Tacoma’s new homeless encampment ban is ‘darkly sadistic.’ It also solves nothing

Tacoma’s homeless camping ban

I’m extremely disappointed and angry by the passing of an ordinance that will enact a homeless encampment ban around temporary shelters in Tacoma. Yea votes from Mayor Victoria Woodards and Council members Kristina Walker, Olgy Diaz, Sarah, Rumbaugh and Joe Bushnell were prefaced by much performative hand-wringing. Ordinance sponsor Council member John Hines pontificated in a similar manner, vainly trying to mollify those against the bill while dog-whistling the usual anti-homeless rhetoric.

Ultimately Deputy Mayor Catherine Ushka and Council members Kiara Daniels and Keith Blocker listened to their constituents and offered a clear-eyed analysis of the ordinance, and made the morally correct decision against it.

Hines’ notion that homeless people will finally avail themselves of limited and limiting services on the threat of fines and/or incarceration is preposterous. The idea of exacting carceral punishment on people already traumatized by their circumstances is darkly sadistic and truly solves nothing.

This ordinance harms one group of people to appease another. If that’s the kind of policy Hines is going trade in, I’m sure he and the other council members who supported the ordinance have long and successful careers ahead of them in a country becoming populated by amoral politicians trading fear for votes.

Matt Estrada, Tacoma

Climate change

So, do you not believe climate change is caused by mankind and therefore are against any efforts to combat it?

Do you ignore the scientific studies that show the march toward multiple tipping points where change will become self-perpetuating and irreversible?

Do you declare the cost of mitigating efforts as being too expensive?

Do you ridicule the use of battery powered vehicles? Do you ignore any information concerning climate change that does not fit your beliefs?

Since you have such strong beliefs I offer you a challenge: Why don’t you sit down now and write a letter to your grandchildren stating your belief that climate change is not real. That it is not caused by humans. That the cost to do anything about climate change is simply too expensive.

Seal the envelope and request that they open it in 40 or 50 years. Your grandchildren can make the determination then whether or not your beliefs were correct.

In other words, take credit for the results.

Richard P Casmier, Puyallup

Gender identity

I have adjusted my thoughts on transgender issues. I think back to the early 1970s and remember discovering folks were gay. I was uncomfortable with that at the time. Over the years it has become no big deal.

I imagine that over time someone being transgender will become no big deal as well. Being uncomfortable about someone’s gender identity is about me, not the other person. Just because I am uncomfortable does not mean another person has to conform to my expectations. I need to deal with my own feelings.

In this space of dealing with my own feelings, it allows me to open my heart up and accept others as they are. Life is too short to try and have everyone conform to my expectations, so I am comfortable. With an open heart, I can love the humanity in everyone.

Russell P Parks, Tacoma