Give Newsom credit

The Bay Guardian ought to be ashamed of itself for refusing to give credit where credit is due to Gavin Newsom on same-sex marriage. If it was any of the Bay Guardian's favorite politicians, there would be pictures on the front page of the newspaper and laudatory editorials, instead of the recent Bay Guardian editorial that said it was good Gavin Newsom did this, but there were so many others fighting to get it done [Editorial, 2/25/04].

Many have been fighting for same-sex marriage, including myself, who put a bill into the legislature almost 10 years ago, but nobody had the balls to do anything about it until Gavin stepped forward. I did not endorse Gavin Newsom for mayor, but that does not stop me from applauding a courageous and forward-thinking act of authorizing same-sex marriages, as well as his willingness to confront the governor of the state of California and the president of the United States on this issue.

You really ought to get your heads out of your ass and give credit where credit is due, and save your hatred or whatever it is for Gavin Newsom, for stances he takes on issues that you disagree with.

Peace and friendship,

John Burton State senate president pro tempore
San Francisco

Brown and Leno

Let me thank you not only for your positive endorsement of my reelection to the state assembly but also for acknowledging my success in moving forward significant environmental, civil rights, and tenant legislation my first year [Endorsements, 2/18/04].

I do need to make one correction. You were accurate in stating that Carole Migden supported Harry Britt against me in last term's primary, though I am pleased to accept her praise of my work in a recent press release she has issued. You were incorrect to state that I was supported by then-mayor Willie Brown. In fact Mr. Brown supported the two other candidates running against me and worked unsuccessfully to defeat me. I was the lone independent in the race.

It is a true pleasure and privilege to represent San Francisco in the legislature and I will continue to passionately articulate our city's great progressive voice with every opportunity.

Mark Leno Member, California State Assembly
San Francisco

Lee likes Pelosi

I read Norman Solomon's piece on House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi's record on the Iraq war ("Pelosi's Bridge Too Far," 1/14/04), and I found the characterization of Ms. Pelosi's actions misleading. Mr. Solomon too neatly creates an equation between supporting the war and supporting our troops.

Pelosi's record should speak for itself. As the article correctly notes, Pelosi voted against the resolution giving President Bush unilateral authority to go to war against Iraq. The article fails to mention, however, how influential Pelosi was with House members. In the face of enormous pressure to go along with the president, Pelosi rallied more than 60 percent of our Democratic colleagues to oppose the war.

Solomon implies that Pelosi turned in favor of the war once she became leader and war drew nearer, but a March 8, 2003, Washington Post headline says it all: "Pelosi Criticizes Bush on Foreign Policy; House Minority Leader Opposes War Now." The article describes Pelosi's "broad critique of the Bush administration's foreign policy, restating her opposition to an attack against Iraq." We should ask ourselves how many other national leaders were standing up to President Bush on the eve of war?

Finally, although Pelosi has rallied opposition to the war, she has been unapologetic in her support of our troops. Solomon's article uses Pelosi's remarks in support of soldiers to imply she favored the war, but neglects to mention that she clearly fought on the House floor provisions supporting the president's use of military force. Supporting the troops and supporting the war are simply two different issues, and Solomon is wrong to confuse them. What Solomon's logic overlooks is that one can be opposed to the war, but fully support our sons and daughters. As the daughter of a military veteran, I too am supportive of their efforts.

The people of the Eighth Congressional District are lucky to have Ms. Pelosi as their representative.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-California)
Berkeley

Honest Newsom

How often can you say that you trust a politician? Not very often. Mostly they do and say what is politically correct. Whether you agree with him or not, Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco, followed his conscience and did what he felt was morally right, instead of what was politically right, in his decision to sanction gay marriages. Newsom is one of the few politicians who is honest and not motivated by the need to be reelected. God bless him.