Drag show hysteria has come to town and other Herald letters | Opinion
Drag show hysteria has come to town
The conservative hysteria over drag shows is in our part of the world now, and it’s so frustrating. A bunch of people who don’t know what they are talking about want to take freedoms from others, including parental rights. What happened to open minds? Live and let live? Kindness? If you do not want to go to a drag show, no one is forcing you or your children. I went to the Disney drag show and it was so fun and happy and wholesome. The only offensive part was the cursing protesters across the street (most were not being offensive) screaming inappropriate things in front of the very kids they say they want to protect.
Jennifer Buchanan, Richland
Mail order prescriptions
Kaiser Permanente’s strong-arm methods to get subscribers to switch to their mail order pharmacy are annoying and for me, not beneficial. I spent maybe an hour talking to KP pharmacists, customer support and finally Optim, which actually fills the prescriptions, if I remember correctly. They were all friendly and helpful, although I got different rates from the KP pharmacist than Optim. None of my medications cost more than the co-pay, without considering the deductible. This doesn’t consider the various coupon services that can lower the costs. Another household member has a couple that would be less, or even free, but otherwise is in the same position. Every time I refill locally, I get a letter from them telling me to switch, and we have received multiple automated phone calls wanting ‘to discuss’ our prescriptions. If you use KP and want to make a comparison when your meds are up for renewal, call Optim: 800-797-9791. They can give you the current price. Then check your pharmacy and coupons. KP really wants this; for you/us, caveat emptor. Yay health ‘care!’
Jerry Lewis, Kennewick
Can you recall the school board?
A hundred quarters I’ve taught in schools. And I recall a lot. Semler, Lane, Busey, et al, have led us on adventures, and we’ve never been bored.
And I recall the school board, committed and caring. I recall a school board unified and bold. I recall the school board touring each building, chatting with staff, calling them by name. I recall the school board sharing laughs and memories, struggling through hard times, but always with compassion and grace.
I remember Comfort and Strickler and all the Ricks; Mary and Heather and Dr. Steach. Compassionate warriors leading the fight for better schools and opportunities for staff and students alike.
Today, it hurts, feels more like a board than a Board. And yet there’s hope. Hope for the future we can recall the school board representing the dignity of our community. I hope we can recall the school board as “our board” for everyone. I hope we recall the school board as the bastion of grace and civic pride that makes America stand out with the promise of free public education for all.
What about you? Can you recall the school board?
Trevor Macduff, Pasco
Tri-Cities should be more tolerant
Whatever happened to tolerance? I grew up in a family and attended a church, that valued tolerance. Drag show participants have been recently called groomers and pedophiles, although no evidence exists to support those claims. Those labels have been chosen to purposely malign.
I strongly agree with Tim Thornton’s opinion that … “people are free to decide for themselves what to listen to”. If you are concerned or offended by drag shows, don’t go. Out and About and Emerald of Siam are places that welcome diversity. Tri Cities is a large community that can host a variety of entertainment. All people should be free to find spaces where they will be included, be celebrated, and feel safe from hate and harassment.
Marti Carl, Richland