In the Laurel Leader letters of Feb. 2, there were comments made by Virginia W. Staniak concerning bag charges, and Thomas M. Crawford concerning the right to marry.
Using re-usable bags for the past five years has led me to the belief that charging for bags at the market is a good way in which to help to treat our ecology, and possibly save damage to our planet. In addition, I have earned a 5 cent credit for every bag that was used to package my groceries. It is my belief that my bags have helped to rescue our earth in some small way, and in addition, I will do the bulk of my grocery shopping at one store if for nothing else than to save on the use of fossil fluids.
As for the metaphor (not parallel) that Mr. Crawford used in his attack on gay/lesbian marriage: Requiring sight for a driver's license attempts to save all kinds of physical damage. Marriage licenses are little more than an attempt to fill coffers of governments. I am a straight male, with six children, 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, and it is my firm belief that discrimination, in any form, is a lack of caring, intelligence and practicality. Gay and lesbian persons are just that —persons, and have the right to be treated as equals. Nothing under law forbids it. However, under the dogma of religion, things are different. It matters what your morality dictates. Gay and lesbian are not immoral. They live by a different standard, and whether you choose to accept it is immaterial. Your ingrained religious beliefs should not detract from the lives of others —any others.
Dr. Jacob R. Raitt
Laurel