Policy decision based on error

To the editor:

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office is basing policy decisions on false information. A month ago I wrote a letter to Emerson urging her to vote against the Musgrave Federal Marriage Amendment. In her reply Emerson claimed that, regarding tolerance and equal rights of homosexuals, "We have codified it. Civil unions are available in most states for same-sex relationships."

A quick Internet search would show that only five states specifically recognize same-sex relationships. An additional nine have no laws of any kind, while all remaining states specifically deny same-sex marriage recognition. Elementary school math says that 14 states are not 51 percent of 50.

When I called Emerson's office to point out this error, I was told her response was based on a report available only to members of Congress. Emerson's office sent me the document in question, the CRS Report for Congress on Same-Sex Marriages: Legal Issues. While reading this document, I found handwritten in the margin of the last page: "42 states allow same-sex civil unions."

I called Emerson's office again. The staff member I reached continued to claim that the report contained this information, but could not tell me where. Emerson would appear to be using the President Bush system of truth: "If I say it is true, then it must be so."

MARTIN A. RUST

Rolla, Mo.