Cambrian letters to the Editor, March 3, 2016

A different kind of church forming

Tom Cochrun’s recent Viewpoint article described the startup of a different kind of church in Cambria, one open and affirming to anyone that wishes to attend.

The group has undertaken an exciting challenge — to develop a Christian church where all people are honored without reference to race, creed, gender identity, occupation, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disabilities or origin.

In the coming months, the group will explore how such a church should be organized, e.g., a church service that includes dinner/snacks, a formal or loosely structured format, Sunday or weekdays, night or day service, music selection, etc.

Interested people are invited to join this group in their journey. Bring your ideas, your concerns and energy to assist in developing a contemporary church that provides a ministry that both serves your needs and brings Christian joy to both the young and old in our community.

The group presently gathers Tuesday nights at 5:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church, Eton Road, Cambria.

Exactly when is obstruction OK?

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., appeared on ABC’s “This Week” blasting Mitch McConnell for encouraging the Senate not to move forward with any nominees by President Barack Obama to replace the late Supreme Court Judge Antonin Scalia, adding “the American people don’t like obstruction.”

But on July 27, 2007, the same Sen. Schumer said the Senate should not confirm another U.S. Supreme Court nominee under President Bush “except in extraordinary circumstances.” That was called for a full 18 months before the end of Bush’s term.

Mr. FitzRandolph, you failed to mention in your Feb. 25 “Pacing Through the Pines” article why obstruction is bad now but was OK then.

Sanders’ ideas not pie in the sky

Some have said the Bernie Sanders’ recommendations are pie in the sky, but all was the was said about Medicare, food stamps and other programs such as Social Security, Medicaid and even the 40-hour work week, and other programs created by Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson.

All that money goes right in our economy.

So what if our debt increases? It will never get paid off, anyway.

Will Congress shun the Constitution?

Constitutional responsibility — we have not heard much about this lately, but it is federal law.

Anyone who is hired to do a job is expected to know the responsibilities and obligations of the job. By voting, we the people “hired” congresspersons and a president almost eight years ago.

The Constitution requires the executive branch (president) to submit proposals to the legislative branch (Congress) for discussion and consideration. This is not only expected but required by federal law.

Some members of Congress have declared that they will ignore the requirements of their job.

We hired them; now we need to fire all who refuse to do the work, and as scofflaws, they need to face consequences.

Bring this issue before the eight-member Supreme Court. It will be interesting to see if the judicial branch really supports our Constitution.

SLO Symphony breaks 2 barriers

In one evening, the San Luis Obispo Symphony broke through two barriers: the first woman conductor (the excellent, intuitive Laura Jackson) and the rare work composed in the current century (“Violin Concerto: The Infinite Dance” by Zhou Tian, 2015), a fiery, furious composition given a fiery, furious performance by Caroline Goulding, with the symphony right alongside.

The adventure continues (here’s hoping).

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Cambrian letters to the Editor, March 3, 2016."