The horror of war

I thank Doug Bradley for his thoughts. [“Reflections on Veterans Day,” Opinion, Nov. 12.] I continue to be horrified by the actions of those who are only able to see war andveterans from the aggression and glory-of-war spectrum.

I was angry and frustrated by the actions of Auburn officials who attempted to remove the Veterans for Peace from their parade. The city of Auburn has been diminished. [“ACLU joins vets in suit over Auburn parade,” NWTuesday, Nov. 6.]

Americans intent on aggrandizing and worshipping the glamour and power of war while pretending or giving lip servicetothe horrorof war is terrible.

The intent of the government through themilitary is toprevent military action, keeping us safe and secure. Working toward peace is not diminishing military veterans; we all know how brave and self-sacrificing they are and we honor them for that sacrifice.

When I see every physically ablepolitician and their offspring go into the military, they then have the right to send my children. Not until.

­ — Vicki C. Decker, Bothell

The flag is not a skirt

I was offended by the pictures of the "ladies" of the White Center Eagles wearing the U.S. flag as a skirt. [“Auburn salutes veterans,” NWSunday, Nov. 11.]

Our flag is not a garment; it is the symbol of our country and not intended to be used in any manner except to be flown or displayed correctly. The flag should never be used as clothing, bedding or drapery.

While we see many unauthorized uses of the flag — flying at night with no lights, tattered and torn on the pickup owned by the guy who thinks he is being patriotic, wrapped around an individual's shoulders at a Fourth of July parade — wearing it as a skirt is obscene.

— Gail White, Enumclaw

War and peace

I believe every U.S. military veteran should support a peace agenda even if they don't belong to an organization promoting a peace effort.

Judge Marsha Pechman should be commended on her decision. [“Judge says anti-war vets can march in parade,” NWSaturday, Nov. 10.]

As a war veteran myself (187th Assault Helicopter Co., Tay Nihn, Vietnam), I believe those who know the horrors of combat be allowed to continue to convey that message by every available means.

The day each veteran entered combat for the first time, their lives were changed forever. Those memories never go away.

­ — Jim Peterson, Renton

Washington state governor’s race: Jay Inslee defeats Rob McKenna

Focus on gas prices

Newly elected governor Jay Inslee has stated that he will jump-start Washington’s economy by investing in green energy. [“Gov.-elect Jay Inslee: ‘Let’s get to work’,” page one, Nov. 10.] Inslee should instead place his focus on reducing gas prices.

Four years ago, gas was $1.89 a gallon. At its height, it was $4.54 a gallon.

High gas prices mean higher prices for everything that uses fuel ... getting food and clothes to market, public transportation, construction costs, restaurant meals, etc.

Reducing gas prices would put more disposable income into people’s hands where they could spend it on food, shelter, heating their homes and maybe even something frivolous. People could resume their charitable donations.

Green energy is great, but we need to be energy independent, whether that is green, new oil reserves or a pipeline from Canada. We should not be relying on Middle Eastern oil, thus supporting the true War on Women.

Let’s shrink the obscene oil-company profits, get more money into people’s hands, become energy independent, and reinvigorate the economy by decreasing the price at the gas pump.

— Vicky Cibicki, Cashmere