Letters: Vote by mail, Lee Blvd., 51st state | Aug. 23

Let’s all celebrate women’s equality

Aug. 26 will be the 100th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote. The political movement was a 72-year battle won by women suffragists. Historically, women and allied men have advocated for over a century, for equal representation and opportunities to thrive within our country. The Women’s Rights Movement has conclusively changed our world forever because of the millions of individuals who have organized, marched and lobbied on women’s behalf. The continued work of the women’s movement thrives to this day by advocating for equal pay in the workplace. Let us continue to support the women of our communities by recognizing their obstacles and advocating for their equality. The National Women’s History Alliance provides resources and education regarding women’s historical barriers and efforts to build equality within our communities.

The Support, Advocacy and Resource Center continues to advocate for the equality of women within our community. Please join us in celebrating Women’s Equality day on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

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Honor Stan Lee, keep street name

I’ve spent considerable time on Lee Boulevard in Richland, but until recently I had no idea for whom it was named. Now that I know, I feel honoring a Confederate general in this manner is inappropriate. However, a solution that would not require replacing all the street signs is available. I propose the street be renamed to honor a gentleman who is well known, respected and loved by all current generations: Stan Lee.

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher and producer who helped create comics like Captain America, Ironman, Thor, Black Panther, the Avengers and many more. When I was young, I eagerly went to Crescent Drug every Tuesday to spend my allowance on these Marvel comics. The morals and ethics reflected in these stories helped mold not only my thinking, but many others in my generation. In this century, the movies he helped create brought these lessons to a new generation.

As such, I strongly urge the Richland City Council to rename Lee Boulevard in honor of Stan Lee, whose creations helped many of us learn how to respect patriotism, science, teamwork and how we truly are all one.

Excelsior!

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Thanks to federal agency as well

In reading the articles on the recent wildfires, I noticed that when listing the departments and agencies working on the fires that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency was excluded from the articles. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency had crews helping on both of these fires. I believe that it is important to include all agencies that help control and put out these fires. We too often overlook our federal employees and their contributions to our community and focus what they don’t do or don’t like. Thanks to them and all our firefighters keeping us safe during this fire season.

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We mail taxes; why not ballots?

Since the tax deadline was extended from April 15 to July 15, there is no reason in the world why every ballot mailed in before Nov. 3 shouldn’t be counted even if ballots need to be tallied after that date. In spite of Trump’s groundless distrust of mail-in ballots, they are less prone to foreign interference and domestic corruption than any other method of voting. He knows he’d lose in a fair contest.

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Hazardous waste needs a solution

Re: Dennis Mullen’s letter (8/14/20) concerning the Benton County hazardous waste facility. You are absolutely correct, but we still have two options. We can sit in line for two or three hours every six months or we can just throw it in the trash and forget about it. One wonders which option most residents choose, especially after waiting in line. Once ….

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Give Chaney another chance

This is in response to the Aug. 19 (article), “BLM Group Rejects Call for Leader to Leave Task Force.” When you accept a position on any board, you are responsible for your own conduct. There are “unwritten manners,” i.e., consideration for others, language used, taking turns on talking, etc. It appears Mr. (Jordan) Chaney did not think about these things when he spoke out of turn, used vulgar language and showed disrespect for others.

The TC BLM Coalition came out and said the task force was showing “anti-blackness” and should recognize their own biases. Not everything is about being black and biased. Mr. Chaney did this all by himself. However, I do feel he should be given another chance, but if he cannot act in a civilized manner, appoint another individual who will have respect for all.

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Trump diminishes U.S. here, abroad

Some say Obama was corrupt (with no evidence), and Trump has done so much (with no evidence). Here’s what Trump has done:

Lives: Has essentially given up on work to contain the coronavirus (U.S. is second in the most affected countries in the world in deaths per 100,000 population), and puts the state of the stock market above lives.

Taxpayer money: Tax cuts mostly for the wealthy; money going to his companies for golf trips; medical supply contracts given to his “buddies” who have no experience.

Military: Undermines military discipline (overruling military decisions); awareness of Russian bounties on American soldiers with no repercussions; undermines morale by suggesting or using military in inappropriate ways.

Law: Asks for aggressive actions against legitimate protests, but makes sure his “buddies” are either pardoned, or don’t serve time.

International: Other countries exclude Americans because of COVID-19 rate; withdrawal from WHO means other countries won’t work with us for medical intervention, or sharing tests; his favorite leaders are autocratic, and he belittles other democratic leaders; hides what transpires between him and other leaders.

I don’t think these “accomplishments” are making the U.S. “greater;” what he has done has diminished the U.S. here and abroad.

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His mask mandate doesn’t thrill him

Joe Biden has become a very vocal critic of Donald Trump’s COVID-19 response efforts, but what has he done? Would he rescind Trump’s accelerated vaccine development program? Would he stop Trump’s government ordered manufacturing of ventilators? Would he countermand Trump’s xenophobic travel restrictions? Well, today he announced he would immediately mandate wearing of masks out of doors, even if he doesn’t have the authority to do this!

Yes, we must wear masks where it doesn’t matter. And Kamala Harris calls this “leadership.” Man, I feel so much better after hearing this – I was worried that Biden might drive the economy into the dirt by raising taxes on citizens and businesses, or taking away our guns after he defunds the police! Oh, he’s going to do this, too? Damn, and I thought Joe was harmless!

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For ‘Liberty’ state, let only men vote

I’m really liking this idea of a “Liberty” State. But why stop there when we can take it a step further and make it “really better?”

First of all, if we create a new state, let’s make sure only Republican people that were born in the state of “Liberty” are eligible to vote. This will ensure that our public policies are exactly the way we want them, oh and by the way, did I say that it would be only Republican men who are born in the state who can vote.

And while we’re at it, all citizens can carry concealed weapons without any background check or permits required. And how about a mandated state religion also?

Now I know this is starting to sound like utopia, so maybe that would be a better name for the state, instead of Liberty, we’ll call it “Utopia,” the 51st state.

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Save elections; destroy mailboxes

President Trump has initiated an effort to ensure fair elections by precluding the delivery of fraudulent votes by mail. Citizens can support this effort by destroying their mailboxes and burning their stamps. Monies can be collected to purchase the remaining stocks of stamps and the production of more stamps will be delayed until after the election.

Once the corrupt mail-in ballot scheme has been precluded, a new voting system will be implemented. A single ballot drop-off box will be placed in the lobby of Trump Tower. All ballots will hand delivered, collected and checked for accuracy by a specially selected company named Ivan the Reliables. Once the ballots have been deposited at Trump Tower, on election night, they will be tallied by Jared Kushner, Sean Hannity and Jim Jordan, overseen by Bill Barr. At the stroke of midnight, Ivanka Trump will announce the results on Fox News.

Thank you, Mr. President, for your efforts to ensure election integrity.

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Truth isn’t what you’ll find on Fox

What is the truth? During this pandemic and the upcoming election, the Trump Administration continues to inundate us with lies and unfounded conspiracy theories. It really disturbs me that so many seemingly intelligent people rely on Fox News as their source of news. Think about it. It seems that Fox News generates the lies that the president repeats from the White House podium. The result is that Fox News is setting the policy and President Trump and his “loyal base” adopt it as their own.

I challenge those who think that the news as presented by Fox News is the truth to listen to CNN news for a week. CNN presents the facts with little or no editorializing. I recently challenged someone l to listen to the truth. He categorically dismissed CNN as a truthful source of news. He said he knew the truth because he listened to Fox News and President Trump’s crony Tucker Carlson.

Trump is now trying to defund the Post Office, making it difficult to process the mail-in ballots for the upcoming election. He actually said that people won’t vote for him on mail-in ballots. Therefore, their ability to vote will be suppressed.

This story was originally published August 23, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Vote by mail, Lee Blvd., 51st state | Aug. 23."