Letters: Black Lives Matter, elections, 5G and more | July 16

Can we all work together on race?

Black Lives Matter in my opinion gives off the idea that there are widespread police brutality and systemic racism against Blacks in this nation. Even though in my opinion statistically and from my own experience this is largely a false narrative, we should always strive to do better.

I believe that unfortunately this has become a divisive issue among good people on both sides of the issue who ultimately want the same thing that we live in a colorless nation where all people are treated equally as Martin Luther King promoted. The one side acknowledges that we have made great progress, but still has a long way to go. Whereas the other side believes that we have pretty much solved the issue, with only agitators bringing it up for political reasons.

It’s sad to see the division created when one side says Black Lives Matter and the other side comes back with All Lives Matter that even though good people on both sides actually agree on a colorless nation where all people are treated equally, are being torn apart because they don’t understand and appreciate the other sides perspective. Hopefully, good people on both sides can come together in love.

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Vote for Landsman

On Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day, an event hosted by Donnie Landsman was held in Columbia Park at the Veterans Memorial. When most events were canceled, Donnie took it upon himself to celebrate the lives lost in wars throughout American history.

There were over 80 wars, conflicts, engagements and campaigns, starting with the Revolutionary War. There were a total of 1.3 million casualties and 1.5 million wounded. For each set of deaths and wounded, the bell was run by Donnie’s lovely wife, Julie. This was a beautiful but somber occasion. Also recognized were former military veterans and Gold Star families.

Donnie is running for Benton County Commissioner, District 1. This is just one example of the kind of American that Donnie is. He is a citizen who represents citizens. He brings a sound voice and is willing to fight for the rights of others.

He stands for transparency, accountability and leadership to our community. Please consider this man for our next Benton County Commissioner District 1.

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Lose civility, lose our great nation

When civility is lost and mob mentality is rewarded, our great nation will fall.

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Chvatal qualified for state House

We have several great candidates standing for election from our area. One of them is Frances Chvatal, who is running for Position 1, 16th Legislative District. As a business owner, I highly recommend Frances. Our representatives, in the minority, have not had a seat at the decision-making table. Let’s change this by electing Frances Chvatal.

Frances understands rural and community values. She was raised on the family farm in Touchet, went to Touchet High School and graduated from Washington State University in nursing.

She has a stellar career in health care and business. Her background includes successful assignments in neurosurgical acute care at St. Alphonsus, Boise, Neuroscience ICU at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, to the Burn ICU at the University of Washington, Harborview before returning home. At St. Mary’s Walla Walla, Frances served as the Director Surgical Services. She supervised up to 120 employees, had direct responsibility of capital budgets, and oversaw construction projects — at the highest of medical standards for her community.

In these stressful times of challenges to our public health and businesses, I cannot imagine a more qualified candidate than Frances Chvatal.

Please vote for Frances who will ably represent our families, community and businesses.

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Let’s have science guide us in this

Why is the Tri-Cities still mired in Phase 1? It’s because there’s been a lack of leadership in the Tri-Cities. Not only is the leadership lacking, but it’s actually been counterproductive in our attempts to flatten the curve.

Case in point, Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier and his followers have increased the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Tri-Cities through his misguided and politically oriented intentions. Didier and his followers should be held accountable for their contribution in keeping the Tri-Cities in Phase 1 for longer than we should be, not to mention the unnecessary illness and deaths this has caused.

This was not a political issue, until they made it that way. So once and for all, let’s have science not politics guide us out of this mess.

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Congress should back FCC on 5G

Amidst this time of crisis and uncertainty, voters are looking to Congress to do everything possible to help get America’s economy back on track, and a key element of that is advancing 5G deployment in the United States.

5G will help jumpstart the U.S. economy, creating millions of jobs and bringing new opportunities and innovations to voters like me.

As the U.S. continues to compete with China in the race to 5G, policymakers must not allow 5G to be made into a partisan issue or become a casualty of the bureaucratic gridlock in Washington – doing so would have devastating consequences for American global leadership.

Chairman Ajit Pai and the FCC have been doing their part to free up crucial spectrum for 5G, from 5.9 to the L-band, and it is critical that policymakers — especially our own Sen. Maria Cantwell, who is an important voice on this issue — support those efforts and pursue policies that support 5G innovation.

5G is critical for our economy, and spectrum is essential for 5G. Now more than ever, Congress must allow the FCC to use every tool in the spectrum toolbox to help unleash the 5G economy for American prosperity.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Black Lives Matter, elections, 5G and more | July 16."