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Written by: Doug Willardson

Published: 23 August 2008

Created: 23 August 2008

Last Updated: 23 August 2008

Eight years ago over 61 percent of California voters voted to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Recently, four San Francisco-based judges overruled the will of the people.

My name is Doug Willardson and I am a volunteer supervisor for the local chapter of the statewide ProtectMarriage Coalition, a broad-based coalition of organizations, churches and individuals, sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 would amend the California state constitution to ensure that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Proposition 8 is not an attack on the gay lifestyle; it is about preserving marriage. Proposition 8 does not take away any rights or benefits from gays or lesbians in domestic partnerships, which under California law, "shall have the same rights, protections and benefits" as married spouses. (Family Code Section 297.5)

I support Proposition 8 for several reasons. First, I believe that four judges should not redefine marriage contrary to history, the Bible, anatomy and the will of the majority of California voters. The people, not judges, should define marriage.

Second, I believe that if Proposition 8 is not passed my civil rights can and will be infringed upon. The free speech rights and the rights of conscience of Californians everywhere will be jeopardized. As evidence of this, just this Wednesday, the California Supreme Court ruled California doctors who have religious objections to artificially inseminating same-sex couples can no longer refuse to treat them. This ruling is the first of its kind in the nation.

And finally, I believe that a family with children raised by both a mother and father is and has been the fundamental unit of society from the beginning of time. Children raised in homes nurtured by the legal, communal and spiritual bonds of marriage between husband and wife are much more likely to become happy, productive members of society. (Schneider, 2005)

I invite all those who are interested in supporting Proposition 8 to join with me in a grass roots effort to "get out the vote." A kickoff meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church located at 801 N. Main St., Lakeport, for anyone who is interested and lives in zip codes 95453, 95451, 95485, 95464 and 95458. We will let you know how you can best get involved at a level you are comfortable with.

Volunteers are needed to walk, phone, record, monitor and distribute. If you are unable to attend the meeting, or have additional questions please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call me at (801) 560-7908. The statewide coalition Web site is available at www.protectmarriage.com.

Proposition 8 is a simple and straight forward voter initiative to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Please help your friends and neighbors spread the importance of voting YES on Proposition 8.

Doug Willardson lives in Lakeport.

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Written by: Bette Mueller

Published: 22 August 2008

Created: 22 August 2008

Last Updated: 22 August 2008

This is on behalf of millions of babies who were aborted and have no voice, but especially those who were aborted late term. Frivolous, heartless statements on unborn babies have been sent to this news media. There are also skewed facts about Barack Obama’s stance on abortion as presented during an interview by Pastor Rick Warren at the Saddleback Church.

Some people say they don’t want meddling interference from the government. However, they want the government to keep giving money and free doctors (with our taxes) to Planned Parenthood. In a speech to Planned Parenthood in July of 2007, Obama said we have got to be sure to appoint Supreme Court Justices who will never overturn Roe vs. Wade. That speech wasn’t above his pay grade, and it wasn’t God that said it.

When Sen. Obama answered "When does life begin?" he said it was above his pay grade to answer. While that sounds godly to some, the fact is that within his pay grade as a senator in Illinois, he argued against letting a baby live after it manages to get past the abortion and make it out alive. The bill he argued against was to let a baby live if it was born alive despite the attempted homicide. Instead, the baby is just placed somewhere to die. Late term abortion is performed in at least two ways. One is to induce labor and hope it just dies on during labor. Another is to make the baby come out feet first, break the spine just before it’s born and then vacuum the brains out of the baby’s head. I don’t know if the brains are saved for research or if they just throw them away. Now if you were leaving this all up to God, why did you need a doctor and a bunch of machinery?

I assume there will be a flurry of far-left liberal people here who regularly engage in personal attacks and vindictive responses, because opinions from anyone who disagrees with them will be accused of being a liar or far-right radical Christian. Never mind if they’re just plain normal people. Just think of the unborn babies if you have a soul. At least think against late term abortion. Would you purposely kick a dog in the stomach because she is pregnant and you don’t feel like puppies this month?

Bette Mueller lives in Kelseyville.

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Written by: Dave Gebhard

Published: 21 August 2008

Created: 21 August 2008

Last Updated: 21 August 2008

Time to step back and redefine our priorities. Is pragmatic materialism our ideal, or our former self image? Should oil and military power be our goal and the tool to secure that goal? Our morals and values were originally imported from northern Europe, where Christianity and cold winters bred individualism and moral values. We thus value the individual, while holding compassion and a sense of fair play in high regard. Our standards may seem contradictory, and all western societies have faced that same dichotomy. The colonial powers found that even raw materials and ensured markets, did not make colonies worthwhile.

Which is smarter, garrisoning a foreign country to ensure the source of light oil, or a concerted national effort to provide alternative energy sources not reliant on other nations? That would also guarantee us with the advantage in alternative energies for the future.

Americans used to think of themselves as compassionate, not inclined to conquer others, which itself was a fallacy of the highest magnitude. We conquered this country from the native Americans, and we absorbed half of Mexico in the 1840s by conquest; I.e. the "Halls of Montezuma" is part of the U.S. Marine Corp history and pride. We absorbed the territories of Puerto Rico and Samoa after the Spanish American War of 1898. We did give the Philippines their freedom after World War II.

The point is that America needs to redefine its identity. Either it becomes a militaristic power or it attempts an identity as a compassionate neighbor. Fear and ignorance are bedfellows, and too many Americans subscribe to this base emotion. We do not need to take natural resources from others, we need to use the many we have, to better advantage for all.

Let us listen to T. Boone Pickens and Al Gore and declare war on fossil fuels, for our own good.

Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport.

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