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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
March 26, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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March 26, 2020
 
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’ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Trump’s leadership is helping Editor, the Journal A few summers ago, my adrenaline was stimulated when I happened to disturb a hornet’s nest. Vivid in my mind is the sight of a min- iature army, in formation, ready to drill an attack on me. As I read not one, not two, not three but four letters responding to my comments correlating liberalism to elite ideology, I am reminded of that immediate feeling of flight or fight. , I witnessed a Pavlovian re- sponse, attack, in last week’s letters to my audacity to question the inability of some national and state “leaders” to acknowledge President Trump’s positive accomplish- ments. How dare I refer to the left as characteristic of “... a fevered barrage of negative and belittling remarks about one’s opponent.” Loaded for attack came these letters with over-the-top rhetoric, with diversion tactics, with negative accusations, with distorted interpretations of my words and with negative personal insinuations. Oh my, is this not evidence of the very characteristic I referred to as “... a fevered barrage of negative and belittling re- marks about one’s opponent?” I reread my letter. The first two words were “our country” not “the country.” Could all this venom come from a typo in a heading I did not write? We all have pet peeves. My pet peeve is distortion of my words. Of course a typo is forgiven. The deliberate distortion of my written word to suit a liberal writer’s nega- tive narrative is not. To infer I am a pawn to anyone, as one writer suggested by co- mingling my words with my husband’s, is above the pale. Such letters foul discussion by disrespect and dishonest intent, thus proving unwor— thy of a reply. I should thank the staff for the typo since the typo inadvertently baited the TDSers (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Contrary to popular opin- ion, I rely on financial news channels for information on world events. Currently I am tracking the US. coronavirus percentages of deaths. Why? President Trump is a leader among leaders with the US. rate 1.3% (216 deaths di- vided by 16,638 cases 1.3%) which is down. from 2.2% last week and much lower than the world rate of 4% (11,153 deaths divided by 2,666,115 cases 4%). The 1.3% is down from just a week ago — worth repeating. The national media is fix- ated on the sensational vol- ume of cases, not the decrease in the United Statesdeath rate percentage. Give credit to our president. I see heroic efforts to lower the curve, to financially stabilize our Thursday, March 26, 2020 — Shelton—Mason County Journal — Page A-5 Journal Letter Policy The Journal encourages original letters to the editor of local interest. Diverse and varied opinions are welcomed. We will not publish letters that are deemed libelous or scurrilous in nature. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number, which will be used for verification purposes only. All letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. To submit a letter, email adam@masonc‘ounty.com or mail it to PO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. Until further notice, please do not drop off letters at the Journal office. citizens and to untangle our codependence on China for drugs. I see a media intent on disrespect and sensational- ism. Irene Graham Union Wanted: Selective shoppers at Safeway Editor, the Journal This last Sunday, my wife and I finished our shopping at Safeway. At the checkstand we were surprised to find out that we can no longer buy what others can. We do not have a smart phone, just an older flip phone. We cannot use the dig- ital coupons for store specials. They used to accommodate those of us who could not use their digital coupons by sim- ply adjusting at the checkout. It was very simple and not time consuming to fix so that all could participate in their coupon specials. Higher management no longer allows this simple procedure-so that all can participate and enjoy weekly specials as well as regular shopping needs. If you are a regular Safeway shopper like we were, we just thought others might like to know. Personally, I believe this is shortsighted, now promoting selective customers at Safe- way. P.V. LaPrath Jr. Shelton ’Target rich environment’ in letters Editor, the Journal During the World War II battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, there was a mas- sive aerial engagement that became known as the Great Mariana’s Turkey Shoot. In it, over 300 Japanese aircraft were shot down. Afterwards, a US Navy fighter pilot said wryly, “It was a target rich environment.” Well, the March 19 Jour- nal’s letter section was certainly a “target rich envi- ronment.” The usual liberal suspects came out in force. Mssrs. James Biehl, Burt Mullen and William Busacca had strong words for me and others. I should ignore them, but since they led with their chins First, to Mr. Biehl: Don- ald Trump’s front teeth are capped. So are mine. What you call a “silly combover” is at least his real hair. Joe Biden didn’t get the nickname “Plugs” for nothing. You said to me, “Be care- ful of making comparisons.” Physician, heal thyself. I was making no comparisons. Mr. Biehl, if yOu are going to lecture someone, it will serve you well to at least know what you are talking about. You salvaged an otherwise flawed letter with an excel- lent final paragraph, how- ever. Nicely stated. Mr. Mullen, I believe there is no clearer case of influence peddling-than the recent ca- pers of Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, in Ukraine, yet you suggest that Hunter was just trying to “make a living in a foreign country.” I had to stop here. You must have OD’ed on the Kool-Aid. I wish you luck in the fu- ture as a “blue dog” (fiscally conservative) Democrat. You brag about this in most of your letters, but you’re in a party that wants to tax us until we bleed. How do you square that circle? William Busacca began a letter (to another writer) in which he first catalogs what he believes to be the elements of Donald Trump’s villainy. He ends by telling a joke: “Try watching something other than Fox News once in a while to get a more even perspective on what’s really going on.” Barf. I hope these exchanges continue. Our country faces a terrible virus, which I’m - confident we can overcome, but we are also facing a na- tional election. Both events are hugely consequential, but in different ways, and I know we can walk and chew gum at the same time. If we take care of ourselves, and more importantly, each other, America will win. Robert E. Graham Union Kudos to letter writer Graham Editor, the Journal Given the liberal bias of the area, it’s rarified to see a letter as well written as by Irene Graham. Inslee, Mur- ray, Schumer and up the line could care less about the fate of the nation, but only for their self-interest, continue to hold their office and line their pockets. To Irene, keep your thoughts penned. I enjoy reading sensible thoughts in my own baked hours in Palm Desert. Although summers in Kitsap are great as well as the various activities on the Canal, i.e., Hamma Hamma. William Price Palm Desert, California Bernie’s ' solUtions aren’t the solution Editor, the Journal Bernie Sanders believes government is the answer to everything; he wants to pro- vide free health care costing $52 trillion and a free college education costing $2.2 tril- lion. He also wants housing for all at $2.5 trillion and Universal Child Care at $1.5 trillion. The total tab, includ- ing Green New Deal at $16.3 trillion, is $74.5 trillion. (One study says the Green New Deal alone could cost up to $93 trillion). Sanders will add a 4% tax to everyone earning over $29,000. A $15 minimum wage earner makes $31,200 annually so Bernie will even tax minimum wage earners. Bernie’s own estimate is that we have 80 million people without medical care. Assuming each of these will have but one doctor visit each year, that’s 80 million more doctor visits than now. How will that impact the current medical system? How long will you have to wait to see your own doctor? How do you legislate more doctors, more nurses, more lab technicians, . more administrators, more hospitals, and more equip- ment? Bernie’s Medicare for All and ObamaCare won’t work. Bernie’s one-size-fits-all solu- tion would destroy the private medical insurance coverage and force everyone into ques- tionable government cover- age. The VA is an example of disastrous government medi- cal coverage. Besides, who gives Bernie the authority to take away my health care? That’s my freedom of choice he’s taking away. Even Joe Biden agrees a single-payer system is not the solution. In a Democratic debate, Joe Biden told Bernie that Italy has a single-payer system and it’s a complete di- saster during this coronavirus ‘ crisis. It’s so overtaxed that hospitals ration medical as- sistance; they were perform: ing last rites on the elderly and saving the beds and other medical help for younger, healthier patients. The primary support group for Bernie’s socialist positions is the young people. Current- ly the millennial generation is on spring break; many are totally ignoring the medical , advice on coronavirus. If they are not concerned with the health of the older genera— tion, including their own par— ents; if they totally ignore the ' advice of medical, social and political leaders as it pertains to the coronavirus concerns, how can we trust their judg— ment in politics? Ardean A. Anvik Shelton Let’s use crisis to strengthen ' community Editor, the Journal The United States is in a’ national crisis and while many responsible actions are being taken (some months behind other countries), this crisis can help us rethink what true national security looks like: Science-based preparation and execution for emergencies of many kinds, medical care for all, housing for all, food for all, clean wa- ter, land, and air for all, and compassion for all. While the US. has spent trillions for nuclear weapons and other military hardware, we were caught unprepared for a virus and its aftermath. We should take this opportunity to re- prioritize our thinking and spending. If we decide to prioritize green/clean energy/transpor- tation (Green New Deal) and sustainable/ equitable devel- opment, housing, health care . for all, justice/fairness for- all, equitable free preschool- college education, working with nature and indigenous peoples, and cooperating with the international community (Paris Climate Accord) and the UN. prohibition of all nu- clear weapons, we could have true national security. Let’s use this crisis to strengthen our communities, country and world so that to- gether we can have a sustain- able planet where everyone lives respected and adequate- ly sustained physically and emotionally. Michael Siptroth Belfair A poem about life Editor, the Journal Life needs health Before wealth It won’t work the other way My world case in point Look at the person in charge Now Elections have conse- quences Vote proof Life needs health before wealth Signed, Virus John Haupt Union see LE1T ERS, page A—6