Letters to the editor

Alaskan Way Viaduct

When it comes to a vote, how is a "state highway" Seattle's problem?

Editor, The Times:

The Times continues an appropriately lucid discussion of the Great Viaduct Saga on the editorial page last Tuesday ["Viaduct funding needs public vote," Opinion, Jan. 9], but will someone tell readers why Seattle voters' proposed "vote" has any relevance to what is essentially a state highway?

Has the Department of Transportation done any studies to measure the residency of viaduct users? A no-brainer would seem to be that most viaduct traffic is commercial or by non-Seattle residents.

What about global warming, which is supposed to raise saltwater levels 30 feet or more in a couple of decades, with resultant effects on any tunnel?

— Don Gulliford, Mercer Island

Is there a third option?

Can't we please have a door No. 3? I lived through the dismembering of what was left of the Embarcadero in San Francisco, and there, too, people swore they couldn't do without a rebuild, that the traffic on surface streets would be unbearable, etc. However, common sense prevailed, and San Francisco took back its waterfront.

The surface street now connects the heart of the city with the water, and is a marvelous place to walk, jog, shop, or just people watch. The traffic? It was absorbed with little fanfare. After all, once the Embarcadero was closed, people had to find alternatives, and they did.

Whichever option Seattle chooses, we will have at least a few years of neither viaduct nor tunnel. Watch people figure out different ways to get around, and ask yourself: Why are we replacing the damn thing at all? The cheapest, most-sensible option is a street-level boulevard.

Seattle, we don't need this. We have options. We don't have to choose between an ugly, intrusive viaduct or an unnecessary and expensive tunnel.

Think of it. Sunshine, sidewalks, an exciting new place for Seattle to grow ... or another elevated monstrosity. Which do you think will bring more to our city?

— Caroline Briggs, Kirkland

Capitol Hill

McCain using son's deployment to benefit

Sen. John McCain's son is in Iraq, so one might think that McCain would strongly advocate the troops' return.

Unfortunately, McCain has calculated it's better for his conservative credential to further incite the Iraqis' wrath by sending even more sons and daughters over there, because that will further his "conservative credential" and help him to lead certain elements of the country. The risk to his son's life is a reasonable cost to him.

Makes a parent proud, no?

— Danny Goodisman, Seattle

Global warming

Stomping on idea of prosperity in grapes

A serious study has been spoiled by a misleading laissez-faire comment ["Warming climate may prove costly for state, study warns," local news, Jan. 11]. When will this newspaper and state government commit to stop global warming?

I'm talking about the poor-taste reference of wine "flourishing" in Western Washington. Washingtonians will not be sipping wine during mild winters; instead, many will suffer and die.

There is opportunity for Washington to profit, but not through grapes. If the state government enforced standards to curb greenhouse-gas emissions, it would encourage technology and infrastructure necessary to live.

As leaders we survive, as followers we leave our fate to the unknown. I'm not willing to take that risk. Are you?

— Bruce D. Wilkinson Jr., Olympia

Somalia

We can't just go around attacking everyone

Am I reading this right? We just attacked the sovereign and independent country of Somalia ["U.S. launches attack in Somalia," news, Jan. 9]?

Did they attack us? Are they an imminent threat? Did we consult Congress? Did we discuss this with the people of the United States? Have we declared war?

President Bush's policy of preemptive wars is more than simply immoral, outrageous and illegal, it allows him to maintain a constant level of fear in this country, further polarize the world, and in the process justify escalating and expanding his "war on terror."

His ultimate goal, however, is to avoid facing the colossal mistakes of his presidency by holding onto the power to frighten and confuse us.

Bush is becoming more and more dangerous. It's time for Congress and the American people to reclaim their authority and stop this madness. The world is watching.

— John Robinson, Fox Island

Courts series

Accountability continues to evade the public

I am heartened by the evident effect your "Your Courts, Their Secrets" series has had on our judicial members. The drastic reduction of sealed court documents is emphatic evidence of the results from your investigation, at least until they return to business as usual.

Accountability continues to evade the public. It seems that the criteria of the law was either purposefully ignored or the judicial representatives were simply negligent in the execution of their duties. Neither is acceptable. How is it that not one person has been held accountable for this performance? This is another excellent example where a profession continues to show a lack of capability for effective oversight of its membership. It is time for a panel of laypersons to be established to conduct the oversight of those professional areas.

What is even worse is that taxpayers (in addition to your newspaper) must now foot the bill for the improper sealing of the records as the existing judges appear to have something to hide. Even worse, many of their secrets will remain hidden since each would have to be brought forward individually.

Why not have each of the participants in the questionable cases resubmit their requests for sealing those cases rather than stick us with the bill? If the current filings are incomplete or otherwise found to be improper, they are the ones that should be footing the bill to correct the error.

— Wayne H. Sonn, Renton

Illegal immigration

Gregoire not in line with what we want

Gov. Christine Gregoire is adding to the illegal-immigrant problem discussed in "Kids' health plan draws ire of GOP" [local news, Jan. 10]. When she pursued the governorship, she was asking everyone to let her make the tough and right decisions for this state.

Gregoire should know that you should never lead with your feelings; that will most always get you into trouble. You lead with wisdom and common sense. If she cannot make the tough and right decisions, she needs to step down. Some people don't have to make decisions this difficult in their lives, but they should still always do what is correct.

Gregoire is not in line with what this country wants at this time: to stop the illegal-immigration problem. I am all for the melting pot, but it should be done the right way.

Don't come to this country for a free ride on our tax dollars.

— Barbara Atwood, Covington