Rodriguez is hands down best candidate for superior court judge and other Herald letters

Rodriguez best choice for judge

I urge you to retain Norma Rodriguez as our Superior Court judge.

Norma has the diversity of experience that makes her an exceptional judge. She has tried complex civil and criminal cases. She has managed a busy, very successful private practice. She is the incumbent and endorsed by the overwhelming majority of those practicing in front of her, on either side of the aisle. She is cooperative and collegial. She is an invaluable asset to our diverse population as a sitting judge.

With Norma in Superior Court, the face of the bench is more reflective of the community the bench serves. Most importantly, she brings a measure of practical wisdom and compassion to the bench. She is a caring, bright, compassionate, thoughtful, humble servant leader. This community deserves an engaged, multi-dimensional judicial officer with a breadth of Superior Court experience. Norma’s experience eclipses her opponent in every category. She is hands down the best candidate for this job.

Brian Patrick Roach, Pasco

Writer wants Murray replaced

If there is just one thing that most of the country can agree on, it is that we are way overdue for political office term limits.

Next month, the citizens of Washington state have a chance to do ourselves and the entire country a great favor. This election will be our golden opportunity to remove our liberal extremist, Biden mouthpiece, 30-year career politician Patty Murray from the D.C. swamp.

Send pandering Patty packing by electing Tiffany Smiley to the U.S. Senate!

Bob Cummings, West Richland

It’s Justice Alito who crossed line

Reported by MSNBC on Sept. 29, Supreme Court Justice Alito opined that the current court’s critics have crossed the line in their criticism of the court. If anyone’s crossed the line, it’s Alito.

Since GOP senators don’t see the Supreme Court as politically independent and worthy of broad respect, the public shouldn’t either.

GOP senators refused to consider Merrick Garland’s nomination, because it was too close to an election. Some Senate Republicans said they would refuse to confirm a Democratic president’s Supreme Court nominees, regardless of election results or nominee merits.

In 2017, GOP senators completed the theft of this seat on the high court. In 2018, those same senators confirmed a nominee with damaged credibility. In late 2020, ignoring the principles they pretended to take four years earlier, Republicans confirmed another nominee while early voting was underway.

Recent rulings indicate the majority of the court justices agree with the GOP senators.

When Republican-appointed justices ignore precedents they’d previously said they’d uphold, it undermines the court’s legitimacy. When Republican-appointed justices deliver overtly political speeches, it undermines the court’s legitimacy. When Republican-appointed justices take aim at fundamental American principles, such as separation of church and state, it undermines the court’s legitimacy.

William Petrie, Richland

Are tragedies ‘acts of God?’

God has his fingers in everything! In Japan last month, Prime Minister Abe was killed because of his government’s connections to the Unification Church of Korea. (The same corrupt cult that Trump made a speech for last month by the way! https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-speaks-at-moonies) In Iran, citizens are rioting and being killed over God’s oppressive dress code! Here at home, our Catholic Supreme Court is causing unrest, seemingly having forgotten about the “establishment clause.” Several of those judges lied under oath at their confirmation to advance their God’s plan! Don’t forget hurricanes Ian and Fiona, flooding in Pakistan and the current Asian tropical storms. All disastrous “Acts of God.” So happy he loves us! Imagine how bad it would be if he didn’t!

John A. Fisher, Richland

Leaks are not same as secrets

An agreement to not use leaks is not keeping “secrets.” Jason Mercier’s Oct. 2 opinion seemed to imply Section 39.13, regarding collective bargaining, was somehow sinister. A careful reading shows the section simply has both parties promising not to use leaks ahead of a final proposal. Frankly, I am glad one part of our government is not using leaks as political weapons.

Bargaining is hard, tedious, thankless work. After hours of bad food and too much coffee, bargainers with different ideas present a proposal to be voted on by the Legislature and their constituents. Acceptance is not guaranteed. The proposal can be voted down and its back to the drawing board.

This is legislative power and transparency. That the contracts have been accepted for almost 20 years is a tribute to the dedicated teams that edited dozens of rough drafts before bringing the proposals to a vote.

Mr. Mercier needs to consider that we have only a part-time Legislature. If my elected officials gauge that negotiating with the sitting governor and Section 39.13 will streamline the process, I trust them.

P.S. Comparing Costa Mesa’s (pop.116,000) lawmaking process with Washington state’s (pop. 7+ million) is ridiculous, in my opinion.

Matthew Ruane, Richland

Wind turbines may affect health

I am opposed to the Horse Heaven Wind Farm Project. Battelle weather experts said the Horse Heaven Hills, with the Tri-Cities 700 feet below are unique and there is no comparison in the U.S.

There is a growing body of evidence that low-frequency noise from wind turbines can affect health. Sleep interruption, noise from turbines and light issues, headaches, nausea and vertigo are all potential issues (National Library of Medicine). “Properly Interpreting the Epidemiologic Evidence About the Health Effects of Industrial Wind Turbines on Nearby Residents” by Carl V. Phillips, Bulletin of Science Technology & Society 2011 31:303, points out the cause and effect of health and reduced property values with turbines — http://bst.sagepub.com/content/31/4/303.

The impact of health illnesses, especially in Kiona, Benton City, Badger Canyon (700 feet directly below 150 turbines and drainage canyons carrying the warming winds and sounds down into the valley) and additional turbines at Finley can cause health issues and reduce property values. Research shows a correlation that health and property value reduction are related as some move without ability to sell their homes which means foreclosure or bankruptcy or both. There is no trade off with the public health downwind of Horse Heaven Hills vs. 244 wind turbines on those hills. Go to https://chng.it/YqKkDvKmDF.

Margaret Hue, Kennewick

Time to replace Sen. Murray

Recently Sen. Patty Murray and our governor looked at the costs that would be incurred if the Snake River dams were removed. The costs would be high both in dollars and economic impact if our state and nation proceed with this option. Most feel that this process would eventually end in also removing the dams on the Columbia River.

It seems that once a congressional member rises in their political party, they are required to adopt the objectives of that party. Aside from the economic problems and the environmental foolishness the dam removal process would create, it would ease the liberal concerns on the west side of our state. The time has come to replace Sen. Murray who once exhibited reason but now supports the irrational objectives of her party.

Tiffany Smiley is an outstanding individual seeking the Senate seat now occupied by Sen. Murray. She supports correcting the many problems our nation now faces. I am sure that she and her husband, a retired U.S. Army Ranger who was blinded by shrapnel in Iraq, would appreciate your support.

Nat Webb, Walla Walla

This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 4:00 AM.