Commentaries

February 23, 2009

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Voter Photo ID necessary

Voter Photo ID should be required. It should be obtained before an election and no one should vote without it. [MPR News: Bill to require photo ID for voters heads to state House] Minnesota needs voter photo identification for all voters.

Mark Ritchie doesn't understand that it is not the number of votes that is important, it is the quality of the vote. There is some false idea in Minnesota that "everyone should vote."

Minnesota does not have the greatest thinkers. For example, I heard an aged woman say that just because one bridge collapsed in Minnesota that other roads and bridges do not need to be checked. That if it came to a vote she would vote against it and against all this plan for repair.

I surely hope that children in grade and high school are being taught critical thinking.

Doris Bergstrom
Pine River, Minn.


Gay Marriage: Don't hate the love

To quote a gay couple who wanted to get married in Las Vegas, "Don't hate the love."

Some people somehow believe by granting gay people the right to marry that traditional heterosexual marriage, the bedrock of societies and families, will crumble. [MPR News: Same-sex marriage bill gets renewed attention at the Capitol]

But let me ask you about Britney Spears and Kevin Federline: Are these people better parents because they are straight? A child needs love and guidance. Yes, I believe that a child needs both positive male and female influences... but not every gay couple is getting married so they can adopt children. Even if that was the reason -- which it isn't -- so what? You teach a child to love, to respect, to do the right thing. That is what you teach a child. I am one of those children.

I am grown-up with a longterm partner from overseas that I cannot bring here legally because people fear our relationship. I had to take care of my sick mother by myself because I couldn't bring my partner here to help me. I am not a young man anymore. Why do people care if I marry my partner? We want to live and love in peace, that's all. I am not here to step on straight marriages and cause problems for others.

All I ask, as an American citizen, is my rights as an adult be respected. But they are not, and that is why we are still "discussing" this issue, which is not an issue. Please, people, let others be. I thought Obama being elected would usher in a new era, but we are still hung up with which love is the "right" love. This is a losing battle and all we are doing is causing more problems and more anguish. Think, please, about a straight sex couple together for 30 years, and then, as the article states, one of them dying and the other one not being recognized as his legal representative because their relationship was not recognized. So, we are nothing and no one? Try, please, to imagine that person was you. It hurts, doesn't it?

"Dee Cee"
Los Angeles, Calif.


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