"Why was a woman with a DUI record driving on Interstate 5?"

Lethal lenience

3 more chances to spin the wheel to eternal oblivion

Editor, The Times:

Cerrissa Christensen is just the latest (and certainly won't be the last, at the rate we're going) poster child for allegedly committing an act of attempted murder by knowingly operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol ["Driver held in fatal I-5 wrong-way crash had DUI record," Times, Local News, Oct. 10].

The chronology of this episode will undoubtedly proceed as follows: Defense attorney specializing in getting drunk-driving defendants off the hook initially will plead not guilty on behalf of the accused. Case likely will be plea-bargained, when it has no business being such.

Here's the kicker: Your fine legislators — who, of course, have our best interests in mind — have made it so this particular offender will be rewarded with three more cracks at driving drunk before she's charged with a felony (after she serves her likely abbreviated sentence for vehicular manslaughter). How gracious.

How stupid can we be, and how many more needless killings on our roadways will need to occur before it strikes a chord in our lawmakers' brains? Perhaps the death of one of their own loved ones is what it's going to take — then watch them leap into action.

— David Sisk, Burlington

Mechanized life

Why was a woman with a DUI record driving on Interstate 5?

Why are there so many exceptions or second and third chances provided to convicted DUI drivers?

There are at least two new technologies designed to prevent repeat DUI offenses:

• Fingerprint activation/motor-skills testing: In the works are systems that require a potential driver to activate a fingerprint-detection system, then perform various motor-skill functions in order to start the car. This method ensures that a driver is not impaired before operating a vehicle.

• Continuous alcohol monitoring: The same function is served by another device that can detect alcohol in the system via sweat on the skin. This ankle bracelet, issued as a result of a court's decision, will feature a transdermal alcohol sensor that can detect and transmit information about the wearer to a remote sensor. This and other passive alcohol sensors could be used much like the ignition interlock system.

A convicted DUI driver is no less dangerous than a convicted murderer, both with a potential to kill again. However, statistically, a convicted murderer is less likely to re-offend. Let's get repeat DUIs off the street.

— Therese Howe, Kennewick

Intervention

Accept your failings

King County Councilmember Jane Hague doesn't cut the chase for a good leader ["Councilmember Hague's pretrial hearing to be post-election," Local News, Oct. 2].

Despite the thousands of dollars she personally poured into her campaign, and though she may be considered a good politician, Hague's reputation for claiming a college degree she didn't have, being arrested for suspicion of drunken driving, and confusion and dishonesty with campaign fundings cloud our trust in her as a good leader.

Unfortunately, she is failing to prove that she ought to win that privileged position on the King County Council.

An influential position such as a county council member requires an honest and dependable person who seeks to benefit the community. The person who ought to fill any council position should demonstrate sound judgment, honesty and strong character in every area of their life.

It is disappointing to see Hague lose her credibility and respect due to the events surrounding her campaign. Though Hague may be considered a strong leader and politician, the several issues that have been connected to her campaign should bring us to conclude that she isn't the best leader for the position on the King County Council.

— Benjamin Oostra, Mill Creek

The courage to change

Jane Hague has shown us only that she is a real flesh-and-blood human being.

All of us are in the soup together — all of us have made our mistakes. What is important is that we are able to be aware of them, have empathy for others (and ourselves) who fall down occasionally.

Being a psychologist, I am well-versed in the fact that we project onto others that about which we are uncomfortable in ourselves.

Let's embrace Jane Hague and focus on 99 things she has done exceedingly well, and leave the 1 in 100 alone!

— Jan Fite, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist and associate professor, Kirkland

Tender rage

It grows on fees

I am a big fan of the outdoors, and a recent visitor to the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington state. I read "New park fees may not float" [Travel & Outdoors, Oct. 3], regarding park-fee increases proposed for 2009.

I disagree strongly with the idea that fee increases won't affect long-distance visitors to the park. [On the] trip to Hoh, the fees to enjoy the camping facilities and to enter the park at all were already too high. If these fee increases are implemented, I would strongly consider choosing a different location for my next vacation.

What I think is absurd is that seniors can buy a lifetime pass for only $10, whereas I may have to pay $25 for a seven-day pass.

I am under age 25, and can tell you that I'm the one who can't afford the fee increases. I'm tired of watching seniors drive $50,000 RVs into your parks while I have to sleep in a tent, while all the time paying far more than the seniors.

I understand the parks need fees to stay operational, but it's not fair to put that burden on the youth who will one day keep the parks alive.

— Kevin O'Meara, Midlothian, Va.

A bridge we'll buy

One not for sail

I read with interest "The time for bascule bridges is drawing to a close" [guest commentary, Oct. 4]. I have also been concerned that using these bridges results in traffic congestion and air pollution as a result of idling cars.

However, it seems to me that there is a more economical solution. Rather than raising the bridges, how about lowering the boats? The photograph accompanying the article shows a sailboat passing under the raised Ballard Bridge. If that sailboat were to remove its mast, there would be no need to raise the bridge.

— Ron DiGiacomo, Seattle