TNT letters: Cartoon cat wasn’t harmed; pot shop robberies; safe parking in Pierce County
Cartoon cat wasn’t harmed
Re: “Letters to the editor” (TNT, 04/24/2022)
In the April 24 edition, you published a letter from a reader complaining about the April 15 “Close to Home“ cartoon. She apparently believed that it portrayed a cat being put into a document shredder. She was incorrect.
The cartoon showed a cat being taken out of a cardboard box. The box was labeled as an “All-natural energy-efficient document shredder” because the cat was the shredder, not the item being shredded. The cartoon was funny, and you should not discontinue John McPherson’s future cartoons.
It’s bad enough that The News Tribune already discontinued some of my favorites. I could suggest a number of cartoons that I think should be discontinued, but I simply don’t read the ones that have proven to be dumb, offensive or unfunny.
Sue Harwood, University Place
Leadership and empathy
I listened carefully to Executive Dammeier’s report to the Pierce County Regional Council on April 21. He emphasized the rise in violent crime and property crime in the county, but his response was heartless and solutions lacking. He said criminals must be put in jail, but failed to acknowledge they will also be released back into the community. How does he plan on altering their behavior after incarceration?
Dammeier said homelessness added to the problem, offering the economy and COVID as a cause, but he didn’t mention the proliferation of guns, poverty, or the many families suffering death and long-term health problems due to the pandemic.
Instead, Dammeier felt bad about restaurants having gone bust and suggested more government support for “entrepreneurs.”
Dammeier’s leadership lacks true empathy. He and his political party insist on resorting to hackneyed, ineffectual “solutions.” A more bi-partisan effort on his part is desperately needed in Pierce County.
Lucinda Wingard, Gig Harbor
Pot shop robberies
In 2011, I assisted clients open medical cannabis dispensaries in Mason County, then in Pierce and Kitsap counties in 2012.
Federal and state laws prohibit owners from using the safety of our banking systems at the owners and their employee’s peril. It is a cash only enterprise,
Since 2015 Washington has collected over $1.8 billion dollars in tax revenue, with $559.5 million collected last year alone.
Robberies of these businesses are increasing, and in Tacoma a young man was killed during a robbery. This is on Olympia’s mind as well, as are the two young men who robbed the store.
It is time for Washington legislators to pass laws that allow these businesses to utilize our banking systems to protect our citizens and the state’s large tax revenue producers. This is a no-brainer.
Dennis Goss, University Place
Safe parking
Re: “No time to delay safe parking in Pierce County” (TNT, 04/24/2022)
Matt Driscoll’s assessment of Pierce County ordinance 2022-24 is correct.
Safe parking is the smartest way to reduce street homelessness. It engages the community in the response to reduce the rise of homelessness. It reduces the risk of violence and vigilantism. It promotes partnerships with service providers. But most of all, it is the cheapest way to stem the flood of folks falling into homelessness.
My plea to Mr. Dammeier: “Please sign this ordinance when it reaches your desk.”
Jan Runbeck, Tacoma