Letters: Drug arrests, gay marriage and the Olympics

LAUREL

In jail, where they belong

Two thumbs up to the police that were involved in capturing the men shipping drugs into the Riverhead and North Fork community. These two men should be behind bars. They prey on people who are addicts so they can continue making money off them. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Brenda Casey

RIVERHEAD

What next?

In Jack McGreevy’s recent letter (“It would have failed,” Aug. 2), regarding gay marriage, he asks what will happen next? The answer is simple. Now, married same-sex couples and families will:
Shop at local markets.
Bowl at the new bowling alley.
Plant tomatoes in their gardens.
Send their children to local schools.
Eat at local restaurants.
Pay their local, state and federal taxes.
Worship at the church of their choice.
Get ice cream at Magic Fountain on a warm summer evening.
Buy cheese at Bruce’s Cheese Emporium.
Barbecue hamburgers in their backyards with their neighbors.
They now get to do all of these as married couples, right alongside heterosexual couples and their families! They will have the same god-given and constitutional rights and responsibilities as other Americans who are “created equal!”
He also wrote: “As a Christian and a Catholic and most of all as an American, I feel betrayed.”
Which raises questions in my mind: Does Mr. McGreevy really believe Jesus Christ preached love and compassion for all, except homosexuals? Does he really believe the scandal-ridden Catholic Church is in a position to condemn anyone?
Does he really believe America is the “home of the brave and land of the free” except for homosexuals?
Betrayed? By whom? Elected officials, who have the responsibility of protecting the rights of all citizens?
We have all been betrayed by those politicians who oppose the civil rights of all and shout out “family values” while having illicit affairs.
The Bible does not say that marriage is only for a man and woman.
Mr. McGreevy should invite his gay neighbors over for a barbecue, and open his mind. They are everywhere! Get used to it.
Thom D’Angelo

MATTITUCK

Non-Olympic spirit

The summer Olympics are upon us and it can be rather difficult not to get drawn in by the excitement that surrounds them.
It’s a time for each country to rally behind its athletes as they compete on the world stage. It’s the spirit of the Olympics where champions are born and heroes are minted. From former medalists like Michael Phelps to a newcomer like Gabby Douglas, the Olympics serve as the forum where lifelong hopefuls can make their dreams come true as the world watches.
I could not help myself thinking, “What if we took the mind-set of the current administration and put it to work on the Olympics?” A guy like Michael Phelps would be labeled a “fat cat” Olympian. Too many gold medals for you, Mr. Phelps. The only responsible thing would be to give some of those medals to some of the other athletes who just aren’t as talented as you are.
How about taking it one step further? Instead of the medalists feeling elated about their accomplishments, let’s tell them that they have too much talent.
Let’s make them pay their “fair share” by forcing them to break up the medals and give a little piece to each of their competitors who did not have the same skill set needed to win a medal.
It’s just not fair that the medalists have more ability and skill than their competition. Who cares if they worked harder, sacrificed more and put more hours into achieving the ultimate Olympic success?
It’s time that we realized that in the game of life not everyone can be a gold medalist, but the opportunity to be one is out there for all to obtain. It’s the competition, challenges and success stories that makes America great.
I just wished the guy in the White House realized this. But I think he’d be more inclined to say, “That gold medal, you didn’t win that.”

David Muntner