As of 6:01 p.m. MST, Monday, June 16, 2008, same-sex couples in California began marrying, legally, for the first time. WOO! HOO! So what does this mean for same-sex couples in Utah? Well, when we strip away all the political rhetoric and demagoguery, really not much in the short term.

A speech given by John Bolton, former U.S. representative to the U.N. left me with a better understanding of an opinion I've long had about the ineffectiveness of the U.N. I've listed a few observations I fully concur with and about which many haven't a clue:

It's great that Utah's overall graduation rate is higher than the national average at 78.6 percent. But hidden in this statistic are some very troubling things.

Isn't it just great how the Daily Herald and other news media can go after honest law-abiding citizens who haven't broken any laws and are just exercising their 2nd Amendment rights with "open carry." The same thing happened when the state started giving concealed weapons permits. Oh, no! Utah will turn into the Old West! People will be killing each other in the streets!

I'm writing in response to your article "Open carry goes too far" in today's Herald. Thank you so much for saying what you did.

I've met and heard (Rep. Chris) Cannon at a number of local functions. Looking at the man, not the record (which I'm not impressed with), Cannon is clearly lacking. My representative brushing me off, not even looking at me while shaking my hand?

I just don't understand why Jason Chaffetz didn't run in his own district (2nd). We have a solid conservative in the 3rd district in Chris Cannon. We have a Democrat in the 2nd. Why not run there, if he's really concerned about Congress not being conservative enough, etc.? Or does he just want to get to Congress for himself?

David N. Cox,

Lehi,

With gas so high, my children (aged 2 and 6) and I ride all over Orem on our bikes and bike trailer. Where we can, we stay in residential areas, but eventually we have to come out to the main roads. My son on his little bike stays right with me and we are very cautious, but there are often drivers who don't see us, or who want to hurry in front of us. It can be a little scary. I have noticed a lot more cyclists out with the warmer weather and with school out. Just watch out for us cyclists please and don't be in such a hurry that you risk hitting one of us.

•Jeanne Call,

Orem