Letter writers oppose anti-hunting column, advocate for Child Tax Credit, plead for ceasefire

Stand up for your rights

The column by Dan Paul, the director of the Humane Society of the U.S., is typical of their stance on hunting, so I guess it shouldn’t really surprise me. The HSUS is not about puppies and kittens, like most local Humane Societies. It is first and foremost an anti-hunting organization that knows all the tricks to inflame people’s emotions.

In a study done by a Virginia-based research company that focuses on outdoor recreation and natural resources, they found that 75% of Washington residents approve of legal, regulated hunting. What the HSUS does is throw in the word “trophy” whenever possible. Why? Because when the same question is asked with that word in the question, the approval rates dip down into the 40% range.

Stating that the wildlife commission wants to “follow the science” is a complete untruth. The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife gave the commission the science behind bear hunting in the spring based on real science. The commission’s response? Until we get “real science,” we are canceling the bear hunt.

Real science? That is what the WDFW is there for! They are there to do the science for the commission to make the proper decisions. Unfortunately, the commission is appointed by the governor, who at this time is extremely anti-hunting, so his picks for the commission are nothing but mouthpieces for his agenda to stop hunting in Washington state altogether.

Stand up for our rights to hunt and fish, or they will be gone.

Patrick D. Ely, Tenino

Expand the Child Tax Credit to cut poverty

We can take steps to make sure we leave the world better than we found it.

It is with this idea that I proudly work with RESULTS, a citizens lobby to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty.

By Jan. 19, Congress needs to pass new spending bills for FY2024. It is also the unofficial deadline to pass legislation on the Child Tax Credit, global tuberculosis, and global education, critical issues to address poverty in our neighborhoods and the world.

If you had any doubt that Congress can make a difference, look no further than the Child Tax Credit (CTC). During the pandemic, expansion of the CTC to very low or no-income families cut child poverty nearly in half. When that funding expired, child poverty more than doubled.

Currently, families with high incomes get the full CTC (a family earning $400,000 will get the full $2,000 credit per child) while children from families with low incomes (an estimated 19 million) don’t qualify for the full tax credit. Leaving out those with the lowest incomes translates to worsening inequities for people marginalized by race, geography, ability and more.

In January, congressional leaders hope to pass new tax breaks for corporations. If that tax package does not include an expansion of the CTC that significantly reduces child poverty, it should be rejected.

Call Congress. Create your legacy.

Carolyn Prouty, Elma

Humanitarian aid, not more war

I urge our government to focus its support in the Israeli-Gaza conflict on humanitarian aid to the civilians of Gaza and to use its influence to help establish a ceasefire.

Of course, the Hamas attack was appalling, but the Israeli government’s continuing support for a devastating aerial bombardment is brutal as well. The bombing has expanded way out of proportion, with many thousands of civilians killed, vast areas destroyed, and the people of Gaza left homeless, without food, water, and medical care.

The current war did not occur in a vacuum. For years, Israel has restricted the people of Gaza to a small, occupied enclave (except to work temporarily in Israel). Both Palestinians and Israelis have ties to land in this area that go back hundreds or thousands of years. Intolerance by extremists on both sides enables retribution, which further escalates the intolerance and violence.

Right now, the people of Gaza, having suffered enormously, need humanitarian aid, not more war. A ceasefire must be established with guarantees of humanitarian access.

Sam Merrill, Olympia