Letters: Hockey miracle, Hanford money and big ballot decisions | Feb. 27

Hockey ‘Miracle’ on bunny ears

The Associated Press article in Sunday’s sports section regarding television coverage of the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey game was slightly erroneous. I was living in Seattle at that time and bunny ears on top of our TV picked up the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s live broadcast of this epic game. What a thrill it was to watch the USA beat the (’till then) indomitable team from the (former) Soviet Union. It moved me to see goalie James Craig after the win skating round the ice saying, “Where’s my dad?” wanting to share the moment with his father. So much so that I called my own dad here in Kennewick to share the news of the win with him, without delay.

Hanford money: Will it build wall?

It always amazes me how so many of Hanford workers claim they are Republicans when Republican budget priorities have usually been against their economic interests. The only explanation I can think of is that Hanford workers are so well paid that they don’t need to worry about their economic situation.

This year Trump’s budget will cut Hanford’s appropriation from $2.5 billion to $2.1 billion; that’s a cut of $416 million, which would cost thousands of jobs.

Fortunately, Congress has managed to stop most of the budget cuts. But now that Trump has gotten away with stealing money appropriated by Congress, it will only be a matter of time before he steals Hanford appropriations to use for the wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for.

How can Hanford workers say, “Promises made, promises kept” when American taxpayers, not Mexicans, are paying for Trump’s $21.6 billion wall? Do they make so much money that they don’t mind picking up the tab for Mexico, a tab that’s big enough to fund Hanford for 10 years?

And after Trump steals Hanford’s congressional appropriations, he won’t stop there; PNNL’s generous appropriations will surely be next.

Big decisions due at the ballot box

Coming up, another choice, another big decision: Who, in our opinion, can/will represent “us” and listen when we express our needs and concerns? Read each candidate’s bio in the voters pamphlet. Debates give us a structured picture (sometimes). I have been impressed with all the Democratic candidates because of their drive to present what, in their opinion, is best for the country. As a senior, I am concerned about any change to my Medicare benefit and supplemental insurance. But I am more concerned about the future of our country; my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will bear the consequences or benefits of any and all decisions made by our leaders.

Read Tom Steyer’s bio! This man is the epitome of a “giving” person. He and his wife were one of the first to sign up with the Gates Foundation Giving pledge, a commitment to give away the bulk of their personal fortune during their lifetimes. A commitment to sharing with those less fortunate! As far as I know, he is the only presidential candidate to make this commitment.

This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Hockey miracle, Hanford money and big ballot decisions | Feb. 27."