Letters to the editor for Sunday, Aug. 10

Your views

The Olympian • Published August 10, 2008

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Globalization needs to be improved to protect the people who make the products we purchase and to preserve our environment. What can we do locally?

As consumers we can voice our concerns. We can help our environment by choosing to reduce, reuse, and recycle. One person does make a difference. Let it be you!

Jenelle Sampson, Tenino

The surge hasn'taccomplished its goals

The surge isn't working. Do not be duped into believing a mistruth that will only lead to four more years of more dead U.S. troops and innocent civilians. The surge was supposed to bring a reduction in violence in order to fulfill the following goals for Iraq: develop its own security forces, stabilize its government and rebuild infrastructure.

According to the Government Accountability Office, violence is down because of an increase in both United States troops and nongovernmental forces, and Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's cease fire.

The ground troops are supposed to be leaving, the nongovernmental forces are paid with millions of taxpayer dollars. Some of them were fighting against the U.S. before the surge but are now paid off to fight other factions. Do we really want to spend millions a month in pay-off money for — what did McCain say — the next 100 years? And the al-Sadr cease fire is partly to restructure his forces because he only wants them to fight against Americans.

According to the GAO, the Iraqi government has not met the benchmarks the surge was supposed to allow them to accomplish.

Worse still, there is no post-surge plan.

The surge was supposed to give the Iraqi government a chance to step up. We've paid for their chance with billions of dollars and an immeasurable quantity of our blood. I expect a lot more then "the surge is working" (bull) and so should you. Vigilance, citizens.

George Kauanoe, Olympia

Bergeson has beena visionary leader

As a past educator in the classroom, a high school counselor, school psychologist and educational therapist, I am a steady viewer of the public schools in my retirement. Our Olympian gives us more coverage on students than any place I have ever lived. My grandchildren have given me a window into today's schools. In my opinion, Terry Bergeson has been doing all of the right things.

The newspaper gives us coverage on many outstanding students in sports, the arts, leadership, and scholarship. Our schools have helped students make much improvement on national tests that measure educational achievement that is very valuable for future years. Schools have been reaching out more than ever to meet the demands of today's world.

When a student graduates and steps into today's culture in our nation, the graduate faces greater demands than ever before. Our schools have also prepared students in technology, as well, where many exceed their parents and grandparents in handling today's communication tools.

Who has promoted and continues to promote all these goals on behalf of all of the children in Washington state more than Terry Bergeson, our state Superintendent of Public Instruction?

Washington state needs Terry Bergeson to carry on her visionary leadership for another four years.

Joyce Jones, Lacey