Editor,
I have admired Jimmy Carter for years, both as a thoughtful president and a remarkable human being. He provides a stark contrast to the next occupant of the White House and it is a sadly little-known fact that Mr. Reagan actually orchestrated secret talks with Iran delaying the release of the hostages until after the 1980 election, thereby unfairly influencing the outcome.
Reagan would go on, of course, to create his own scandal in the Iran-Contra affair. He famously and illegally sold arms, the profits for which were sent to his pet project supporting the rebel Contras. And then he proceeded to lie to the nation about his role in this sordid affair. The life-long behavior of Jimmy Carter stands in stark contrast to the misguided values of both Ronald Reagan and the self-indulgent behavior of Donald Trump.
Leaf Schumann
Deming
Editor,
As a college senior in November 1980, I cast my first vote in a presidential election for Jimmy Carter. Though it brought my first taste of political disappointment, I have never regretted that vote.
On Jan. 14, 1981, I sat in front of a dorm TV and watched President Carter’s farewell address from the Oval Office. I still have the notes I scribbled as President Carter laid out three over-arching themes he expected to shape America’s future: the threat of nuclear destruction, the need for new action to protect earth’s physical resources, and America’s (then-) bedrock commitment to human freedom.
Striking a resonant chord, President Carter equated “life” with nuclear survival, “liberty” with human rights, and “the pursuit of happiness” with environmental integrity. The trinity of values he expressed remains timely and rings prescient 44 years later. May this decent leader rest in peace.
Edward Wolf
Bellingham
Editor,
Appreciated reading Sandi Halgren’s letter regarding Bellingham’s lack of traffic law enforcement. We wrote a letter to Mayor Lund this month (cc Bellingham Police Department Chief) expressing concern over the lack of our motorcycle unit. Here it is summarized:
Our city is showing definite effects of the BPD motorcycle unit’s demise. It’s been since early 2022 that we have not had their presence on our streets … slowing traffic to a reasonable speed, cell phones being put aside, turn signals being used to change lanes, vehicles slowing and stopping at intersections when traffic lights are yellow.
Instead, we have vehicles following too closely. Concerns for learning drivers getting uncertain/uncomfortable with a car right on their tail and feeling pressured to drive at an unsafe speed.
We were rear-ended two times in downtown because the drivers at fault were texting on their phones and did not see the stopped traffic.
More drivers are speeding, changing lanes without signaling and speeding through intersections not slowing/stopping. Drivers know there are zero repercussions.
We are drivers, grandparents, taxpayers and caring people for our city. We implore you to PLEASE give us back the traffic unit.
A deputy administrator replied. It was a brush-off response, kindly done. Stating city leaders continue to prioritize law enforcement funding and there is a lot to look forward to in that regard.
Chief Mertzig’s response told me she supports the words from the mayor’s office.
Have similar traffic opinions? Please write or call the mayor’s office. 360-778-8100.
Sandi and John Bruton
Bellingham
Editor,
A letter concerning education in the Cascadia Daily News of Dec. 27, 2024, promotes two misleading assumptions. First, the suggestion of a presidential “mandate” is a fantasy. In this country, education policy and operations are largely determined by states and local school boards. The federal government has limited financial and legal leverage.
Second, any “decline” in American education — first noted in a sharp drop in student scores in 1967 and continuing since then — clearly has social and economic causes much deeper than any alleged “woke” influence. The letter writer might have in mind specific incidents or situations that legitimately call for correction but, if so, they should be stated.
Seth Zimmerman
Bellingham
Editor,
The absence of accountability that defines all levels of government in the United States is the culmination of 40 years of intense strategic corruption of public institutions by the credit cartel, war profiteers and polluting industries that have left Americans unprotected from organized crime emanating from Wall Street financial institutions and assisted by public agencies that have betrayed democracy and the rule of law.
This corruption has angered many Americans driving some to commit violence and others to despair. Neither of these responses is healthy, but understandable given the lack of effective organized opposition to the bipartisan fascism that has transferred public wealth to private equity on such a scale as to deprive half of our citizens of the basic necessities of life. Such a situation cannot long endure.
Even the nonprofit industrial complex some have come to rely on as champions of the public interest has been thoroughly corrupted by aristocratic derivatives laundered through foundations. The false hope they have come to represent is part of the fascist strategy to undermine public involvement. As infantile consumers of the media spectacle of social fairytales, most Americans are clueless.
Jay Taber
Blaine
Editor,
Congrats to the Whatcom students for making an inspirational difference for others for the holidays! No doubt they learned why it is better to give than receive (“Whatcom students raise money, give back for the holidays” by Charlotte Alden, Cascadia Daily News, Dec. 22, 2024).
The seniors, foster kids, families and food banks will have a loving lift and a merrier holiday because of their efforts. But still, there will be unmet needs after the holidays. Congress can be inspired and take action to address the hunger, housing and health needs of tens of millions of Americans when they return after the holidays.
The SNAP program in the new farm bill can be expanded to bring an end to the hunger of those in or near poverty; the child tax credit can be increased to once again cut child poverty in half; a renter tax credit can be enacted to keep those in poverty housed. Congress can pass these and other ladders out of poverty and they will if they hear from enough of us.
What a great way to celebrate the holidays and begin the new year: Call those who represent you (202-224-3121) and ask them to do these things and more. Be inspired by the students’ efforts to make a difference and continue their selfless work.
Willie Dickerson
Snohomish
Editor,
Addressing the questions raised by a reader as to why CDN covered the “disruption” of Congressman Larsen’s Dec. 14 town hall meeting by pro-Palestinian protestors, here are some thoughts.
First, the protestors DID NOT disrupt the town hall meeting; observing guidelines, they waited until the meeting formally ended to chant and hold up signs.
Secondly, respectfully, CDN covered it because — like it or not — it IS news and CDN is a newspaper.
Thirdly, disruptive tactics and free speech are what spurred our founding as a country, helped win women’s right to vote, and won American labor better wages and working conditions. Like it or not, it is part of the democratic process.
Lastly — and most importantly — yes, the protestors DID get the attention they likely wanted. Thank goodness. Someone needs to call attention to Rep. Larsen’s continued support of the U.S. role in the Israeli atrocities against Palestinians — atrocities deemed crimes by the International Court of Justice, the U.N. and even our own laws. When Rep. Larsen listens as closely to his constituents and his humanity on this matter as he does to his two top campaign supporters, the American-Israeli PAC and Boeing (with its military contracts for Israeli weaponry), disruption might not be necessary. I’d welcome that!
Marilyn (Lyn) Fuller
Bellingham
Editor,
The letter from Bob Morton last week with his (witty?) suggestion to remove the homeless from their camps by blasting out Christmas carols 24 hours a day was exceedingly mean-spirited. All the more so at this time of year.
Tom Goetzl
Bellingham
Editor,
As I read the various articles and letters in this fine newspaper, I am reminded that I have not written a letter about how ocean levels are measured. Let me calm your fears. Our ocean levels are measured by satellite. Everyone knows that. But the distance between the satellite and the ocean surface only tells us the height of the satellite.
The ocean level must be measured according to the Earth. So then the distance between the satellite and the ocean surface is subtracted from the distance between the satellite and the center of the Earth. The last time I checked, the center of the Earth can be calculated to within 20 kilometers or so. Then they tell us the oceans rose 3.3 millimeters last year.
Ask your kids if you can get a small number for an answer while using huge variables in the equation. Math doesn’t work that way. But we have rulers on our beaches to measure with, right? Well, they actually measure whether the land is falling into or rising out of the ocean. Here in the Northwest, we have a thing where our side of this continent is rising from the ocean.
You’ve heard of Cascadia Rising. In short, there is no way to actually measure our ocean levels. Spending public money because of an unverifiable theory of ocean levels rising is tantamount to fraud. You can rest easy here in the NW, but our clams will have to move farther down the beach to stay wet.
Mark White
Port Angeles
Letters to the Editor are published online Wednesdays; a selection is published in print Fridays. Send to letters@cascadiadaily.com by 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Rules: Maximum 250 words, be civil, have a point and make it clearly. Preference is given to letters about local subjects. CDN reserves the right to reject letters or edit for length, clarity, grammar and style, or removal of personal attacks or offensive content. Letters must include an address/phone number to verify the writer's identity (not for publication).
County growth plan must protect farming