Our readers’ views

Disrespecting our flag is wrong

On June 1, I attended the protest at Heritage High School against the members of Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas. I was offended by their church members’ dragging the American flag on the ground. I do not feel like that should be tolerated in America.

Although I agree we should not violate the law of freedom of speech, I do think someone should at least make an effort to make a law against dragging our country’s biggest symbol on the ground. Why are we letting them disrespect our country the way they are? I am just mortified that ignorant people like them should be allowed to drag the American flag on the ground and get away with it.

As a future Marine, I would just love for people of America to realize this is wrong, even if they don’t like what our country has become. I am 17 years old and hope other people feel the same way as me. If enough people agree with me, I believe we should take action and do something and not let these protesters continue to get away with this.

Marissa Ann Rose

Vancouver

An amazing neighbor remembered

Warm memories flooded back when I read the touching May 31 piece, “Valued veteran,” written by Dave Kern about Paul Gooch for Veterans Day. Like Audrey Sandahl, he was once my neighbor, too. I lived, with my family, next door to Gooch for all of my childhood until I moved to California after college. He was a kind and gentle man.

He was an amazing neighbor to my parents, always there to lend a hand, with a smile on his face. His yard was immaculate but never once did he chastise me for sending a softball, Frisbee, or football into his flower beds. Gooch kept a passageway through his hedge for quick trips to each other’s houses. His backyard served as a passageway to my childhood playground, Clay Canyon. An amazing man, with an amazing wife, contributed to our safe and nurturing neighborhood.

When I visit my parents, who moved farther east, I always pass “my house.” The beautiful yard remains at the Goochs’ house, thanks to his wife, who keeps his legacy alive.

Lynne Zwickl Sturdivant

Santa Ana, Calif.

Motivation discouraged by lack of jobs

I recently read that graduating students from Clark College and even the University of Washington have not been able to find jobs, let alone careers, even though they have received degrees in a professions that fit them. The article snatches at my motivation as a high school student to attend college because I sometimes think that college is a waste of time. It makes me ask myself, “Why waste time going to college if I won’t have a job that fits my criteria after I graduate?”

I can’t possibly be the only high school student thinking this. The recession takes a toll on everyone and reading an article about not finding a job even if you attend and graduate from college is very discouraging. Where are students to turn to now, if the motivation of post-secondary education has been taken away?

Encouragement is needed to prolong education during a recession.

Torianna Brooks

Vancouver

We consume oil in many ways

Upon reading John McConnaughey’s June 3 letter, “We might become fossils, too,” I did some research on the Internet and came up with just a partial list of items containing petroleum that we Americans use in our daily lives. The list includes ink, dresses, cassettes, vitamin capsules, skis, denture adhesive, water pipes, heart valves, dentures, anesthetics, perfumes, eyeglasses, telephones, artificial limbs, toothpaste, soft contact lenses, shaving cream, and the most popular: gasoline.

Per one website I reviewed, http://ranken-energy.com, Americans consume petroleum products at a rate of three-and a-half gallons of oil per day. Interesting. Resources can be found at http://www.ranken-energy.com and http://www.saveandconserve.com.

Pat Gordon

Vancouver

Equal rights needed in Pakistan

It was 2:30 a.m. in Seattle on May 28 when my parents received a call from a friend in Pakistan saying that Ahmadi mosques in Lahore were being attacked by people with automatic weapons and hand grenades while worshippers had gathered for Friday prayers.

My parents watched the live coverage of the massacre as police forces stood outside and watched. Toward the end of this massacre, a few of the shooters had blown themselves up, and a couple were captured. The violence against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been ongoing and this act was not just another random act of terror, but was directly targeted at this community.

In 1974, Ahmadi Muslims were constitutionally declared non-Muslims and in 1984 it was punishable for any Ahmadi Muslim to say any Islamic greetings or even to call their mosques “mosques.” These restrictions have not been posed on any other religious minorities.

I wish Pakistan would follow in the footsteps of America and allow their citizens equal rights and freedom of speech and religion. This would not breed hatred and discrimination as it has in Pakistan against a community who lives by the motto, “Love for all, Hatred for none.”

Sarah Ahmad

Snohomish

Israel’s battle likened to the Alamo

I am saddened that the world chooses to criticize Israel. If the people of that nation don’t take a tough stance, they will disappear.

Despite Israel’s best efforts, weapons are continually smuggled into Gaza. At the same time, all the supplies the Gaza residents need are allowed in.

Please understand that those who believe the Hamas organization wants peace with Israel are living in a dream world. They pulled this stunt so the world would criticize Israel.

Israel’s fight reminds me of the Alamo, when the people there were fighting for their very lives. So too is Israel and they can’t be too careful. They are the only democracy in the Middle East.

We need Israel and they need us. Please do everything in your power to support Israel’s fight for existence.

Jean Terry

Salem, Ore.

Potential in a ‘Conservation Oil Corps’

It occurs to me that the boat owners whose businesses are threatened by the big oil spill could be put to work. The government or a consortium of oil companies should provide each boat owner with oil barrels (provided at the oil companies’ expense) and a bucket and/or scoops to tackle the oil on their area waters.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was smart enough to put the people to work on their own problems. President Obama — how about it?

Josephine Paterek

Vancouver