Editor,
That children are our future might be mere truism except for how often they suffer for no fault of their own. So, affirming and celebrating youth is vital, not only for their wellbeing but also for the hope this inspires in older persons.
Hope is manifest in the eloquence of middle school student Edie McGrath’s letter, exposing the convoluted rationale of offering baby orangutans to zoos in countries that promote consumption of palm oil, even though expanding palm plantations creates the orphans through decimation of primary rain forests (CDN, June 21, 2024).
Hope is evident as well in the courage of students and young journalists who direct human conscience to war crimes in Palestine. It is also inherent in the commitment of new generations of graduates to multicultural understandings and intergenerational experiences as they move into today’s troubled world.
More than simply ancient adage, “out of the mouths of babes” reminds us that bestowing respect and encouraging participation of the young implies alliance. It engenders promising memory and meaning, as we all face mysteries and challenges of new transitions.
James Loucky
Bellingham
Editor,
Hey Bellingham, think about visiting the healthy, robust, established cedar groves of Civic Field Woods before they are clear cut! This forest habitat rivals the Hundred Acre Wood, in that, in its humble way, it is thriving in the middle of the city! I have to wonder if [former Mayor Seth] Fleetwood would have chosen to sacrifice this treasure?
Annie Jacobi
Bellingham
Editor,
Is the City of Bellingham committed to keeping citizens safe in public spaces?
I ask these questions after the brutal attack on a strong 18-year-old young woman, a graduate of a Bellingham Public School, on June 22, 2024, on the trails above Lake Padden. Thankfully, due to her amazing strength and the assistance of two courageous nearby citizens, she fought off her attacker and was ONLY left with severe bruising and broken bones. The emotional scars are left unsaid.
Meanwhile, the City of Bellingham had zero public response until the morning of Monday, June 24, 2024 — over 48 hours later — when the Police Department Facebook page made mention of the incident and recommended that women not “run alone.”
In that time countless taxpayers used that trail and other Greenways properties across the city without any warning of the clear and present danger posed by an unapprehended perpetrator. No signs were posted and no public statement was made.
Does the City encourage such measures? Is that what taxpayers should expect? Isn’t it offensive to think that women can’t be on a trail alone?
Over time public spaces in Bellingham have become less safe. Public school children are assaulted on field trips. The Public Library is unfit for children, the public pool has seen assaults and at least one overdose, and now Greenways trails are only to be used with a buddy or a weapon.
Why was there a 48-hour delay in alerting the public? Would the city have waited 48 hours to respond if the victim had been a racial, religious or sexual minority? Is there any connection between this assault and others in the city or county? Ultimately, why should we fund public space if the taxpayers aren’t safe using it?
Matt Daheim
Bellingham
Editor,
I have two things on my mind after reading CDN this morning. The first is what streets will be accommodating the better port facilities? I don’t object to a revived port, I’m just having a hard time visualizing practical truck routes for increased shipping.
This brings me to my second idea (stolen from a friend). I’m wondering why Bellingham planners haven’t considered using Magnolia Street as a bike route. There could easily be one lane for cars, or NO car traffic, as cross streets give plenty of access to businesses. Give Holly and Chestnut over to car traffic as arterials in and out of this area, and Magnolia over to bikes.
This seems like a safe way to accommodate both. Magnolia is better than Chestnut for grade, anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I drive Magnolia, but I could easily (in a car) go over to Champion or York with very little additional time. Maybe Magnolia could become a walkable destination, too. Hmmm. The more I say this, the better I like it.
Laura Corker
Bellingham
Editor,
Cascadia Daily News has done a splendid job of informing its readers about candidates for public office in our area. This is an enterprise that also engages the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, whose mission is to promote the informed participation of citizens in government.
Judging by the letters you receive, your readers are indeed citizens who participate, so they may be pleased to learn that they can watch short interviews with the candidates running in the August primary elections by visiting the League’s website — lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org.
On view are candidates to represent District 2 in Congress, candidates for the state Legislature from District 42, and candidates for the Whatcom County Public Utility District 1, position 2. Ballots will be mailed out on July 17 and must be returned by mail postmarked by Aug. 6 or must be deposited in drop boxes by 8 p.m. on that day.
Minda Rae Amiran
Voter Service, LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County
Editor,
I had my first up-close adventure in the politics of grassroots dissent when attending U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s event at Boundary Bay with family and friends. We suspected it might be exciting as we passed folks with Palestinian flags on the sidewalk leading to the entrance.
We had been talking with several people when protesters, who had been chanting outside the fence, appeared. Their name tags showed they had registered for the event. They were upset about the casualties during Israel’s attack to recover hostages and confronted Rep. Larsen over his votes supporting Israel. This is an example of what makes our country great — free and dissenting speech by people who registered to attend an event with their elected representative and were able to express disagreement on a policy.
After listening to them, Rep. Larsen said he understood their point and attempted to speak with other constituents who wanted to talk to him. At that time, others in the protest group got louder. One man began yelling constantly in the representative’s face, prohibiting him from interacting with other constituents.
Rep. Larsen’s early exit from the gathering was due in part to knowing that no resolution could be reached in that moment. This is unfortunate. Disagreement does not mean concerns are being ignored. I believe protesters lost the potential support of other attendees when things degraded into a one-sided rant.
Free speech is a cornerstone of what makes our country great. That said, like all tools of democracy, it must be used wisely — with respect and restraint.
J.G. Sandy Phillips
Custer
Editor,
Our democratic values are being challenged. Some say we are only a republic. I dispute this. We are, and always have been, a democratic republic. Democracy is fragile because some politicians want to be autocrats and too many people want to trust them. This is more likely when democracies fail to deliver the goods that people want: a sense of belonging, of security and of being valued.
Democracies are more fragile in unequal and more diverse societies, not least because would-be dictators will play on such divisions.
Participating in and safeguarding democracy is difficult. Winston Churchill, British Prime Minster during WWII, stated: “Indeed, it has been said democracy is the worst form of government — except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” He meant that democracy has its faults, but all other forms have proven to be worse for the people.
Democratic practice is defined by debate and disagreement, an acceptance of diversity of opinion and interests, a respect for institutions that make free politics possible, mutual accountability and a shared understanding that elections are like team sports — there are winners and losers. Players and the teams’ supporters abide by the calls and decisions of the officials.
America’s participatory democracy has reasonably worked for us over two centuries. Let’s keep it that way.
Curt Wolters
Bellingham
Editor,
The Electric Avenue Bridge closure is of interest to those of us who live on James Street. Both sides of James Street are residential properties with the exception of one business. This street is extremely heavily traveled with cars to semi trucks. The city council has been approached with these severe safety-traffic problems for the residents. The response has been that this project is also included in the city’s six-year Transportation Improvement Program. How many TIP solutions there are should be examined.
Joy Bauck
Bellingham
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).
How did state, Whatcom Democrats win big in a US election swinging the other way?