Readers took opposing views on the Senate’s decision to pass a gay marriage bill:
Phil Block
I do hope this passes. As long as the people getting married are adults where they are allowed to make up their own minds and as long as they are mentally competent to make their own choice, then it’s just not the government’s business. I don’t understand why the opponents of this have such a problem. Don’t like it then don’t go to their wedding. I guarantee what they do behind closed doors will not change with or without a wedding certificate.
The gays are not asking for special rights. Just equal rights. I think that’s a totally reasonable expectation.
Readers took opposing views on the Senate's decision to pass a gay marriage bill:
Phil Block
I do hope this passes. As long as the people getting married are adults where they are allowed to make up their own minds and as long as they are mentally competent to make their own choice, then it's just not the government's business. I don't understand why the opponents of this have such a problem. Don't like it then don't go to their wedding. I guarantee what they do behind closed doors will not change with or without a wedding certificate.
The gays are not asking for special rights. Just equal rights. I think that's a totally reasonable expectation.
Lew Waters
But, the point remains, why is the prime importance homosexual marriage when the state if facing dire circumstances?
Shouldn't the first priority be getting the budget back in balance and people back working?
Lew Waters
But, the point remains, why is the prime importance homosexual marriage when the state if facing dire circumstances?
Shouldn’t the first priority be getting the budget back in balance and people back working?
Note to readers: Columbian staff have been posting the most read stories on Columbian.com each week since July. We’ve noticed, however, that the stories that received the most traffic don’t necessarily reflect the most important issues to our community of readers.
So we’re trying something a little different, posting the stories that received the most comments. These stories got readers fired up for one reason or another and provide a better glimpse of the issues the community is most passionate about and interested in discussing.
What do you think about this new approach? What comments and discussions would you like to see highlighted? Tell us in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.
1) Herrera Beutler tries to force CRC vote
A move by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler to stop federal transit funding for the Columbia River Crossing without a local vote failed Thursday in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
2) Herrera Beutler may try to block CRC light rail
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler wants one thing to be clear: As goes the C-Tran vote on light rail, so goes she. If local voters say they don’t want to pay for light rail operations and maintenance, the Camas Republican said she’ll do her best to make sure the Columbia River Crossing is redrawn without it.
Commenters weighed in on both sides of the issue:
Nicholas Ande
“This is a dangerous path Congresswomen Herrera is choosing. She is putting the entire project in danger and at best she is delaying an already complicated and much needed boost economic boost four our region. This project is bigger than SW Washington. It is significant not just for Vancouver and Portland, but the entire Pacific Northwest region and commerce along the West Coast corridor. This is not the time for political pandering and election year posturing, we need leadership on this Congresswoman and we need it NOW!”
Tom Sharples:
“Citizens of Clark County are entitled to a vote on light rail and CRC funding options. A vote on these contentious issues should be a no-brainer supported by our local elected officials. However since they appear to be unwilling to act responsibly, Jamie H has had to step in, and I say more power to her.”
3) C-Tran leaders weigh other options for paying for light rail
In the still-evolving debate over how to pay for maintaining new high-capacity transit systems in Vancouver, C-Tran leaders are so far working to send a sales tax measure to voters in November. But local leaders are already tossing around ideas for Plan B.
4) Foes vow challenge to gay marriage in Washington
Washington state is likely to become the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage within the next two weeks, but opponents have already promised that a ballot challenge would halt any summertime weddings.
5) Million-dollar mile: Expensive section of trail provokes varied reactions
The sign at the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Trail declares it to be nine-tenths of a mile. County officials later clarified it to be slightly longer — 5,257 feet, just 23 feet short of a mile — but let’s just round up and call it a mile. Then add up what Clark County has spent so far on the railroad trail project, and call it a million-dollar mile.
