I am a white, heterosexual, male, pro-life Republican. I worked as a director at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and I have Utah ancestors who crossed the plains with Brigham Young. But because I am opposed to Kanab's decision on grounds that it is, at best, useless, and likely counterproductive, I am now an “out-of-town liberal” and a “gay protester.”

According to Mero, opponents of the resolution are “anti-family,” as if any nontraditional family is by definition “anti-” and that Kanab is being assaulted by every “know-nothing with discretionary time.”

There is evidence that robust communities exist in very diverse cultural environments, as well as evidence that “traditional values” create beneficial societal outcomes. I know Mero's tactics well, because I used them in conservative/liberal battles in Washington during the Reagan years. I now consider them counterproductive, the cause of much collateral damage.

What we need in these “culture wars” is less dogma and more reasoned civil discourse. Particularly in Utah, we need opponents to stop demonizing one another. It gets us nowhere in the public policy debate, creates further alienation, and leads us away from the sense of community we all want.

Wesley R. Smith

Park City