George:

Bob Gibson debunks the Virginia "marriage amendment" that is on the November 7th ballot. He states that prior to 1967 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Virginia civil rights case, "Loving v. Virginia," the biracial parents of U. S. Senator Barack Obama, esteemed golfer Tiger Woods and most valuable player pedigree Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward could not have married in Virginia. (They all have fathers who are descendants of Africans.)

Gibson also states that Beth Ryan and Jennifer O'Flaherty, a lesbian couple, both parents, decided to leave Virginia because of the difficulties they had in trying to get health insurance through one of their jobs because their son is the biological son of O'Flaherty and their two daughters were born to Ryan. Ryan was a LexisNexis editor and director of market planning and for 12 years O'Flaherty, was a physician at the University of Virginia. Now living in Vermont their "coupling rights" are protected similiarly as married couples.

The Obama-Woods-Ward and Ryan-O'Flaherty scenarios are proof positive, no further evidence needed, to show that laws denying people their civil rights are indefensible. They are not only unjust but drain society of admirableness and excellence. Society needs the Obamas, Woodses, Wards, Ryans and O'Flahertys.

If enacted the so-called "marriage amendment" will adversely effect married and unmarried people in Viginia. As a clergyman who have solomnized marriages I value marriage and all loving relationships. This "marriage amendment" reminds me of the black codes and segregation laws enacted in the South to deny African Americans justice which I experienced until I enlisted in the United States Army just prior to the start of the Korean War. I will not tell you how to vote but I urge you to read Bob Gibson's column before you vote on November 7th.

(To the Reader. Perhaps you can let me know why do you think the Editor of "The Daily Progress" refused to publish this hand-delivered letter that speaks complimentarily of one of their distinguished columnists? Of course, one week later "The Daily Progress" endorsed Congressmn Virgil Goode and Senator George Allen rather than their opponents Al Weed and Jim Webb who have expressed their opposition to the "marriage amendment." And one day later, the editorial in this newspaper stated that voting "yes" on the "marriage amendment" will bring Virginia in conformity with the federal ruling on marriage. Is that true? I would like to know. And if that is true, it seems to do much more than that.

Well, we can take some comfort in knowing that [your website] appreciates diversity and encourages people to freely share their ideas.

Thank you George.

Uriah J. Fields (Electronic mail, November 6, 2006)