Letters to the editor for Sept. 24
Carolina Mejia for County Commissioner
I’m a supporter of Carolina Mejia for Thurston County Commissioner position 1. She is a citizen who knows how important it is to represent all people in Thurston County, and she has more than adequate background to serve in that position. I’m not in favor of people maligning her citizenship to prevent her election. Clearly she is the best person for the position and will serve us all well. Vote for Carolina!
Dianne Hurst, Lacey
Save downtown Olympia
How does vandalism in downtown Olympia affect needed and meaningful social justice change? The people doing this belong in jail. They are not protesters, they are criminals. It’s time for the Olympia and state police agencies to make significant arrests and for prosecutors to prosecute.
I’ve been doing frequent walks around Capitol Lake in recent weeks and it’s heartbreaking the status of downtown Olympia. Who’s going to go there? What shops are going to remain there? Struggling through a pandemic is difficult enough but this nonsense has got to end. And if these criminals won’t stop, then law enforcement needs to do their job.
Mark O. Brown, Lacey
Knowledge is the key
As an educated and learned society, it seems logical that an individual would search for knowledgeable people when seeking any kind of service or advice. For example, when we need professional help in medicine, legal counseling or mechanical diagnosis, we inquire about past experience and search for the most highly rated and reliable person.
Government leadership at all levels affect almost all aspects of our lives. Consequently, it would follow suit that we would want to elect leaders that are learned, experienced and well versed in laws, the constitution and process of government. But so many people seem to disregard this principle. They seem to ignore the knowledgeable and cleave to the idea that ignorance and inexperience is somehow related to bliss. Although, knowledge can aid in corruption, in most cases it enhances understanding and opens avenues of communication.
We currently have a leader who has told countless lies, is proud of not understanding our laws and constitution, scorns reading and learning, and makes a mockery of anyone who is different, challenges or questions. It is no wonder that we are in turmoil, characterized by suspicion, hatred and revenge. These are the tools of the ignorant.
When casting our votes, we should search for leaders who understand the law and government, have related experience, and possess objectivity and positive communication skills. We should not be duped by someone who is proud of “not knowing” and dishonesty and who laughs at the idea of learning about a subject and law itself.
James MacDicken, Olympia
Change our chances on climate change
Sources ranging from scientific journals to CNN and the Washington Post agree that human-induced climate change is creating an atmosphere for deadlier fires and floods every year in California, and, no doubt, in Washington.
The questions are: Should we change? Can we change? And will we change? Not all the fires in the West are man-made, but all are intensified by climate change. Hurricane Laura wasn’t man-made but was intensified by climate change. If we don’t change, fires, hurricanes, floods, droughts – and the loss of cropland caused by all of these – will intensify every year. One of the best natural defenses against fires is old-growth trees.
We should change and we can change. Individual acts such as building gardens, eliminating plastic waste, and using reusable energy and electric cars are all exciting and important. But that’s not sufficient. The biggest cause of human-induced climate change is carbon emissions. You can pick your target: your own driving habits, airplanes, cruise ships and cargo ships, the military (one of the biggest polluters on the planet), the oil companies or your favorite politician.
This hot year is projected to be the coolest in the next century if we do nothing about climate change. We might not be able to change that, but if we eliminate carbon emissions, we have a chance of providing a livable planet for future generations.
Bill Dole, Olympia