Letters to the editor for Sept. 30
Beware of election lies
Voters this fall may see these words on social media before Nov. 3: “Early mailed ballot counts give Trump enough electoral votes to win. It’s over.” That will be a lie spread by Russian internet trolls or Republican Trumpniks trying to steal the election, intended to dissuade us from voting.
Another line, spread by TV ads featuring sincere-looking grandmothers or other gentle souls, or by word of mouth, is “I don’t like Mr. Trump but I could never vote for Mr. Biden because he lies and is a pedophile.” If you’ve already heard this, or – God forbid – believe it, the cure is to view Joe Biden’s real acceptance speech at the DNC – not counterfeits doctored or subtitled – and see for yourself.
Trump’s only hope in this election is to portray himself as less loathsome than the alternative, Joe Biden. Or to pretend that his vile reputation is a hoax created by Democrats. (Or leftists or antifa.) Don’t believe it.
With the West Coast shrouded in fire and smoke, a growing tally of American deaths from COVID-19, widespread unemployment and personal financial desperation, all as Trump remains obsessed with his own re-election, prying him out of the White House and replacing him with a decent, capable, forward-looking man is the most important challenge that American voters and American democratic institutions have ever faced.
Go with Joe. Vote as soon as you receive your ballots and return them the same day.
David H. Milne, Lacey
Media is not sensationalizing climate change
Earlier this month, as I looked out the window seeing the “unhealthy” rated pea soup from the tragic wildfires, I found a posting on the online neighborhood network Next Door. The guy talked about the media sensationalizing the wildfires. He acknowledged the devastation, but claimed it was hype about climate change, COVID, BLM — that it’s all manufactured. I responded:
“I urge you to look at the major federal government study (Fourth National Climate Assessment), signed off by 13 federal agencies including NASA and the Pentagon. Catastrophic impacts in Northwest and worldwide. Take a look at the graph “Climate Change Has Increased Wildfire,” Chapter 25. This study has also been reported by the National Academy of Sciences, the agency founded by Abraham Lincoln. Check out other news sources if you want the truth.”
As a climate educator, I know it’s imperative to connect the dots. Only then will we have sufficient societal support to eliminate climate pollution, act as global citizens, and bequeath a livable planet for the kids.
I urge everyone to get out the vote and to support our Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Barak Gale, co-chair, Climate Reality Project, Thurston County chapter
We need heroes
In these challenging times, I find comfort thinking about public figures I greatly admire: Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, Teddy Roosevelt. I take inspiration from my two heroes: Abraham Lincoln and Dan Evans.
Our greatest American, Lincoln was a humble but visionary and courageous leader who accepted the wrenching task of preserving the union and demanding social equality regardless of the terrible price he eventually paid. His dream for a fair and just America was best enunciated in his Second Inaugural Address when he called for “malice toward none, with charity for all ... to bind up the nation’s wounds.” Those are the kind of words we now yearn to hear as America once again fights for its soul.
Former Washington governor and U.S. Sen. Dan Evans turns 95 next month. The finest man I’ve ever known, he is a person of great integrity, compassion, wit, and toughness who sees a world beyond himself. In his early political days 55 years ago, he uttered words we should honor today: “Extremists of neither the right nor the left contribute to the strength of America. Both feed on fear, frustration, hate and helplessness.”
Dan Evans stood for the values we should cherish in our leaders: respect for justice and equality under the law, personal responsibility and accountability, and building a nation where we look forward not back. Happy Birthday, governor, and many happy returns on a life not only well, but beautifully lived.
Thoughts and memories of heroes take us to a better place.
Dick Nichols, Olympia