To the Editor, Would you mind please sharing your sources for some of the numbers you threw out in the column of May 4, in which you wish Disney would keep pretending everyone is Christian and nobody is queer? For instance, where does the figure you cited, "83% of Americans self-identify as Christians," come from? That's a much higher figure than anything I can find from recent years. (A 2021 Pew poll shows it at 63%.) And what year was the Gallup poll you mention taken? The most recent one I found, published in Feb 2022 using 2021 data, says more than 7 percent of Americans identify as queer. When it comes to Gen Z (those pesky youngsters), it's more than 20 percent, so instead of nervously wringing your hands, you might want to try getting used to it! (Here's the link:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx).
But forget the numbers for a minute. I'd like you to consider the impact of your words on our community. You say a "gay kiss" is one of the "things that repulse" you. In the same breath, you claim to care about your grandchildren. Think about that for a second. You're telling the young, queer members of this community, including subscribers and potentially your own grandkids, that they are repulsive to you. Is that kind and caring, Terry? Is it Christian?
Even from an economic standpoint, your statements are bizarre. You just told 7 out of every 100 subscribers they're repulsive to you. That's not just hateful, it's bad business.
You say you're afraid of being "looked down on," or that some queer kid is trying to make you "believe what they do." Terry, you are an older white man in America; your own statistics show that you have very little to fear. You ask, "What gives less than 5% of Americans the right to destroy the rights of 95%?" Help me understand this question. Outdated statistics aside -- who is trying to "destroy" your rights? Which rights, specifically, are being destroyed? Are you trying to suggest you have a "right" not to see gay people kiss when you choose to watch a Disney movie? Please describe the section of the Constitution or Bill of Rights where you find that special bit of nonsense, Terry. I'd love to know.
Becky Ohlsen
Mr. Kraus, if I may call you that, your Viewpoint this week was extremely important. Did you know that PickleBall is also extremely important? Not only locally here in Southern Colorado, but internationally? Oh yes. Do you remember back some years ago, I believe in the Nixon era, breakthroughs were made in our relationship with the Chinese through Ping-Pong? Well, I realize you and perhaps some of your readers may be too young to remember those days. The Ping-Pong matches were extremely important. I also believe Ping-Pong balls up til then had not been manufactured in China. Well all of that changed, and before you knew it cheaper Ping-Pong balls were showing up in Walmart.
And did you know that PickleBall is not only faston-the-rise here in the States; it is taking China like a tidal wave. I believe PickleBall, or P-Ball as I like to call it, is a great opportunity for the United States to get things straight with Chi’s China. And I don’t believe China is as yet manufacturing P-Ball balls. By the way, do you know if those are actually old basketballs, or socker balls, or some other kind of balls? I’d like to find out. I do know most of the games are played on recycled tennis courts, which is also good for the planet.
Anyway, Mr. Kraus, keep up the good work! I always get a chuckle reading your Viewpoints, and this week was almost certainly no exception. God Bless you, and God Bless the USA. I’m going to try to forward a copy of the Valley Voices, along with my letter, to Chairman Chi. I’ll let you know when I hear back….
Paul Trapp
Lover of Peace and P-Ball
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