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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
July 2, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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July 2, 2020
 
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LETTERS TO THE Which party has been taken over by extremists? Editor, the Journal As a proud member of the Democratic Party, I must take exception to Irene Gra- ham’s letter in the June 18 issue. “The Democratic Party has been taken over by extrem- ists.” Really? Both the KKK and “White Nation” say “We be- lieve what Trump believes.” Trump is quoted as having told a dictator that building concentration camps is a good idea. Trump’s attorney general is regarded across the nation as corrupt. So tell me again, Ms. Gra- ham, which party has been taken over by’ extremists with no regard for civil liberties or the rule of law? Gregory Dallum Grapeview Big changes; plenty of work to do Editor, the Journal Big change is in the air. Worldwide protests calling finally for big change in how we manage public safety is- sues, especially as it relates to race. Not to mention the ongoing pandemic reality. In all the intensity, we have a big opportunity here to begin to re-envision justice, kind- ness, equality, health, safety, survival and freedom in our communities and in our world. As a white lesbian, I want to publicly state my support to Mason County’s people of color, the women and men whose lives are being so tre- mendously impacted by all the horrors and possibilities of the current moment. So, big change. So much to be done. . Kathy Ross Shelton Journal has room for improvement Editor, the Journal While I did renew my subscription to the Shelton- Mason County Journal for another year, I did think hard about it. I feel you are missing op- portunities to report on issues folks who still subscribe to newspapers are looking for in their local newspaper. Specifi- cally, I didn’t see a report on the tractor/trailer fuel truck incident on state Route 3, which detoured traffic for six hours. The Olympian not only reported it in their news- paper, they even included a photo. Also, what happened on Mason Lake Road a week ago that required numerous PUD vehicles and personnel to take traffic down to one lane and interrupt internet for hours? Again, I did not see any re- porting in the local paper. . While I entertain the thought that I might have missed the reports on the above incidents, I made an . effort to specifically look for them and if they were re- ported, they were certainly not obvious. Not everyone has or wants social media. Those of us who still subscribe to newspapers do so because we enjoy out newspapers and look to them to report on these local issues. Carol Swindall Shelton Orgy of violence must be condemned Editor, the Journal The death of George Floyd proves that rogue cops ex— ist. Citizens from left and right should encourage and approve the righteous anger and peaceful protest by all citizens for this crime. How- ever the orgy of violence and destruction inspired by this murder must be condemned. Even peaceful protesters are sickened by the unreasoning destruction and violence of these thugs. Robert L. Woodson, a Black civil rights activist, said the cause of despair in inner cities is not institution- al racism; it’s institutional betrayal by leaders of these cities. He believes bigotry isn’t as bad as betrayal. Most cities experiencing this be- trayal are run by left—wing Democrats. Mayor Jenny Durkan has betrayed Seattle and Wash- ington Gov. Jay Inslee hides under his desk as the Seattle thugs have kept police out of the CHOP district. These rock-throwing mobs and these politicians have allowed fires to be set, businesses to be vandalized, shots to be fired, people to be killed and assaults, including sexual as- sault, to have occurred. These Violent jerks intimidate the political leaders. It’s no lon- ger a summer of love, Jenny Durkan? With a win, these thugs will have the raw po- litical power they seek. They are winning as Durkan and Inslee dance to their tune. Instead of destroying statues, we should honor the successes and learn from the failures of these historical fig- ures. Unfortunately this cur- rent generation is ignorant of history and arrogantly proud of their ignorance. They want this art destroyed because they think it’s offensive. These simpletons are in a political correctness twilight zone. Education defeats bigotry. When kids from various back- 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 daytime 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@masoncounty.com, drop it off at 227 W. Cota St., or mail it to RC. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. . grounds, economic conditions, races and cultures sit to- gether in a classroom, bigotry will lose. Bigotry is conquered in childhood. Do we eliminate our American history or do we learn from the good and the bad in our history? Why aren’t our history teachers condemning the destruction of historical monuments? The JJ clown college continues with the political betrayal, which, as Woodson said, is worse than bigotry. Mainstream Democrats are strangely quiet as they too betray Seattle. They need to show contempt for the vio- lence and violence-accepting politicians. Where are their voices? The CHOP group in Seattle calls themselves Dem- ocratic Socialists. I’m guess- ing we’re seeing the last gasp of mainstream Democrats: Seattle Thugs 1, Seattle Democrats — 0. Ardean A. Anvik Shelton Not wearing a face mask an arrogant act Editor, the Journal Face masks need to be mandatory when people are in public; it is careless disre- gard to not wear a face mask when they are needed to pro- tect more than themselves. COVID-19 is a killer, it si- phons funds, personal protec- tive equipment and energy that are needed to combat the disease. As to young people not being impacted as much as the elderly, that is simply not known, especially when it comes to life time effects that could be in the extreme. Not wearing a face mask in public is like kicking your neighbor in the face. It is an arrogant and flagrant disre- gard for the safety of others. World War II ended 75 years ago and major wars since then in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq; killed in combat 86,779, an addition- al 14,259 noncombat lives lost were attributed to these wars for a total of 101,038 dead. USA’s COVID-19 deaths to date are 124,424. If one drives across this nation from Seattle to New York City the footage is 15,058,560. If there were 60-foot lots laid out side- by-side across the country, every other lot could contain a casket for a life lost due to COVID-19. It is estimated that inac- tion attributed to President Trump and his administra- tion caused 83% of these deaths that could have been avoided had they used their authority to implement pro- duction of PPE supplies, test- ing and other actions under their control. Deaths could have been reduced to 21,152; saving 103,272 individuals. Trump and his administration have displayed an arrogant, oligar- chic, senseless, defenseless use of their authority with the result being inexcusable loss of life to the tune of more than 100,000 dead in 150th the time since 1945. Mike Dodge Shelton This is what racism looks like Editor, the Journal While reading the June 11 Journal, the piece (take the time needed to learn to be a better person) by Jus— tin Johnson caught my eye. It reminded me of a piece I wrote for the Snohomish High School newspaper the Arrow Head, when I was a student in the journalism class about 70 years ago. At that early age of 17 years old, I was un- certain of my feelings about people of a color other than my own. Like Mr. Johnson, I was raised in a community of few if any people of people. My parents were not racist or if they were, they kept it well hidden because I never heard any reference to any race that would lead me to believe they had any opinion that was derogatory to colored people. Also, like Mr. Johnson, there was only one Black person in my high school. His name was Ray Robinson and of course his nickname was “Sugar,” which made him somewhat of a celebrity. After I entered the work force working in the track maintenance department for the Northern Pacific Railroad and later when I became a full-time union grievance of- ficer, I came in contact with and represented many people of color, including many Mex- icans in the Pasco area. Of all these people white, Black and Hispanic, most I liked and some I didn’t. In any case, I represented them all to the best of my ability. As I traveled through life, I came in contact with some racists and bigots. Once while on a horse and mule tour in Amish country, we had a trave eling companion who was a deputy sheriff from a Southern state. This guy was a total rac- ist and started spouting racist remarks using the “11” word liberally. Very quickly I told him this kind of talk was out of line and the best thing he could do was to just shut up, which he did. I had a supervi- sor who was racist and related to me about a trip he made down south where the “n’s” were polite enough to step off the sidewalk when they met a white person. Needless to say, I was appalled. But the event I cherish the most was once when I was. walking down the sidewalk of a large midwestem city approaching a large, dark complexed person, as we ap- proached each other I hap- pened to notice that his fly was unzipped.‘I veered over into his lane of travel and we stopped facing each other. I said don’t look now but your fly is open. This total stranger thanked me profusely after immediately looking down and zipping up. I am not a racist and never have been one. So, I say to Mr. Johnson, I don’t think you are a racist and don’t let the action of a few window breakers and looters turn you into one. ‘ OK, I finally turned into one of the long-winded letter writers who weekly write to the editor. I hope you all will forgive me one slip. Stan Walster Grapeview Budget cuts and 911 Editor, the Journal Me: Dialing 911, Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Them: Thank you for calling 911. Due to budget reductions, kindly leave your name, address and your im- mediate concern at the sound of the beep. Me: Is this a recording? Them: After the beep, leave your detailed message. Please rate your emergency from 1 to 5, with 5 being life or death. Me: Someone is kicking down my front door at xxx SW YYYY Street. I think it is a 4 or 5. I don’t know the intentions of the intruder, but I need help now. Them: Please be advised that we have only one deputy on duty during the days and she receives over 300 mes- sages from 911 per day. Your emergency will be addressed as soon as we are able. Me: I’m guessing I’m on my own. Cancel the message. Them: Thank you for call- ing 91 1. ’ Me: Bang, bang, bang, bang. William Zeigler Shelton see LEITERsTpage A—6