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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                        Robyn Morrow             Chris Elliott                        Mark Suarez
                                               John Arterbury       Caitlin Cuppernull

Report Card: Yes. New Hampshire is real

New Hampshire: A

The New Hampshire state Senate approved a bill offering civil unions for homosexuals, becoming the fourth state in the union to grant such services. 

This sets a precedent that other states should heed; allowing gay civil unions is a reasonable solution to the often-vitriolic debate on gay marriage. 

While Massachusetts is the only state that allows outright gay marriage, a civil union affords gay couples an opportunity to legally and formally acknowledge their love while preserving the sanctity of marriage that opponents champion. 

Here's hoping other states will recognize New Hampshire for its rational, levelheaded response to a complex issue. 

Hugo Chavez: F

A recent survey revealed that two-thirds of Venezuelans oppose President Hugo Chavez's plan to shut down a television stationed aligned with opposition forces.

This is a decision that could greatly damage Chavez's reputation in many quarters of Venezuelan society.

Chavez, often championed as a populist leader, is hampering free speech by not granting Radio Caracaras Television a renewal for broadcasting. 

Tolerating free speech means tolerating that which can hurt the most, and although the station ignored the protests that returned Chavez to power in 2002 after a coup attempt, it is no reason to silence the station in its entirety. Doing so only lends credit to his detractors, and that's something he can't afford.

If Chavez wishes to keep his standing with Venezuela's populace, he should avoid such restrictive courses of action.