New Paltz trustee must face the consequences

I write in response to the comments made by Robert Hebel of New Paltz in a recent article about his harassment complaint against supporters of New Paltz Mayor Jason West. Specifically, he said, ''This borders on terrorism.'' On the front page of that day's paper there were reports and a photo from Madrid.

What Hebel is experiencing is simple harassment because of his own words and actions. He should have thought to himself, ''What can I expect when I say or do ...?''

It is not terrorism. For an example of terrorism, I suggest he read the story on the terrorist attack in Madrid. Or better, he should travel to ground zero in Madrid or New York City. Then he should tell the survivors, and the families and friends of the victims, about his problems. I'm sure he'll get a sympathetic ear. That's sarcasm.

I'm glad I live in a country where you can make statements that are idiotic and petty. And where I can call Hebel out on them in protest. Hebel made statements because of West's actions. Now those statements are receiving actions. He should suck it up and act like a man.

John Bilski, Stanfordville

Each of us is taught to believe we'll find a soul mate and build a life together; it's an integral part of the American dream. I share that dream and I've found my soul mate.

Still, the civil union we celebrated in Vermont and the Unitarian Universalist commitment ceremony we solemnized in Poughkeepsie are sanctioned by neither New York state nor the federal government.

Families not unlike ours are living in nearly every county in this nation, according to the 2000 U.S. census. If marriage is an essential building block for strong families and communities, then denying our marriages weakens our families and hurts our children. The government uses the legal recognition of civil marriage to grant married heterosexual couples (and their children) more than 1,400 special rights, including Social Security survivor benefits, hospital visitation and the ability to inherit a spouse's property without being taxed.

In 1948, a four-justice majority of the California Supreme Court ruled on Perez v. Lippold, affirming the right to interracial marriage. Before legislators in most states were willing to stand against discrimination, one state had to show leadership. That state was California. We now view those ''activist'' judges as civil rights heroes. In New York, New Paltz Mayor Jason West, the Revs. Kay Greenleaf and Dawn Sangrey, and the other ministers are our heroes. History will inevitably see them as such.

Diane Pineiro-Zucker, Woodstock