Letters to the editor for May 12

Let’s divest from fossil fuel

Our future cannot be bright unless we majorly reduce fossil fuel consumption. Therefore, I ask our elected officials to support fossil fuel divestment measures. This would free up funds to instead invest in renewable energy, which creates jobs, moves towards energy independence, and keeps our air and water clean.

We already have an overabundance of fossil fuel infrastructure, which is contributing atmosphere-warming emissions and air pollution to our communities. Meanwhile, viable and excellent alternatives exist, such as solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear energy. If we captured 1% of the solar energy that hits Earth in a day, we could power our global energy needs for a year!

I understand that folks whose families have been employed for generations in the fossil fuel industry are skeptical of this switch. But we will create more jobs if we hasten and expand our transition to renewable energy. Let’s bridge political divides and work together, to protect our children’s future, and our own. A thriving, biodiverse planet is possible.

Let’s relinquish the way we’ve been doing things for the past few centuries. It hasn’t gotten us to a particularly wonderful or desirable place anyway.

Rebecca Canright, Olympia

Leaking gasoline ignites

The leaked Supreme Court draft decision overturning Roe vs. Wade illustrates the difference between the political parties.

Democrats are appalled about the decision itself, while Republicans are appalled about who leaked the decision.

Republicans have been complaining about Roe v. Wade for the last 50 years. Overturning that decision was the litmus test to be nominated by our former President to serve on the Supreme Court.

The last three nominees played the neutrality game before the Senate confirmation hearings: simply, follow and apply the current law of the land. That was all a big facade under oath. I thought lying under oath was a criminal offense, not a requisite for judicial employment. I thought bias disqualified jurors but not judges.

I’m sure the anti-mask, vaccine, lockdown, my body-my choice, my rights-liberty-freedom, governmental control, overreach, this is America, and demanding to see the manager right now crowd will be up in arms over who controls your reproductive rights and health. The government or you. Truckers, start your freedom convoy protest.

But congressional Republicans aren’t celebrating after finally succeeding to overturn this law. That’s because a strong majority support Roe v. Wade and they know it.

I think the leaked decision may rekindle some fire in the dormant silent majority. It’s time for the majority to take our country back from the suppressing minority views.

Be careful what you wish for congressional Republicans, you just might have started an unintended firestorm you didn’t want come midterm elections.

David Cahill, Olympia

Older Americans Month is a chance to explore choices

May is Older Americans Month and the 2022 theme is “Age My Way.” So this is a good time to remember that we do live in a state in which government and so many private organizations and non-profits provide many ways for older individuals to do just that.

Washington state has given seniors and those approaching retirement a new chapter in life with the wonderful gift of options. We benefit from evidence-based programs promoting wellness and aging in place, receiving services in our own homes, or in well-regulated adult family homes, assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

For this forward-looking perspective and the regular availability of many options, Washington state has been highly ranked nationally for services to seniors and the disabled by AARP’s Scorecard.

If you need information about available services for seniors, please call the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging at 888-545-0910.

Michele M. Horaney, Olympia; member, Washington State Council on Aging Advisory Council