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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
November 9, 2023     Shelton Mason County Journal
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November 9, 2023
 
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Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Nov. 9, self. If] ever see a home— less person sporting a sign that reads “Need it for cell— phone bill,” I’ll surrender $20 i right there. , There was a short period when I carried single-wrapped I slices of Velveeta cheese in , my back pocket to give out when someone asked for i change. The cheese was left over from a Halloween when I I ’ve made a promise to my- gave cheese to trick-or—‘ireat— IMF; Wl’lil CHINE [0 ()UI. hOUSU. THESE , , TIMES One visitor asked for two slic~ es, maybe because he wanted two cheese sandwiches. But mostly, I don‘t give on the street —~ maybe it’s 5% of the time. My response de— pends on my mood, the state of the person asking, time ofday, what a sign reads, whether I know them, how they What I do most ofthe time, and I bet a lot of people Who consider themselves consider— ate do likewise, is feel sorry for these people. I console myself by believing I’ve done enough just by pitying them. Here’s a betteridea: JULH'v no! reporter Gordon Weeks hands out plastic bottles of frozen tap water to homeless people in summer. That’s a gift with a high likelihood of being used precisely intended. Here’s another idea: Lots of trees in Western Washing— ton are packed with apples this year. Apples would be a healthful handout, and far healthier than Velveeta cheese. What makes passersby give to people on the street? Generosity? Guilt? Compas- sion? Is it a dream of creating a union where the distance between wealth and poverty narrows? Is it a reward for the cleverness of a beggar’s sales pitch? What motivates people not to give? Selfishness? No spare change to give? A belief that change-seek— ers won’t put the money to good use? Is it those people’s convic— tion that homeless people are all of one kind: People purposefully incapable of self-reliance? But consider the vast number of unshared character traits of people who have permanent shelter, some of whom were presented with shelter a birthright. Why should people who don’t have shelter be consid— ered of one character? The biggest deterrent to giving likely is believing a beggar will use the money for drugs, alcohol, or worse, cigarettes. Some people don’t Seeking change on our cities’ want to believe they’re con- tributing to another person’s destruction. After all, drugs, alcohol and cigarettes are in their price range. But let’s look at it this way: Let‘s say seven out of 10 peo- ple you give money to use it on substances that won’t help them get out of the condition they’re in, but numbers eight through 10 use it for food and to set a course for smoother seas. And once people eight through 10 get established, they might patch together a life that’s more meaningful for themselves and others. Jack Kerouac was once homeless. So was Charlie Chaplin and Ella Fitzgerald. Was helping seven people get stoned, drunk and hopped up on cigarettes worth while because three people did something you consider constructive? , Probably. But ifyou want to skip the street giving and contribute to groups that help people who help homeless people, that’s worthwhile, too. SthEtS In the whole scheme of giv- ing or not giving it away on the street, the only approach . that’s inhumane and WWJD (What Wouldn’t Jesus Do) is either ignoring homeless people or viewing all of them with constant contempt. Do those people have such a high regard for their native self—worth that they could never imagine being in a homeless person’s position? A twist. here, a turn there, and any one ofus could be sitting on the curb, leaning against a wall, relying on the kindness of strz‘ingers. How would you like to be treated then? The Bible does not contain the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves.” The Bible does contain the phrase, “If anyone has mate— rial possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” I Contact Kirk Eric's-0n at kirkGBmasoncounty.coin TO THE Speed dating Editor, the Journal, Thank you, Mason County League of Women Voters for organizing Speed Dating with thevCandidates. Candi— dates moved from table to table with five minutes at each table. Being‘able to question the candidates directly was invaluable. I learned about the Port of Shelton and how it affects Shelton, I heard about recent issues with curricu— lum at the school district, and I was able to put a face to oandidates._lt was a great experience. I was sorry that a significant number of candidates chose not to attend. I would have liked to meet them. Leslie Jermain Shelton Reader’s critique Editor, the Journal, Owing to its multilayered awfulness, I am compelled to respond to a “let- ter” by Donna Holiday in the Oct. 26 Journal. It’s in the Letters to the Editor section under the bewildering, Journal— assigned title, “Bring back change.” The thesis, or main point, of this poorly written screed is that many of SHELTON—MASON COUNTY USPS 492800 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to She/ton'Mason County Journal, PO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. Published weekly by the Shelton—Mason County Journal at W. Cota St, Shelton, Washington. Mailing address: PO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone: 360—426—441 2 Website: www.masoncountycom Periodicals postage paid in Shelton, Washington. us — Holiday singles out women, racial minorities and members of the LGBT— and—so—on community — are having their rights taken away by members of the Christian faith. Women’s rights, gay rights and even histories (I) are be— ing eliminated, she claims. Evidence of any of this nastiness? None is given. She says Christians are “pushing” three types of bills but lists only two. She ob- jects, for example, to placing the Ten Commandments in courtrooms. Tell us, Ms. Holiday, which commandment do you object to most? “Thou shalt not kill?” Send it to llamas. The writer seems averse, if not downright hostile, to the most basic elements of English grammar. The last part of paragraph seven, for example, is no more than a string of non—sentences. Lists are not intrpduced. Claims are not attributed. Long—suffering readers are often left asking, “says who?” after quotations. Soon before retiring from my teach- ing position at a Washington state community college, I was serving as chair for the English Department. One afternoon, a young faculty member came into my office, an essay in hand. She handed the paper to me and asked, “What grade should I give this essay?” Well, that wasn’t my policy, so after Owned and published by Shelton—Mason County Journal, Inc. The Journal is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publish- ers Association. reading the mess (ala Donna Holi- Publisher: John Lester Advertising: wiw F ShclmmMoson Conroy JOURNAL I told her I agreed completely. She day’s letter,) I asked the young teacher, smiled, thanked me, and left my office. “What grade did YOU give it?” She answered, “For me, it was an easy F.” R.E. Graham Union Front office: Dave Pierlk, Office Administrator Karen Hranac, Customer Service All regular editorial, advertising and legal deadlines are 5 pm. the Theresa Murray, Ad Representative Delivery: Monday prior to publication. Jon Garza Newsroom: David Olson To submit a letter to the editor, SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $79 per year ($55 for six months) for Mason County addresses and $99 per year ($70 for six months) outside of Mason County. Single issue price $2.00 Justin Johnson, Editor Gordon Weeks, Reporter June Williams, Reporter Kirk Ericson, Columnist/ Proofreader Shawna Whelan, Photographer Niel Challstrom email editor@masoncounty.com. Office hours: 8 am. to 5 pm. Monday to Thursday. Closed Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays. Design: Kim Fowler, Graphics Design Linda Frizzell, Special Projects