TNT letters: vaccine refusers, laughable advisory votes and honoring Christopher Columbus
Vaccine refusers shouldn’t lose jobs
Re: “Goodbye and good riddance” (TNT, 10/03/2021)
Although I agree with vaccine mandates, I do not agree that all people willing to lose their job over getting vaccinated are in the Pitts’ categories of “gullible, the conspiracy addled, the logically impaired, stubbornly ignorant, or petulant.”
Pitts’ columns have a history of categorizing people into bad or good camps. Reality is not that simple.
Robert Jackson, Gig Harbor
Honoring Columbus and Italian Americans
In October, throughout the United States, people celebrate Columbus Day, commemorating the day that Christopher Columbus landed in “The New World.” This is a particularly special celebration for those of Italian descent.
Italian-Americans take pride in the fact that Christopher Columbus was Italian (born Christoforo Colombo in Genoa Italy in 1451) and that he was a courageous leader who persevered in his quest to find India by a new route, instead finding a “New World.”
Columbus Day is not just a celebration of Columbus’ sailing achievements; it is also a celebration of Italian history and culture. It is a day to celebrate being Italian.
As Italian-Americans, we try to pass on to the next generation the importance of what Columbus Day stands for and to honor Christopher Columbus.
Joseph E. Munizza,Tacoma
Past President of Sons of Italy
Advisory votes are laughable
Just received my 2021 Voters Pamphlet for Washington voters. It needs to be renamed as a Voters Joke Book!
It asks for an “Advisory Vote” of the people regarding three taxes already passed by the Legislature. Each vote is preceded by: “The Legislature, without a vote of the people,” passed these various taxes, in one case totaling $53 million dollars over a 10 year period.
You are asked: Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
When has any tax in Washington State ever been repealed? This is just a guilt vote. So, why print the pamphlet and why have the “advisory” vote?
Robert Sweem, Graham
Your body, your choice? Hypocrisy
“It’s our bodies, our choice” is an often heard motto by people who do not want to be vaccinated against the Covid virus. It is also a motto women and people who defend the right of a women to have an abortion ,use. But in the second instance it is not listened to in many states. E.g.Texas. And - it is predominantly in those states where the anti abortionists are most active.
What a double standard! Hypocrisy!
As a woman I resent this sanctimonious “ It’s my body, my choice” of many of the anti-vaxxers, if it does not apply to women’s rights over their body.
Karrin Morris, Tacoma
Choices and consequences
Re: “Thousands gather in Olympia to protest COVID-19 requirement for state workers” (TNT, 10/05/2021)
The day before your front-page article about protests at the state capitol regarding vaccine mandates, I saw a pickup truck with a message on the rear window: I WILL NOT COMPLY!
Curiously the driver was complying with the speed limit, stopping at stop lights and going when they turned green. It’s one thing when a choice only affects the person making it. It’s different when that choice might affect others - like running a red light or spreading a potentially deadly virus by not getting vaccinated and/or not wearing a mask when being ill without realizing it.
That’s why society has laws about behavior. Making bad choices often leads to bad consequences for oneself and for others. Evolution is still going on! Let’s comply and protect ourselves, our families and our friends.
John Selby, Edgewood
This story was originally published October 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.