LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
CHATTER BOX
Tell us what's on your mind about a public issue. Call 253-353-7100 and leave a 30-second message that could be printed in the paper or posted here as mp3 audio. (Please don't leave your phone number in the message, otherwise we can't use the comment.)
WHAT WE'RE READING
CIVIC TOOLKIT
Legislative Action
Contact your elected officials and keep up-to-date on advocacy, education and civic concerns.
• Civic toolkit
Contact your elected officials and keep up-to-date on advocacy, education and civic concerns.
• Civic toolkit
YOUR VOICE
From The Reader
"Your Voice" features longer and distinctively personal commentary from readers on topics that don't seem to fit in a letter to the editor. Try to limit submissions to about 600 words.
Send proposed articles to chief editorial writer Patrick O'Callahan, The News Tribune, PO Box 11000, Tacoma, Wash. 98411 (or e-mail Patrick O'Callahan). Articles may be edited and republished in any format by The News Tribune.
"Your Voice" features longer and distinctively personal commentary from readers on topics that don't seem to fit in a letter to the editor. Try to limit submissions to about 600 words.
Send proposed articles to chief editorial writer Patrick O'Callahan, The News Tribune, PO Box 11000, Tacoma, Wash. 98411 (or e-mail Patrick O'Callahan). Articles may be edited and republished in any format by The News Tribune.
V
eterans Day was created as a day to honor each and every veteran who fought to protect this nation. Many Americans have lost sight of the true meaning of Veterans Day. Please let any veteran you know how grateful you are for their service to the country. A simple handshake and a thank you will mean a lot to any veteran who took time out of his life to defend the nation.
Re: Police seek clues to fatal shooting of officer (TNT, 11-2).
Like puppies in a pile, campaign signs for candidates I supported now lie in a heap in the corner of my garage. The 2009 election season has officially ended.
At 9 p.m. on election night, every county has reported some results except Pierce and Yakima.
Congratulations to Judy Hauser (column, 11/2) for her column on the balloon boy providing a needed distraction for she and her mother in dealing with the problems of aging.
What are the two main things that young families look at when deciding what community to live in? Schools and parks/recreation.
Re: Peter Callaghan’s column, 11-3.
We’d like to relate our history with private health insurance companies during our 40 years in the working world.
Double health insurance coverage for Superior Court judges is not a new issue (editorial, 11-3). Some 20 years ago, I sponsored state legislation to eliminate this double coverage. Although I got the bill through the House and the Senate, Pierce County Superior Court judges at the time (almost none of whom are still on the bench today) were able to persuade Gov. Booth Gardner to veto the bill.
Re: “Obama’s putting out fires that Bush started” (letter, 11-1).
Re: “Boeing snubs state for new 787 production line” (TNT, 10-29).
The article “Toilet paper, an ideal gift” (TNT 10/31) reminded readers of the need of toilet paper and feminine hygiene products at local food banks. I’d like to see concerned citizens take it one step further.
In response to Bob Warfield’s “Halloween: Where have the good times gone?” (letter, 11-3), I have the answer.
Patrick O’Callahan (Inside Opinion blog, 10-29) wondered if there is some unspoken Emily Post rule that more or less forbids lawyers to run against seated judges. Let me suggest the much more pragmatic reason that I heard lawyers voice in the town where I used to live: fear of losing the election and then losing cases – and money and one’s livelihood – when facing that judge in his courtroom.
Re: the Martin Luther King Housing Development Association and its proposed mixed-use development on Martin Luther King Way.
Presiding Judge Bryan Chushcoff should fight for his double health care coverage based on legal principles. He should not use as a justification medical bills that may be “financially devastating” without double coverage.
This past Friday evening, there was a gathering of more than 4,000 people at the Puyallup Fairgrounds for the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party Express II rally to protest the massive expansion of government that is taking place under President Obama and the Democratic Congress. The attendance was more that double what the organizers had hoped for and far exceeded the capacity of the room where the meeting was held.
As a proud Vietnam veteran who is preparing for Veterans Day, I find it tragic that so many of my fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work.
Re: “Money can’t buy time to help state’s salmon” (TNT, 10-20).
Re: “Judges may fight for benefit” (TNT, 11-1).
Re: “Longer school day won’t solve problem” (letter, 10-8).
What has become of Halloween?
President Obama had proposed giving an additional $250 to senior citizens (TNT, 10-15). The problem is that he proposes to borrow the funds to pay for this giveaway.
I am neither callous nor unsympathetic to those suffering with the loss of a loved one. I lost my own younger brother in an accident when he was just 17.
Re: “Don’t be swayed by guilt trip arguments” (letter, 10-9).
The most courageous act a president could perform at this moment in history would be pulling U.S. military forces out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
There is just no persuasive reason for extending term limits for Pierce County Council members and the county executive. Our government is not so dependent on specific individuals that it cannot manage to succeed without them after eight years in office. Citizen representation requires access and innovative perspectives.
The rebuttal of the voters pamphlet statement against Referendum 71 reads: “All families should be treated equally under the law. Committed couples who want to take care of each other should have the protection they need to keep their families safe.” Not true.
Tuesday’s election comes at an important time in the city of University Place.
Should Fox News be treated differently? Fox has every right to be critical of this administration, but it does a few things that no other networks do.
Charles Krauthammer wants President Obama to take responsibility for the war in Afghanistan (column, 10-30).
I have been reading lots of commentary regarding how the shortage of swine flu vaccine is a prime example of “government-run health care.”
On a daily basis, staff and volunteers of the Tacoma Rainbow Center bear witness to people whose lives would be unmistakably better with the protections afforded them by Senate Bill 5688.
The reality of Pierce County’s two-term limit on the County Council is rooted in a county commissioner system that was plagued with corruption. Naturally voters sought to limit the abuses of power by approving term limits in 1980.
As I ponder the reactions of the opposition to Referendum 71, I recollect the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he was writing from jail in Birmingham:
Re: “Charter amendments give more power to county voters” (Viewpoint, 10-30).
Reading about John Alexander (TNT, 10-29), who is running for Puyallup City Council, was very interesting. He owes the state for unemployment benefits he received while working. He claims he wasn’t aware he wasn’t supposed to get them while working.
I am a 52-year-old gay male who has lived in Washington for the past 24 years. I’m a retired Army officer who fell in love with my partner back in 1985 while stationed at Fort Lewis. We own our home, work and pay taxes, have excellent credit and enjoy the company of our many friends, straight and gay.
In the race for Position 6 on Tacoma’s City Council, voters have two very distinct choices.
Jan Shabro has demonstrated her skill as our county auditor by cutting expenditures made necessary by the recession without disturbing services. Few people can accomplish this feat and retain the support of the county auditor’s staff.
There were three candidates for Puyallup City Council District 3, Position 2 until the primary winnowed that down to only two – including John Alexander, whose credentials now seem in doubt.
After hearing Judge Michael Hecht explain away his frequent visits to an adult theater by saying that he went there for the food, I wonder . . . has anyone contacted the Food Network?
When the American colonies declared independence, they also declared that all are created equal. Despite those bold words, anyone who wasn’t male, white and a property owner was not truly equal.
My good friends Gene and Kathy Wiegman (letter, 10-27) support Jim Merritt because of his vision, but I can’t see it. The News Tribune endorsed Merritt, calling him a “visionary of urban design.” But we’re not hiring a city architect; we’re electing the mayor.
Re: “Boeing, going, gone...” (editorial, 10-29).
Pigskin Picks
Warren Miller Dynasty
Win Seahawks Tickets
GET THE E-EDITION
View every news page every day with the digital edition of The News Tribune.
Have The News Tribune delivered to your home daily and save up to 30% off the newsstand price!
Subscribe Today!
Subscribe Today!
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
About Our Ads |
Advertising Partners |
Contact Us |
About Us |
Site Map |
Jobs
|
RSS
1950 South State Street, Tacoma, Washington 98405 253-597-8742
© Copyright 2009 Tacoma News, Inc. A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company
1950 South State Street, Tacoma, Washington 98405 253-597-8742
© Copyright 2009 Tacoma News, Inc. A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company