Letters suggest solar for Port warehouse, weigh in on Hamas, and urge giving and grace

Solar energy for new warehouse at Port?

What are the odds of the Port Commissioners requiring that solar panels be added to the roof of the new warehouse building? With all their talk about climate impacts, one would think this would be a simple step to show leadership on the issue.

Oh, and I personally think the odds are better for the Seahawks to win this year’s Super Bowl than seeing solar panels on the new warehouse roof.

Tom Sampson, Olympia

Give to Give Local 2024

I encourage everyone to participate in the Give Local 2024 campaign. This event is organized by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound and features 143 local nonprofits. There is a cause for everyone to support, whether you are passionate about the arts, the environment, education, health, housing, or something else. This is an excellent opportunity to show your love for our community.

To participate, visit the campaign website at www.spsgives.org by Nov. 22 and click on the search button to access the participating nonprofits.

Harry S Griffith III, Shelton

Why do demands for peace always call for Israel to withdraw?

In the Nov. 17 Olympian, Bill Dole says that military aid to Israel “frustrates the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”. Unfortunately, since Hamas seized control, it has prevented Palestine from holding presidential elections since January 2005 and it has prevented Legislative elections since January 2006. It takes a great leap of faith to assume that Hamas would allow free and fair elections if Israel withdrew.

Hamas’s charter calls for Israel’s destruction and says “Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it.”

Hamas is responsible for the tragic death and destruction that has happened in Palestine since October 7, 2023, when thousands of terrorists invaded Israel, murdering, beheading, raping, and mutilating hundreds of Israelis. They kidnapped more than 240 people, subsequently murdering many of them. Israel’s current military action is an attempt to prevent anything similar from happening again.

Those who call for an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas ignore the fact that there was a ceasefire until the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, Why do demands for peace always call for Israel to withdraw, but never demand that Hamas release the hostages? Or even to stop murdering them, and never mention Hamas’s promise to kill Jews whenever they can and to destroy the state of Israel?

I think that if Hamas really wanted peace. it would release the surviving hostages and publicly renounce its promise to destroy Israel. I’m not holding my breath.

Carl Schroeder, Olympia

How I plan to deal with another Trump administration

About half the country is in shock about the election, feeling that our worst fears have come true. It’s easy to get disheartened, but here’s how I’m hoping not to.

First, for me, Trump’s election falls under the category of “things I cannot change” in the Serenity Prayer. I’ve voted, and that’s about all I can do for now. No sense worrying about something I can’t affect.

Second, I will emphasize the four values that have percolated to the top for me: be KIND, be RESPONSIBLE, be OPEN MINDED, and focus on the POSITIVE. I believe this last one is the hardest right now but most essential. I am not in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, etc. I can’t spend a minute feeling sorry for myself.

Third, I will avoid the three feelings I’ve come to dislike most: Anger, Contempt, and Distrust. I don’t understand how anyone could vote for Trump, but that doesn’t mean I should hold them in contempt or distrust. From my time helping at Special Olympics, I learned that a person who sported what were to me reprehensible bumper stickers might be the first person in the pool, the last one out, and an inspiration throughout the day.

I would like to be a person who can find positive in even the most trying situation, and these times are an opportunity to work on that.

Jeff Loyer, Olympia