I have yet to understand why the people of Olympia become so upset over the type of public holiday displays allowed at this time of year.
As a Christian, I celebrate the birth of Christ at home, with my family, around a Christmas tree. I do not gather on government grounds or within the Capitol rotunda to exchange gifts or enjoy a delicious meal. Heck, can you imagine all the work involved to haul everything downtown for the occasion?
I prefer the comfort of home, being lazy and celebrating in our own traditional way. What is, or is not, displayed at the Capitol has no effect on this joyous occasion at all.
Marialyce Steinberg, Olympia
Let Sheriff Kimball run his department
“Man up” the writer asked of Sheriff Dan Kimball in the dispute over who is in charge of the Sheriff’s Department.
It is my humble opinion that the sheriff did man up to his responsibility to protect public safety. The commissioners, on the other hand, need to butt out and allow him to manage his department as he sees fit.
After all, didn’t we elect him because of his experience in law enforcement, managerial skills and forward-leaning direction for the department?
I think the sheriff is in a much better position to decide where the budget cuts should fall, not the commissioners.
Claude Sullivan, Olympia
Dams are not the solution to flooding
As those of us who live, work and play in the Chehalis Basin prepare for yet another season of floods and their damage, we don’t have far to look to understand the causes; steep slope logging in the upper Chehalis Basin watersheds and uncontrolled development within the historic Chehalis Basin floodplain.
For decades, big timber has converted the Chehalis Basin’s once-magnificent old growth forests into even-aged, single species tree farms. Using high-lead logging practices, these timber giants gouged out the very nutrient-laden soils required to sustain healthy stands of timber. This practice is especially devastating on steep slopes common to the Willapa Hills, Black Hills, Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains.
What we in the Chehalis Basin now experience because of the repeated raping of our basin is increased slope failures which lead to soil, trees and logging debris being rapidly carried into our streams and rivers.
To make matters worse, uncontrolled development within the historic Chehalis Basin floodplain diverts floodwaters out of their natural wetlands; thus causing damage to the developed property in the floodplain and to property that would otherwise escape damage.
Will the Lewis County PUD-proposed dams resolve the property damage in and around the Twin Cities?
No way!
It’s estimated that these dams will only hold approximately 6 percent of the water that impacts the Twin Cities.
James Wilcox, Olympia
Repeal regulation, increase access
A couple of points we Libertarians would suggest to improve the situation Board of Contributor columnist Pat Justis writes about in her op-ed “Emergency rooms forced to do primary care for uninsured.”
We propose they repeal the certificate of need regulations that require a new medical facility to prove their need before they can be constructed.
Second, let’s repeal regulations that restrict the opportunities for midwives, nurses, physicians’ assistants and others in the medical field. To put it simply, we need to open what is a closed market — a market where the supply of providers is restricted by law to the detriment of the patients.
These two changes might help lower the costs and provide more facilities that are open 24 hours a day.
Michael Wilson, Olympia
Gays cannot redefine marriage
I am a senior at Timberline High School this year, and I write for the school newspaper, The Blazer.
I read The Olympian’s editorial about approving Referendum 71 and I am disgusted that our society has dropped so low as to even think about passing something like this.
My dad is a pastor at a local church, and we have been considering leaving our denomination for their recent decision to approve gay marriage. It clearly says in the Bible that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is not to be compromised.
Even if Referendum 71 is not necessarily approving gay marriage, it is still very ungodly and it still promotes gay marriage. Anyone who proclaims to be a Christian would not approve Referendum 71.
To go along with this, several studies show that children who grow up with both a mother and a father are much healthier physically and emotionally. In fact, I recently talked with a parent educator and she backed up these results.
Homosexuals have the right to live as they choose, but do not have the right to redefine marriage. I respect homosexuals and know some people who live that lifestyle. But I know that this is not what God wants.
My family and I are continually praying for this country and will continue to pray for it. In God we trust.
Alec Beal, Olympia
