Herald letter writers weigh in on respecting other views and the war in Ukraine

Respect other side

The majority rules!

The majority rules!

The majority rules!

President Biden shouted in his speech in Atlanta. Of course this is true (and by the way, there are several kinds of majorities – a simple majority, a two-thirds majority, etc.).

But in a democracy/republic how we get to the majority rule is important. The rights of the minority are always protected, the opposition is not “run roughshod” over. Parliamentary law provides ways for this to be accomplished — on every proposal., both the for and opposing views are heard (there is a motion, a second and then discussion), and only after both sides have been presented will a vote be taken.

One of the other ways the minority opinion is protected is by the filibuster provision, whereby the minority has a chance to present their reasons for opposition and information which they hope might sway others to their point of view.

We must always allow the opposing/minority view to be heard and considered. Otherwise, we are living in a dictatorship. Your, and my, freedom/liberty is only as secure as the liberty/freedom we grant to those we disagree with.

Ilene Winegardner, Richland

Ukraine refugees need our help now

I want to pose this question to our Eighth and Fourth District politicians and governor: What are you doing to aid Ukrainian refugees finding refuge in the Tri-Cities and Washington state? The governor should be pressing the president to raise the yearly quota of refugees into our country, especially from Ukraine, offering our state as a source of aid and comfort.

There is a large Russian and Ukrainian community in the Tri-Cities, more across Washington state. Everyone watching this travesty every day now should be pressing all elected officials everyday to step up and do the right thing, offer your voice and efforts to make something happen now.

Time is of the essence because as more leave their country every day, we sit in our comfortable, safe homes and cities not wanting to think about what those refugees are experiencing at that very moment. What we can do is voice out outrage and concern and push our leaders to do everything they can at this very moment — not next week or next month — to offer aid and resettlement in our community and state, especially those refugees who might have relatives and/or friends here.

Phillip Lemley, Richland

Why not impose no-fly zone now?

“Earth to Biden!” … “Earth to Congress!”

Please, pull your heads out of your self-made pit of political quicksand and open your eyes, now! Putin started World War III over three weeks ago! When are you going to recognize and end your hypocritical stance of claiming you cannot do the one right thing that is being asked of you by Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy (a no-fly zone) because it could lead to World War III. Hello? That war has already begun!

Ukraine is a democracy that has been friendly towards the U.S. It is now being tragically destroyed by Putin’s Russian military as members of Congress stand and applaud for President Zelenskyy, knowing they will refuse to give him the one thing his country most desperately needs, a no-fly zone. (Reminds me of the Romans cheering as lions tore Christians into pieces).

The big question now is, “Why?” Why did Biden allow this war to begin before imposing sanctions? Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

God, please help Ukraine; and God help America if we do not grant their one request of a no-fly zone over all of Ukraine.

Virginia Panther, West Richland

This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 9:44 AM.