Herald letter writers offer thoughts on People’s Convoy, the power of hope and salmon

People’s Convoy was a failure

Beginning approximately the week of March 13, the “People’s Convoy,” arrived in Washington, D.C. The leaders of this endeavor were saying they wanted to hold lawmakers accountable for the government’s pandemic responses, voicing frustrations over vaccination mandates for health workers, federal employees and military personnel intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which they considered an infringement on their personal freedoms. Apparently a certain segment of our population has been convinced by some politicians that American citizens owe each other nothing, and that any sacrifice for the common good is “tyranny.”

According to news reports, the convoy turnout was underwhelming, first because many of the mask and vaccination mandates had been lifted due to the success of the coronavirus containment, second because most Americans are more interested in saving lives than these trivialities on infringement of their personal freedoms, and third, by the excellent traffic management of the local law enforcement ,which was forewarned by the Canadian fiasco and minimized the nuisance impact of the convoy.

After driving around the D.C. area for a few days, waving American flags, carrying signs, honking their horns and meeting with a few goober politicians, the convoy gradually dispersed. Adios and good riddance!

William Petrie, Richland

Hope is how we can persevere

Sandra Peterson’s tragic death near Richland may invoke sadness among families who have lost loved ones similarly. It certainly recalls my brother’s demise. Unfortunately, Allen Johnson’s poorly timed op-ed (TCH, 4/3) regarding misguided thoughts on hope only turns the knife. Johnson opines that hope is “lazy,” “a plea embraced by whiners,” and has no relation to action.

Johnson’s comments smack of privilege and elitism. He fails to see that his Spanish expat’s hope of joining her husband drove her perilous journey and pressed her and her children to safety, like Ukrainian refugees today. Just like hope drives most of us through daily trials — except those who through mental illness or other despairs have lost it. Hope is the essential fuel by which we pursue goals and a fulfilling life. Hope helps lead a couple into marital commitment or into raising children in our disordered world. We cannot survive without hope.

I visited Ukraine once to support Ukrainian efforts — driven by hope for their families and nation — to mitigate the Chernobyl accident. It seems Ukrainians need more hope not less. Perhaps Johnson’s self-serving reflections only apply to his cozy life. Maybe they should stay there.

Daniel R. Sisk, Richland

Salmon decline began in 1800s

Many Federal reports regarding declining salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest were published in the late 1800s.

Marshall McDonald’s 1894 report, “The Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River Basin, Report of the United State Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries on Investigations in the Columbia River Basin In Regard to the Salmon Fisheries, Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.;” states, “The investigations made by Professor Evermann and the parties under his direction establish conclusively the fact that there has been a very great reduction in the number of Salmon frequenting the head waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries.” (Pg 5)

McDonald’s report also states, “They were abundant in the Columbia River at Kettle Falls as late as 1878. Since then, there has been a great decrease. They have been scarce since 1882. Since 1890, there have been scarcely any at Kettle Falls.” (Pg 5)

It also states, “There is no reason to doubt- indeed the fact is beyond question- that the number of Salmon now reaching the head waters of streams in the Columbia River Basin is insignificant in comparison with the number which some years ago annually visited and spawned in these waters.” (Pg 5)

Gene Spangrude, Walla Walla