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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford outage reduced to less than 70 residents ... Local agencies simulate emergency at gas-manufacturing plant ... Naloxone credited with nine overdose saves ... Medford outage reduced to less than 70 residents ... Local agencies simulate emergency at gas-manufacturing plant ... Naloxone credited with nine overdose saves ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Praise deputy for sticking to beliefs I read the MT headline “Gay rights groups object to letter.” Shame on you, MT, for sensationalizing a response to an opinion by Dace Cochran. Gay groups and the Medford Congregation are entitled to their opinions, but they should be shared in the opinions section. How dare you, MT, for taking the lead and harassing a long-term deputy by contacting his bosses. Giving a voice to these gay groups is unwarranted. To even suggest that Cochran can’t be objective and provide equal protection is ludicrous. We all have prejudices and beliefs that affect the way we live and work, but to suggest a man who quotes the Bible can’t do his job as a deputy is prejudice. Cochran’s comments, beliefs, and convictions are his, and he deserves the right to express his beliefs without harassment. Cochran wrote that the “act is an abomination,” and I think the silent majority agrees with his assessment. We allow the vocal minority to be heard, but there have to be limits, and for the MT to take the lead in this attack is wrong! I praise Cochran for standing up for what is right! Terry Marks, Eagle Point Deputy's comments reflect on ability to do duty Thank you to the more than 275 people who in four days signed an online petition asking Sheriff Winters and county commissioners Breidenthal, Skundrick and Rachor to repudiate public statements by a sheriff’s patrol sergeant calling gay and lesbian people an “abomination.” The sergeant’s statements were not just an exercise in free speech, such as if he were to say he is a Republican or Democrat or favors or opposes GMO labeling. His statements have a direct bearing on whether all people can expect the sheriff’s department to provide equal protection. Imagine being stopped by a deputy who believes that you are an “abomination.” Would you feel safe? Would you feel your rights were going to be respected? We were glad that in response to the petition and a letter from concerned community groups, the sheriff’s office issued a statement that the sergeant’s views “are not shared by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office." We were also relieved to see that one county commissioner, Don Skundrick, said that “I don’t agree with his statement.” We hope county officials will work with community groups to ensure that all residents are treated equally and fairly, regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or any other factor. Julian Spalding and Fanda Bender, Rogue Valley LGBT elders LGBT community shows its intolerance As a member of the straight community, I would like to express my disdain at the intolerance of the LGBT community, as demonstrated in their response to Dace Cochran’s recent letter — You don’t agree with us? It’ll cost you your job. Really? Mr. Cochran was addressing the biblical view of marriage and homosexuality — their argument is with God. What they may not realize is that, in their fight to legalize gay marriage, they’re setting precedence to legalize other types of “unions,” many of which may be repugnant even to them (e.g. pedophilia). Christians, however, are not to judge the soul of another person, because it’s impossible to know how a merciful God may intervene to provide an opportunity for repentance. There’s only one judge. And there is only one sin that’s unforgivable (how’s that for tolerance), and that involves rejecting God’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:30-31). God created everything, therefore he gets to make the rules. Agree with them or not, you’ll live or die by your choice. And for you fence-sitters, keep in mind that to not decide, is to decide. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” It’s time to decide. Mark Giuntini, Medford   Deputy's stance on gays is cause for concern Regarding Dace Cochran’s Nov. 11 letter to the editor, he claims to not pick apart the Bible for verses. By implication he follows everything in it, which is no wonder the LGBTQ community has some concerns. The same laws Mr. Cochran quotes also condemn homosexuals to death (Leviticus 20:13), require that a man who rapes an unmarried virgin should marry the person he raped and pay the girl’s father 50 pieces of silver (Deuteronomy 22:18), and forbids wearing mixed fabrics (Leviticus 19:19) — which he breaks every time he puts on his uniform. In his letter he accuses the person he’s responding to of picking and choosing parts of the Bible, then goes on to do just that. He has the freedom to believe in any sort of god, holy book or religious ideal he chooses. But, given the recent trend of excessive police force in the nation and since religious beliefs run deep and can shape a person’s interactions with people, the LGBTQ community is very right to be concerned if Sgt. Cochran’s beliefs interfere with his job. Gary Clement, Eagle Point MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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