Letter: Question of gay marriage belongs to states

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Friday, July 30, 2004 | 5:06 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

July 31 - Aug. 1, 2004

I fully support the votes of Reps. Jon Porter and Jim Gibbons, both R-Nev., in support of legislation to prevent federal courts from ordering states to recognize same-sex unions sanctioned elsewhere. The citizens of Nevada have, twice in the last four years, overwhelmingly voted to recognize matrimony only as a union between a man and a woman.

Is this not what states' rights are all about -- making decisions without federal judges countermanding the will of the people? Why, on this issue, should any state with conservative views be dictated to by another state with extreme liberal views? The allowing of a marriage of two gays should be left to each state's decision and not be dictated to by any federal judges.

Are states rights becoming extinct?

CLARENCE LANZRATH