Recently I was shown an outrageous, home-produced campaign flyer of sorts that literally pains my heart. It is vicious, factually unfounded and, perhaps most important, was anonymously produced and distributed on neighborhood doorsteps — after dark.
The victim, Stephen Buxbaum, happens to be a friend, but I would be equally distressed if it were any political candidate in our midst.
To my mind, this sort of action amounts to political terrorism. A vengeful individual or group is attempting to derail Buxbaum’s mayoral candidacy with fabrication and cowardice.
In recent years many factors, including the Internet and 24-hour cable news, have sped the erosion of civility in our national political dialogue, severely testing our collective critical thinking skills. An unsubstantiated rumor is floated in Washington, D.C. at 8 a.m. By 5 p.m., several million people believe it to be the truth.
It troubles me that this sort of unconscionable (and perhaps unlawful) behavior has officially made its way to Olympia, where City Council members are in many respects volunteering their time and considerable talents to guide our city. (Currently, the mayor is paid $19,968 annually.)
And it especially troubles me that in the future, fewer and fewer qualified individuals may choose to run for office and subject themselves to the deplorable treatment that Buxbaum (and his family) have been served.
I urge all of us to take the path of zero tolerance for the sick behavior that has infected our good and caring community.
Jewel Goddard, Olympia
We should welcome wolves back to state
“The biggest threat to Washington wolves will be social intolerance.”
This statement was made at the Wolf Recovery and Management Plan meeting held on Oct. 6. At the end of the day it became crystal clear how true it was.
This recovery and management plan has been in the works for five years, a final draft is on the table and ranchers and hunters who have been involved in the process the whole time are pulling their support. Why? Because to them a plan of compromise means they get everything they want.
The Washington Cattleman’s Association and Hunters Heritage Council went so far as to file a petition to delist the gray wolf in Eastern Washington on Sept. 30, a week before the meeting.
I believe that action casts doubt on how honestly they came to table for the last five years.
Seventy-five percent of the citizens polled in Washington support wolves coming back into the state. The commission needs to ignore these childish tantrums and look at the plan that has been five years in the making that has been based on sound science, not overblown egos. The plan addresses issues from all parties equally. We have the opportunity to showcase to other states, a balanced and fair plan. Seventy-five percent of us welcome our wolves’ home; I hope the commission will recognize that as the majority number that it is.
It is time to stop the games and work together to implement a balanced plan by December 2011.
Shelly Bristow, Rochester
Those who can are out there doing
On the issue of “Occupy where ever,” I don’t think you will find future Phil Knights, Steve Jobs, Herman Cains, Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates in those mobs.
They are elsewhere, accomplishing, building, creating jobs and achieving financial success, with their government at their side at every step extracting huge tax benefits, and some day to be demonized and cursed by that same government and future mobs.
Gary Combs, Tumwater
Educate yourself by listening to opposition
Ever listened to the Aljazeera Network? KAOS radio station carried a lengthy stream of it, and I was transfixed. Just because American media are American does not mean we have to buy its soap.
All media networks must choose what to broadcast in their allotted time, and their content is necessarily slanted as a result. The cure for media slant is variety.
We should all listen attentively to the opposition, regardless of our stance on any particular subject.
I learned more that day about Afghanistan and our presence there than I have in the 10 years that we’ve been there — longer than any American war, and no prettier.
Where’s Charlie Wilson when we need him?
Jim Anderson, Olympia
The sleepers have awaken
Karl Rove, king of dirty tricks and alien politics recently asked the hardcore questions:
Why did ancient Egyptians dare to demonstrate in the most repressive country on the planet?
Why did moribund unions come back to life in Wisconsin and Washington?
How did every tea bag party supporter with a microphone become a presidential candidate?
He knew, this ain’t the way it’s supposed to be.
Historian Howard Zinn saw it all coming in his book “A People’s History of the United States.” He observed the cultural wasteland 1950s where people refused to examine racial, militaristic, and anti-environmental policies. And then he prophetically wrote, “Then the 1960s introduced a series of explosive rebellions in every area of American life, which showed that all the system’s estimates of security and success were wrong.”
We were in the streets chanting: This ain’t the way it’s supposed to be.
I’ve been waiting for Zinn’s poetic riff to take flight again.
In the Spring of 2011 I heard the wings of freedom fan the Middle Eastern air. Then I saw the rare bird land first in Wisconsin and Olympia. There the righteous brothers and sisters march into their capital cities chanting: This ain’t the way it’s supposed to be.
Now it is Autumn 2011. Now everywhere this beautiful bird is finally catching some wind. The sleepers awake and beat drums downtown as they occupy Wall Street — everywhere. This ain’t the way it’s supposed to be.
Martin Kimeldorf, Tumwater
Do your homework then vote for Jones
Ballots will be arriving on Oct. 20th, and we need the best possible people on the Olympia City Council. It is time to closely scrutinize the candidates so that we make the best possible choices. The voters’ pamphlet and the candidates’ websites are valuable tools to help voters determine candidates’ qualities and qualifications.
Nathaniel Jones is the best candidate for Position 3. He is a solid, stable and ethical person who has given to this community through his work, his church and his many volunteer activities. He is a thinker, a listener, a doer and a consensus-builder with wide-ranging practical experience getting people to agree on what needs doing.
During these challenging times, our citizens need strong, honest and clear-thinking leaders with a “steady as she goes” approach to problem solving.
When you read your voters’ pamphlet, you will see that Jones’ life experiences and career positions make him the ideal candidate for these difficult times. This is such an important decision. I ask you to do your homework and then join me in marking your ballot for Nathaniel Jones.
Sherri Goulet, Olympia
Approve gravel mining agreement
As a citizen of DuPont watching the debate on the proposed settlement agreement and potential for additional gravel mining, I am dismayed by the lack of civility in the public discourse, including a councilman who has slandered the mayor, city staff and other council members without providing evidence.
When I heard of potential harm to our environment I opposed the agreement, however I chose to educate myself and maintain an open mind. I read the agreement, attended public hearings, engaged elected and environmental leaders and toured Cal-Port’s facility.
I do not believe the city, county, state, federal government, Nisqually Tribe and various environmental groups are part of a conspiracy and in the pockets of Cal-Port.
I remain, however, a skeptic because I am not a hydrologist, geologist or expert in related fields and know that there are no guarantees in life and predictions can fail catastrophically.
I believe in strong processes and subscribe to Reagan’s axiom, “Trust but verify.”
What I have seen is a methodical process that could lead to mining in the north and south parcels. The process gives me confidence that no mining can occur without assurances that there will be no impact to our drinking water and that the Sequalitchew Creek, marshes and Lake will eventually be restored to a habitat we do not enjoy today.
I have close, respected friends who oppose this agreement; we disagree, but do so civilly.
I support the agreement and urge our esteemed Council to do the same.
Michael P. Courts, DuPont
Sell advertising on stamps
Let me preface my remarks by saying I worked for the Post Office for five years. (By the way, the next time someone complains about postal rates remember the remarkable fact that you can reach anyone in the world for 44 cents.)
A recent Olympian editorial stated the U.S. Postal Service needs a permanent fix to continually being in the red. I would like to see the USPS sell advertising space on their stamps. Do it for 10 years. Make money.
The USPS’ answer to this is the philatelists won’t collect them and it will offend them. These stamps will be collectible (especially if they run a limited time) and will bring in any money lost from philatelists.
The more important point is the USPS, like all government services, need to increase revenue instead of balancing the budget on the backs of the employees and services they cut. You either increase taxes or lose firemen, policemen, postal workers, teachers, Medicare, Medicaid, good roads and bridges and many more services to our citizens.
It is the times we live in.
It is time for the government and the rest of us to swallow hard and approve new or increased taxes. The fact is that all government services need tax revenues to exist. Accept it, deal with it and get over it.
Charmaine Stretz, Olympia
Get state out of the liquor business
After my pleasure anticipating intelligent liquor control in Washington, I was motivated to read the entire (60 pages) of Initiative No. 1185, and now I have done so.
I’m still for it.
Since it provides a need for 10,000 square feet of space for a normal license and allows something less only when the liquor board finds that the applicant is serving a neglected market, I think the charge that convenience stores will get licenses is a scare tactic.
The sale of a consumer commodity is not, to my mind, a proper government activity just because we are carrying forward the prejudices of Carrie Nation, which proved so disastrous, and a proper liquor control board can take a serious effort at proper enforcement beyond what local officers can cope with.
Virginia Mattson, Olympia
Banks out to gouge depositors
Recent news regarding a major bank’s $5 monthly debit fee left me wondering what took them so long.
My National Guard credit union began levying a $5 monthly transaction fee earlier this year, apparently to cover costs associated with receiving my reservist pension check electronically, since the cost of processing personal checks is covered by an extra pre-pay charged at the time check blanks are ordered.
While small, only amounting to 2 percent per monthly transaction, it grows to 24 percent or about one week’s retirement pay during the course of a year.
This could amount to a substantial transfer of wealth for someone of meager means.
This surreptitious trend over the last decade for banks to start making money off depositors instead of borrowers is evidence of over-profiteering and the best solution would be to start closing banks.
Torrey Vent, Olympia
