LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Political phone calls a nuisance

I and many others are very tired of all the political phone calls! What is wrong with these people? I am a fairly intelligent person. I can read and make decisions on my own. Between all the phone calls, flyers in my mail and people showing up at our door this weekend, it is enough to stop people from even voting.

I voted, but not because of what the idiots had to say. I am a sales person and have my calls forwarded to my cell phone, and you guessed it - the political calls poured in. And I thought that such recorded phone calls were illegal. You can't even tell them to shut up!

PATTY RUSSELL

Eugene

Groups struggle with sexuality

The Catholic Church, the Republican Party and the National Association of Evangelicals have shown shock and dismay in finding, in their midst, the pursuit of boys or male prostitutes. While these institutions have expressed outrage over the misconduct, I need to ask: Why are the greatest distortions of same-sex desire cropping up in their camp?

Other, more compassionate and loving groups have not had these problems, while each of these three seem to be singled out. The truth is, each has done whatever it can to block mature, responsible and truly affectionate ways of expressing who we gay men are - for example, coming out and affirming our right to marry each other.

Let us consider whether in seeking the erasure of gay identity, along with same-sex unions, Catholic, Republican and evangelical leaders have inadvertently strengthened the closet and all the subterfuges it frequently involves. Could we all imagine that once the pope, President Bush and the next president of the National Association of Evangelicals have welcomed gay men, and same-sex marriage, into their midst, a sudden plummet in those subterranean expressions of sexual desire which have so plagued them and some of their own officials?

Until then, gay men might think twice about sitting in these unfriendly camps and underwriting these strictures. Instead they might want to join us in working on behalf of the dignity and natural marital birthright of our brothers, setting an example for the antiquated triad to follow.

HENRY ALLEY 

Eugene

Teen smoking is parents' issue

In response to Richard Welch's Nov. 6 letter titled "School should stop smoking," I have some thoughts of my own to share.

The problem with Welch's daughter or any other student smoking off-campus does not rest on the shoulders of Thurston High School's staff or administration, it rests on Welch and the other students' parents. It is not the responsibility of the overworked, under-appreciated school staff to address this issue. Their responsibility is to prepare themselves for their classes and their school, and to take care of the students who are in front of them.

Educators are put in the unfortunate position of watching the degradation of society happen in front of their eyes every day, while at the same time being told that there is no money for programs to keep those students on campus. Educators have things to worry about like student apathy, weapons, drop-out rates, increasing class sizes and decreasing resources. Where would you rank an off-campus issue among these?

I grew up in and still live in the Thurston community. I know what issues we are faced with and I know what issues face our educators. As much as I would like to see fewer students smoking, I don't want our already scarce tax dollars for education spent on trying to get Welch's daughter to quit smoking.

Don't pass the buck. Parents should take care of this at home.

BRYON BOYD

Springfield

The Register-Guard welcomes letters on topics of general interest. Our length limit is 250 words. Mail letters to: Mailbag, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]