Letters to the editor for Nov. 27

Let’s provide a caring Christmas

During this time of year, most families are stressed out about the holidays coming up. Many kids have parents and members of their family get them many gifts and love. But many other kids don’t have that. It gives me a pain in my chest that kids my age and younger -- or even older -- don’t get the joy of having gifts or sometimes even families throughout these seasons.

The idea of “adopt a kid on the Christmas tree” spreads awareness to many families that can afford gifts to try to make another kid’s day special. I want to boost more awareness to donate toys, clothes, food, etc. to local shelters or even schools that participate. I want to help families that can’t afford things have a thankful, joyful, and warming season. I want to show kids and young adults that people care.

Please consider donating to make a kid’s day special because not all can celebrate.

You need to apologize to Maria Yovanovitch, President Trump

President Trump,

You need to publicly apologize to Maria Yovanovitch for the words “She’s going to go through some things” in your phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky. There are very negative connotations for an open-ended statement like this for a male in a position of power over a female. If you were to say this about my wife or daughter, I would request you be put on a restraining order. If anyone were to say these words about anyone in your family, I would hope they would minimally be put on a government watch list.

I don’t care about Ambassador Yovanovitch’s competence, it was wrong.

Your choice of words reminds me of the Hollywood Access tapes, in which you were recorded saying you could do anything you wanted to women, with no consequences. You apologized for that. An apology is supposed to be transformative – meaning, I did wrong, I will not do it again, and I will make restitution. With these words about Maria Yovanovitch, you failed.

You can do better, you need to do better, you need to publicly apologize, Mr. President.

It’s time to update police governance in Olympia

The retirement of City Manager Steve Hall and Police Chief Ronnie Roberts is the right time for the city of Olympia to up its game on governance regarding policing.

Two things come to mind: Establishing a police advisory committee, and committing to an open process to recruit and hire the new police chief.

The city currently has at least 13 advisory bodies, covering topics from bicycles to sidewalks to planning, but not policing. Creating a police advisory committee for two-way communication with the police department will increase transparency, credibility, and trust. This translates to better outcomes for everyone.

Likewise, the recruitment and hiring of the police chief deserves a public process, with a strong community engagement effort and a search committee that includes community members. We have learned over the past few years that all policy work falls short when it does not include impacted persons and persons close to the topic.

Both efforts, the advisory committee and the recruitment/hiring process, must be inclusive of the diverse residents of this area, particularly those directly impacted by policing.

Pardon the turkey

This week, President Trump took a break from watching his impeachment hearings to pardon two turkeys. Every one of us can exercise our own pardon power by choosing a non-violent, cruelty-free Thanksgiving observance.

Many of the 244 million turkeys killed in the U.S. this year were raised in crowded sheds filled with toxic fumes. Their beaks and toes were clipped to prevent stress-induced aggression.

Consumers pay a heavy price too. Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate risk of chronic killer diseases. Intense prolonged cooking is required to destroy pathogens inside.

Now, for the good news: U.S. turkey production is down by a whopping 20 percent from its 1995 high of 293 million, as Americans are reducing their meat consumption. Our supermarkets carry healthful, oven-ready plant-based roasts.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for our good fortune, health, and happiness with a life-affirming, cruelty-free feast of plant-based holiday roast, vegetables, fruits, and grains. An internet search on “vegetarian Thanksgiving” offers more options and recipes than we could possibly use.