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Show Page A10 TheKatt LakeTribune PINION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1999 OUR VIEW BPN nase, The Salt Lake Tribune’s Editorial Position Sound Ruling in Vermont the state of marriage to same-sex cou- *'doesn'‘t require a permit for carrying a ples through an inclusive domestic partnership system, as Vermont legis- Mondayin ruling that same-sex couples ’*are entitled to the privileges of mar- riage. Their pride is well-placed. In a case brought by three homosex- “ual couples who were denied marriage licenses by their Vermont municipalities, the state’s Supreme Court decided that the couples’ rights were indeed abridged by the denial of a marriagelicense and that same-sex couples were entitled to the same benefits that the state extends to opposite-sex married + couples. However,the court left it to the state legislature to decide how to im- : plementtheruling: either by granting » !marriage licenses to same-sex couples . or by creating a newstatus of domestic partnership for them. + While that debate in the Vermont ‘legislatureis certain to attract national * attention, Monday’s ruling itself may ‘not have far-reaching national resonance becauseit is so state-specific. Putting primacy on Vermont's 1777 Constitution, whichit noted is almost a century older than the U.S. Constitu- tion’s 14th Amendment and its Equal Protection Clause, the court based its decision on the state’s Common Bene- fits Clause, specifically that the government is “not for the particular emolumentor advantage of any single man,family or set of men . By this standard, the court ruled, “plaintiffs may not be deprived of the statutory benefits and protections afforded personsof the opposite sex who choose to marry.” Thosestate benefits are many, andthecourt listed a dozen of them, including the right to receive a portion of the estate of a spouse who dies without a will, the right to a presumption of joint ownership of property, and therightto hospital visitation. The five justices recognized that there is little justification in denying these privileges to gay and lesbian couples who want their commitments en- shrined in a legal contract that grants them marriage-like privileges. It is not politically feasible at this point to call these relationships marriages; American society is understandablynot keen lators seem inclined to do, would create an important modelfor the rest of the country. The Vermont court's arguments should also be instructive to future venuesonthis issue,for theyeffectively puncture someof the commoncontentions against same-sex marriage. For opposite-sex, childless couples and the growing number of same-sex couples with children, through reproductive technology, tend to diminish thatlink. Asthe court pointedout, “the exclusion of same-sex couples from the legal Mo aleh-p_. poses their childrento the precise risks that the State argues the marriage laws the i numberof couples whohaveresorted to reproduc- tive technology. On another point, the court noted THE PUBLIC FORUM that, since Vermont already guarantees same-sex couplesthe right to adopt and raise children,it is illogical for the state to support “a legislative scheme that recognizes the rights of same-sex partners as parents, yet denies them — and Leitersfrom The Tribune’s readers their children — the samesecurity as Revolutionary Coaches spouses.” Perhaps that was an unspo- ken motivation underlying the odious anti-gay adoption rule made this year by Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services: Unlike Vermont, Utah is now on recordagainst gay adoptions,a position that might buttress its case should it ever face a court challenge similar to Vermont's. Surely, in anystate, the parameters would be different than they were in Vermont. But the logic and wisdom of the Vermont justices is transferable. Same-sex couples should not be excluded from the privileges that flow to opposite-sex couples in marriage. Their relationship does nothaveto be called a “marriage,”but their access to the same privileges as similarly situated opposite-sex couples should not be denied. The actual death toll may never be known. That's because swift-moving mudslides swept ' away entire communities, many of them unofficial shantytownsbuilt at the base of mountains. Countless people literally are buried under tons of mud, and relief workers are forced to bury others before identifying them to shantytowns were living proof of years of neglect, failure and corruption by Venezuela's leaders, many of whom were swept aside with President Hugo Chavez's rise to power. Chavez, a former paratrooper, has dispatched units on rescue and cleanup eer ions and|has placed himself in charge. He promises to alldcitiesin the interior and has begun relocating the homeless. These are practical, reassuring steps — up to a coach, one who was foul-mouthed but So, the Main Street to “U” TRAX is on possessed by a drive that was infectious, name,signature, address and daytime telephone numbers. Information other than your nameandthe city in which youlive are kept confidential. @ Keep it short. Concise letters developing a single theme are more likely to be published. read a newspaper or listened to a mike media sound-bite since 1992. came to Philadelphia. He took the football Eagles fromlastto first in two years and, in the process, alienated the press and manyofdelicate temperamentin the local public. In particular, Buddy Ryan alienated Bill Lyon, the senior sportstimately, Ryan lost his job, but never the loyalty andthe fierce commitmentto excellence of the players he coached. Players loyal to Buddy — mostofthem spread out around the NFL — included Reggie White, Seth Joyner andeight other Pro Bowl players. The Eagles quickly descended into mediocrity and worse. Iam reminded ofthis debacle, reading Gordon Monson’sopinions ofCoach Rick Majerus (Tribune, Dec. 12). Perhaps Monsonis correct, Perhaps Majerus is port planes and soldiers from Mexico; and medical supplies and equipment sent by Cuba. South Floridians, too, quickly organized relief efforts, demon- strating anew this community's com- passion and decency in the face of hu- man suffering. In Venezuela, Chavez's critics call the disaster an ill omen with which to start his new administration. Some say that more could have been doneto anticipate the disaster, plan for it and be- gin getting people out of harm's way. Rains had pelted the country for weeks, andthe construction of shantytowns on the mountainsides was a prescription for disaster. Instead, the critics say, Chavez spent far too muchtime ensuring the success ofthe constitutional referendum, which expands his powers, and far too little the heeding warnings of impending s. In fairness, Chavez cannotbe blamed and last week. Chavez may have compli! cated his task by harshly criticizing his zuela. But he can and will be judged on published. @ Mail to Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110 ‘@ Our fax numberis (801) 257-8950, Simpler Lives pulpit, only to witness the complete loss of the flock? Mr. Monson,do you perhaps desire the resurgence of Brigham Young University at the expenseofthe Utes? PHIDIAS CINAGLIA SummitPark Evils of Usury I read with interest the article “Cocoon Effect” by Dan Egan (Tribune, Dec. 16) and believe there are many other parasites also gouging our poorer seg- mentof society. Our current banking system should headthis list. More people should be aware of the disservice provided by not understanding the terms associated with the use ofa credit card. During the holiday season, a large majority of our citizenry pay for Christmaswith a credit card, supplied with a fervor by the banking community.After thefirst of the year, and when thebills begin to roll in, some are unable to pay off Christmas balances and only the minimum paymentis made. Making the minimum paymentre- sults in a much larger debt than the original purchases were worth.If only a 2 percent payment per month plus the interest of a typical 18 percent card of, say, a $3,000 balance is made,it takes the consumer36 years to repay the loan at a cost totaling over $7,600. Those with money woes generally make only a min- I found it quite “hilarious” reading the December8 Public Forum. Oneletter addressed people who buy uesat utility vehicles that pollute get less gas mileage. ae esfe South,etc.) for extended periods of time (up to 6 months each). Two years ago, my husband and I were fed up with the road rage,stress ofa big home (yardwork, maintenance, continual repairs, huge electric bills), children whowere perfectly capable ofbeing on their own, a dog that urinated on the cornerofthe sofa every day,fear ofbeing robbed when we went on vacations, and the list goeson. . . We read a bookcalled Simplify Your Life. And we did it! We bought a beautiful one-bedroom downtown condo, got rid of my car, pushed ir way, and gave the to a very good home. We have saved lots of money without that extra car payment,insurance and the $1.50 per gallon of gas, I work close te downtown, 80 I ride my bike (I lost weightthis past summer), take a cab or the bus. I hope light rail goes east and west. I now use the newlightrail going north and south, which we are excited about. We wentto “Les Miserables” and the ribbon-cutting and huge light-rail party on Main Street. We not only have more TUN so do BEA dates tne do them too. The dining isjust a few steps away, the malls are down the street and again after the Salt Lake City Council’s great back-off from its own firm train reservation. Big surprise? Notif you’ve A couple of thoughts andI’ll let you go back to your heavily subsidized ride on Mayor Corradinkie’s Streetcar Named. Desire. When the City Council voted to red-light the extension,I refrained from. cheers,sensing that one of the scant majority would crack under mayoral pressure, That one not only capitulated but also infected the other six, who voted unanimouslyto erase every one of mer earlier misgivings, thus res 2.5-mile, $105 million destruction ofboth Main Street and 400 South business. ‘That's learning the hard waythat the quackings of one legacy-led lame duck can drown outthe bleatings ofthousands of overburdened taxpayers as they are led like lambs to the slaughter. That one city councilwoman won her reward in advance of the final decision: an appointment by our new mayor to his highly paid personal cabinet. No surprise there either, We victims have our reward: continuing sneers that we are aof unidentified “special interest — as if the Utah Transit Authorky, Utah Departmentof Transportation, and City Council are not. I proudly admitto one special interest. Atmyfather’s knee and from kindergarten through two university degrees and four years as first press secretary to Sen, Wallace F. Bennett, I have acquired keen interest in the Constitution, its guarantees of people’s rights,its faith in the ballot box ee a firm protection Dad, Wallace, Madison andthe rest of that 1789 hot-summer gang, where were come a spider's web of similar, costly, untested disasters. A PAUL CRACROFT Salt Lake City Limiting Births To David V. Nelson (Forum, Dec.14); I agree that the world would be a better Downtown life a blast and the stress oo lives has eg reduced appealing. If ee mylife, Come on, baby boomers,try It.¥ You might like it! born to a traditional Wtah fam! howskilled heis in meeting the terrible challenge. afford to pay cash. UTAH'S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE1871 Jerry O'Bren (1983-1994) m Monson andothers is in doubt. Will we witness a purification of the for all the destruction that grips Vene- SheSaltLakeTribune PAST PUBLISHERS John F. Fitzpatrick (1924-1960) John W. Gallivan (1960-1983) @ Letters are condensed andedited. @ Because of the volume of mail received, not all submissions are miserable, mercurial and sometimes not relations person. His ability as a coach and athlete-student motivatoris without that of other countries and interna- sistance from the United States; trans- @ Please type and doublespace, writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Ul- the disaster. The ultimate successof his government — as well - Venezuela's recovery — dependonthat Fortunately, the eration community has responded admirably with aid and assistance — including food, money, helicopters, water and other as- Expected Capitulation @ When submitting letters to the tional relief organizations, to confront b a ls Bais Pothis disaster will sorely test Chavez's leadership and ability to de: liver on his en eomises to cre-se political opponents, the media, and both public and privateofficials. Now hewill have to rally their support, as well as Where to Write Public Forum,please include your full About 15 years ago, a revolutionary question. Only his patience with carping * and 25,000 people may be dead and 150,000 homeless, but the estimates are oe are designed to secure against.” And, besides, the“link”is already broken by From The Miami Herald tragedyofepic proportions; andso, too, mustbe the response. Numbers onlyhint at the misery and suffering: Officials say between 15,000 ize N\—~ protections incident to marriage ex- a very good public-relations/press- floods on Venezuela’s north coast, has the scale of disaster becomeclear.It's a ER ee Mele — rejoined that the large number of Venezuela’s Tragedy ace POete ANOTHER VIEW Only now, more than a week after torrential rains triggered catastrophic merely a stab in the !_a instance,the state argued thatits inter- est in protecting opposite-sex marriage was in promoting a “link between procreation and child-rearing.” The court PUBLISHER Dominic Welch EDITOR James E. Shelledy course, if you are late making a payment, fees are attached, use you are now considered a “credit risk,” idedhdesgrua er debt. mn a inn oiered vy hn however, state it is required to in business, These are the same fnsthutions that areeee, paying less than 5 ac. counts. The Tribuneah ex: amine service? Tax six days a week? I JACKCURTIN panno: 143 §, MAIN ST, SALT LAKE. & institutions as well, ‘South Ogden A bello it MARGARET ANDERSON Sandy aS : . So it was natural that many ‘SupremeCourt took a pioneering step i E i -SVenaneiens expressed pride that their | on changingits traditional definition of marriage. But bestowing the benefits of “the only independent member of Con- Bess, and they live in the onlystate that Fi tae Vermonters have an independent streak. They haveelected andre-elected |
