Last modified: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:32 PM EDT LETTERS: Clerk showed courage on gay rights issue; Newspaper coverage gave unexpected thrill; Look at the record on unemployment, tax cuts Clerk showed courage on gay rights issue To the editor: The supporters of gay marriage in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have lost a friend and ally with the recent death of Sue Flood, city clerk of Attleboro. An active and courageous supporter of gay marriage, she continued performing marriages for Rhode Island and other out-of-state couples even as some other city and town clerks in Massachusetts were reluctant to do so. Sue married my partner and me three years ago, on May 29, 2004, shortly after gay marriage became legal in Massachusetts. She was professional and gracious and we were proud and happy to have her marry us. Sue was particularly busy and very supportive on May 17, 2004 (the date that gay marriage was legally recognized in Massachusetts) when a group of Rhode Island and Massachusetts gay and lesbian couples and their allies arrived at Attleboro City Hall to obtain their marriage licenses. She will be missed by my partner and me and by others to whom she offered support, encouragement and advice. Anne Marie Silvia, North Attleboro Newspaper coverage gave unexpected thrill To the editor: On May 19, at the Boston Common, I was fortunate to receive the French Legion of Honor Award. My family, including my wife and three sons, were in attendance. Two of my sons happened to have a conversation with a representative of The Sun Chronicle, Britt Braudo. When they mentioned that my residence was in Seekonk, she became more interested and interviewed them further. As a result, although I had never had the pleasure of meeting Britt Braudo, she took my picture, which appeared on the front page of The Sun Chronicle along with a wonderful story. It made my day. Tom Powers, Seekonk Look at the record on unemployment, tax cuts To the editor: It seems I've finally managed to drive one of my liberal friends totally off the edge. In a May 23 letter from John DeWitt Wade ("They must be talking to a higher authority"), I see the disjointed ravings of a man who has finally lost it. I can state unequivocally that I have never referenced any diety when discussing where the information I use in forming my opinions came from. Let's start with his first piece of liberal nonsense. The Supreme Court appointed George Bush. This is one that fringe liberals just won't let go of. Let us look at the reality of the situation. Al Gore brought suit, not George Bush. It isn't like George Bush lost and brought suit to change the verdict. Most importantly, there have been hundreds of journalistic investigations and dozens of recounts conducted. They all come out the same way. Bush won, Gore lost. Liberals like Mr. Wade really need to get over it. Secondly, I do believe that Mr. Wade and his liberal friends are confused about tax cuts. Tax revenues in America are at record levels. Unemployment over the seven years of the Bush administration, despite a mild recession and 9/11, average lower than the Clinton years or the Carter years. Those administrations raised taxes. As to war for oil, that theory was debunked long ago. My advice to those who read these pages is to do as I do. Actually go to many different sources. Newspapers, broadcast television, cable television, the Internet. Gather all of the information you can and make informed decisions. Don't do like Mr. Wade and simply watch NBC, ABC, or CBS and decide that "Bush lied, people died" or "there are two Americas," or whatever rubbish the liberal mainstream media is pumping out today. Joseph Chabot, North Attleboro