religious beliefs or doctrine imposed upon them. People like Mr. Werner have turned this political election into a mudslinging campaign designed to trash the opposing side rather than talk about what they plan to do to improve our country. His letter assumes that the only people who can vote âÄúrightâÄù are those who base their decision on God’s absolute moral values, on divine law. Now, aside from the fact that this divine law he speaks of is obviously aimed at one religious group and therefore alienates thousands of Americans who are either not religious or choose to express their freedom of religious choice, this letter manages to use the Bible and the teachings of a religious group as a weapon of hate against an entire part of society. What kind of divine law is that? I apologize if the kind of family I support is the kind that is based on love and a mutual desire for the members of said family to be happy, I didn’t realize that a person’s gender was such a crucial factor in their ability to raise a family. I guess the nine years of experience I have in child care and the many families I’ve worked with that continue to ask me to be a part of their children’s lives have failed to realize what a detriment I am to the âÄútraditional familyâÄù simply because I am a lesbian. I didn’t want to write this letter so that I could say how unfounded I think Mr. Werner’s comments are, I wrote this because I’m curious if mine are thoughts that ever crossed his mind when he sent this letter in. I have tried to remain a respectful as I can in considering Mr. Werner’s point of view, which is a lot more than I can say for him, but I’m finding it increasingly more difficult to do as I continue to read his letter. His blatant disregard for the value of human life, the same crime he accuses the pro-choice (not pro-abortion) and pro-marriage equality candidates of committing mind you, is sickening. I’d like to know which of these absolute moral standards Mr. Werner is representing when he condemns an entire portion of society and refuses to acknowledge their value as human beings deserving of the same right to feel safe and protected in this country as he has. Something I’m sure Mr. Werner didn’t even think to consider when submitting his hypocritical letter to the editor is that this happens to be National Coming Out Week, a week in which people are supposed to be celebrated for having the courage to come out âÄî whether it be as a member of the GLBT community or even an ally who is proud to show their support to the community. I find it very disappointing that in a time when we should be encouraging people to be comfortable with who they are and providing them with the support to do so, we are instead being reminded of the people who think that doing just that, being happy with who you are is grounds to be considered an âÄúabomination.âÄù I truly hope that the hurtful words of people like Mr. Werner do not have a negative impact on this week. There is no shame in being proud of who you are, the only shame is in putting down those who have found just that and chosen to embrace it. Emily Rence CEHD Student