It is a "sad day in Utah," as you editorialized (July 1). I am not only saddened but ashamed of the SB81 legislation. Much is made of a dominant religion in the Utah Legislature, but this is one time when religious principles were abandoned by legislators. It's alarming that those who could create a national immigration model exemplifying compassion did just the opposite by demonstrating bigotry.

They know better.

They know these immigrants should be helped to "blossom as a rose" by being "carried in our arms and on our shoulders."

They know we are to be "nursing fathers and mothers" to them.

In SB81 they reject that responsibility and have failed the least of us. And in so doing have failed all of us. No wonder in the end, the "first shall be last and the last shall be first." With the attitudes reflected in SB81, our legislators just guaranteed all that goes with it.

Stuart C. Reid

Ogden