In response to Nathan Crandall's outrageous attempts to blame the religious right for the downfall of society ("11 states mistaken in marriage votes" SN 11/8), if you truly are ashamed to be an American, move to Canada.

Yes, 11 states passed proposals concerning gay marriage. If you recall from your high school government class - assuming you took one and passed - it is the will of the people in this constitutionally controlled republic that prevails. On Nov. 2, a majority of voters in those 11 states exercised their right to have the will of the people heard. This is one of the few things that makes America great.

I will agree if the homosexual community wants to have some type of recognized civil union in order to care for their children, make medical and other life decisions, they should be allowed to do so. However, to pervert the institute and age-old definition of marriage for the sake of satisfying a few people in the minority is apparently not the will of the people.

And what happened to all of you liberals who are supposed to be so tolerant of others? Apparently, Crandall, you can only be tolerant of the religious right, Christians, fellow Americans and Michiganians when they think and vote the way you want them to vote. I take great pains to tolerate people like you and your obvious distorted thinking. However, even the rights of ignorant people are protected by the First Amendment. These are the very rights you take for granted. The rights my deceased father fought for as a combat-wounded and decorated veteran of the Korean War.

Pack your bags before they close the border.

Oh, and God bless you, sir.

Art Joslin
music graduate student