Letters to the editor - May 20

Why don't Democrats try to lower fuel prices?

The two Democratic candidates say that upon being elected they will lower the price of gasoline and diesel.

Why are they waiting? They are a part of a Democratic Congress and I do not know one piece of legislation either they, or their party, has introduced to lower gasoline prices.

What these candidates are saying sounds distressingly like campaign rhetoric. If it isn't, then why does the Democratic Party, which is the majority, keep the nation suffering? If Congress passes legislation to guarantee to lower prices the president will sign it. To the doubters — try it.

We could start drilling for oil in our own country rather than buying from terrorists and corrupt governments. But since we are told the people support this national policy not to drill, then live with the consequences and quit complaining.

If we decrease some of our driving we would get a gasoline surplus, which would lower prices — supply and demand is sound economic theory.

To those voting on their belief in all of this campaign rhetoric — you have my sympathy.

Bill Korf, Olympia

McCain associates with problematic pastor, too

I am so sick and tired of hearing the endless news coverage of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's remarks while having near absolute and continued silence on Sen. John McCain's ongoing affiliation with the Rev. John Hagee and his many inflammatory comments.

John Hagee, as many might not know because of virtual news blackout on him, was sought out by John McCain for his endorsement of McCain's presidential bid. Some of Hagee's more memorable remarks include calling the Catholic Church "the great whore," and blaming Hurricane Katrina "on New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they are — were recipients of the judgment of God for that." There is his effort to raise funds for his Cornerstone Church through a "slave sale" in which his congregation should "make plans to come and go home with a slave." He said a nuclear showdown with Iran "is a certainty" (something he wholeheartedly endorses) and says the Jews' "rebellion" was the cause of the Holocaust.

This is a man held in high regard by Sen. John McCain, yet the media is silent on his many fanatical and hateful comments.

When are we going to get equal coverage of all candidates and not just one-sided political propaganda?

Laurie Davis, Olympia

Think of others after receipt of rebate check

The federal government is now issuing payment of the tax rebate that was approved by Congress and the president.

At the same time, families with lower incomes and those on fixed incomes are being forced to make difficult choices as the costs of food and energy increase.

Aid organizations, both local and international, can't help as many people. They also have to spend more on food and energy.

Whether or not you agree that the stimulus payments are good policy, it provides us a unique opportunity.

I urge Thurston County residents to think of others when they receive their rebates. Give all or a portion of your rebate to a food bank or other aid organization.

Garth Cowan, Olympia

Tri Vo should move his proposal east

As a land-use development attorney in the area for more that 25 years, I normally admire Tri Vo's work for aesthetics and environmental consciousness.

However, his proposal for buildings up to 90 feet in height on the isthmus between Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake is out of touch with land-use policy for that area. The greatest single land-use error in the city's history was permitting the nine-story Capitol Center building on the isthmus in the 1960s. We should not exacerbate that error by allowing more buildings of a similar height that would further impede views of the Capitol, mountains, and water.

When I was on the Olympia Planning Commission in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we drafted an award-winning urban waterfront plan and downtown housing plan that allowed for three-story mixed-use condos on the isthmus and up to nine-story mixed-use condos in other areas of downtown. The proposed Pearlwater at Larida Passage appears to be a beautiful building; it just needs to be moved two blocks to the east, where it can be permitted.

As we approach the centennial of the 1911 Wilder and White plan for the Capitol Campus, we should not allow new buildings to interfere with the visual axis and physical connection between north Capitol Campus and the downtown waterfront. The Capitol architects' vision for Olympia has stood the test of time and needs to be protected.

Allen Miller, Olympia

Bush dodged bullets by joining National Guard

Daniel Thomas's letter, "Bush legacy based on his arrogance," called George W. Bush a draft dodger. Since the 2000 presidential primaries, I have wondered why so few people have been willing to describe our 43rd president with this label.

Maybe the majority of Americans are now too young to recall what it meant to join the National Guard during the years when Bush was eligible and able to serve in the armed forces. For men who came of age before the draft ended in 1975, it loomed large indeed in our lives.

My colleagues and friends dealt with it in several ways. For example, among my friends a popular way to avoid being drafted was marrying and having children, especially while going to college. Another approach was to get a college degree that led to a job in an essential industry, which included education. I and several of my high school buddies completed the ROTC and become officers or volunteered for the draft, options that at least let us plan our lives around our service.

When Bush registered for the draft, the odds of being sent to Vietnam were high. However, no National Guard personnel were being sent there involuntarily. Maybe no one said it publicly, but plenty of people privately called National Guard recruits draft dodgers, because everyone knew these guys were dodging the bullets of Vietnam.

How ironic that Bush led us into our nation's longest war and activated the National Guard to fight it.

Kirk Smith, Olympia

Enforce the law and clean up Olympia

Once again, Olympia is in the nation's spotlight and held hostage by a gang of bullies and thugs.

Property has been destroyed, the walls of the state Capitol defaced and innocent citizens terrorized.

Members of the City Council are threatened for their voting record and their businesses targeted.

Who's next? Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Governor's Mansion?

Must we all be held captive and live in fear because of the undesirables in this town?

Olympia has been disgraced by port protests, a riot at The Evergreen State College and now this most recent incident, violence and destruction in our capital on May Day.

Failure to take action will only encourage and embolden these criminals. There must be consequences for their reprehensible behavior.

I speak for many law-abiding citizens of this community who demand justice and deserve better.

Do the right thing: Enforce our laws and clean up this city!

Shelley Weber, Olympia

Truckers should slow down to save fuel

I have just completed a car trip of 4,000 miles traveling south to Mexico and back on Interstates 5, 15 and 84.

Mile after mile, large cargo-hauling trucks passed us at 70 mph to 75 mph. It would seem that the freight companies and independent truckers would slow down to conserve fuel or quit protesting its high cost.

Leonard Garrett, Lacey