The Seattle Times: Northwest Voices

Sen. Patty Murray plans to reintroduce Wild Olympics bill

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:41:44 PST

Natural beauty should be protected

I was encouraged to see the news report that Sen. Patty Murray plans to reintroduce her Wild Olympics legislation once again [“Murray seeks to expand wild lands,” NWWednesday, Feb. 13].

As a photographer, I have spent countless hours capturing images of old-growth forests and cascading rivers on the Olympic National Forest like those this legislation would permanently protect.

The reason I am so passionate about these places is not because I grew up here. Rather, it is because I fell in love with the Olympic Peninsula 13 years ago on a trip with my family. 10 years later we moved from Boston to this corner of the country, like many others have. The draw was pristine forest and rivers of the Wild Olympics.

During my time here, many others have come to Washington state to live work and play as I did. It seems the least we can do to protect the reason that brought them here.

--John Abromowski, Kingston

Gun bill allows for police inspection

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:01:03 PST

Senators have pursued this before

I read Danny Westneat’s Feb. 16th column in The Seattle Times titled “Slip-up may slam doors on gun law,” [NWSunday, Feb. 17] and became quite concerned.

There was no mistake in the bill (SB 5737), which was sponsored by Sens. Ed Murray, Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Kline.

The column reads:

“I spoke to two of the sponsors. One, Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, a lawyer who typically is hyper-attuned to civil-liberties issues, said he did not know the bill authorized police searches because he had not read it closely before signing on.

‘I made a mistake,’ Kline said. ‘I frankly should have vetted this more closely.’”

In the 2010 legislative session, Kline was the primary sponsor of SB 6396.

This is virtually identical to the current bill he has attached himself to as a co-sponsor. It contains the exact same section calling for sheriff inspections of homes [Page 7, lines 19-21].

It was not inserted into this current bill from a staffer, as claimed in the column. It was there in the beginning. With two sponsors of identical bills in separate years we are lead to believe that they didn’t know the provision was in there.

Come on, wake up and tell the truth.

--Billy Don Card Jr., Wenatchee

Bipartisan common ground

After finishing Danny Westneat’s column, I walked outside to look at the sky, positive I would see pigs flying. After all, a professed liberal (Seattle trial lawyer Lance Palmer) had actually made a true statement that also made sense in one small paragraph when he said he understood how his right-wing opponents worry about having to fight a government takeover.

He was speaking about Senate bill 5737 sponsored by Sen. Ed “not a clue what the Constitution says” Murray and signed on to by Sen. Adam “sounds good to me, Ed” Kline.

Now Murray admits it may be unconstitutional (really Ed, a first-grader would know that). Kline says he didn’t read the bill he co-sponsors closely, which is reassuring.

He’s probably spending his time sorting through his dry-cleaning receipts and cellphone statements trying to figure out how to get us taxpayers to foot the bill.

There may be some common ground somewhere the two sides could agree on, but as long as clueless Democrats continue to introduce asinine bills that violate our constitutional rights, it will never be found. There is not a shred of evidence to prove any new legislation anywhere in this nation will result in fewer firearm deaths.

--Mike Ostrem, Redmond

Editor's note: Senate Bill 5737 has since been corrected, so as not to include the aformentioned inspection inclusion. The corrected bill is available to read here.

President Obama's early childhood education expansion proposal

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:01:03 PST

Children in difficult home environments need special attention

Why is that no one considers the home and social experiences of young children when discussing educational success and failure [“A worthy push for early education,” Opinion, Feb. 17]? I’m referring to situations of abuse, severe neglect or chaos.

Early learning goals, like all educational strategies, do not offer an effective way to cope with the serious problems that many children are born or thrust into. If we really wanted to improve children’s lives, we would figure out how to get rid of drug abuse. We would address economic inequities. We would have better mental-health care and look at the reasons for the school-to-prison pipeline. Schools need to treat children more like developing human beings than as scores on a report card or standardized test while evaluating teachers by these scores.

I have worked in K-8 schools and also once worked in a child crisis nursery, where children (babies and up to age 7 or 8) were literally dumped by parents or the system. Many were already ruined — there is no other word for it. If you are familiar with Department of Social and Health Services cases, you will understand. It is easy to pontificate from the outside.

When we wonder about school shooters, before the worst happening, who has taken the time to get to know them, to learn about and care for their inner struggles, much less obtain counseling? The world will never be perfect, of course, but we could do better!

--Kathryn Keve, Bainbridge Island

Don't restrict public's right to access information

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:01:04 PST

Some records could be made available electronically

Before creating a new law to fix a perceived problem, let’s be sure to define the problem. We hear that filling governmental public records requests is too expensive, so we should limit access to information [“Public’s right to know should not be weakened,” Opinion, Feb. 15].

Why not decrease the cost instead? Wouldn’t it be better to simply provide public access to electronic records and let the public do the searching?

For a start, here are some city records which could easily be made available:

— City Council and council committee minutes, agendas, meeting packets (recordings/videos of meetings may already be available);

— The same meeting information for all boards and commissions;

— City budgets, financial reports and payroll schedules;

— Contracts and all emails in the system.

This would save staff time, allow the public to search and print at home with no fee payment, and help reinforce the edict to all employees that no personal use of government email is allowed. A dedicated computer could be reserved at the city offices for public use for current or archived material.

Let’s use modern systems to preserve transparency in government, and strengthen our democracy.

--Jean S. Lightburne, Mill Creek

Lake Burien: public, but private

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:01:04 PST

Allow public access or purchase

Regarding “Lake Burien: The public lake you can’t use,” [page one, Feb. 18], the solutions seem pretty cut and dry. As a state-owned lake, the choices are: either find a way to allow for public access, or make the homeowners buy the lake from the state.

Charge millions of dollars, split among those exclusive homeowners, if they don’t want to share it. If no public access is being allowed, then those homeowners should be “reimbursing” local and state taxpayers. Such a sale would be justly appropriate, for the many years of public state protection the lake has enjoyed.

--Kim Seigel, Bainbridge Island

Be skeptical of genetically modified organism labeling bill

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:01:04 PST

GMOs endanger biodiversity

The Times editorial “Skepticism on GMO labels” [Opinion, Feb. 18] says we should focus on science. Good idea!

Science clearly tells us that if a GMO seed plant is growing near a non-GMO seed plant of the same species — say, one GMO corn plant and one non-GMO corn plant — the offspring of the non-GMO plant will change because of the cross pollination from the GMO plant next door. And now the seeds produced by the non-GMO corn plant will be genetically modified much like the GMO seed planted nearby.

My concern in having so much GMO seed in our fields is that eventually we will have no other seed of that species and all the diversity that those seeds had provided. So then where are we when some virus, mold, insect, etc., deals a death blow to that one corn seed? It is that thing we have heard before: biodiversity.

It is also instructive to focus on the money. Big seed companies, which have a monopoly on GMO seed sales, are spending big money to further their cause.

--Gaye Simpson, Seattle

Keep disciplined students in schools

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:01:04 PST

Exclusionary discipline and education not mutually exclusive

“Don’t abandon disciplined students” [Opinion Feb. 15] haunts us with the need for practical and effective solutions.

Instead of abandoning such individuals to neglect, crime and hopeless despair, why can’t the educational and judicial entities of our state get together and develop a cooperative method of solving the problem that could address this situation to the benefit of all concerned?

For those former students to be reclaimed from their predicament, could we not devise a method whereby they could be sentenced by the juvenile-justice courts to complete their high-school diploma? And not in a reform school, but in a reform setting in school.

Funds for this could be transferred from the judicial system to the educational system to cover the varied costs of their education. Upon completion of their high-school diploma, the charges against them could be dropped, their records cleared and their future may hold potential for effective citizenship and independence, that could result from education and job training and lead to a “brighter future” that the writers recommend.

It has been well said: “Better Yale than jail.”

--Graham Hutchins, Port Angeles

Proposed Interstate 90 tolling

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:32:17 PST

Uniform payment not based on usage

Islanders and mainlanders unite [“Activists revive group to fight I-90 bridge tolls,” NWTuesday, Feb. 12]! Mercer, Vashon and Bainbridge islands are all served by parts of the highway system — those parts just happen to be bridges and ferries that transport over water, rather than highways that help people move over land. Despite this shared definition as equal parts of our “highway” system, they are taxed differently.

All ferries and a couple of bridges in Washington state charge the users directly with tolls. None of the highways do. It seems only fair that either all highway-system users pay directly with tolls when they use any of these three public resources, or all citizens of the state cover the complete costs for a system that is available for all — whether they use it or not.

--Charles Blick, Vashon

Regulation of cruise-ship industry

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:46:04 PST

The Carnival Triumph is an effective warning

The reason “there are limits to how much the Coast Guard can investigate” is most likely intentional on the part of the cruise-ship operators [“Cruise-ship industry lacks central overseer, regulations,” News, Feb. 17]. They probably don’t want that kind of heavy scrutiny. They purposely keep everything at sea, to avoid having to answer to the higher standards of the U.S. governmental agencies. I’m surprised there aren’t more incidents like the Carnival Triumph.

I went on two cruises in the early 2000s — Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean — because my husband was on a gig for a major Northwest artist. Thankfully, both cruises were smooth sailing. The only real problem I noticed was the overcrowding. They book so many people on these cruises that it’s practically standing-room only just to go into one of the swimming pools, to use the fitness center or to eat something. The only time we really had full access to all those amenities was when people left the cruise ship for the various ports of call.

Even then I worried what would happen in an emergency. My husband had walking pneumonia on the first cruise, which was diagnosed right away by the ship doctor. That ship doctor took very good care of my husband, hooking him onto IVs every night and prescribing antibiotics, but couldn’t do much more than that. But if it weren’t for that shipboard doctor, I don’t know what would’ve happened to my husband.

I do know one thing, though. After the Carnival Triumph nightmare, I will never set foot on another cruise ship again. Road trips sound better and better.

--Carol Banks Weber, Edmonds

Secrecy in the Catholic Church

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:01:05 PST

Religions should be open

I would like to respond to the recent article “Holy See’s litany of secrets” [News, Feb. 15]. I have often wondered why religions need to have any secrets at all, and this article really made me scratch my head.

Here are some quotes from the story: “The secrecy is institutionalized from weighty matters to the most trivial aspects of Vatican life” and “every Vatican employee and official takes an oath of secrecy when they assume their job.” Why?

There is a statement in the article which I suppose is meant to justify secrecy: “The Vatican justifies itself by arguing that its officials are holders of the divine truth, unaccountable to worldly laws.” How arrogant can you get?

I don’t mean to pick on just Catholicism because there are probably plenty of other religions that have their secret documents, their secret oaths, their secret mysteries and lots of other secrets. Why can’t a religion just come right out and say what it stands for and what it believes so that we mortals can figure out if we buy into it? The usual reason to keep secrets is because you are doing something that you aren’t particularly proud of. Are there legitimate reasons for a religion to have secrets? Please enlighten me.

--Paul Cooke, Normandy Park

Felix Hernandez signs unprecedented $175 million contract

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:01:05 PST

Is any baseball player worth $175 million?

OK, maybe King Felix is the best pitcher in baseball today, maybe of all time. But is that really worth $175 million (average of $25 million a year) [“One happy King,” Sports, Feb. 14]?

Let’s say Felix stays healthy for seven years and starts maybe 30 games each year. That gives him $833,000 per game. Let’s say he throws one hundred pitches on average for each of those games. That works out to $8,330 per pitch.

Why would the Mariners, or any team, pay that kind of money to a pitcher?

To win games? Even if Felix wins 20 games each season, there are 140 other games, of which at least 70 need to be won to get in the playoffs

To fill seats at Safeco? A pitcher starts about every fifth game. Let’s say Felix starts 30 games. If we’re lucky, 20 of those games are at home. I doubt fans will go to see Felix sitting on the bench for the other 60 home games.

To make the hometown fans think the owners are serious about putting together a winner? Wouldn’t some of that money be better spent on hitters who could make a difference every game and draw fans to the park every game?

--Tom Friedman, Seattle

Three City Council members want shorter towers in South Lake Union

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:01:05 PST

South Lake Union Park should remain in sunlight

Amazon.com, Vulcan and the city have done a wonderful tribute to the city of Seattle in developing the South Lake Union area and making a huge improvement for tourists exiting from Interstate 5 on Mercer, taking the Monorail and viewing from the Space Needle.

However, I have great concern about some of the proposed buildings along Mercer Street casting a shadow over South Lake Union Park and the new MOHAI in the winter when the sun is so far south [“Three City Council members want shorter Vulcan towers,” seattletimes.com, Feb. 14].

I live in the SLU area and walk to SLU Park and enjoy watching the many people who soak in the sun there. Is this in jeopardy?

--Ruthe Ginn, Seattle

Meteor injures more than 1,200 in Russia

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:16:34 PST

Climate change is the more present danger

The spectacular videos of the meteor crashing into a Russian area has, with the overzealous media, created a widespread concern that space matter might very well obliterate civilization, indeed, possibly destroy the entire world [“Meteor was cosmic close call,” page one, Feb. 16].

As scientists have explained, the possibilities of such calamities are so remote as to be of no or little consequence.

More directly, however, there is a the very real and present danger, the danger that can and will change dramatically civilizations and/or their very existence or way of life.

It is known as global warming or climate change; based upon real science and reality just as the discovery and explanation of the asteroids with their much lessened danger.

--Thomas L. Westman, Seattle

Interstate 90 bridge tolls

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:36:45 PST

Restrict access to cross-lake park-and-ride

Alan Brockmeier’s proposal in the Sunday paper is a fresh and novel way of providing what I would consider Mercer Islanders' desires [“I-90 bridge tolls,” Northwest Voices, Feb. 17]. Toll cross-Mercer Island I-90 vehicular traffic in a manner that would continue existing traffic rules of allowing Mercer Island residents no-cost access to and from the island.

I would add one additional requirement that the park-and-ride lot at the cross-lake Metro bus stop be limited to Mercer Island residents only. All too frequently, like every workday, drivers from east of the lake fill up the lot, leaving no parking spaces for Mercer Islanders wishing to park and take Metro into Seattle.

Brockmeier’s proposal, though great, would make parking in that park-and-ride lot worse. Why couldn’t stickers be made available to only those vehicles registered from residents living Mercer Island and then allow only vehicles with such approved parking stickers to park in that park-and-ride lot.

--Douglas F. Wilkinson, Mercer Island

No special exemptions

The state’s toll rates are absurdly high, but what’s more absurd is some Mercer Islanders' belief that they deserve special exceptions. If Islanders would campaign for reasonable tolling rates for all I-90 users, perhaps they would receive more support and fewer derisive eye rolls.

Proposed exceptions for occasional trips make no sense because Islanders are not in a different position than anyone else. Bellevue residents enjoy Seattle theater, Seattleites visit family on the Eastside or day hike in the Cascades. By Islanders’ logic they should be exempt.

If the issue is retired drivers with fixed resources, then all retired, occasional drivers should be exempt. For those who complain they have no choice but to use I-90 — you said it, your use is the most unwavering of all. That’s a reason you should pay for it, not a reason you shouldn’t.

There’s a whiff of rarefied air about these protests, like lowly commuters deserve the burden. How would it be worse for a commuter to avoid a toll with a trip to a Mercer Island Starbucks (per the “two-hour window” suggestion) than for an Islander to avoid a toll with a trip to the Seattle Opera? The impending hardship is much greater for the daily commuter.

Here’s an idea that makes as much sense as any proposed: People who cross a bridge with $45 apiece theater tickets in their vehicles pay twice the tolls of people who cross a bridge to feed their families.

--Heather Kahn, Seattle

Ashley Judd may run for Kentucky Senate

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:01:05 PST

Celebrities could provide progress without politics

I was pleased to hear that Ashley Judd may be running for the Senate [“Ashley Judd closer to Ky. Senate race,” News, Feb. 16]. In the past, I haven’t supported celebrities in political office. Arnold Schwarzenegger certainly proved to be a disappointment. However, Al Franken appears to apply the same passion he had for comedy to his Senate seat.

Ashley Judd may be just the representation needed in Washington, with a passion for the issues and a lesser focus on politics. Maybe we should have all of Congress made up of celebrities. This could bring a return to focusing on the issues without pandering to lobbyists and big business as so many of our members of Congress are doing.

Go Ashley. You would have my vote if I lived in Kentucky.

--Randy Greger, Bothell

Gun-rights advocates in Olympia

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:01:04 PST

Demonstrating while armed is too violent

I believe that all people have the right to rally and lobby for what they believe in, however, the approach that gun-rights supporters took in Olympia was wrong and dangerous [“Gun-rights supporters turn out in Olympia,” NWSaturday, Feb. 9].

Their message appears too violent when they protest outside of the Capitol with rifles and other firearms.

Also, the things these supporters were protesting, such as impeaching Obama, are on a national level, therefore they should be protesting in Washington, D.C., not Olympia.

I believe gun-rights supporters should advocate for their rights in a more safe and proactive way. They could achieve this by meeting with Washington lawmakers, writing petitions or protesting without firearms present.

--Josie Parrish, Seattle

President Obama's economic policy

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:01:04 PST

Conservative action will help U.S. recover

The Democrats dominate the nation and our state. In the past four years the federal government is out of control — over 40 percent of the government’s spending is borrowed money. President Obama’s plan is to boost the middle class by spending more [“Obama lays out vision for economy,” page one, Feb. 13]. Obama has had four years to help the middle class and the middle class is rapidly moving toward poverty.

There are more taxes, home values lowered, higher costs, costly regulations, loss of meaningful jobs, poor education, out-of-control rogue nations and host of trends toward government bankruptcy and deterioration of national defense. A conservative government is the only way out of a national quagmire.

Conservatives must vote in a block as the Democrats. The Democrats don’t vote the issues but rather against conservatives who they falsely labeled as mean-spirited, selfish and dangerous radicals. The conservatives have strong principals, so strong some will not vote for a conservative who supports a single anti-conservative interest. Hence, the strong-willed conservatives must take responsibility for the state of our distressed nation.

--Don Wilbur, University Place

State mayors urge Gov. Inslee to increase gas tax

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:01:04 PST

Livelihoods may depend on driving

In order for me to do my job, I have to drive. I can’t see myself riding on a bus or a bike carrying ladders and other equipment. Ain’t happening.

What I do see is mayors from 40 cities trying to make it more costly for me to do my job. They’ve all signed on to a letter to our governor asking for an 8-cent-per-gallon gas-tax hike [“Washington mayors urge Olympia to consider 8-cent increase in gas tax,” seattletimes.com, Feb. 13].

Has it ever donned on anyone in elected office that some of us are already doing with less? What, they want to take more of what I have away from me? Shame on them.

--Steve Drake, Seattle

Felix Hernandez's $175 million contract

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:01:05 PST

Society’s claimed values not mirrored in actions

When I first read about Felix Hernandez’s $175 million contract [“King’s ransom,” Sports, Feb. 8], I couldn’t help but think, what if teachers got paid this kind of money? We would have kids flocking to be high-performing teachers.

We, as a society — all its sectors: families, employers, government, etc. — say we value education. I observe so many of our actions — and our economic and institutional systems — out of alignment with what we espouse as our [education] values.

--Dana Peregrine, Tacoma