The Voters’ Approval of Irvine’s Measure N

Irvine is the city where I was raised. Out of love and concern for the well-being of their two children, my parents moved to Irvine in the early ‘70s for its progressive educational system and eclectic nature. I am truly a product of Irvine and her academic institutions. I suppose this is why I am so surprised by the successful campaign of Measure N.

Of course, driving through Irvine is all that is needed to observe that it is a changed city. It has become a city of sameness, regulations and intolerance.

Never would I have believed that Irvine would fall to the type of flagrant propaganda spewed by the pro-N faction. It seemed so apparent that the issue at stake was not one of life styles but one of discrimination.

The gay issue and the question of morality is one that every individual will have to resolve on their own, but the overriding issues of discrimination and human rights should be of concern to the society as a whole. Whether the victory of N is due to ignorance, bigotry or a pervading sense of apathy, I am afraid I must agree with Mayor Larry Agran that the passage of Measure N “will cause a great deal of soul-searching as to whether our community is committed to human rights at all.”

MIKE FISCHER

Irvine