Letters: Protests, elections and more | July 23

Right to protest didn’t come easy

I have no problem with people protesting peacefully; they have every right guaranteed in the Constitution just as I have every right to voice my opposition to their protests. I wonder if these people have ever thought about how they have these rights. The Declaration of Independence gives these people that right. It didn’t come easy. People of all races died to preserve these rights. All lives matter, none more than others. Freedom is not designated to just a select few but to everyone in the USA.

.......

McKinley his pick for 4th District

Tri-Citians will be better served electing Doug McKinley to Congress this fall. The incumbent stands steadfast with Trump and the Republicans disastrous course of action nationally.

Democrats plan for public health, social unity and growth. Republicans are fighting to preserve power instead. Businesses would be open now but for the short-sighted Republican decision to ignore World Health Organization guidelines.

The laissez-faire Republican response to COVID-19 has been world-class fatal. Prepare for possibly 2 million deaths for having taken their path.

Republican plans for electoral victory are built on race-baiting, voter suppression and gerrymandering. How untrue to American ideals. They angrily deploy law soldiers against our neighbors and family.

Doug McKinley supports the aims of #BlackLivesMatter; George Floyd, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner ….

Say their names. We can and must act locally to achieve justice nationally.

Trump is not some lone actor. Elected Republicans violated their oaths of office when they chose not to remove the president from office.

History shows most Americans become worse off when Republicans control government. Ask yourself, are you better off than when Republicans took over the White House?

Vote for Doug McKinley and other Democrats this fall for leadership that works for the people and small businesses.

.......

Garbe Reser has right experience

In the course of her career with the U.S. Department of State under both Republican and Democratic administrations, Danielle Garbe Reser served the United States in a variety of roles. These roles included crisis management in response to both the Syrian war and the Bali terrorist attacks in 2002. As a diplomatic adviser to the U.S. Senate, Garbe Reser performed diligent work with the Armed Services Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Returning to her Eastern Washington roots in 2015, Garbe Reser managed over $30 million as CEO of the Sherwood Trust, guiding initiatives that benefitted community infrastructure, job growth and nonprofit programs. In 2019, she received national recognition in the form of Exponent Philanthropy’s award for the “outsized impact” of her work in the region.

Garbe Reser possesses regional roots, political acumen and a demonstrated commitment to the growth of our community. These skills and attributes would make her a powerful and effective advocate for the many interests of the 16th Legislative District. Cast your vote for Danielle Garbe Reser on or before Aug. 4. We all will benefit from having her in the race for State Senate.

.......

Vote Petersen for Superior Court

Dave Petersen was my attorney in the beginning who became a loyal and dedicated friend of mine. I have observed Dave from the bench, practicing law from his office, (in) meetings, and community service. He’s given (to) the Tri-Cities and beyond. Dave is a very rare attorney: he never casts judgment on others from their actions, creed, ethnicity or financial background.

He has demonstrated that he understands the struggles of life. I can attest he is extremely fair, knowledgeable of the U.S. Constitution, Washington state laws. With his combined years of practicing law, sitting on the bench, Dave will be by far the best, unbiased without a doubt honest Superior Court judge for Benton-Franklin.

Please help me in voting for Dave Petersen for Superior Court judge for Benton-Franklin County.

.......

Vote Jenkin and Sant

I am writing to endorse Representative Bill Jenkin for the 16th District Senate seat. As a Pasco city councilman, I have had the pleasure of working with Rep. Jenkin for the past several years. He is an advocate for the 16th District who works tirelessly on our behalf.

When the City of Pasco asked his assistance to draft a bill, he has always been willing to do so. Specifically, Rep. Jenkin pushed a bill for Pasco to retain local control over a water park, which would not have happened without his help. Rep. Jenkin has become a trusted friend. When I call, he answers. When I need his help, he offers it.

In the race for Benton Franklin Superior Court judge, I am proud to support Shawn Sant.

He is a principled man. Shawn has always displayed a great mind and uses it to promote justice, even when justice is neither easy nor natural. Shawn is welcoming and engaging. Shawn is thoughtful and wise and has a mild temperament. These are the qualities we need in our judicial officers. These are the qualities that make Shawn Sant the superior choice for Benton/Franklin Superior Court Judge.

.......

Columbia River temperatures off

This article responds to the recent Tri-City Herald op-ed from Kurt Miller of Northwest River Partners on Columbia and Snake River water temperatures. He claims that the water in the Columbia River coming in from Canada is already above the Washington state guideline of 68 degrees F. This is the temperature above which salmon migration can be negatively impacted.

His statements are incorrect. I looked at daily data from Columbia River Dart for water temperatures below Grand Coulee Dam for the last 16 years and found less than five days where the temperature was 68 or higher, and it is usually well below that. And that is after heating up in Lake Roosevelt in the U.S. for more than 100 miles. I suspect his statements about Snake River temperatures are also misleading, but I did not check them.

I find it a good practice in reading these kinds of editorials is to check the authors and their affiliations before you even read the article. Mr. Miller and his organization are heavily invested in keeping the Lower Snake River dams at any cost. Their organization should probably be renamed Northwest Reservoir Partners. Same initials!

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Protests, elections and more | July 23."