Letter to the Editor - Cook County

Insist that India permit inspections

Overshadowed by that farce known as Iraq is the pending nuclear transfer agreement with India.

This would be the same India that refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The same India that will only open a fraction of its reactors to inspection and they will designate which of those they are; only the reactors they have designated as civilian reactors will be opened. The same India will not agree to return spent fuel and will reserve the right to transfer that fuel to their uninspected military reactors, where it can be reprocessed into weapons-grade material.

There is a federal law that prevents the transfer of nuclear technology and material under these same circumstances. However, since the Bush administration is unconcerned about the Constitution, a single law is no problem for them to shove under the umbrella of national security.

What kind of an idiot would consider providing nuclear materials to a nation that refuses to allow inspection of that material? Oh yes, I'm afraid that we all know.

James Prescott

Schaumburg

Enlightened view on issues gays face

Kudos to the Daily Herald's editorial board for its smart and enlightened view on issues facing gay Americans ("Reflect on issues facing gay Americans," June 25).

For too long, the debate in this country has been dominated by those who wish to divide and conquer for personal political gain. This has proven to be politically expedient for some, but as more and more young people get involved in the political process, this strategy will become increasingly obsolete.

The hypocrisy has been exposed with recent high-profile stories in the media such as:

•The Rev. Ted Haggard, who would counsel the president to be even more discriminatory against gays, even as he was employing a gay prostitute and doing drugs.

•The former right-wing mayor of Spokane, Wash., who, while championing discriminatory legislation, was using his office and clout to lure young men into sexual situations.

These are just two examples of the phenomenon. There are others, such as a study I came across years ago that demonstrates that the more virulent one suggests himself to be "anti-homosexual" is actually an indication that they are actually sexually aroused by homosexual pornography.

In other words, it is self-hatred turned outward.

This should be considered by women. If your man is overly aggressive in his hatred toward homosexuals, the study suggests he may just be hiding a few homosexual skeletons in his closet.

Stephen P. Beisiegel

Schaumburg

Legislators need to address real issues

The other day, I read about how the governor paid a stylist (with his own money) to drive to Springfield for his inauguration and take care of his hair and makeup.

I also read about how legislators were furious and said that he "didn't get his money's worth."

I kept reading, and on the same page saw that the legislature is in overtime and can't get a budget passed. Then I turned the page and saw that over a million people in Illinois can't get health insurance. Then I flipped to the back and found a nice article about how education in Illinois is under-funded.

Maybe if legislators spent as much time talking about issues that matter as they do the governor's hair, they might get something done.

Heather Trumbour

Chicago