Letters to the editor for May 11

Who authorized military burn pits?

Most of the concern regarding military burn pits overseas has focused on the harm the toxic smoke has caused our veterans. An array of medical ailments has been connected to those who inhaled these fumes that have resulted in death and disabilities. Even President Biden’s son, Beau, died of a brain tumor likely caused by burn pit smoke where he was stationed overseas.

Thankfully legislation has finally passed to include burn pit exposure within VA medical coverage. Getting injured through breathing polluted air while serving is no less harmful than getting shot in war. Indeed, trauma wounds can heal, while cancer often kills.

However, the fight to make things right should not stop with just providing compensation for the injured. It should continue to include identifying those responsible for authorizing the burn pits in the first place. Who decided that burning every discarded thing from a military base with jet fuel, in open pits, next to where our soldiers were housed was a good idea, and why did they decide this?

Surely superiors were informed by someone about the potential hazards of toxic smoke, so why was the decision made to ignore this reality? Could it be because generals regard combat casualties as more significant than dying from disease? Is the latter just considered acceptable collateral damage?

We need to know who authorized the burn pits, and if they knew of the potential health hazards. If so, they should be held to account for the harm to our troops.

Steve Shanewise, Olympia

Deforestation-free wood, please, Home Depot

As a younger person, I encourage major companies to step up to protect our forests. Specifically, I ask Home Depot to strengthen its commitment to deforestation-free lumber.

The North American boreal forest is biologically diverse and important. It’s home to threatened caribou herds, grizzly bears, lynx and billions of birds.

The forest is also one of our greatest naturally occurring climate solutions. The boreal forest absorbs enough carbon dioxide to offset the emissions of 24 million passenger vehicles. But by clear-cutting the forest, companies release an estimated 26 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

If Home Depot commits to avoid sourcing from the boreal forest, it would have a major impact. Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores in North America. By sourcing its wood sustainably, Home Depot could spark industry-wide change.

So please, Home Depot, listen to consumers and make a commitment to truly sustainable lumber products.

Also, we as buyers wield the power of the pocketbook, and can seek out recycled, repurposed or FSC-certified wood. Let’s avoid purchasing types of wood that are rare or come from endangered or old-growth trees. Thanks, friends.

Rebecca Canright, Olympia

Help for drug addiction

Because one of my friends has been addicted to methamphetamine for years, I took special interest in the April 19 article “Help, Don’t Jail, People Addicted to Drugs,” written by Darren Ullman. His solution to conquering illegal drugs takes issue with an addict who is “criminalized when struggling to fight a substance abuse problem.”

However, their abuse of illegal drugs is criminal activity. And few are struggling against it; The drug monster has a stronghold on them.

Also, Ullman’s article takes issue with jail time for abusers, even though being forced to quit drugs temporarily might provide clarity to their thinking, and even be a valuable wake-up call for the need to pursue an outreach program such as SetFree in Centralia.

Thank you for this opportunity to shed light on a dark subject.

Karen Strand, Lacey