It feels nice to have a president who does not embarrass this country when overseas. One who speaks at such a high level that even the narrow minded understand what he is talking about. A president who has a message and agenda of change. Change that will take this country into the 21st century and beyond.

On July 3 my good, longtime friend Diehl Rettig opined his support for his candidate for the 16th Legislative District seat now held by Laura Grant-Herriot, daughter of the late Bill Grant. Bill, a Democrat, held the seat for more than 20 years until his untimely demise last fall.

I write this month to speak my true mind and raise awareness of a silent scourge, a nemesis infiltrating our local communities and this great nation. I am talking, of course, about the proliferation of seafood restaurants in America.

Thank you for your timely and forthright editorial on secrecy surrounding the Consolidated Crisis Response Center (CCRC). Commissioners Peck and Beaver don't have specialized knowledge or education in mental heath which would enable them to make the best decisions for their constituents.

I am writing this because fireworks should not be allowed to be purchased in Richland or set off in Richland.

The column "Renewable energy push could backfire on U.S.," printed in the Herald on July 6, exactly expresses my thoughts about our country's current energy policy. We are closing sources of natural energy through prohibition of exploration and drilling, and/or imposing taxes that force the use of more expensive, and subsidized, renewable fuels. Cap and trade is an example of bad policy.

The young lady hit the nail on the head who suggested placing the carousel at Columbia Center mall (Letters, July 1).

RE: For Gay Marriage (Mike Wilson, July 5)

I laugh at reading your recent editorial "Inelegant inaction by Obama on Yucca" as I have laughed regarding most of what I've read about the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP). I believe the Nevada Test Site is the best location for a nuclear waste repository, and there are many studies and test reports to validate the YMP.

Headline in the June 30 Herald: "Court: White firefighters bias victims."

The proposed Planned Parenthood center in Pasco is a troubling thing to me. Though I am not a Pasco resident, what Planned Parenthood stands for should give caution for having one in any community. Any organization that counsels abortion as an option for dealing with a pregnancy is not worth existing. It is not worth the dirt its building is built on.

As adults, we are not given many opportunities to step outside ourselves and enjoy that childlike world of make-believe, unless you are heading to a Halloween party. The Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire gives us that chance by returning to the days of chivalry, to experience how others spoke, worked, dressed and lived a day-to-day existence in the 16th century. If you missed the faire last weekend, you missed a chance to attend the best festival yet.

The state passed a so-called law to prohibit using your cell phone while driving. Problem is, they need to have a reason other than the cell phone usage to stop and issue a ticket. How stupid is that? More people are using cell phones while driving than ever, and I call this dangerous. (I have already avoided a serious accident because the other person was driving with cell phone usage). Make the law with teeth in it so you can make the law work.

I know that universal health care would be a burden on taxpayers and government would get bigger. It is a vicious cycle and there is no end in sight.

I appreciate your recent coverage of Franklin County Historical Museum's kickoff for Mr. Carnegie's Grand Tour of Washington. We were thrilled with the response that we received with 80 people touring our museum between 9 a.m. and noon and taking part in our scavenger hunt. Many of the folks and children walked from the Farmer's Market to our site at Fourth and Bonneville where our restored 1911 Carnegie building is located.

Richland's new computer system can no longer figure averages for those of us on the budget plan for utilities, but it continues with a monthly statement and continues enclosing a payment envelope.

To those of you who have judged her by what the media has released, do not know Ella Stewart the person.

Health care reform is an issue that is vitally important to all. Like everyone, the League of Women Voters struggles with the challenge of rebuilding a system that has been too long neglected.

We were recently invited to a friend's house for lasagna. She invited neighbors and other friends, ages late 20s to 70-plus to watch a PBS Frontline program on health care called Sick Around the World (available at: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/etc/script.html> )

First: A single-payer system could be privatized. ("Government" is one thing, and "single payer" is another.)

Although I consider myself a fiscal conservative, I also believe that the health and general welfare of all American citizens should always be the government's (the people's) primary concern. No other government or persons should be the recipient of the people's taxes until each citizen's health and general welfare have been assured.

The gay marriage letter (June 27) continued the irrelevant religious argument against civil gay marriage, suggesting that Christians are being victimized for espousing anti-gay beliefs. The writer conjectured that it is "easier for gay marriage advocates to ascribe the most abhorrent motives to complete strangers." Interesting statement, considering the prevalence of Christians who bandy the words "abomination," "pervert" and worse words not fit to print when discussing civil gay marriage.

The current government health insurance "option" that is being touted by some of our elected leaders is a joke. If it's so great, why won't they participate in it? This "reform" that they are trying to ram through will make matters much, much worse.

Should health care reform include a new government health insurance option? In a word, "NO."

While it is unfortunate that all Americans don't have health insurance, it is also unfortunate that all Americans don't have jobs. The government can't and shouldn't attempt to guarantee either.

Although our legislators set aside the important reform bill that would have modified "three strikes" and dropped the second-degree offenses that are strikes from the list of more serious offenses that deserve serious sentences, we have advocates in King County who have recognized the injustices and are appealing for clemency for some who deserve it.

Well, the old turkey farmer has noticed that the issue of putting sodium fluoride in public drinking water is back in the news.

As a professional rocket scientist, I helped Boeing design the Saturn V Apollo launch system, which put man on the moon. Later I directed significant, successful Star Wars research programs. With similar focus, insight and unbiased objectivity, I have spent hundreds of hours studying both sides of the global warming literature and debates, including the cap and trade system our governor, president and many legislators support.

After spending $9 billion and 30 years of research, the Yucca Mountain repository is put on hold. Why? Harry Reid, Democratic leader of the Senate, doesn't want a repository in his state and Mr. Obama needs Mr. Reid. From the selection of the Yucca Mountain site to mandating that spent nuclear fuel would be stored as waste there, Yucca's history is full of political decisions.

I do not know enough about this to comment much. What bothers me is the talk of Canada, for example, waiting months or even years for treatment of life-jeopardizing problems.

Health care reform: What our country truly needs is something that has nothing to do with the government. The second we step into the government-run health care options is the second our country becomes more socialistic and uncontrollable.

Terry Nealy is a well respected community leader from Dayton, whom I have known for more than 30 years as a person of great integrity, who gets the job done. Moreover, he is community minded and family oriented and can be trusted to protect and promote these values in Olympia as our representative to the Washington State Legislature from the 16th District, position 2. I encourage everyone to support his candidacy.

Who could possibly have expected America would have a president who could change the face of America so drastically and completely in such a short time? And we have just experienced a small portion of Obama's vision of "change."

It's commonly accepted that World War II ended the Great Depression. An obvious question is, "How?" The obvious answer is that massive government spending put people to work producing the materiel required for war.

Bernard Madoff stole the financial futures and dreams of thousands of people, many of whom will probably never be able to regain their losses. For this, he gets 150 years and the people he cheated get the satisfaction of knowing that justice has been served. They will get up every morning, enjoying the changing of the seasons, spending time with their families. Yes, 150 years is good.

Taxpayers, watch your money fly away!

I think that the only information I might give a census taker recruited by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform is what is constitutionally required, and that is how many people live in this household. I feel that I will be fine with the government trying to get blood out of a rock (fining me) for having the audacity to fail these criminal thugs. I think I am also OK with the government choosing to throw me in jail, because I am unable to pay such a fine because I am unemployed.

As the Fourth of July approaches, that day when we celebrate our country's freedom from repression, I look around at what is going on and I have to wonder if it is really the United States that I am living in? The rate at which we are losing our freedoms is astonishing and surreal in its implementation. What did we do to deserve such injustices from our government? Where are they or have there ever been morally grounded politicians with the common sense that our creator gifted us with?

This letter joins Betsy J. Miller's request (Letters, June 24) to honor our flag.

I live in Kennewick and take the roundabout on Fourth Avenue by Mr. E's four times a day. Two of those times are always with my two very young children and I have almost been hit countless times because people fail to yield. So I am just asking that everyone, no matter how much of a hurry you're in, please remember to yield before you take an innocent life.

Hands-down, the best $40 investment we made this year was purchasing a family membership to the CREHST museum in Richland. We saved literally hundreds of dollars (as well as our sanity) on our vacation this past winter, using the membership's reciprocal passport perks to visit history museums, science centers and even planetariums all across the country.

Not only does the current federal tax code penalize savings, investment, and productivity, it can also lead to the demise of citizens. I refer to the recent metro train crash in Washington, D.C. It seems tax shelters slowed the upgrading of equipment. The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority said that it was "constrained by tax advantage leases, which require the WMATA keep the older cars in service until 2014.

Some really bad, incorrigible people need to be isolated from the rest of us to keep us safe. Most of the people in our criminal justice system are not in that violent category. Hundreds of years of experience, along with modern studies and statistics show that the most expensive and the least effective response to crime is total incarceration.

According to Richland's Mission statement they are "committed to ... excellence, responsiveness and provision of services to all." What a joke that statement is in view of the city's recent $900,000-plus expenditure for a computer system that can't even manage to provide utility rate averaging to low-income and fixed-income people. People who have been on the method for years.

Regarding the debate over where the carousel should go. I think the best place for it would be inside the Columbia Center mall. They are expanding the mall to fit everyone's needs. This way it could be used year-round in a nice environment. Which also will protect the horses' paint.

Isn't wonderful how the U.S. needs a cap and trade policy while other industrialized nations don't seem to have one. Where's India and China on this? I bet they are not worried about it because they are more afraid of the massive unemployment and strife it will cost if they implemented something of this proportion.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn wants to shift the emphasis of education reform away from testing to improving high school graduation rates ("Most 10th-graders pass test but schools chief wants more," June 19).

My wife, daughter and I recently had the opportunity to travel to Whidbey Island to great our son Brandon Miller who was returning home from his first deployment. We accompanied his wife, Amy, to the naval air station to greet him as he returned from Turkey.

The nation's yearly health care costs are roughly $2.5 trillion, making U.S. health care by far the most expensive in the world. The saving in Medicare costs was the subject of an article by Atul Gawande in the June 22 issue of the New Yorker. He compared the Medicare costs of two cities, McAllen and El Paso, Texas.

Call or write members of Congress to vigorously oppose cap and trade legislation in any form. If passed, it would be disastrous to this country's economy. If its purpose, as some say, is to fund President Obama's spending, then the proper corrective action would be to suspend such spending. If the intended purpose of the bill is to reduce dependence on foreign oil, then the proper action would be to tap our own oil, coal and gas reserves as well as our nuclear capability. And finally, if the purpose is to stop manmade global warming, then our Congress should read the Bible. God will prevail in the scheduling of Armageddon, not Al Gore.

We have lived in our home since 1984, paid our mortgage as agreed all these years. Now, again we see the rates from four and a half and four and three quarters. I have called my bank numerous times to get a lower rate, and they will be glad to if I pay about $3,500 in chump charges.

What better place for a Planned Parenthood facility than near a school?

I strongly support Planned Parenthood's efforts to open a health care clinic in Pasco. The clinic will provide health care services and education. There is a growing need for access to affordable health care in this country. Of course there are other clinics in Pasco and the surrounding area that provide similar services, but I am not aware that the Tri-Cities are over burdened with them.

Congratulations to all who laughed, shook their heads or had a discussion with their family over the "controversial" Make Your Day school discipline program.

The excellent work of the Community Solutions vision statement on health is this: "People will live healthy lives through emphasis on prevention, as well as access to needed healthcare."

I am disappointed by the vocal opposition to Planned Parenthood in Pasco.

I see that the Herald is unfortunately perpetuating the myth that cows burping carbon-containing gases such as methane are contributing to climate change (front page article on June 22).

I feel the need to criticize two things today.

I heartily support the proposed Planned Parenthood clinic to be opened on Court Street. Opponents who suggest that the establishment will have negative effects on the surrounding businesses or the elementary school nearby are grossly misrepresenting the truth of the situation.

I am confident that the Pasco City Council will recognize the great need for low cost health services for its citizens and grant approval for the Planned Parenthood Clinic on Court Street. Surely Pasco does not want to be known as the capitol city for teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in the state of Washington.

Our Teleprompter-dependent, habitual speech making, socialist president embarked last month on a Middle East tour. In Cairo, Obama made another of his slick, Tele-prompter speeches where he went out of his way to praise Islam. Obama didn't bother to mention the words "terrorist" or "terrorism." Instead, he again placed the onus of much of the world's strife on the U.S.

Why does Faustian bargain come to mind with this issue?

Please support Planned Parenthood in Pasco. I've recently finished my senior year of high school in Kennewick, and a lot of my peers are sexually active. I feel that better health care and education like Planned Parenthood provides will allow people to be able to make safer, better informed decisions.

I believe the Pasco site on Court Street is an ideal location for Planned Parenthood. It is on a major thoroughfare and sits on a bus line, which will give women and men easier access to the health center.

The vocal minority speaking against the proposed Community Health Center is not representative of the entire Tri-Cities. This center will provide health care to meet the needs of a community that lacks access to affordable health care.

It would be my wish that an abortion would not be necessary for any woman. However, I do not see how a Planned Parenthood facility in Pasco could be anything but a godsend for women and children (yes, "children" are having babies these days) to get accurate information so that pregnancy could be avoided.

I just wanted to express my support for Planned Parenthood. They provide affordable health care to those in need. I am a patient at Planned Parenthood and strongly support what they stand for.

Two professors sparring is democracy (In Focus, June 14 and 21). After reading both articles, I pulled up the 9/11 CIA Report. I can see how both say what they say. The report states, "There were specific points of vulnerability in the plot and opportunities to disrupt it. Nothing the U.S. did from 1999-2001 disturbed or delayed the al-Qaida plot."

Nothing could be more obvious than the need for affordable and comprehensive reproductive health care services in Pasco. No matter how you look at the statistics, they prove that help is needed in that community to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. A Planned Parenthood clinic located at the site on Court Street will address these issues.

The idea that anyone would oppose this clinic is so ridiculous that it becomes sadness. The numbers qouted in the Herald's editorial are correct. Does everyone understand that 40 percent higher than the state rate for chlamydia and three times the state rate for teen pregnancy boils down to the fact that these kids are unprotected, which makes them either irresponsible or uneducated.

I attended the Pasco Planning Commission meeting regarding a permit for a new Planned Parenthood Health Center in Pasco. I fully support opening this health center as there is a clear need here for reproductive health services.

I am very discouraged by two particular implications of the opposition to locating a Planned Parenthood office in Pasco, notwithstanding the published health problems existing in that community.

When you need glasses, you go to the optometrist. You visit specialists when you have specific health care concerns, because they are the experts. Planned Parenthood is a trusted name in reproductive health care because they are experts in their field.

Margaret Sanger was jailed 100 years ago for starting an organization to provide desperate women with the means to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

The United States should follow Mexico's lead in the proposed decriminalization of small quantities of recreational drugs, albeit for other reasons than cited in the Los Angeles Times article published in the Herald on June 22.

When I read the Herald's editorial about how People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals missed the mark regarding their complaint about "flying fish" in Seattle, I was instantly reminded of the front-page ink the Herald has invested in publicizing the plight of dogs (i.e., Chocolate and the recent rescue of American Eskimo dogs).

I can't believe that in the 21st century there are still people actively seeking to reduce women's, men's and children's access to quality and affordable reproductive health care. I refer, of course, to the opposition of the proposed Planned Parenthood clinic on Court Street.

I attended the public meeting in Pasco on the matter of granting a permit to Planned Parenthood for a new clinic on Court Street. Attendance was dominated by those opposed to citing the clinic in Pasco, based on the location, but often because so many fundamentally oppose the work of Planned Parenthood in principle.

We citizens of Pasco need a Planned Parenthood Clinic. It is not about abortions. It is not about picketers. It is not about grisly picket signs. It is not about scaring the elementary school children.

I watched with great sadness at last week's city of Pasco Planning Commission meeting as a small but vocal group of extremists worked to undermine women's access to affordable health care in Pasco.

I was proud to give public testimony in support of Planned Parenthood of Central Washington's plans to open a new Pasco facility at the June 18 meeting of the Pasco City Planning Commission.

With healthcare costs soaring and people losing their insurance daily, it's hard to understand why anyone would oppose the opening of a health center that would provide basic health services to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.

It saddens me to write this letter, but in the interest of public safety, I must. In the current issue of Golf Business (www.golfbusiness.com), the cover story on the hardships that golf course owner Michelle Marcum has faced to continue operation of the West Richland Golf Course was enlightening, but also indicates that the city has serious deficiencies. The Herald reported on the magazine article in its June 19 edition.

I could take issue with a number of David Lemak's assertions (In Focus, June 21), but must limit my remarks to one point, the influence of Vice President Dick Cheney and others in the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Denmark claims its 6,000 wind turbines generate 19 percent of its electricity. Unfortunately, because of wind power's unpredictability, which requires 100 percent backup, not one fossil-fuel plant has been shut down. In fact more coal-fired plants have been added and carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 36 percent since 2006. Their electrical generation costs are the highest in Europe.

In response to the Herald's recent editorial, "Inelegant inaction by Obama on Yucca." During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama made the commitment to the Democratic leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada to stop work on Yucca Mountain if he were elected.

I feel that the Knights of Columbus deserve appreciation because they give of their time and energy to make things comfortable for the elderly and anyone else who needs a wheelchair, walker and boost chairs.

With tighter state budgets forecast because of revenue drops, Gov. Chris Gregoire has kiboshed all travel by government officials. If she could adopt the habit of practicing what she preaches, she should pass up flying back to Washington, D.C., to be in every photo-op with President Obama that has any remote relationship to our state. Our new leader, with the appeal of a rock star, certainly needs no help from her in the serious business of burnishing his image. The double standard is showing.

I don't understand. What are these values that President Obama and his ever-present Teleprompter keeping nagging us about? I know what my values are, and I'm sure that these are shared by most Americans.

It was surprising to me that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would compare tossing fish at Pike Place Market to tossing dead kittens.

It's difficult to believe that our state government would decide to build migrant housing at the cost of $3.25 million, of which taxpayers will pay $32,500 per bed when we are in desperate need of low-income housing for the disabled, mentally ill, veterans and other citizens not able to afford decent housing.

When I was a kid living in El Pasco, Texas, we had one of those gravity hills like the one recently featured in the Herald.

In regard to the letter "Inadequate response," the writer is very quick to criticize the Tri-City Herald for putting George Tiller's murder on the front page because it didn't deserve the attention, and argue the two U.S. soldiers who were murdered in Little Rock should have made front page news because it dealt with a Muslim-American act of terrorism.

Ray Sadesky's letter on June 22 was an excellent statement of why we need a bridge from north Pasco to north Richland. I'd like to add my two cents as well.

Gov. Chris Gregoire, representatives and the Service Employees International Union have moved me to the verge of irritation! They probably think they deserve a pat on the back but really deserve a swift kick in the pants.

This is regarding the "improvements" to Road 68. The city had this road under construction for several weeks and many of us were overjoyed, thinking that the city was going to widen the road or extend the far right northbound lane at least to Powerline Road.

Obama is not a true liberal; he killed a fly. Where is PETA's office so I can release the flies that I trap into the organization's office.

Just because I am in favor of abolishing the death penalty (which for me is not justice, but civil revenge), does not mean I "resent those who stand in our defense; the cop, the prosecutor, the soldier," as Robert M. Marshall alleged in his recent Tri-City Forum column on the death penalty.

What's with all the dirty, torn American flags flying in the Tri-Cities?

We need to elevate the level of discussion of health care reform and stop using false red herrings and straw men as in two recent letters by Morrison and Wetzker.

Summer is once again upon us. The other night as I was leaving the Safeway Parking lot in Richland, I noticed a great looking hunting dog in the cab of a truck. The window was down a bit, but the dog was panting heavily.

When does a salmon become a red herring? When it is linked to the loss of renewable energy hydropower generation revenue during fish passage bypass operations.

The real domestic terrorists are the gang members who murder and bring mayhem to every community they are in, along with the drug dealers who also murder and cause people to become addicted. These are the true domestic terrorists.

People have been drinking high-fluoride water for centuries. Fluoridation is the largest, oldest, cheapest, most thoroughly researched and investigated public health program in the history of the world.

Three years ago, I wrote a letter to the editor scolding the Herald editorial board about what I felt was bias against building an RV park at the Columbia Park golf course.

Of course the carousel is needed. Bringing this unique project to fruition would be much easier if the Herald Editorial Board stopped printing negative statements about it at every opportunity. The general public reads your comments and believes what you're touting is the truth -- but it's not.

I think the carousel needs to go where it was intended to go when Mr. Ken Johanning found the carousel and through his efforts brought it to the Tri-Cities. It was intended to go near the Playground of Dreams and the Children's Fishing Pond, which all came to be because of Ken's efforts to have a fun place for children.

I read the article in the Herald recently that stated Kennewick Councilman Steve Young wanted to put the carousel at the Vista Entertainment District. Hold your horses there, partner. What is the Vista Entertainment District? Have I missed an entertainment district being built?

The original intent for bringing the carousel to the Tri-Cities was to place it in the Columbia Park near the Playground of Dreams, the Kennewick Lions Club was told. Shortly after the pieces arrived in the Tri-Cities, the Kennewick Lions Club helped move them to their permanent storage until funds could be raised to build housing for the carousel. After some time had passed, we discovered that a proposal was being made to place the carousel in the entertainment district somewhere near the coliseum.

I must agree with Ken Leaf on requests for donations arriving in his mailbox ("Tracking Trash," June 7).

The editorial on June 15, "Domestic terrorists still threaten America," is not necessarily on target. The media still writes about Timothy McVeigh as a terrorist. McVeigh did not go to any Muslim terrorist training camps. McVeigh was discharged from the military for some reason, which was not honorable.

I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minn., and just outside of Minneapolis was the small town of Excelsior that had the big attraction of an amusement park with a carousel, roller coaster and no end of sidewalk games plus no end of junk food. I can still smell and taste it!

Just like the Columbia Park jitney that was named after the slain Washington State Patrol trooper, the carousel idea is a great idea but bad judgment. It is artistic. It is a community idea. It is very impractical.

I would love to see the carousel finally find a home and I think it would be a great addition to the park. To me, it has taken way too long to accomplish this, so the sooner it happens the better.

The carousel in the Vista "Entertainment" District would be a very expensive piece of unused nostalgia. If the carousel is to be displayed solely as a piece of art (such as the Sacagawea Statue), then the Vista "Entertainment" District would be an appropriate location.

There is precedent for the Herald editorial board's recommendation regarding the use of police-confiscated marijuana for medical purposes.

Regarding Rob Dupuy's recent letter, "It's In there!" I agree with him. It is time to get the fluoride out of Pasco's water supply. I think the people should be able to vote on whether they want it in their water or not. Most people have no idea the harm it is doing to all of us.

With the end of the school year comes the joy of graduation for many students and their families. Unfortunately, there are many families in our communities that were not able to celebrate this exciting turning point in their child's life. In such instances, I encourage students and their parents to explore the options that exist. Nearly all local districts have some form of alternative education, yet the stigma that is attached can often remove this as an option for many.

Please install the carousel close to a 60-inch TV set and a huge parking lot. That way, parents can be sure that their children, exhausted from all the physical exercise of riding the carousel, can gain their strength back while watching a big TV, until their parents drive them home.

A carousel ride takes several minutes. You need something to do before or after. The carousel should be in a child-friendly place such as next to the Playground of Dreams. Some security may be necessary.

Since the planners are having a difficult time selecting a site for showcasing the $750,000 carousel, it could be placed in downtown Kennewick. That seems a more fitting place than the Vista Entertainment District -- wherever that is.

Why are we apologizing to these countries on behalf of the United States? I am not sorry for what my country has accomplished and done during our short history.

We don't need socialized medicine, even if we call it a reform. We have the best medical system in the world, even when hindered by government interference. We lead the world in medical advances.

Kudos for the correction that ran in the upper left hand corner of A2 on Tuesday, June 9, concerning Kennewick High School's graduation. As a teacher and coach at KeHS, I was shocked to read in the paper (June 7) that we graduated only 140 students this year. I was relieved Monday morning to be reassured by our principals that we did, in fact, graduate 297 students. Congratulations to our 297 newest Lion alumni. May all 297 of you find success and joy in your futures.

I attended graduation for New Horizons High School in Pasco. The students who graduated had overcome many obstacles to do so. They deserved the recognition they received. When I opened the Tri-City Herald the next morning I had great hopes of seeing some nice pictures of the graduation. I should have known better. It seems to be a Herald policy to make the city of Pasco and the citizens of Pasco seem to be the "black sheep" of the Tri-Cities and once again the picture stood as proof of this.

I would like to point out a couple facts regarding critics of Benjamin Garcia's Fast Focus letter concerning tree removal along the rivershore. First, Russian olive trees are not classified as noxious weeds in Washington; they are an invasive species.

In his recent letter, Gilberto Diaz seems to think that evolution is a matter of opinion. Evolutionary science isn't any more of an opinion than gravity or thermodynamics. It is a body of science that has developed well beyond the original work of Darwin.

Richland politics once again suffers from lack of interest and apathy. Maybe people are afraid to run against the incumbents. From what I hear, merely filing against an incumbent in Richland infuriates them, as their attitude seems to be, "How dare you file against me." (How sad!).

Regarding the Letter best feature on June 7. Dick Olsen's letter really hit home. I share his enjoyment of a cup of coffee with a newspaper. I like to feel the newspaper, rustle its sheets ("cuddle it").

In response to Marjie Reinig's letter to the editor on June 9 in defense of Ella Stewart and her American Eskimo dogs. If Mrs. Stewart was having a difficult time with finances, then that's all the more reason she should have gotten rid of the dogs -- instead of continuing to breed even more.

The newly re-opened debate about Snake River dam removal gives me a thought. Why not, before such a large undertaking as this, study the effect of previous dam removal on the Elwha River? Did it help? Next, try a pilot project on two smaller, legendary salmon rivers -- the Skagit and the Cowlitz. Try dam breaching on these two rivers first. If successful, then consider the Snake.

I think every 15-year-old is highly opinionated about one topic, at least.

Abortion doctor shot in church -- front page story (not warranted). Two U.S. military shot in front of a recruiter's office in Little Rock, Ark. -- one killed, one wounded by an American-Muslim terrorist -- doesn't rate anything but a blurb on an inside page two days later. How dare you not give this the attention it deserves?

Like others who found out that the Tri-Cities is where the gas rip-off is the greatest, my wife and I went to Nevada last week and bought gas in Reno $2.27 a gallon.

The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board has misstated the objection of rational opponents to the migrant worker housing project proposed in Franklin County.

HF (HydroFluoroSilicic acid) precaution: "The most dangerous industrial acid in existence, is poisonous, attacks the calcium in your bones and is highly corrosive to skin and mucous membranes. The liquid acid dissolves most metals directly."

The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America allows for all citizens of America to peacefully assemble. But during a handful of protests 200 years later, some activists are taking the fight quite too literally.

The Democratic Party has been hijacked by the extremist left wing in Congress which is no better for the nation than the extremist right wing controlling the Republican Party for the last decade. Both parties have played shenanigans with illegal immigration.

I am surprised at the lack of comment regarding Doug Dove's letter (May 19) regarding harassment. Today's society has given him the courage to write it, but has perpetuated a mind-set that remains stuck in the '60s. How is it that high school students have not grown beyond such small-mindedness? Even 6-year-olds can be taught acceptable behavior toward someone different in their world. Perhaps when these students mature they will regret their childish behavior toward anyone "different" while in high school.

If someone sustained a serious wound, would they want a nice looking Band-Aid that just covered up the injury or would they want to undergo the slow, but comprehensive recovery process to actually heal the damage? Most people would likely say the latter.

I fail to see the logic in Richard Badalamente's analogy (Letters, May 22) of all of this mess being Bush's fault. The Democrats held a majority in Congress. Bush has only "one vote." It makes no difference whether a Republican or Democrat occupies the White House, Congress shares in any mess, unless of course the Democrats have a majority! For example, Congress outvoted Obama and denied funding for closing Gitmo. Presidents don't pass laws!

Why are so many in favor of government-controlled health care? Show me a federally controlled agency that operates better than a private one. Tell me how, when we reduce or eliminate competition, it will lower costs. Show me an example of something free that is not squandered.

On Jan. 1, 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing blacks. In 1920, President Wilson successfully urged Congress to grant women the right to vote. Both of these were milestones in American democracy. In 1944, sociologist Gunnar Myrdal examined the issue of race in the U.S., stating our "American dilemma," a definable gap between our claimed beliefs and our behavior. This is a definitely believable and recordable effect that Americans have.

Last weekend, I attended a commencement ceremony of a local high school. I came thinking that it would be a nice ceremony and that it would be respectful. To my surprise, it was one of the loudest and rowdiest events I have ever been to. Cowbells and foghorns are just some of the distractions that could be found.

As I watched my sister graduate the other day, I was very proud that she was one of hundreds to graduate not only with her high school diploma but her Associate of Arts degree as well. However, not once was her name recognized for such a big accomplishment. As I sat and listened to the special awards given to students who were outstanding in a particular class and students being recognized for the sports they participated in, it made me think, "What about the kids that gave up two years of high school to get a head start in life?"

Is this the time when I promised my kids they could have a new bike, a new car? When swine flu (pigs fly).

Rarely have I read an opinion more hateful that the In Focus column published in the June 7 Herald. Dick Cheney does not deserve this abuse.

President Obama's recent decision to close down Guantanamo Bay is completely ridiculous. The fact that he wants to close down a prison holding so many dangerous terrorists who want to cause harm to the United States is beyond anything I can fathom. All President Obama was trying to do was please people who are against Guantanamo Bay.

Debating whether or not to use the death penalty is ridiculous. Yes, I understand that states that use the death penalty use taxpayers money. However, the death penalty is meant to put to rest people who do horrific acts of violence and allows closure to a victim's family. It's not fair to those victims and their families to know that their aggressor is going to rot away in a cell for life knowing and willing that they've committed a horrible act of violence with no remorse.

Top nation in the world. One of the worst in terms of math and science. Today's average U.S. student is sadly ranked toward the bottom of the chart when compared with students in other developed countries. I, myself a student, think this needs to improve and fast! America's public schools simply aren't tough enough, and it has made us lazy and unmotivated for the most part.

It is understood by most sports fans that many talented baseball players spent time in their careers at the community college level. In "Junior college can lead to stardom," Herald sportswriter Eric Degerman mentioned MVP candidate Evan Longoria's rise from Rio Honda Community College.

Voting in the U.S. has been made very convenient. There no longer is a literacy test or poll tax to be paid, like there used to be in the early 1900s. Since then, the government has been working on making voting easy for all citizens, to increase our voting population. For example, the Motor Voter Act that was passed in 1993 and took effect in 1995.

Professor Mark Mansperger's vicious and baseless attack against former Vice President Cheney in the June 7 In Focus feature requires a reply.

A mysterious person enters one of the schools of today, walks up and lays two portfolios, both containing information on Darwin's theory of evolution, on the table.

The other day my dad said, "Look what your president has done," in reference to our conversation on the recession. I think that it is a common misconception that the current recession is the doing of our current president, Barack Obama.

I recently attended the graduation ceremony for Richland High School and I was very impressed with the whole program. The valedictorians' speeches were excellent and Gordon Comfort, the principal, also had some great words of wisdom for all the graduates.

With the new high school opening in Pasco, many students are left to wonder what is going to happen after the split. Many of their once-loved teachers and coaches are leaving for the new high school, along with old friends and classmates.

I have been trying for some time to find a way to return the stimulus and economic recovery payments (ERP) that I've received to the U.S. Treasury. I was told I could take them to the local Social Security office. When I tried that, they told me they could take the payment, but it would be reissued back to me in 15 months. They did provide me information on a way to return the money, which would not lead to it being returned to me.

While employed by a law enforcement agency on June 7, I was dispatched to a "sick" dog that was at Heritage Park. When I found the dog, he was a puppy of about 8 months. He was skinny, which was the least of his problems. He also was foaming at the mouth and had internal bleeding.

Two recent similar events are receiving widely different media and national attention. It is interesting to note the difference in coverage concerning the murder of an abortion doctor by a mentally deranged individual and the murder of an American serviceman on U.S. soil by an American-Muslim terrorist. Regardless of your views on any topic, murder is not an acceptable response. It does seem strange the level of concern expressed nationally over the act of one mentally ill person. Even the president weighed in expressing his outrage. Where is the similar outpouring of national outrage over the first terrorist attack on U.S. soil for the new administration? Even the commander in chief expressed more concern over the doctor's murder than the serviceman's.

Those who want government to run our health care system are either socialists or just naive. Which is it? You decide. Not supporting socialized medical care does not mean one supports the current system of out-of-control lawsuits and exorbitant insurance costs but tort reform. That alone would return many specialists in obstetrics and gynecology to their offices and many others who've given up in the face of tens of thousands in annual insurance premiums -- and I'm talking good doctors with clean records.

Enough already with the puppy mills and people not keeping dogs on a leash. Let's talk about the stupid people out there, the jerks who throw a pet in kennels in front of the humane society with no water or food hoping, I guess, that it will die or be found.

Who would you rather have overseeing the education of your child, her fifth grade teacher or some unaccountable Wall Street CEO? For 25 years, school "reform" has been driven by the Business Roundtable. The Roundtable advocated for outrageously expensive testing programs that have resulted in no net gain of achievement, the highest levels of dropouts in decades, and the loss of valuable music, art and vocational programs.

Way to go Kennewick Parks and Recreation! We had a great time at the recent Ameri-Canine Idol event. The location was perfect, lots of shade near the band shell at Columbia Park, parking was easy, and water was accessible. The Frisbee Exhibition Team was fun to watch and very informative. I particularly liked the safety advice given about unfamiliar dogs.

I was a junior this year at Hanford High School and I am in the Running Start program. I am responding to the letter, "Cut running start," in the May 20 Herald.

This is in rebuttal to the recent letter complaining about bigotry against redheads.

I seriously could not believe my eyes when I read the headline that roadside trash was being blamed on the Washington budget crisis! I'm fairly certain that roadside trash is to be blamed on the careless persons who throw trash out their car windows with reckless abandon!

We just got back from a trip to Denver. Of course gas here was out of sight compared to what we paid across country. Our first gas up was in Idaho for $2.39 per gallon, the next gas up in Ogden, Utah $2.19 per gallon. The highest we paid the whole trip was $2.49 in Denver.

On a typical sunny, breezy Memorial Day in southeastern Washington, our American flags fly by the hundreds, too many flags to fit into one picture.

The present biological opinion for Columbia Basin salmon (BiOp) is supported by the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana, along with the Yakima Tribe, Warm Springs tribe, Umatilla Tribe, Colville Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal fish Commission.

R.J. McFall's letter to the editor on June 3 points out problems some people have when they put a dividing line between conservative and liberal issues. Just because McFall says that Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a liberal does not make her a liberal. I am not saying that Ms. Sotomayor is not a liberal. I just have not read enough to make that determination.

My concern is availability of qualified doctors for cancer care in the Tri-Cities. Since October 2008, I have been a patient of one of the doctors that resigned from Columbia Basin Hematology and Oncology. I am on chemo and have not seen a doctor for three months because of the conflict at the cancer center. With 600 cancer patients in the Tri-Cities, there is already a shortage of doctors. Not allowing the three doctors to practice in the Tri-Cities is not in the best interest of cancer patients. It takes time to develop a good relationship with a doctor, and patients don't need the stress of changing doctors during treatment or driving miles for care.

There I was, sitting in my car, late for work, in the parking lot, listening to the president introduce Judge Sonia Sotomayor. I was just thrilled to hear this historic event unfold. I am so impressed with Sotomayor's credentials, experience and, most of all, her graciousness. It was wonderful to hear her speak lovingly and gratefully about her family.

Regarding Miranda Foster's poignant letter. I, too, worked my tail end off when I attended high school.

I found out a few days ago that although I received a car as a gift, I could not gift it to my daughter without her paying almost $100 for an old car!

After the visit of the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain came to a close last weekend, I wanted to express my appreciation to the Tri-Cities for its overwhelming and generous welcome of our ships. We planned our visit last winter -- the first visit to the Tri-Cities in 17 years -- in the midst of enormous economic uncertainty. We weren't sure what kind of reception we would receive.

The United States has long used incarceration as their punishment policy in the battle against crime. Recently we find that it is not cost- effective. Our continual increase in incarceration pays for a continual decrease in crime prevention. Expanding prisons cost more and accomplish less.

I appreciated the excellent coverage you gave the boys and girls during the state golf tournament held here in the Tri-Cities.

I've read and watched the coverage of Ella Stewart's Sun Valley Kennels, and understand the seriousness of the situation. With the media blitz, it is easy to forget there's a human side to this tragedy.

It seems strangely appropriate that the June 3, 2009, issue of the Tri-City Herald carries two seemingly unassociated items: a death notice for Al Squire and a column headlined "FFTF shutdown work completed." They are not unrelated.

Great job by the Herald putting the Little League pictures of the Richland Bomber baseball players next to their current pictures. Your story reinforces my contention that this is the best collection of baseball players to ever go through the state of Washington. They won or were close to winning every season at the state and national levels. The casual fan has no idea how hard it is to go to the final four in baseball three straight years, winning two titles and losing two, one-run games, last year. They weren't far from winning three straight. Winning 20 games every year may be even more remarkable with the great competition in this area. The regular season only consists of 20 games, with the extras being tournament games.

Wake up, America! All this bankruptcy of the auto industry was instigated by the auto companies, the lobbyists, and dishonest congressmen and senators. The whole purpose for all these bankruptcies was to shaft the auto industry laborers, since there was too much at stake on the owing of pension funds and medical insurance. By collapsing the industry, it eliminates their obligations. It seems our present government is responsible for these problems.

We are fast becoming a nation divided among itself -- illegal to perform one act in one state, yet it is legal in others. If this continues we may as well declare all fifty states as separate nations.

I disagree with the editorial supporting stocking of fishless lakes with sterile trout in a national park (Our Voice, June 1). A naturally fishless lake is probably an ecosystem worth studying.

It seems that roundabouts are going up like crazy; don't get me wrong, I like them, but am curious as to who takes care of the maintenance.

Ideally, seasonal farm labor appears the day the farmer needs them, works cheap, magically disappears when they are no longer needed and are invisible while staying in the community. And that has been nearly the case for generations. Providing basic living needs for their families has been of little concern to farmers. There has been little concern shown for them as fellow human beings with the same aspirations as the permanent community.

In response to the letters regarding "Double Dose of Valedictorians," May 23, I appreciate those who expressed their concern on my behalf both in the Herald and by phone. I can understand the reporter's viewpoint on this article. How often do twins become valedictorian and high achieving athletes together? I applaud the hard work the twins have put into their athletics and academics. I appreciate the fact I was even mentioned in the article.

One of my pet peeves is the traffic in front of Pasco High school. It is like being in the bull ring and a car only stops if the walker is directly in front of them; otherwise it is a swish-swish as they occupy the same striped area as the crosser.

I am very happy that the Miniature American Eskimo dogs have been rescued. It saddened me to hear how poorly these animals ended up being cared for. I have owned two dogs that I got from Sun Valley Kennels/Ella Stewart in the past 20 years and did not have any problems with them. They were healthy, affectionate and lots of fun to have around. I had heard after we got our last one, about 10 years ago that the place had really gone down hill.

Anybody who has achieved what the Hall sisters have deserves recognition. They are terrific role models, obviously excelling in academics as well as in other areas, including sports. I wish ALL kids were as involved. It's obvious that the twins' parents have done an outstanding job with these young women.

Last weekend was a sad weekend for many sports fans in the Tri-Cities as we had absolutely no radio or television coverage for any of our kids participating in state tournaments. I had to listen on a scratchy internet connection.

I am surprised by the recent upsurge on removal of the Snake River dams (Our Voice, May 29). More importantly, the continual use of our taxpayer dollars being spent. Nowhere in this country or the world is such an investment being made to help a listed species.

I am a senior at Richland High and in the Running Start program. In response to "Cut Running Start" (Letters, May 20): Many of the students who are in AP courses are not enrolled in Running Start. A lot of students would rather live out their high school experiences at the high school. The whole point of taking the AP tests are so that you don't have to repeat them in college. Having to take the same classes in high school and in college is a real drag.

My words to the classes of '09 are simple and straightforward and based on great ideas of Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy. "Judge all people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin." This statement means you do not grant favoritism or partiality to anyone based on "color -- black, white, etc." Absolutely no double standard or any excuses for it.

Over lunch today, a friend asked me, "How do you feel about the Seattle Post-Intelligencer going out of print?" Sad, I said. After graduation I worked for the P.I. Every day was different. It was a challenging and joyous time in my life.

How does one decide? Dams or salmon? This can be a decision we may never need to make unless we ignore recent fish-saving efforts and a comprehensive analysis of the proposed Biological Opinion (BiOp).

Just about the time we thought the dam issue was about to be resolved, new political "rumblings" are surfacing. We once again need to shout our support for the scientists, fish managers from the federal government, Northwest tribes and Northwest states (except Oregon), who have worked together over the past 10 years to develop a Biological Opinion or plan which provides more funding, more action, more certainty and more cooperation for rebuilding fish runs than this region has ever seen. This plan would provide our region with renewable energy, jobs and economic stability.

Whether you find yourself barely graduating, or graduating with flying colors, we all know high school has not been easy. But you survived and here you are. Some of your classmates have dropped out. Some will be back for another year, but for those of you graduating, the hard part begins now.

I am certain that others will advise the graduates to get a college degree, realize their dreams, give back to the community, etc.

The other day in the park I noticed two preteens using a public phone and looking rather suspicious about it. A few minutes later, two Richland police officers arrived to find a phone hanging from the set and no emergency whatsoever.

Wow, am I old or what? I got a chuckle out of one of your Fast Focus letters last Sunday. The writer was arguing about the removal of the poisonous, noxious, non-native Russian olive trees from the shoreline of the Columbia. The writer called them "old growth Russian olive trees." LOL, since they weren't there when I was a kid, I guess I must be a relic. He also mistakenly said "they are actually removing anything (trees, shrubs, stumps, underbrush) they choose." Wrong! That is not true, and it's not worth anymore ink.

My family and I wish to commend Benton County Sheriff Taylor for his actions in rescuing the huge number of dogs from their miserable conditions here in the Tri-Cities.

To all the Dear 2009 Grads, especially Stevie,

Dear Grad,

I am a senior at Richland High School, and I want to bring up a subject to the community. I have heard many adults say things to me such as, "You don't have it hard at all, and what do you have to worry about?" Sure, I don't live in a Third World country and I don't eat dirt, but neither do the people I hear these statements from. If a little 5-year-old starving kid from Africa came up to me and said that, then I would agree.

On behalf of the Port of Benton commissioners and staff, we are submitting this letter to express support for the current Columbia River biological opinion (BiOp), not continued debate. We urge the admini-stration's thorough review, since so much time and effort has been dedicated by so many parties. For the first time state, tribes and federal agencies, along with river interests, all rallied around a common plan that includes significant investment by ratepayers and taxpayers.

I am shocked by some posts on the Herald's website blasting the Humane Society of the United States. One reader says, "Money given to the HSUS will never be seen by these dogs." Didn't these dogs just find salvation in HSUS shirts and a big air conditioned transport truck?

As a young first-time voter, I was elated that the presidential candidate I had chosen was elected into office. This seemed to reassure me that democracy was true and at work in the U.S. For the last eight years, we endured the Bush/Cheney administration. Our country is in shambles, and it is clear that change is necessary.

A letter writer recently blamed the robber barons for the Great Depression and said a 94 percent marginal tax rate was a good thing. Lessons in history and economics are in order.

We often are advised that the big corporations are too big to be allowed to fail. Such events would be catastrophic for the American democracy. Hogwash, poppycock and fiddle-faddle! If they are too big, then the logical action is to make them smaller. It was done a few years ago with Bell Telephone, and it can be done with the cancerous tumors like GM, GE, Chrysler, Ford, Batelle, Chevron, Exxon, Shell and even BP, the British company the steadily encroaches on the American economy.

I'm angry; no apologies. My wife has cancer; treatment plan: chemotherapy until a) the drugs fail or b) the side effects overwhelm, then the cancer wins. So far the drugs are keeping the cancer at bay and the side effects tolerable (blessings from God). The Tri-Cities medical and legal systems have practically abandoned her (and other cancer patients.)

Recent writers have warned ominously of the evils of socialized medicine, typically bolstering the claim with misconceptions or even falsehoods. What none address is that by rejecting national health care reform, they are endorsing the alternative -- where insurance companies provide health care to those with the most expensive policies and lawyers.

Hate and intolerance in America need to come to an end. Since the founding of this country, there have been different groups of people, taxpaying people and downright excellent citizens, being targeted with hate.

While we're all sitting here feeling self-satisfied that the horrendous puppy mill fiasco will be coming to end, as the dogs are now being cared for, just remember, every time you buy a cat or dog from a pet store that isn't a rescue animal, you are possibly contributing to a puppy or cat mill that could be worse than our own.

Summertime is all about vacations, camps, barbecues, swim parties and outings. With all of the running around, travel and day trips, it's important that parents provide their kids some important safety skills this summer. The following are just a few tips to help keep your child safe during this busy season:

The Herald story (May 27), "State's leaders give praise for Obama's high court nominee" makes me shake my head. This is a news flash? Of course our so-called political leaders would praise an Obama nominee. Sonia Sotomayor is a liberal and so are Sens. Murray and Cantwell. End of story!

By calling for the removal of the lower Snake River dams to remain an option, Judge James Redden has once again revealed his utter disdain for the will and the interests of the citizens and ratepayers of the Pacific Northwest. It is Redden who should be removed, and Congressman Doc Hastings was precisely correct to characterize him as a "Democrat-politician turned activist-judge."

KID stands for Kennewick Irrigation District not Benton County Irrigation District. The five board of directors are John Pringle (owns cherry orchard), Patrick McGuire (owns 45 acres), David McKenzie (family farm), John Jaksch (cherry orchard) and Gene Huffman (has owned a farm). Shouldn't Kennewick be represented by at least three or four directors from within the city who are normal household owners? Are these five directors doing things that's best for the whole or what's best for them? I'd bet the latter!

Where is the line at racial inequality drawn? Who is the person that decides what is hate, and what is not? I thought that discrimination was something of the past, but no, with the past events, I'm afraid it has surfaced once again. Too many people now are using the derogatory term "ginger," "carrot top," and worse as means of verbally abusing the redhead population. Not a day goes by that red-haired children are not bullied on account of their hair color.

In response to all the comments on my letter about substitute teachers (Letters, May 1), I'd like to say that I am flattered. I never figured that such a letter would generate such a response from every single "adult" feeling the need to point out the fact that I am nothing more than a bratty 18-year-old running his mouth.

The Tri-Party Agreement is 20 years old and is as worthless today as it was when it was signed. The signers had no idea whether the activities and schedules they signed on to back then would accomplish anything useful, and they still don't, despite all the data and insights accumulated in the intervening 20 years.

Well, the old turkey farmer is beginning to feel about as helpless as his old turkey gobblers facing the ultimate ax. He feels like he has voted in George Orwell's 1984 group or has elected a bunch of John Belushi's Animal House people to govern our "democracy in a Republic." When did the sovereign states and "We the People" drop from the Constitution? It seems now that the federal people want to make peons of the states and their people. Yes, they want the taxes but they want to control every facet of ordinary life as the turkey farmer has known (more freedom from big oppressive government) in the past.

I am 17 years old, pretty young right? I'll admit it, I haven't seen much of the world, nor am I as educated as some of the American elderly. The one thing I can be proud of, and the one thing that many of the adults (and youths for that matter) in this country are lacking is foresight. Just for reference, here is a brief timeline of American politics: Obama gets elected, riding the overwhelming euphoria "change." He proceeds to construct an outrageous budget, and authorizes a number of environmentally friendly (yet economically crippling) laws. Obama gets away with spending close to a trillion dollars of my money by selling it as a "stimulus package," while the government stimulates the economy by taking over a significant number of privately owned industries.

One way to stop smog is when there's fog everywhere not to burn anything or it will make smog, which causes watery eyes and coughing.

I walk and feel fortunate the Tri-Cities has wonderful pathways. I walk mornings and alone. Tuesday I was forced back to my parked car near Chiawana Park by Cujo and a shepherd walking the path. They had tags but were unleashed.

Ex-Vice President Dick Cheney's recent reference to "nuclear-armed terrorists" is at best self-delusional. At worst it is an attempt to justify immoral and bankrupt Bush/Cheney policies. Was "nuclear-armed terrorism" not the contrived reason given by Bush/Cheney for the disastrous invasion of Iraq? Did not terrorists use box cutters in their 9/11 attack instead of nuclear weapons?

I was appalled when I read the Herald's May 23 article about the Southridge valedictorians. Southridge doesn't have two valedictorians; it has three.

Shame on the Herald! There are three valedictorians graduating from Southridge High School, not one set of identical twins ("Double dose of valedictorians," May 23).

We have encouraged river shore development for many years and jump at the chance to offer our opinions! As we drive along the river in Clarkston, we have wondered why we haven't done more here in the Tri-Cities. Nothing can be more inviting to visitors than to experience a placid river passing through developed parkland. Kudos to the promotion of our river frontage!

It seems like Richland and Pasco have figured out how to develop their riverfronts. Unfortunately Kennewick doesn't seem to get it. Wasn't it a few months ago that Kennewick hired some group at an outrageous price to gather public input for park and shoreline development? They obviously didn't shop around; anyone could get public input for a fraction of the price.

Congressional Democrats are pursuing new legislation: "The Media Ownership Reform Act," formerly titled: "The Fairness Doctrine." It's aimed at suppressing political opposition by stifling conservative talk radio. It amounts to government censorship of radio stations that air conservative programming.

Harmful gases and soot are becoming a major air pollution problem in our community and around the world. Harmful gases including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, which mixes with soot and becomes pollution to our air.

In reference to Larry Amaya's letter, A Simple Thanks. I wear a cap that says "US Navy, Korean War Veteran, 1950-1953."

Let's keep our river shores natural. We live in a special place. It's our rivers that make it special. Our undeveloped river shores are home to beaver, raccoon, deer, muskrat, mink, otter and birds of every feather.

It is my wish that when a master plan is created for development along our riverfront, a generous amount of natural open space is included along the shoreline. Natural, undeveloped shoreline habitat is one of the most endangered habitats in our country. Native vegetation all too often is replaced with chemically treated lawns down to the water's edge, a practice that degrades critical wildlife habitat and promotes shoreline erosion. Linking natural open spaces with existing parks creates recreational and educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

What to do with our river shore to increase its appeal? What a great question! Here is an easy one: Leverage our gorgeous shoreline to attract more bicyclists. The Sacagawea Heritage Trail and the connected trail along the Richland shoreline is the finest paved urban bike path within 100 miles. It is beautiful, safe and flat. However, there is little commercial leverage of this unique feature aimed specifically at cyclists. For instance, yesterday, after cycling the whole trail, my family ate lunch at one of the three restaurants on Clover Island. The location is perfect! However, unlike the fine trail on the levy, we had to ride in the road to reach the island. There are no signs on the levy trail inviting cyclists to enjoy the island, and the new Port of Kennewick building has no bike racks.

As far as river shore development is concerned, first of all one would have to know where such development might take place. I suppose if it were somewhere between Big Pasco Industrial Park and Road 24 it might turn out to be OK. However, if the development were destined to be anywhere west of Road 24, it would bring additional traffic and noise to those quiet neighborhoods. If that were to happen you would certainly hear an outcry from those residents, an outcry which would be nothing short of legal proceedings, if necessary.

According to a recent investigation by the Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org), 4 million people a year unknowingly buy dogs from puppy mills because 99 percent of dogs in pet stores come from these horrible places. Puppy mills are farms that produce puppies in large numbers for sale to stores. They are inhumane and profit driven without regard for the physical and emotional health of the dogs.