Dear Corsair,
Regarding a piece entitled "Coming out of the rectory" with a pro and con editorial by Nicholas Chen and Annette Andre, I was wondering who chose the sub-heading for Mr Chen. "...a blessing in disguise." This is an unfortunate way to describe the ordination of a gay bishop. It's a blessing but how is it in disguise? This implies that something good came from something that appears ugly on the surface which defeats Mr. Chen's point. Why can't this just be a blessing? Period.

I have a few questions about Ms. Andre's editorial - is she indeed an Episcopalian or even Christian? She never states this yet she decries those who are neither and still chose to voice an opinion. For that matter, is she gay? She seems to have an opinion here when she implies a gay lifestyle is not pure, ".that person should be as pure as humanly possible." Since I assume she is not gay, it is ironic that she has created an editorial that by her own rules, she should not have been authorized to write.

Since I am not gay, Episcopalian or female, my opinion below will be completely discarded by Ms. Andre, but nonetheless here it is.

The leaders of the Episcopalian church have made it clear by electing a gay bishop that this life is to be accepted in the church. You don't have to be gay, just accept the fact that there will be gays in your church, leading your spirit and standing in heaven at your side. If this causes a turmoil that the church cannot resolve then maybe a new Episcopal Church should be splinter off with a doctrine of "Change is bad - follow the old ways." In fact maybe this church should regress to the days when women were considered less than men spiritually and had no voice in society.

As a reminder, we're not talking about the dark ages, we need only go back a century to when women and minorities were not given any voice by our own government. Even in the Episcopalian Church , necks are continually been stuck out on Ms. Andre's behalf as a woman. It was only in 1988 that the first female bishop was elected into the Episcopalian Church , and this is still causing an uproar in some circles. Frequently the question arises if women are fit to be spiritual leaders. There are no female priests (much less a bishop) in the Catholic Church and some religions even abuse women ritually excusing these actions as the Word of God.

The actions of religions can change our society on the whole and possibly end the persecution of minorities, women and gays. Only if we accept everyone into the core of our spirits can we begin to actually treat everyone as equals. Ms. Andre might want to think about the history of civil and women's rights and praise those who risk dividing millions of people for an unpopular cause. We still have a long way to go and Bishop Robinson should be admired for his bravery, not condemned for causing a rift.

Michael Habicht
SMC Student

To the Corsair:
I am shocked and appalled by the comments made by my fellow students. Students complain about having to get their groceries but there are many places to get your groceries without crossing the picket line including Trader Joe's, which brings me to my next point. Trader Joe's, Smart & Final, Costco, and many other stores are cheaper than the markets being picketed. So if you are spending more money it is your fault for going to Whole Foods or Gelson's. Many people say the picketers are rude for approaching them so they will not honor the picket line. Well if you weren't crossing it in the first place then they would have no reason to approach you. Who in his or her position would not approach someone who is crossing the line? They are fighting a huge corporation and ask only to be treated fairly. As for the MTA strike, I am just inconvenienced as anyone, but I support them one hundred percent. Union members are the working class, our society could not function without them, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. If you really want the strike to end then write or call the corporations and tell them you do not support their policies.

Asher Huey
SMC Student