I knew that when I wrote about same-sex marriage in my column last Friday, that it meant the my inbox was going to get slammed. And it did. But not in the way I figured.

Between e-mails, phone calls and comments on the column itself, reaction was overwhelmingly in my favor. The e-mail account was 20 pro and five con. Here are some examples of each;

Most e-mails were like these:

From Renee:
I just wanted to thank you for writing what I was thinking.

I have been happily married to my husband for almost 20 years and I see no reason why anyone would want to deny someone else happiness. Who are we to say what should make a person happy.

Thank you for speaking up for love and happiness....

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From David:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your column "Marriage is more about love than gender". What you did was a true act of courage considering that taking such a stance will probably alienate some of your previously loyal readers. It has been inspiring to me to see so many straight members of my community put themselves out there in regards to opposing Prop. 8 when they don't really have to. You and they are heroes to me.

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From Mike:
I am soon to be 64. Geezerhood is here. Hopefully it will last a while.

I just wanted to thank you for your piece on marriage. You stated it so well. Glad to see such wisdom in a younger person.

Like many other neighborhoods the yes on 8 signs are being put out. I put out a no on 8 sign and am curious about the response. If anything exciting happens I will let you know

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AND NOW FOR THE OTHER SIDE
Of course, they weren't all so positive. Some people sent me long-winded diatribes. Others forwarded me Yes-on-8 propaganda. And some people just ranted. Here are a few of those, with my responses.

From Christopher:
Normally I am a avid reader of your articles, because you normally give good advice on the entertainment in Fresno. However, on Friday October 17 I was surprised to see you had written an article regarding same sex marriages. My advice to you would be to stick to writing about entertainment. After all you do write for the entertainment section. Your political advice, or opinions are not needed. It is not your job to give political commentary, so keep it to yourself.

My response:
I would answer that by saying that my page 2 column is not an "entertainment" column, it's a pop culture column. In the five years I've been writing my column (which pre-dates the creation of 7, btw), I've written about issues pertaining to growth in Fresno, education, sports, and, yes, even politics.

I'd say at least half the time, my page 2 isn't related to entertainment, though my other stories in 7 are. Take, for instance, that column a few weeks ago about adopting animals. I hope that didn't offend you too.

I'd also add that in the past year I've written a few columns having to do with relationships, specifically marriage. That's why I see a place for my column today. While political, it's also about love and relationships. I hope you noticed that I didn't tell anyone to vote a certain way. I merely acknowledged the Proposition -- that's what we call a news hook -- and talked about the sanctity of marriage as I see it.

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From Joseph:
How can the CA Supreme Court change the definition of a word? The term "same-sex marriage" is an oxymoron! "I now pronounce you husband and husband." You've got to be kidding me. The sound of that just makes me want to throw up. Don't you normally just review movies? Tell you what. Stick to that.

Marriage n. The state of being married; wedlock; the act of marrying or the ceremony entered into by a man and woman so as to live together as husband and wife.

Look it up!

My response:
If definitions of words don't change, then why isn't there just one dictionary that never gets updated? Why do I have the 10th edition of Merriam-Webster's. Any why does it say this under "marriage" ...

1 a (1): the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage

Broccoli makes me want to throw up. That doesn't mean I think YOU can't eat it.

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I also got a couple of inquiries like this one:

I too am sick of the Yes on Proposition 8 signs all over my neighborhood! Really, why is it anyone else's business? Anyway, do you know where I can get No on Proposition 8
signs and bumper stickers? I've e-mailed the Democratic Headquarters a few days ago, but no response.

I suggested trying over here.

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HALLOWEEN
My story about new Halloween options got under the skin of at least one reader. Here's some from Jerry, who didn't like some of the names of attractions at Fright Night Scream Park:

From Jerry:
I read your article about the different places to go during the Halloween season. Halloween has always been one of my favorite events. I have never been a person that was that much concerned about being "politically correct" but the reference to the "Asylum" where the patients have taken over the hospital seems to be the wrong message to be sent out to the public and especially the young.

Mental illness is a very devastating disease that can affect anyone or any family. I think that this kind of event just continues the stigma that people have with mental illness and is counter productive in trying to bring mental illness out of the dark ages. I think that you as a reporter need to be aware of the many people that read the Bee and the affect it might have on the community.

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NORTH OF SHAW/SOUTH OF SHAW
Going back a couple weeks to my column about living South of Shaw -- one reader tried to put me in my place:

From Michele:
I have to say that I was getting slightly annoyed reading your column today. First of all, although it sounds snooty, your friend gave you good advice about living north of Shaw. If you're new to town its a good and easy rule of thumb. Now of course there are lots of good pockets still in other parts of town but you have to find them out for yourself later.

I'm laughing that you think that moving out to Sunnyside is "roughing it". Sunnyside is definately still on the map for middle and upper class people in Fresno. Everyone goes to the Sunnyside Country Club for Weddings or brunches. There's lots of beautiful homes out there. I know many people who live out there. People who grew up around there, or maybe went to Fresno Pacific University end up staying out there. I've thought about moving out there too because its so cheap. There's definately more of a mix of poverty right next to wealth than alot of people can handle - not to mention no Target!!!- but its still a maybe. Also if you live out there far enough your kids could go to Sanger or Clovis Unified, which is a good thing.

All that happened is that you moved far enough away that you had to create a new neighborhood. You moved to a place that still has plenty of shopping that's not all that far away and its still reasonably safe. Safety is the key issue here. When you live in a city with unfortunately such a large concentration of poverty you have to think of violence and gangs carefully.

Now if you'd said you'd moved out to the West side near Chandler Airport, or you bought a place next to the Fairgrounds, then I'd be impressed with how you were thumbing your nose at us snooty north of shaw people. Instead, I think you're still not all that different from the rest of us!

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RICH, IS THAT YOU?
... And somebody thinks I'm Rich Rodriguez, apparently:

Dear Mr. Rodriguez,
My name is Michael Ray. I'm 56 years old and I was born and raised right here in Fresno. My family and I have been watching and listening to you since 2001. I found myself watching KSEE because I enjoyed your professionalism and humor. You gave much needed balance to the other professionals on your news team.

You have shown that you have morals and principles which are hard to find these days, and my family will greatly miss you. We understand and agree with your stand on wanting to uphold your contract, and were shocked when we read in the paper this morning of your being let go.

Believe me, I've experienced the "Been there, Done that" saying. Throughout my career as a Designer Draftsman and Quality Assurance Engineer, I've been threatened by layoffs and pay cuts and endured many hard times. I don't know how much you were earning but whatever it was it wasn't enough.

I wish the very best to you and your family. Place your faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for he takes care of his own!

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