Much has been argued both pro and con regarding the issue of “gay rights” and/or gay marriage in the state of Arkansas. Over the course of time, not a single person has ever or will ever will be forced into any personal relationship against his free will. While it is understandable many regard any type of gay relationship as immoral due to religious belief, no one individual nor the government of any state can use that belief to enforce that personal belief upon society as a whole. The First Amendment guarantees that statement. Nor may anystate “vote away ” the federal constitutional rights of any other citizen, no matter how passionate the majority may feel concerning a religious or moral issue. All enacted state law must fi rst conform with federal constitutional law so as to maintain its own legality.

The issues of “states’ rights” were made abundantly clear at Appomattox, Va., a very long time ago and reconfi rmed right here in Arkansas - Little Rock to be exact, in 1956. Anyone may espouse opposing views on this issue, but what may not be done is enact laws that deny anyone his federal equal protectionthe law guarantees. The Supreme Court will almost assuredly reaftrm this as they have in every other contest of this nature.

CHARLES EVANS

Fayetteville DON’T LISTEN

TO ROBERTSON

Ijust heard on CNN

that Phil Robertson’s comments against black people are really far worse than what he said about homosexual sex. Really!

I don’t want to hear what he has to say on any subject. My issues with this are twofold: Robertson isspeaking as a preacher in the name of Christianity, which implies that God is on his side, and Americans are flocking his way, buying the “Duck Dynasty” goods, making this thug and his family multi-millionaires.

It’s not the first time thugs in America become fi lthy rich by letting fi lth fl ow from their mouth, now is it? But it’s sad, pathetic and disturbing, nevertheless.

Free speech? Why aren’t we using this to build people up rather than tear them down. I know that’s what my religion teaches me.

MARIANNE BEASLEY

Fayetteville

Opinion, Pages 10 on 12/29/2013