Omicron variant, disgusted with Rep. Klippert, leaving the GOP and other Herald letters

Omicron data not looking good for us

Omicron is here in this country and the data is not looking good, especially for the folks of Benton and Franklin counties, who are only about 50% fully vaccinated. The data is showing that Omicron is seven times more infectious than the Delta variant, which was more than twice as infectious as the original strain. Which means that it is somewhere between 14 and 20 times more infectious than the original strain, which killed 400,000 Americans before we had a vaccine.

Then when we couple that with our abysmally low vaccination rate, we are also plagued with way too many people who are going into our businesses without their masks. This morning’s briefing said that Omicron appears to reside and multiply in the upper airway, making those who refuse to wear a mask properly as much at risk for infection as the unmasked.

Couple these facts with the winter season and the apathy of businesses to enforce the governor’s mandate, and I fear this will be a very dark winter here in the Tri-Cites as Omicron washes through our community.

Michael Lavering, Richland

What happened to common sense?

I remember when parents waited in long lines so their children could be vaccinated against deadly paralytic polio. This was considered common sense. But common sense is no longer common. Something is out of tune.

It’s nearly two years into the pandemic began, and some people still refuse to wear a mask in public. Others think vaccination mandates amount to nothing more than our government threatening their liberty. Some people have died because they took a drug intended for treating horses and cows.

So what’s the deal here folks? Some 800,000 Americans dead. We unified after 9/11 with common, rock-solid determination after we watched 3,000 people die on television in real time. Those of us who didn’t support George W. Bush stood behind him because our country was attacked. It wasn’t fake news. There was a period of unity we haven’t seen since.

The blizzard of misinformation from radical news sources is costing lives. Variants of COVID-19 are killing us. A disease doesn’t care about culture wars, wokeness or owning the libs. As the patriotic Americans we claim to be, forget politics, step up and get vaccinated.

Rick Gleitsmann, Kennewick

Voter disgusted with Klippert

I am disgusted with Brad Klippert. His claim that he spent taxpayer’s money on a “cybersecurity” conference is disingenuous at best. The MyPillow guy is no cybersecurity expert! Klippert went to gather information on how best to sow suspicion and doubt over Washington’s mail-in voting. He is no leader and no legislator! Surely we can do better than this representative.

Linda Lamb, Kennewick

What planet does he live on?

Michael Harrington of Pasco wrote that “lock step Republican senators” are directly responsible for massively increasing childhood poverty and hunger in America. Then he asked “what kind of country do we want to live in?”.

I want to live in a country where the Democrats quit lying about which party is destroying the country, causing Americans to spend more and more of their hard-earned money on gas, food and energy. I want to live in a country where the House speaker would rather spend $355 million in her homeless constituents overrun district than for the Kennedy Center Theater. I want to live in a country where all lives matter, where federal Democrat corruption is stamped out, where we have a strong military again, where freedom to take or not take a vaccine is honored, where politicians are not communist or totally owned by outside interests.

This, Mr. Harrington, is the constitutional republic that is the United States of America, where I want to live. I do have a question for you though. What planet do you live on?

Stan Fronczak, Kennewick

Weather shows why dams needed

So, the weather has been a bit chilly the last couple of weeks, without much sunshine or wind, yet the electricity has stayed on to keep our homes warm and our businesses operating. This is a real-life example of why we can’t jeopardize the cheap, clean and readily available hydropower provided by the lower Snake River dams.

Look outside and remember the conditions the next time someone promotes the remove the damn stupidity!

Bob Cummings, West Richland

Klippert enlisted in vote fraud myth

Thank goodness we have Brad Klippert and Clint Didier representing us here in the Tri-Cities. What would we do without these stellar men teaching us about the Constitution and how to treat others with dignity and respect? Klippert who tells us that fraud is prevalent in our voting systems. He has followed the plan put in place by ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) to sow doubt in the election process. The plan for citizens and legislators to question the election, which was in the works before the last presidential election even occurred.

They want legislators to decide who should be president especially if it’s only one party holding majorities within those state legislative bodies. They are infiltrating our school boards, city councils, county commissioners, Secretary of State offices and legislative bodies. It is subtly sold as, “We’re looking out for your best interests.” This should scare every American. No party should ever be able to do that. They won’t wear masks, they disavow mandates (which are effectively laws) with the difference being how they are initiated. They say they believe in law and order but are always trying to undermine it. We the people need to pay attention and fix this.

Cynthia Fish, Pasco

Leaving the GOP after 5 decades

I was raised Republican in Montana. I remember voting for Nixon when casting my first presidential ballot, contrary to most of my college contemporaries who voted for McGovern. I remember the scorn I was shown at checkout at the University bookstore when I placed Nixon’s book, RN, on the check stand and the student clerk said, “Why are you buying that?”

That said, I cast my first vote for a Democratic candidate for president this last election. Count me among the Republicans whose internal and moral compass screamed “NO” when confronted with Donald Trump in 2020. Was there voter fraud? Was the election stolen? I don’t have the answers. I know this Republican crossed over and gave a vote to the other side. I am leaning Independent as I watch the mess that the politicians are creating. I want to think for myself.

Brad Barton, Richland

Take care of hummingbirds

Did you have hummingbirds in your yard this summer?

I didn’t see any at my hummingbird feeders, I haven’t seen one for 15 years at my feeders but always hoped to have them. It is possible that they were enjoying the numerous other plants I have. But lo and behold in October I had two at my fuchsia hanging baskets and when the fuchsias died, they actually started using the feeders. Now three months later in below-freezing temps they visit every day several times a day. I have two heated hummingbird feeders but bring them in every night just in case. Please, if you have the ability to put a hummingbird feeder out, please do so. (You are not going to encourage one to stay, if it was going to migrate, it already would have.) You might just save a life and get to watch these little beauties brighten a cold winter’s day.

Susan M. Bailey, Kennewick

This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 4:00 AM.