Our Readers’ Views

Stimulate Vancouver with bold moves

When first I spotted that vivid color photo of that hotdog being smothered in that glorious yellow mustard, I knew the story had to be about baseball. I wasn’t disappointed. Brian T. Smith’s Aug. 8 story, “Why can’t it happen here? Portland’s loss of the Beavers leads to questions about Vancouver’s potential as a minor-league city,” was not only visually enticing, but also intellectually stimulating.

It appears as if Vancouver has lost an excellent opportunity to take advantage of Portland’s folly to lose their beloved Triple A baseball team, the Beavers. Vancouver could have shown some real moxie by trumping their age-old nemesis, “big brother Portland,” and taking what Portland seems to be throwing away. It would have been taking advantage of a big name, a big history, and a wonderful family-oriented sport to bring over the water to the fast, pace-setting, and innovative (Fort) Vancouver. But, this seems not to be.

Fortune favors the bold, and if Vancouver residents want to be seen as their own community, having their own market and announcing their own independence, they will have to put their money where their loud mouth is and place some faith in their hometown, their own people and what is most important … their own future.

Mike Briggs

Washougal

Vote ‘yes’ in Fire District 6

It’s hard to believe it’s already time to mail in those ballots. I’m sure many of you are as frustrated as I am at the thought of our taxes continuously being raised. So let me tell you how to take the sting out of it. Join me in supporting Fire Protection Proposition No. 1. A “yes” vote on your ballot will allow Fire District 6 to maintain the current service level to the communities the district protects. These are the taxes we should all feel good about paying.

People who live in the areas of Hazel Dell, Lake Shore, Felida, Salmon Creek, Mount Vista and the Clark County fairgrounds need to be aware that a “yes” vote will insure that there is enough staff to maintain their current levels of service. A “no” vote will cost jobs and may jeopardize the safety of neighborhoods. Firefighters and those who work in EMS should not have to worry about their jobs being on the line as they daily dedicate their lives to the safety of others. The services they perform are absolutely vital and necessary to those who face life-threatening emergencies. Support your community and vote “yes,” it’s the right thing to do.

Leora Gibson

Vancouver

Resolution deals with illegal entry

The Aug. 4 story’s headline “Washougal council pelted with immigration opinions” suggests that speakers attending the meeting were opposed to the council’s action concerning Arizona’s SB 1070. Judging from audience response, the division was roughly 2-1 in favor of the council’s action to request that Washington pass legislation similar to Arizona’s anti-illegal alien measure.

The use of the word “immigration” is also misleading. The Washougal City Council’s resolution is more accurately described as dealing with illegal aliens, rather than immigration. Immigration is a legal process for admitting and integrating with American society foreigners wishing to work or live in the United States, or become citizens of our country. Illegal border crossers are not immigrants. The legal status of illegal border crossers in the United States is that of aliens under the jurisdiction of their home country.

The text of the story is much more accurate and objective. Kudos to reporter Jordan Frasier for that accuracy and objectivity.

Dave Shoemaker

Washougal

Cigarettes do not biodegrade

Recently, I walked rear guard of the Unitarian church’s litter patrol on Highway 14. Ahead of me, my teammates gathered the big stuff while I collected shards of plastic and several gross of cigarette butts. Curiously, most of them were Marlboros.

According to Kathleen Register, author of “Underwater Naturalist, Bulletin of the American Littoral Society,” “Cigarette butts contain chemicals that can kill animals that occupy critical positions in aquatic communities.” In addition, filters are usually made of nonbiodegradable cellulose acetate. Total annual worldwide production of cigarettes leads to a whopping million-plus tons of toxic waste. Tossed from cars, floating on stormwater into streams and rivers, they end up the most common form of plastic litter on U.S. beaches. “Marlboro Men,” give Earth, fish and people a break. Do the manly thing: Dispose of your butts responsibly.

Patty Page

Vancouver

Mosque builders are audacious

As a former Vancouver resident, I still enjoy reading The Columbian. I was stunned to hear New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg pontificate about why he was a proponent of the construction of a mosque, just blocks from Ground Zero. I wasn’t amazed that it happened. Simple fact is, they met the requirements the city of New York set, and the permit was rightly approved. What the mayor missed, however, is that “legal” doesn’t mean right, it doesn’t mean appropriate, and it certainly doesn’t mean justified. The NRA has every right to build a rifle range, but I highly doubt they would support one being built across the street from Columbine High School.

What is even more amazing, over and above the phenomenal insensitivity and audaciousness the mosque builders are showing, is that these same individuals will scratch their heads and lament how the large majority of America just don’t “understand” them, and demand that they be treated with respect. These are the same individuals who would have to be peeled off the rafters if a church were to be constructed in Saudi Arabia. Forgive me, it isn’t that I don’t “understand” their challenges; it’s just that I don’t care. Not one bit.

Paul Bate

Sacramento, Calif.

Left-wing voices show hysteria

One interesting political phenomenon this year is the increasingly hysterical rage being expressed in the media against political conservatives, for example from left-wing columnists E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Frank Rich of the New York Times. I suspect the reason these journalists are so angry is the realization that they are only taken seriously by a small mutual backslapping society of blue state progressives. It has got to be frustrating to write commentary for a prestigious newspaper and yet have no influence on public opinion. These journalists seem to think that if they only yell a little louder, perhaps then people will take them seriously. But I think that simply engenders more public contempt toward them.

To end on a hopeful note, however, perhaps some day they will get so desperate they will try resorting to civility and reason.

Lance B. Sjogren

Vancouver