dojA001447.xml

dojA001447.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-10

Monday, December 10, 2001 10:11 PM
ustice for all

Mr. Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice

Dear Mr. Zwick:

Having seen the consequences of blind prejudice in WWII I came out of the Army with a changed goal in life; therefore, abandoning (albeit profiting still from engineering courses taken before enlisting) what my father hoped in his footsteps I would do, I went into seminary and have been in Episcopal ministry, now retired, for 52-years. Indeed, with reasoned measurement I have devoted my life to raising up the oppressed and downtrodden of life. I both regret, therefore, and protest the discriminatory policy of my government toward gay/lesbian survivors of the atrocities of September eleventh. In this respect I strongly disassociate myself from some of my Christian brothers, e.g. Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. Committed relationships are mutually creative and supporting regardless of sexual orientation. Indeed, in my experience I have observed that they, gay and lesbian people--just like divorced people in rigidly biblically forbidden second marriages--have been blessed by God. I ask that the United States of America strive after a morality of a higher order than that of the Taliban or the fanatical adherents of Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, or Buddhist fundamentalism! Survivors are survivors feeling pain and sorrow--not to mention economic suffering--whether they are survivors of committed heterosexual or lesbian/gay relationships. Please do not shame our Nation by playing to the pit!!!

Individual Comment
Bar Harbor, Maine

2001-12-10