Originally published Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
The odd world of Val Stevens
Sen. Val Stevens increasingly has put her extreme views on display in outlandish, disappointing and, in one case, potentially dangerous...
Sen. Val Stevens increasingly has put her extreme views on display in outlandish, disappointing and, in one case, potentially dangerous ways.
Thursday, Stevens argued on the Senate floor against the domestic-partnership law for gay and lesbian couples. We support the legislation but understand some people disagree with it. Stevens went beyond disagreement, recalling her attempts last year to amend a gay-rights bill to exempt such activities as bestiality and necrophilia, vulgarly implying they had something to do with gay rights. Shame on her. Earlier in the week, she surprised school district officials from Snohomish and Skagit counties by declaring she disagreed with the state constitution's provision declaring education funding the state's "paramount duty."
And last summer, she told non-tribal residents of the Tulalip Indian Reservation they didn't have to cooperate with tribal police. She suggested, if they are pulled over, they don't even have to roll down their car window but should hold up a card that reads, "You don't have authority over me. I'm calling a law-enforcement officer from my own government."
Talk about irresponsible leadership. Imagine her suggesting an American in Canada doesn't have to cooperate with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart, also a Republican, was so concerned about Stevens' message, he publicly countered with advice citizens cooperate with any law-enforcement officer who pulls them over.
There is room for conservatives in the 39th Legislative District and in the Legislature. But the extreme degree of Stevens' views and the outlandish, tactless way she plies them is incredibly disappointing.
In 2004, we endorsed Stevens, who was first elected to the Legislature in 1992. Her challenger, Democrat Susanne Olson, was a high-school teacher who decided to run when she was concerned Stevens would have no opposition. We thought she was too inexperienced.
Stevens is proving, however, experience isn't everything.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: A tragic clash of cultures

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
631 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
243 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
177 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
140 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
131 - Wright State game thread
97 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
96 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85 - Wilson "really, really excited to be back in Seattle"
73
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15








