Letters to the editor for Nov. 17

Diplomacy is a lost art

With the passing of Colin Powell, America lost one of the few diplomatic leaders left in the country. In an era where selfishness is at a premium, the ability to cooperate, accept responsibility and understand differing viewpoints are becoming lost arts. The ability to critically evaluate diverse perspectives seems to be engulfed by brainwashed thinking that is repeatedly reinforced by a steady diet of one-dimensional media and thought.

In an era when objective thinking and unselfishness are vital for social health and growth of our country; we are desperate for leadership that embraces human understanding and dignity. We need to open our minds and heed the plea of “walking a mile in another’s shoes.”

In the past we had leaders such as MLK, JFK, Ronald Reagan and Shirley Chisholm, who went beyond themselves and worked for the common good of society and the individual. Today, it seems as if few leaders can get past one-dimensional or “party” thought. What is even more shocking is the fact that so many of our citizens have followed suit.

We need citizens and leaders who are principally oriented but place their arrogant egos on the “back burner.” Much like Powell exemplified, we need to be strong enough to admit fault, evaluate diverse ideas and become anxious to grow intellectually, socially and in many case morally. New and diverse thought can be very threatening. But true strength comes from being open to others and searching for societal growth and understanding.

James MacDicken, Olympia

The Good Samaritan is responsible for his neighbor

Some of St. Michael’s parishioners oppose the relocation of a homeless mitigation center to the neighborhood of their elementary school. Were they really neighbors of the homeless, wouldn’t they choose to stop what they were doing to attend to the immediate needs of the homeless people they encounter and provide for their future needs? Surely, they would not walk away nor seek to send them away uncared for. Perhaps the staff and parents at the school could see this relocation of the center as an opportunity to practice the lessons of the Good Samaritan, and teach them to the children in their care.

The Good Samaritan teaches that we ought to be responsible not just FOR our neighbors but TO them, face to face, if you will. Perhaps the St. Mike’s parishioners engaged with the homeless night shelter at the church could help the school staff and parents to design and run programs that bring the children and the homeless together periodically, much as my daughter-in-law and son have done safely with their two children since they were pre-schoolers. They have lost some fear of strangers and gained a wider understanding of the world and strong compassion for the suffering of others.

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to answer “Who is my neighbor?” Any hearer understands the lesson: “You are known by your actions.” Let us act with compassion and teach our children compassion by our actions.

Priscilla Bowerman, Lacey

Obstruction forces ‘workarounds’

There are too many errors to list in the Nov. 11 Special to the Washington Post piece: “Biden’s ‘Workarounds’ Hurt the Machinery of Democracy.“

GOP obstructionism, evidenced best by Sen. Mitch McConnell blocking 400 bills (and counting) has forced the Dems to find other methods. Donald Trump knew of the dangers of COVID-19 in early February 2020 when he talked with journalist Bob Woodward, yet continued to downplay it. That was 11 months before Joe Biden took office, yet the writer faults Biden for trying to rectify that, via emergency use authorization of already-tested vaccines. Gee, if people were drowning, would you send the life rings to OSHA to have them tested again?

And every few months, 45 promised a beautiful, perfect infrastructure bill “in two weeks.” Never happened. The machinery of democracy has been knee-capped by these GOP goals: enriching themselves and their donors, suppressing the vote, and “owning” the libs.

Stephen L. Kirkpatrick, Tumwater