Letters to the Editor

Wiretapping bill

New federal surveillance law overreaches

Editor, The Times:

It's a shocking time indeed when phone companies are given immunity for their role in wiretapping Americans ["Senate gives Bush what he wants in surveillance bill," Times, page one, July 10] proving that when there is a strong political will, corporate rights can be protected.

In contrast, we see no such massive efforts to protect the rights of individual American citizens as we gaze fearfully at a tomato or a bag of spinach in a grocery store, or wonder if that toy is safe to purchase.

We take the drugs that have passed Food and Drug Administration inspection, only to discover years later that they can cause death.

We see our civil rights being eroded and our right to privacy disappearing to fight "terrorism" abroad, ignoring the terrorism growing stronger in our daily lives here at home.

— Sandy Osawa, Seattle

Tanker deal

Elephants and cheating

There is an elephant in the room that Boeing must discuss with the Department of Defense.

It is becoming obvious, at least to us, that the department is still punishing Boeing for past transgressions, probably to send a strong message to industry that the Pentagon will not tolerate cheating ["Air Force rebid may favor rival of Boeing," page one, July 10].

If we are right, then the die is already cast with regard to the tanker bid.

— Robert K. Bennett, Sammamish

A freighter proposal

I can't understand why Boeing can't offer the U.S. Air Force any plane they build as a tanker, including the 747 freighter. By the way, once upon a time, I worked at Boeing as an experimental airframe and engine mechanic. We worked on installing recording equipment on the original tanker.

— Donald Bjorkman, Mill Creek

An arboreal idea

Let's plant some trees

It seems all too common that people with a view never plant trees in front of their house; why is that?

The city of Seattle should plant some shade trees between the sidewalk and the beach ["Tree dispute a knotty problem," Local News, July 10]. The stroll would be so much nicer. Maybe some nice big-leaf elms that could grow to a hundred feet?

— Dale Alvestad, Bremerton

A political Kevorkian

"Dr. Death" and politics

Headline in Wednesday's Seattle Times: "Jack Kevorkian's congressional bid moves forward" [News, July 9]. Isn't this political suicide?

— John Rucker, Glendale, Ariz.

Eyman eyesore

Initiative writer set against public art

If Tim Eyman wants to raid the coffers of public art set-aside to finance his traffic initiative ["Eyman's traffic initiative likely to make fall ballot," Local News, July 2], the least he can do to preserve the local aesthetic is to ensure that his big mug no longer makes appearances on the local TV channels or in the local papers.

— Thomas Munyon, Marysville

Sayonara, Sonics

Sports not priority

A company planning to come to Seattle, or deciding to stay, has to prioritize things. Which is more important: good roads, traffic, police, fire, Medic One, taxes and a labor force, or no professional basketball?

Sounds like ego and keeping up with the Joneses to me.

— Gregg Weber, Seattle

KeyArena condos?

Here's an idea! Since KeyArena isn't good enough to support a basketball game any more, without extensive renovations, why not sell it to developers who can tear it down and build luxury condos?

It shouldn't be hard to sell those units, what with an already placed park nearby.

— Carlton Anderson, Ballard