Boy, you folks really bent pretty low to accept that cartoon about people against LB475. How low can a paper go to call people bigots because they have a different opinion than you do?

Come on, people, get your head on straight, because passage of that bill would have approved behaviors that even your paper does not approve of. Get the facts before you make a judgment. This is very poor journalism, if you ask me.

David Geary, Milford

Keep debate on high road

Your cartoon depicting senators who opposed the sexual orientation anti-discrimination bill (LB475) as murderous Ku Klux Klansmen was a disturbing appeal to the public’s base prejudices. This was a classic attempt to distract readers from the soundness of one’s arguments by personally attacking the messengers with whom you disagree.

What a contrast between your cartoon and the approach of the lawmakers who voted this bill out of the Judiciary Committee! Most of the senators were courteous and respectful of the witnesses presenting both sides of the issue. As a strong supporter of LB475, Sen. Brad Ashford was especially gracious and at times even acknowledged the merits of some of the points raised by the bill’s opponents.

It may be easier to degrade one’s adversaries than to evaluate their positions critically, but it appears to be the low road of journalism. Because people frequently find gay rights issues to be both legally complex and emotionally distressing, we need statesmen and cartoonists who will point us toward the high road of mutual respect and thoughtful deliberation. I hope that in the future you will attempt to make a more positive contribution to the debate.

Ned Stringham, Lincoln

Nebraska above average

In listening to the morning national news on television last week, one of the top stories to be reported was that gasoline prices had reached an all-time high of $3.18 per gallon nationwide.

I always thought that Nebraska was part of the nation, but with our gas prices in Lincoln being in the neighborhood of $3.49 per gallon (I paid that recently), maybe we aren’t.

At this point, I would welcome $3.18 per gallon, although that is still way too high. We are being ripped off.

Patty Hill, Lincoln

Tractor riding unsafe

The “School ends; summer of farming begins” pictures and story in the May 23 Lincoln Journal Star should never have been printed. First, Norris High School should not have approved it, and the Journal Star should not have sensationalized it.

My life’s work was safety training. The cardinal rule on tractor safety is no extra riders on farm tractors unless they are fitted with a rollover protective structure  including fully enclosed cab, “buddy seat” with seat belt. None of these tractors would have qualified.

I kept statistics on farm accident fatalities for 35-plus years. High on the list is “fall from tractor,” superceded by “tractor overturn.”

I hope that other schools do not look at this as a way of promoting agriculture. There are better ways.

Norris High School Principal John Skretta also needs a reprimand.

Rollin D. Schnieder, Davey

The voice of complicity

I read with interest that Gov. Dave Heineman will not comment on the supposed guidelines that prohibit Health and Human Services System diversity teams from providing programs about gay and lesbian issues.

I found it odd until I recalled a saying, “Silence is the voice of complicity.” If the governor has the interests of all Nebraskans close to his heart, he can and should right this wrong.

Cynthia Hartley, Lincoln