I would like to comment on Steven Leider's June 4 letter, "Don't sign petition denying gays' rights."

I agree with him when he states, "It's a shame that some - who don't represent the views of the majority of Oregonians - are working to overturn those laws."

But I disagree with Steven on where the shame lies; it is on gays and lesbians and their supporters, because those two new laws are just stepping-stones to the real agenda of legal marriage for same-sex couples.

In 2004, the majority of Oregon voters thought as I do: The idea of same-sex marriage is sickening, disgusting and vile. It was shot down by the voters. But we're seeing that gays, lesbians and their supporters can't take no for an answer.

I personally would like to have all the politicians who back gays and lesbians impeached from office, and any children exposed to that lifestyle put into foster care. I know a lot of people are not going to agree with that, but there's also the majority that does. Gays, lesbians and their supporters should copy what my bowling ball does: stay in the closet, where it belongs. Please sign the petition.

Russ Gammon

Alsea

Dr. Tripp inspires fond memories

I once said, jokingly to Dr. Larry Tripp, that I had spent the best years of my life in his waiting room.

I soon learned that the reason for the long waits was that Dr. Tripp wanted to spend whatever time was necessary with his patients, explaining his treatments and answering their questions.

What a wonderful man and a uniquely gifted physician. I feel fortunate to have known him.

James E. Oldfield

Corvallis

Editor's note: Dr. Larry Tripp practiced medicine in Corvallis for more than 35 years. He died of cancer May 23 at age 77.

Not everyone wants to move to Corvallis

When I came to Corvallis years ago, I wrote my friends back East: "Come to Corvallis, Oregon. This is Eden II." None came. Too sad. Their loss.

Carl Fox

Corvallis

'Foiled' terrorist plots or more spin?

The Bush administration has frequently reminded us that since there have been no repeats of the 9/11 attacks, they are "keeping us safe." Considering that we have withdrawn our forces from Saudi Arabia, the price of oil is at a record high, and we are bogged down after attacking a Muslim country, Osama should be pretty pleased with the result - not to mention that we are proceeding to liquidate our civil liberties.

Another attack would seem to be unnecessary. Have the warrantless wiretaps and no-fly lists resulted in any prosecutions? If they had, I am sure the mainstream media would have broken into their Paris Hilton coverage to inform us.

Various plots have been foiled, according to those who would protect us. The plots all seem to have an informant who infiltrated the gang in the early stages and kept things going up to the point where it was time to buy something dangerous, and then everybody was arrested. The informant in the JFK plot was a drug dealer who agreed to help in exchange for a reduced sentence. To rely on the testimony of this shaky a witness is to make a mockery of our whole judicial system. It is almost as bad as the thought that the U. S. Attorney General would lie under oath …

George Novak

Corvallis

White House for sale to highest bidder?

Sen. Hillary Clinton has raised $36 million for the 2008 campaign. Sen. Barack Obama has spent $25 million; former governor Mitt Romney more than $20 million. I don't understand. Is the presidency for sale? Is it listed on eBay?

I though "We, the people" were supposed to evaluate the candidates, and then to vote. When was the system changed?

I think we need a new Web site titled "Vote for the poorest candidate."

Ed McDowell

Corvallis

Make Medicare our universal health plan

In the United State, there is a universal health care plan, and it is called Medicare.

The infrastructure and controls are well established, so all that has to be done is to issue everyone (from birth on) a Social Security number, and they are automatically covered if they have no other coverage.

No other changes in our current health systems need to be changed.

This plan would cut down or toss out "charitable" hospital patients, who cost millions of dollars to "write off" every year. This plan would also encourage more people to work in the health field, especially with children.

Down the road, there probably will be the need to increase Social Security taxes for both employees and employers.

The main point of this plan is to provide health care to everyone now. We have to do this as a society and keep politics out of it, or it will never fly.

Leonard Gibson

Corvallis

Gun laws won't stop the violent, lawless

In response to Shelley Ries' May 29 letter, "Gun ownership just makes everyone more dangerous":

Although I agree that the shootings that have been in the news for the past four or five years are all tragic, increased gun control will not curtail them.

Gun control laws are for law-abiding citizens. In 1968, Congress passed the Federal Firearms Act prohibiting people from owning fully automatic weapons, explosives and other various weapons. Yet we have more automatic weapons and explosives on our city streets now than we did back then.

There have been other gun control laws passed that "should" have prevented random acts of violence, but yet they haven't.

Anyone who commits a premeditated act of violence with a firearm can get anything they want - from a basic, cheap handgun to a high-tech, fully-automatic rifle. All they have to do is contact the local "black market" arms dealer. There is at least one in every large city.

Just as this pen I am using cannot mark my words unless I push it against the paper, a gun cannot discharge unless someone pulls the trigger. In closing, I say this: "Guns don't kill people; people kill people."

Lydel Christian

Jefferson