Online only letters to the editor

Speeders are not the problem

Editor, The Times:

So, the State Patrol is out chasing speeders on Interstate-5 north of Marysville againand using every trick in the book to catch them ["State Patrol targets drivers with lead feet," Times, Local News, Jan. 25]. While I would never condone 90-plus mph in such a congested area-- that's just reckless and crazy -- I do have a somewhat different take on the issue.

While "speed kills" is one of the safety mantras routinely touted by U.S. traffic law enforcement, speed is only part of the story. Anyone who has driven in Europe -- especially Germany -- knows that speed limits (if there are any) are typically much higher than here. But drivers there are much better trained and disciplined. Driving and licensing are taken very seriously; 18 is the minimum age, and infractions, like a DUI, are punished severely. Vehicles are in better condition, trucks stay in the far right lane and roadways are much better designed, engineered and maintained. Mobile phone use is forbidden, and gas costs $5-plus/gallon, so driving is somewhat of a luxury. Amazingly, you almost never see any cops!

In the Los Angeles region, where a lot of attention has been given to improving roadways and traffic flow, the posted speed limit on freeways is typically 65 mph, yet traffic frequently flows at an average of 80-85 mph. Also, there are stretches where no trucks are allowed during high-demand periods, and thus are less impedance to traffic. When I questioned a resident why I rarely saw any evidence of police or anyone stopped for speeding, I was told that there was a de facto moratorium on all but the worst offenders, because the presence of a cop by the side of the freeway, and the slowdowns that occur as a result, cause more problems than it is worth.

In Washington, the Legislature and Department of Transportation (DOT) are guilty of benign neglect for failing to provide adequate, safe highways commensurate with the growth in population and traffic in the region. They are decades behind the curve.

In the north end, it is human nature to try to make up for lost time after "escaping" the frustrating mess that occurs daily on I-5 nearly 24/7, from the city to north of Marysville, and especially the perennial bottleneck through Everett.

The major freeway exits (in Everett to the growing casino/retail area near Marysville, and to Camano Island near Stanwood) are frequently backed up far onto the active lanes of I-5, creating an incredibly dangerous situation. A total overhaul of these congested exit ramps and unburdening their intersections should have the highest priority. Also, for years, there was no median barrier at all from Marysville north; The installation of one was hurriedly prompted by a series of recent accidentsand what does DOT install? A puny cable device that is simply a joke, and would be challenged in stopping a bicycle!

The state cannot duck it's duty and responsibility here -- to assure adequate, safe highways for its residents and guests. Periodically dispatching cops to catch speeders is only a small part of it.

— Bruce Elliot, La Conner

Self-serving politicians

Is this really a country run by the people, for the people? ["Panel OKs pay boosts for Washington elected officials," Local News, Jan. 10].

How many of us ask for donations from perfect strangers when applying for a job? How many of us were hired, not for our skills, but for how well we trash talked about the other people applying? I don't know anyone who gets paid $160,000 a year for three months work, or is guaranteed that position for four or six years. Do large corporations give you free use of their private jets? Do you go on fact finding missions to Europe or China with your family on the company dime? Do you get to vote yourself a pay raise when the people you work for haven't had one in years?

I can't get elected because I don't have $14 million socked away from my last senate bid, but I can vote for someone who will honestly work for something called campaign finance reform. Any takers?

— Gene Davis, Lake Forest Park

I almost fell out of my chair laughing while reading about how Mayor Greg Nickels is trying to control the climate. He's just interested in the publicity. ["City Light can't buy pollution 'offsets,' court says," Local News, Jan. 19].

The sad truth is, it is already too late. There is nothing than can stop the destruction of Earth.

If we had taken this seriously 40 years ago, when everyone was well aware of this problem, we would have had a chance. However, we'll probably have World War III before we run out of oxygen. Iran isn't making the key ingredient for nuclear bombs and buying the best long range missiles from our pals in Russia for a hobby.

— Marc Steine, Seattle

Regarding "Casey says smaller 'surge' could work in Iraq" [News, Feb. 1]: When does a 20,000 troop surge plan to Iraq really mean 48,000 troops? When your president is a dishonest, rather dimwitted man who has succeeded in virtually no endeavor in his life. Not business, not parenting, and now not being the "decider." This guy doesn't even read books for goodness sake.

What's absolutely incredible on his current poll numbers isn't that 75% of Americans polled think he's a failurethe real story is: On what planet do those 25% live?

— Jim Innes, Mercer Island

Regarding "Dick Cheney in la-la land" [Syndicated column, Jan. 30]: As Eugene Robinson reminds us, former vice presidential aide Lewis Libby was asked to stick his neck in the "meat grinder" to spare political strategist Karl Rove from being the fall-guy for the Valerie Plame/CIA leak and the Bush administration. Don't be shedding any crocodile tears for Libby. Libby, as an attorney, knew his actions were against the law. He walked into the Grand Jury concealing the truth and endorsing the lie.

Like Secretary of State Colin Powell before him, Libby was just another Bush/Cheney man willing to sacrifice his morals, integrity and reputation. These high-powered men made a conscious decision to lie. The truth and all truth-tellers became their target for destruction. They participated in falsely promoting a preemptive war against Iraq, strapped themselves to those lies and then sacrificed themselves for an ideological belief and a false sense of loyalty. The rest of the world was left to sacrifice so much more.

— Glenda Tecklenburg, Mill Creek

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion

Regarding "Gay-rights foe finds new allies in Slavic churches" [Local News, Jan. 27]: It seems that Ken Hutcherson and his pseudo-Christian congregation and friends insist on living in a world of ignorance, hiding behind a book where they cherry-pick their poison to oppress a population of God's children that they do not -- nor do they care to -- understand and appreciate.

What a pitiful, and heretical life they lead. If Christ attended a service at Antioch, He would be appalled! He never discriminated nor justified hatred of anyone! Jesus did not criticize gays, because He knew His father made gays.

What Hutcherson and others don't get is that everyone has a sexual orientation, like a gender, an age and a race. If sexual orientation is not protected, heterosexuals can fire or evict a person because they are homosexual, but homosexuals can fire and evict heterosexuals as well. Where does this bigotry and hatred end? The reason this country is divided is because of ignorant religious, like Hutcherson, who need therapy for their phobias and their fears! They choose to attack people who love each other and are in committed, monogamous relationships. How sick is that?

— Wendy Payne

Regarding "God help us: Religion's role in America" [guest column, Jan. 28]: The emotion surrounding this question comes from the fear that our own deserving beliefs will be mistakenly ignored, while someone else's wrong-headed notions prevail.

Our nation's founders faced this problem, and the solution is their most brilliant -- to become a society whose rules will address only practical, not spiritual, affairs and which therefore are made without reference to religion. Without competition among beliefs, nobody wins, but nobody loses either. Faith remains a purely private matter. Stealing is forbidden, not because it violates a religion, but because it violates a law; a religion may forbid or require the drinking of wine, but the state regulates it only to prevent physical, not moral, harm.

In America, your religion may tell you what to do, but it should not tell your neighbor. We forget that claiming precedence for a particular faith is an attack on religious freedom itself, a threat like asserting the superiority of a single race or political group.

— Scott McKee, Seattle

Keeping kids healthy

As an E.R. nurse, I see the cost of the lack of universal preventive healthcare everyday. ["Health plan for children of illegal immigrants draws ire of GOP," Local News, Jan. 10]. It is devastating, both physically and economically, not only to the patient but to society, who ultimately foots the bill. Whether the patient is an illegal immigrant or a tax paying citizen, the E.R. bill is the sameoutrageous.

In wanting to deny health coverage to children of illegal immigrants, Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, reminds us "they're not even citizens." He is right, they're notthey're children.

— Don Miller, R.N., Seattle

Stand up for what you believe

"I was only following orders" was condemned as an insufficient defense at the War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg when prosecuted by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson in 1946 . Now U.S. Army Lt. Ehren Watada is facing court martial for refusing to deploy to Iraq, which he contends is an illegal war in which leading troops under his command would be an illegal act. ["Army drops 2 charges against officer," Local News, Jan. 30].

But even prior to the court martial, military circuit judge Lt. Col. John M. Head is denying Lt. Watada that argument, and the opportunity to question the legality of the war. One might imagine that a German military court would have ruled similarly before the end of World War II. How perspective changes things. Please support Lt. Watada, a truly courageous officer in questioning the war.

— John Hurd, Clinton