Letters to the editor for Dec. 15
They are squatters, not residents
If I were to pitch a tent and move in on the sidewalk in front of your place (house, apartment, condo) and then start to leave trash outside, move a vehicle nearby, make noise, create confusion, engage in unruly behavior, what would you say?
“Hmm, that person is a resident, and I had better leave her/him/them alone because she/he/they have a legal right to come and make my place look like garbage.”
Sure.
The definition of resident given by The New Oxford American Dictionary as n. 1 a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis. Contrast with squatter n. a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land.
I take umbrage at the misuse of language in The Olympian’s front page article on Dec. 2 titled “City to shut down Deschutes homeless encampment on Dec. 8” in which persons living on private land are to be forced away from their transient, abusive camps. As stated in this article, “Outreach workers familiar with the camp describe it having high turnover with residents cycling in and out.”
If we accept the truth of the thought expressed by Confucius that, “The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name,” then the term “resident” has to sting. I propose that Olympia City Council members cordially invite “residents” of this encampment to move to the sidewalk or front lawn of their home and welcome their new “resident” neighbors in whatever way they see fit.
Thomas Weissenberger, Lacey
Dole worked in the best interests of all Americans
Today I listened to a tribute to U.S. Sen. Robert Dole, a Republican in the best sense of the word, seeing beyond his own narrow party interests to the interest of others, especially the American people. He said, “My life is America.” Although, I’m an Independent, leaning left of center, I have admired Senator Dole even when disagreeing with him. He was an honorable man and an effective Senator and a severely wounded World War II hero.
He represents Republicans of a kind that apparently, like the Dodo bird, have gone extinct, or else are well hidden and can’t be found anywhere in Washington, D.C., or anywhere else. They apparently refuse to leave the desert wilderness fortified by Trumpism.
When I pray for our government, I ask God to replace many of the current bunch, who alleges themselves to be Senators and Representatives of both parties, with women and men of the stature of Bob Dole: women and men who legislate, not those who mouth the words “serve the American people” while in reality serving only themselves, their party and their re-election.
I remember, as President George Bush lay in state, Senator Dole, with help and great difficulty, rose from his wheelchair to salute (with his left hand, because his war wounds prevented him from using his right) his and our former President, his friend and fellow WW II veteran. What great honor these two honorable men deserve.
May God grant us a new group of leaders like them.
Gary Campbell, Olympia
Cities should require proof of vaccination
As our area continues to grapple with the effects of the Delta variant (and now we have Omicron), I have to wonder why we haven’t yet adopted an ordinance similar to Seattle’s requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test at public places like restaurants, bars and gyms.
City Councils, please do the next right thing.
Annie Rae Herrera, Olympia