Letters to the editor for July 29

• Published July 29, 2008

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Olympic trials prove U.S. is melting pot

I watched the Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore., recently. What a great team we're sending to Beijing!

The men's 1500 final was sweet. A bunched field, including Shelton's valiant Andrew McClary, a wild last lap at Hayward Field before 20,000 screaming fans, speed and will prevailing at the tape.

Then — something profound happened. As The Olympian reported, the qualifiers were Bernard Lagat (Kenya), Lopez Lamong (Sudan) and Leonal Manzano (Mexico) — three men born in different lands who made it to America and will now wear red, white and blue at the Olympics.

"That means America is a melting pot," Lagat said. "America is where they welcome everybody regardless of their place of birth."

Everyone in the stands looked at each other and said the same thing — "only in America. Three guys with funny names and dark skins are going to Beijing. Three American guys."

Think about it for a moment. What better thing could be said about our country? That's the way others want to see us. And, that's the way we should want to be seen. That's what America really means.

Soon enough, we'll again be awash in the politics of fear. It's all they have left. We'll hear all about funny names and strange foreign places. In America, though, we get to choose the direction we want to go. That's what elections are all about.

Americans get to choose. And this time — this time the choice for America is crystal clear.

Tim D'Acci, Olympia

Port is perfect place for low-rise condos

In the seemingly unending letters for and against plans for developing the downtown Olympia area, where is the outrage about the useless relic called the Port of Olympia?

Just imagine if that empty and seldom-used figment of the fevered minds of a few fulfilled its potential as the new residential center of the state capital! What would it be like?

Can anyone else see how attractive living in brand-new low-rise condominiums surrounded by Budd Inlet and the Swantown Marina might be? With shopping, restaurants, supermarkets, parking, free downtown transit, land and water recreation around and through what is now nothing but a money-losing eyesore.