Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor
Leters to the editor
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Reform,
don't rebuild
Our health care system needs reform, not a total overhaul. Our government cannot keep Medicare or Social Security in the black, but they want to take on health care as well. The plan proposed by the Obama administration would run out of money in a very short time. This is a serious issue.
Consider the U.K. and Canada; both have single-payer systems, along with a shortage of doctors, rationing of health care and outright denial of care to people deemed "less valuable" to the society.
We do not want to go down that road. Canadians don't even want to do it - they come here to get decent health care. The American health system is the only alternative for people stuck with single-payer systems that don't work. What will we do when it's been destroyed?
Of course, I shouldn't be expressing such a view. Not long ago, the Dems were proclaiming that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. Now anyone who disagrees with the ruling party is a "political terrorist."
Our bipartisan president is attempting to silence ordinary citizens who disagree with his politics and has even set up an e-mail hotline for citizens to snitch on one another for dissenting. (Does) freedom of speech ring a bell, Mr. President? Hope and change was apparently all smoke and mirrors.
M.C. Clark
Sequim
Tsunami danger
Have you forgotten already a national award given to a high school student for a science project on tsunami in Discovery Bay?
Well, less than five months from now, 2010, is the start of the period of likely major problems mentioned in the report.
Did you feel the chair move just then? It won't be that simple, the 9.5+ quakes coming will be many 30-foot bounces moving at 500-plus mph. Seattle and all Northwest cities and towns will be leveled by Mother Nature's plate tectonics events.
Yes, there will be sea water problems, tsunamis will eventually come east up the strait many times, but the earthquakes will put the water of the strait onto the Sequim/Dungeness prairie first. Those rolling 30-foot ground shocks will push the salt waters in the strait southeast over the flatlands as indicated by scars left from previous events.
Didn't hear about that before, did you?
Those major shocks have dropped mountains like Hurricane Ridge onto Port Angeles. Last time, it dropped a mountain north of Lake Crescent into the lake, making a separate Lake Sutherland.
All along the shore of the strait are half-circles of boulders from where massive slides used to be. Tidal action washed the dirt away, leaving the rocks for boats to run into.
After a major Cascadia event in the past, seven of the biggest volcanos awoke with a roar of ash clouds. Best to stay west of that action or to Forks, but not the ocean shores that will be awash with large wave action from aftershocks.
Since everything is smashed, digging a hand-dug well will be first on the list of things needed. Rebuilding is for later years. It will be time for the tents and soft shelters as aftershocks will continue for a while.
Girl and Boy Scouts will know what to do. You! Get a survival book and all the equipment.
Richard Dobbs
Sequim
Why such anger?
Your recent "Maul, not Chisel" article on health care reform made sense. I was reassured that three local, rational health care professionals said our current system is broken and needs immediate and radical overhaul.
My corresponding concern is that debate over reform - its need, extent and who pays how much - has ignited such national anger. Comparative health care ratings show the U.S. substantially lagging in critical areas including life expectancy and infant mortality.
Being behind other nations, including those considered "developing," is no crime. America is a wonderful nation.
What troubles is the blatant hostility, name-calling and irrationality that daily gets practiced and publicized. Have we abandoned the U.S. tradition of joint problem-solving? Has the U.S. become so factionalized that we cannot coalesce - even if it might cost more short-term - and solve a fundamental problem?
No easy answers exist. The dimensions and implications of health care reform are staggering. Even more staggering is perpetuating the status quo.
My hope is that all of us think through the implications of not supporting reform, including the impact of that position on our young, middle-aged and older citizens.
None of us should consider health care excellence a Democratic or Republican issue. In some ways it seems like an ethical one.
We are the wealthiest nation on earth, yet a reported 45 million residents lack insurance. Millions more struggle to pay premiums and related medical expenses.
Being No. 1 in worldwide health care is not socialistic. It's imperative to maintaining our freedom, economy and world leadership.
Peter Loeb
Sequim
Roses and ribbon
It is my pleasure to recognize Avante Garde botanical artistry. I received a surprise bouquet of yellow roses for my 38th wedding anniversary. The roses arrived mid-morning, much to my husband's satisfaction.
The arrangement was beautiful, fresh, full, and the vase was tied with a lovely yellow ribbon and bow. After seven days, the roses are still fresh and lovely. Kudos to Avante Garde for delivering a quality gift in a timely manner.
Thank you,
Laura Meiling
Sequim
Fast and fair
Thanks for publishing the response to last week's "No Greedy Fouls" article in letters to the editor.
I'm happy to see the Gazette is open to posting responses in a timely manner, showing professional responsibility to their readers.
Dorothy Zapata
Sequim
For single payer
Several Republicans stated they would not vote for a health care bill that included a government-backed health insurance option because it would lead to the demise of health insurance companies.
I thought the American way of doing business is to do business with the one that costs the least, gives you the best deal, or both. It makes you wonder what is behind the thinking of those opposed to the single payer as an option.
UPS and FedEx are doing very well in competition with the post office. Insurance companies could adjust to competition also, with better service and lower costs. They could pay their CEOs a few million less.
I have good health insurance, but I still want to see competition for all products and services.
Norman Melos
Sequim
Radar Ridge wind farm
won't harm murrelets
As public power utilities, Clallam County Public Utility District, Grays Harbor PUD, Pacific County PUD, Mason County PUD No. 3 along with project developer Energy Northwest are committed to doing what is best for our com-munities and the environment.
A recent regional news article, "Marbled murrelet may keep Pacific County wind farm from getting off the ground" highlighted concerns about the potential impact of a planned wind project on a threatened species of bird, the marbled murrelet.
As partners in this endeavor, we support the Radar Ridge wind project in Pacific County, both as an economically wise and ecologically-friendly investment.
Radar Ridge is a project that will drive economic development and provide clean energy. It will address requirements of 2006's voter initiative that prescribed renewable energy development levels for utilities. Our partnership has employed an environmentally responsible approach to ensure any ecological impacts are known and minimized.
We have worked closely from the start with U.S. Fish and Wildllife Service, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Studies by independent experts provide convincing evidence Radar Ridge will not negatively affect nearby sensitive wildlife, including the marbled murrelet. Nearly three years of radar survey data indicate murrelet flight over the proposed site is generally infrequent, at a high altitude well above the turbines.
We have long recognized the benefits of well-planned and responsible renewable energy investments. This is a project in our own area of the state. We value our environment and are committed to protecting it as we work to bring clean renewable energy to the more than 100,000 homes, businesses and industries we serve.
Doug Nass
General manager
Clallam County PUD
don't rebuild
Our health care system needs reform, not a total overhaul. Our government cannot keep Medicare or Social Security in the black, but they want to take on health care as well. The plan proposed by the Obama administration would run out of money in a very short time. This is a serious issue.
Consider the U.K. and Canada; both have single-payer systems, along with a shortage of doctors, rationing of health care and outright denial of care to people deemed "less valuable" to the society.
We do not want to go down that road. Canadians don't even want to do it - they come here to get decent health care. The American health system is the only alternative for people stuck with single-payer systems that don't work. What will we do when it's been destroyed?
Of course, I shouldn't be expressing such a view. Not long ago, the Dems were proclaiming that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. Now anyone who disagrees with the ruling party is a "political terrorist."
Our bipartisan president is attempting to silence ordinary citizens who disagree with his politics and has even set up an e-mail hotline for citizens to snitch on one another for dissenting. (Does) freedom of speech ring a bell, Mr. President? Hope and change was apparently all smoke and mirrors.
M.C. Clark
Sequim
Tsunami danger
Have you forgotten already a national award given to a high school student for a science project on tsunami in Discovery Bay?
Well, less than five months from now, 2010, is the start of the period of likely major problems mentioned in the report.
Did you feel the chair move just then? It won't be that simple, the 9.5+ quakes coming will be many 30-foot bounces moving at 500-plus mph. Seattle and all Northwest cities and towns will be leveled by Mother Nature's plate tectonics events.
Yes, there will be sea water problems, tsunamis will eventually come east up the strait many times, but the earthquakes will put the water of the strait onto the Sequim/Dungeness prairie first. Those rolling 30-foot ground shocks will push the salt waters in the strait southeast over the flatlands as indicated by scars left from previous events.
Didn't hear about that before, did you?
Those major shocks have dropped mountains like Hurricane Ridge onto Port Angeles. Last time, it dropped a mountain north of Lake Crescent into the lake, making a separate Lake Sutherland.
All along the shore of the strait are half-circles of boulders from where massive slides used to be. Tidal action washed the dirt away, leaving the rocks for boats to run into.
After a major Cascadia event in the past, seven of the biggest volcanos awoke with a roar of ash clouds. Best to stay west of that action or to Forks, but not the ocean shores that will be awash with large wave action from aftershocks.
Since everything is smashed, digging a hand-dug well will be first on the list of things needed. Rebuilding is for later years. It will be time for the tents and soft shelters as aftershocks will continue for a while.
Girl and Boy Scouts will know what to do. You! Get a survival book and all the equipment.
Richard Dobbs
Sequim
Why such anger?
Your recent "Maul, not Chisel" article on health care reform made sense. I was reassured that three local, rational health care professionals said our current system is broken and needs immediate and radical overhaul.
My corresponding concern is that debate over reform - its need, extent and who pays how much - has ignited such national anger. Comparative health care ratings show the U.S. substantially lagging in critical areas including life expectancy and infant mortality.
Being behind other nations, including those considered "developing," is no crime. America is a wonderful nation.
What troubles is the blatant hostility, name-calling and irrationality that daily gets practiced and publicized. Have we abandoned the U.S. tradition of joint problem-solving? Has the U.S. become so factionalized that we cannot coalesce - even if it might cost more short-term - and solve a fundamental problem?
No easy answers exist. The dimensions and implications of health care reform are staggering. Even more staggering is perpetuating the status quo.
My hope is that all of us think through the implications of not supporting reform, including the impact of that position on our young, middle-aged and older citizens.
None of us should consider health care excellence a Democratic or Republican issue. In some ways it seems like an ethical one.
We are the wealthiest nation on earth, yet a reported 45 million residents lack insurance. Millions more struggle to pay premiums and related medical expenses.
Being No. 1 in worldwide health care is not socialistic. It's imperative to maintaining our freedom, economy and world leadership.
Peter Loeb
Sequim
Roses and ribbon
It is my pleasure to recognize Avante Garde botanical artistry. I received a surprise bouquet of yellow roses for my 38th wedding anniversary. The roses arrived mid-morning, much to my husband's satisfaction.
The arrangement was beautiful, fresh, full, and the vase was tied with a lovely yellow ribbon and bow. After seven days, the roses are still fresh and lovely. Kudos to Avante Garde for delivering a quality gift in a timely manner.
Thank you,
Laura Meiling
Sequim
Fast and fair
Thanks for publishing the response to last week's "No Greedy Fouls" article in letters to the editor.
I'm happy to see the Gazette is open to posting responses in a timely manner, showing professional responsibility to their readers.
Dorothy Zapata
Sequim
For single payer
Several Republicans stated they would not vote for a health care bill that included a government-backed health insurance option because it would lead to the demise of health insurance companies.
I thought the American way of doing business is to do business with the one that costs the least, gives you the best deal, or both. It makes you wonder what is behind the thinking of those opposed to the single payer as an option.
UPS and FedEx are doing very well in competition with the post office. Insurance companies could adjust to competition also, with better service and lower costs. They could pay their CEOs a few million less.
I have good health insurance, but I still want to see competition for all products and services.
Norman Melos
Sequim
Radar Ridge wind farm
won't harm murrelets
As public power utilities, Clallam County Public Utility District, Grays Harbor PUD, Pacific County PUD, Mason County PUD No. 3 along with project developer Energy Northwest are committed to doing what is best for our com-munities and the environment.
A recent regional news article, "Marbled murrelet may keep Pacific County wind farm from getting off the ground" highlighted concerns about the potential impact of a planned wind project on a threatened species of bird, the marbled murrelet.
As partners in this endeavor, we support the Radar Ridge wind project in Pacific County, both as an economically wise and ecologically-friendly investment.
Radar Ridge is a project that will drive economic development and provide clean energy. It will address requirements of 2006's voter initiative that prescribed renewable energy development levels for utilities. Our partnership has employed an environmentally responsible approach to ensure any ecological impacts are known and minimized.
We have worked closely from the start with U.S. Fish and Wildllife Service, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Studies by independent experts provide convincing evidence Radar Ridge will not negatively affect nearby sensitive wildlife, including the marbled murrelet. Nearly three years of radar survey data indicate murrelet flight over the proposed site is generally infrequent, at a high altitude well above the turbines.
We have long recognized the benefits of well-planned and responsible renewable energy investments. This is a project in our own area of the state. We value our environment and are committed to protecting it as we work to bring clean renewable energy to the more than 100,000 homes, businesses and industries we serve.
Doug Nass
General manager
Clallam County PUD
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