Online-only letters
Bitter pill of ethics
I think, therefore I am
Editor, The Times:
Regarding “Judge: Druggists may withhold ‘morning-after’ pill” [Times, Health, Nov. 9]: I’m dismayed that people in a supposedly liberal society would be so critical of pharmacists whose ethics restrain them from dispensing drugs that violate their convictions about life itself.
There’s something disingenuous in being all for personal rights, acting on our deepest beliefs and values… except when it offends or inconveniences someone else.
Issues of life and death, abortion and the like are the most significant moral issues any of us can struggle with and not to restrain or force the consciences or convictions of others.
Sure, it’s pharmacists’ job to dispense medicine. But it’s also their job to be human beings with a deeply-held ethical code. To violate this reduces a society to a kind of bland, monochrome monarchy of lowest-common-denominator values, and it will reduce us all in the end.
Don’t constrain people to participate in something they legitimately feel is wrong. Don’t legislate anything in an effort to keep everybody happy. These are fine, educated, competent, thinking people.
There are plenty of pharmacies and pharmacists, and these drugs are available elsewhere if someone wants them.
We should be glad these people are thinking and not automatons, and recognize that societies actually benefit when people are free to possess and act or not act because of conscience - especially when it’s not in line with popular, mainstream thinking.
- Steve Wilkinson, WoodinvilleOlympia protests
Get what you deserve
Regarding “Dozens arrested in protests against Iraq war shipments in Olympia” [Local News, Nov. 14]: Why are protesters complaining of their handling by police? Obviously, they were not paying attention in class when someone explained or should have explained what happens when civil disobedience occurs.
These people have no right to interrupt any Port activity, military or civilian. The police are handling them with kid gloves and probably should use even more force.
The protesters seem to be pushing the authorities further and further with each demonstration. They must learn that for every action there is a reaction.
- Larry Silves, BellevueSwallowed by the beast
March into darkness
The juggernaut of lawlessness that defines the George Bush government has corrupted the institutions of our nation to an almost unfathomable degree.
It has corrupted the traditional party of law and order, the Republicans, to march in lockstep with the president to see that he is subject to no law, no subpoena, no discovery of truth.
It has corrupted the mass media to be a mouthpiece for government cover stories and ignore the truths and facts of illegality they once sought out; to become a lapdog, rather than a watchdog of democracy.
It has corrupted the Democratic Party to join the Republicans in a conspiracy to obstruct the finding of truth and proper exercise of justice.
It has corrupted the very foundation of our democracy - representative government - where calling your congressperson is a futile exercise met with form letters but not action or representation.
The electorate now fights to stop the granting of immunity from laws already broken for Bush’s friends [”Blackwater killings unjustified?” News, Nov. 14]. The simple citizen now stands almost alone for the right of subpoenas to be enforced and for the rule of law to apply equally to those in power.
Something is very wrong in our nation. We march daily toward excusable lawlessness, where the Constitution is mute and the government unresponsive, and we seem powerless to stop it.
- Marc Sterling, OlympiaWhere the road takes us
Make it work
Regarding “After 15 votes, let’s think smaller” [Local News, Nov. 7] and “Huge roads-transit plan gets trounced” [Politics, Nov. 7]: Columnist Danny Westneat asked “What do we do now?” I think the question should be: “What did we do wrong?”
In part, the ballot measure for Proposition 1 included too much. The price tag of $17.8 billion will and should give the citizens of any county or state sticker shock.
As stated, the transportation planners must start over. Not from scratch - they already know what is needed; no need to pay for more studies to tell people what they already know.
The Senate Transportation Committee will bundle legislation together to include parts of everyone’s pet projects in hopes they will not be voted down. It seems that is how Proposition 1 was brought to the voters.
The results of this voter action is to tell the transportation planners: let us tell you what we want by not bundling three or four projects together to satisfy the political needs in Olympia.
As a voter, I also wonder about how the money voted for will be allocated after the voters approve a multi-project proposition. If one project budget is voted for, the money can go to just that project. If a multi-budget project is voted for, will all the money stay where stated?
Break out the projects into individual ballot issues: one for roads and bridges, one for mass transit and one for light rail. Plainly state what will be built and for how much money. Do not make a project grandiose. Make it functional and practical for the future needs, i.e., make the HOV lanes on the right side of the roads, so traffic isn’t weaving back and forth to use HOV lanes on the left side of the road. That would eliminate the need for flyover exits, saving hundreds of millions of dollars.
I don’t think the state as a whole will vote down transportation projects if they are needed and not extravagant.
The voters will tell you what they need and want. The time to start over is now.
- Thomas Del Pozzi, RentonNeed a ride?
Instead of building new roads, why not use taxpayers’ money and perhaps federal grants to subsidize free transit passes to all Puget Sound residents? This may actually save money as well as be good for the environment.
Many would give up much of their driving if they could save a bundle on their transportation costs. Biking may be seen as an alternative, but with our seasonal weather it would not be viable to many.
Many of us do not want to share busy streets with motor vehicles that can travel much faster; motor-vehicle drivers feel the same way about bicyclists who can hold up traffic.
What we need to reduce our traffic congestion is more buses and an incentive for people to ride them - a free ride!
- Shirley Smith, SeattlePublic education
“Better late than never”
As a former successful businessman, I am surprised former Seattle School Board President Donald Nielsen overlooked the most important condition that causes the “failing [of] so many of our children” [”Fix public education,” guest column, Oct. 28].
That is essentially the governmental monopoly of public education. Urban schools and students from low-income families are trapped in this failing system. And as Nielsen pointed out, we are creating an enormous underclass of citizens. This underclass is now the parents of present-day, urban-school students.
Having tutored in Seattle Public Schools for the past 11 years now, I see this underclass as being indifferent to the educational process, disrespectful of teachers and disruptive in the classroom. Preschool education for this underclass is nonexistent.
Our country faces a tremendous educational challenge. I agree with Nielsen’s first two ideas to help solve this problem but not with the appointment of school boards. Who does the appointing?
Government monopoly of education should give way to competition and parental choice. Better late than never to implement this fundamental change to educate our children.
- Bob Dorse, SeattleJingle bells
Tyranny of the majority
I applaud the Port of Seattle for finally having the fortitude to stand up to [certain] rude Christians who would force their religious celebration on others [”Traditional assault,” Northwest Voices, Oct. 28]. This action in no way impedes a person’s personal celebration of the holiday or belief.
The Port of Seattle is a government entity we have no choice but to use, and we should not be subjected to forced religious observance of any religious display.
I am sure all those decrying the Port’s actions would take up arms if only Islamic holidays were celebrated, but because the holiday is theirs, they are all for it.
All this tripe about the majority deserving its right to impose its religion on others is ridiculous.
- Michael Barr, Sammamish