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Our Readers’ Views, Jan. 6

The Columbian
Published: January 6, 2010, 12:00am

State uses reason in governing

Here is yet another reason I’m thankful to have made the move from Portland to Vancouver: The Dec. 30 story “In Gorge, Washington side stays open thanks to supersalty brine,” reported the differences in the mixture used to treat icy roads. This difference allows state Highway 14 often to stay open when I-84 closes.

When I read the response from the director of an environmental group as to why Oregon didn’t use the same mixture, I almost fell off my chair: “Too much salt can be lethal for rainbow trout.” I love the outdoors and fishing for rainbow trout, but if there’s a mixture that could potentially save lives and dollars for stranded motorists involved in accidents, we should do it. I am tired of so-called environmental groups dictating policy.

I would be devastated if I were to learn about a friend or family member who was injured or killed in a car crash on an icy road that could have been prevented. When will we start putting the needs of people ahead of the needs of animals or trees? My hope for 2010 is that common sense will start to prevail in our world and especially our region.

As a former Oregonian, I’ve never been prouder to be a Washingtonian.

Justin Farrell

Vancouver

Mass transportation is efficient

We are two elementary students who are doing a Lego robotics competition, and this year’s theme is transportation. We read the Dec. 17 letter “Cut funding of school buses” and we think doing this would be a bad idea. By doing this, more pollution would be put into the air. Also, more families would use more money and time to get their children to and from school.

Additionally, we found out it’s more efficient for children to ride the bus rather than to be driven. We found that school buses are at least 15 times more efficient than individual cars. Wouldn’t transitioning from a more efficient to a less efficient mode actually increase the financial burden on the entire system and cause people to lose their jobs? Would taking away mass transit for schoolchildren solve the financial problems of city budgets or just increase the problem and distribute it to those who already are suffering? Also, more cars would just increase the transportation risks for us kids.

Olivia Madrid and Laura Ahner

Vancouver

Break the chains from cable industry

The Columbian published AP stories on Dec. 28, “Crowded airwaves call for ingenuity”; Dec. 30, “Broadcasters’ problems could spell trouble for free TV”; and Jan. 1, “FCC urges Fox, Time Warner Cable to settle fee flap.” These three reports are perfect examples of our government herding Americans into electronic dependence to corporate America. America is increasingly subjected to the rising expenses of electronics providers.

To save money, I “downgraded” to Comcast’s “basic” TV package. Imagine my disappointment to learn that because of Comcast’s “encryptions” and “traps,” now my 1080p HD (digital) TV would not receive the 1080i broadcasts, but only receive 480i SD (analog) with the “basic” package. To get the best quality reception, you must “upgrade” to a more expensive “premium” package.

So, with the help of my inexpensive HD antenna, I am now receiving beautiful 1080i, over-the-air-broadcasts on my state-of-the-art HD television. After choosing an alternate ISP, Comcast will be gone. Join me, break the addictions costing hundreds of dollars a month.

Cable and cell phone companies are targeting the over-the-air bandwidth, because only 10 percent of the population uses over-the-air. Cable has accumulated a slush fund with unending rising rates. You can bet that our current “show-me-the-money” members of Congress are only too willing to abandon American’s ability to receive low cost information and programming.

James D.W. Newton

Vancouver

Baird out of touch

Reading the Dec. 31 story “Baird on Al Jazeera about aid to Israel,” one might wonder why Congressman Brian Baird, D-Wash., spends so much time talking to Al Jazeera, especially in a week when there was an attempted terrorist attack against an airplane over a major American city. Does he ever think that his comments, so contrary to the feelings of most Americans and almost all of Congress, could encourage more such attacks?

William R. Clark

Vancouver

Twisting words can erase logic

I find it interesting that people put a prefix and a couple words together to infer that they have an actual meaning. The most recent example is Joan Oser’s use of “pre-born infants” in her Jan. 1 letter, “All voices must stand up and protest.”

By this same logic, each of us, that is every one of us alive at this moment on the face of the Earth, is a pre-deceased cadaver.

Carol-Lee Cotter

Vancouver

Cuts too often are shortsighted

The Jan. 3 Marketplace column by Julia Anderson in The Columbian, calling for a “Time for government streamlining,” mentions “service overlaps” between the sheriff and police departments and calls for “consolidation.” These programs serve different populations in our community. Who would be asked to forfeit services, our county residents or their city-dwelling neighbors?

When asked to tighten our belts, it is easy to point at government and say “what about you?”

Remember that governmental services are the backbone of our community and that need doesn’t fluctuate with the economy.

Many services provided by governmental agencies are there because there is no other alternative. “Business as usual” for local government means providing the services we all need in as efficient a manner as possible. Cuts are not necessarily better and are often shortsighted.

When considering downsizing local government, ask first which services you are ready to give up. Would it be the local fire station or the officers that arrive whenever you call? The school your children attend?

Once you decide what you are willing to sacrifice, continue your call for smaller government.

As for me, I don’t think we can afford the cost.

Pat Roe

Vancouver

Democracy, liberty are different

I would like to respond to Debra Di Piazza’s (Dec. 7 letter, “Romance with guns needs to end,”) with this simple statement (I heard this somewhere and, oh, how true it is). Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb deciding what is for dinner.

Liberty is two wolves and a well-armed lamb deciding what is for dinner.

Which lamb would you rather be?

Brad Elfring

Yacolt

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