Opinion

Williams: Why he stood

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Written by: Tim Williams
I stood on a corner, with a sign and our flag and was greeted by obscenities, jeers and taunts. How sad that some are still subjected to such fear and hate even in their daily lives – so I stood.


How wrong that some people still wish to divide us – so I stood.


A group of haters would change the Constitution to discriminate against the few. Discrimination has never been written into our Constitution before – so I stood.


Millions were spent to spread lies and distortions, to illicit that fearful, knee-jerk reaction that we are prone to – and it works – so I stood.


Sometimes we forget, but we Americans know another knee-jerk reaction:


In the face of injustice – we stand

against discrimination – we stand

tyranny of the majority – we stand

or of the powerful few – we stand

against lies and distortions – we stand

against terrorist and threats to our liberties – we stand.


And as good people of all faiths do – in the face of hate – we stand for love. For he who would diminish the least of us – diminishes us all.


So stand up, Americans, and stand up you good people of faith and those without faith stand, too. We are Americans. Never let hate divide us again. Stand Up!


Tim Williams is a proud American who lives in Clearlake.


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Riley: Prop 8 not a victory for traditional family values

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Written by: Harold Riley
There is a sense of betrayal as I write this letter to my fellow Californians and the citizens of Lake County about their passage of the marriage ban. But the tears will soon dry, and the anger subside, and I will go forth to face the society that has once more scorned me, and the person I have loved for thirty-five years, as well as the members of the LBGT community.


However you phrase it or rationalize it, the ban was not a victory for traditional family values, it was another victory for intolerance and bigotry, no matter how smug and pious you may feel in your insulated comport zone against progressive change.


The anger soon turns to hope especially after reading Elizabeth Wilson’s wonderful letter to the Record-Bee on Nov. 5, and a card from a lovely woman with the inscription that “Ignorance can be overcome.” Then I had a flashback to the 1960s when I and millions of others marched for other peoples' civil rights although ours was denied, those terrible days of fire hoses turned loose on women and children, fierce police dogs biting those who only desired their basic rights. And I feel and believe in my heart that our day has yet to arrive.


The bitterest irony is that those who financed this marriage ban were a church that once practiced polygamy (and is believed still does without official sanction) and a church that shields pedophiles from the law. How’s that for family values?


And although they speak of doing God’s will, I seriously doubt that anyone knows God’s will. If they did, would there be so many denominations? Being a church member myself, I only know that the greatest commandment is to love each other.


America is not a theocracy at any rate, and the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence trumps religious beliefs, and it declares irrevocably that all men are created equal, and are imbued with natural rights of “liberty and justice for all.” Anyone who interferes with those rights, thereby are enemies of this democracy.


So the LGBT community will go forth in that knowledge, haunt the corridors of legislature’s chambers, protest, march until that other 50 percent recognize the validity and purpose of American’s promise.


We shall overcome.


Harold Riley is chair of the Lake County Stonewall Democratic Club.


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Comstock: Thanks for support and faith in vision for south county

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Written by: James Comstock
As the supervisor-elect for District 1, I would like to thank the voters who have shown their support and faith in my vision for our area.


As your supervisor, I will represent all District 1 constituents in working to preserve the beauty and rural lifestyle which we value in our community while promoting appropriate and managed growth that will bring jobs and services to our residents.


I look forward to fulfilling the promise that I have made to advocate for District 1 in Lakeport and to ensure that we receive our share of county services.


I would like to thank my opponent for a vigorous and spirited campaign.


I would invite all residents of District 1 to share with me questions, ideas and concerns as we work together to meet the challenges ahead.


Middletown resident Jim Comstock will take office in January. He succeeds Ed Robey, who retires from the board this year at the end of his three-term.


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Group thanks community for festival support

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Written by: Riviera Elementary PTO
Riviera Elementary PTO would like to thank everyone who attended our second annual Fall Festival. We were able to raise almost $300 towards new landscaping for the school field.


The PTO would like to thank Ray’s Foods, Seely Farms, Bruno's, Frito Lay and Joanne Domby for their generous donations.


We would also like to extend our thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped make this a memorable event – especially Tammi Mendonca, Clay VanHousen and Tinker Bell for the hay rides!


Thank you again to all who participated. We hope to see you at our next event.


The Riviera Elementary Parent Teacher Organization is based in Kelseyville.


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