Opinion | The Bible says love our neighbors, even those who disagree politically
Complaints about Dems aren’t just
I am terribly distressed at the rhetoric, including from government officials, that states that all Democrats are “anti-Christian, hate the country, are evil and want violence.”
I hope we can all agree that any violence, including political violence, is horrible. I also hope that we can acknowledge that political violence has come from both sides. (I can give you examples of Democrats killed or assaulted if you need that.) Also, I don’t blame the whole Republican Party for the violent acts of one individual towards a Democrat.
The Democrats I know love our country, but want to make it better. The Democrats I know are Christian. (Want to visit my church?). The Democrats I know are against violence and would like fewer military-type personal guns so there are fewer killings.
If our country is to function, we need to work together. Neither side should say the other side is “evil.”
I would like to believe that we can be on opposite sides of issues without hating each other. For those who say we are a Christian nation, remember that Jesus stated two commandments: Love God; love your neighbor (neighbor even includes enemies). I hope love/kindness wins out over hate.
Joyce Scherpelz, Richland
School board pick important choice
Of great significance to all Kennewick residents is the election of school board directors. I found “Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Survey” one resource useful in choosing to vote for Robert Franklin.
His survey responses are aligned with the Kennewick School District mission of preparing all students in a safe environment for continued learning, work and life.
Also, Franklin regards listening to stakeholders, advocating for evidence-based practices that promote student belonging and academic success, and adhering to the office’s specific duties as essential to being on the board.
Please consider Robert Franklin for Position 1. His alignment with the KSD mission, professional background and support for the continuous improvement of schools make him qualified to serve on the Kennewick School District Board of Directors.
Caprice Consalvo-Olson, Kennewick
Trump’s actions outrage resident
I am outraged by what is happening to our country because of Donald Trump! He had the former FBI director James Comey arrested and now he is going after Christopher Wray, another FBI director. The case against Comey is so weak most lawyers say Comey will never be convicted.
Trump cannot do his job because he is too busy scheming to get even with his political opponents. Trump lies in every speech he gives. He says Biden allowed open borders; Trump lied! He said he would only go after immigrants who were the worst of the worst, who were murders and criminals. He lied.
Trump is a dictator wannabe! He doesn’t want people to speak against him! He wants to jail anyone who does! Will he jail you? Will he jail me and make me disappear to a foreign country or will he just take away my citizenship?
Trump desperately wants to be president for life! Republicans and Democrats both know this. Trump is unfit for the presidency ! Impeach and remove Donald Trump while we still have a democracy!
Deanna Whiteside, Kennewick
Blasdel is great for Pasco
Melissa (Blasdel) was born in the Tri-Cities, raised in Pasco and is a graduate of Pasco High. Since being appointed by the city council in 2023, she has been an excellent ambassador for the city. She is very active and attends nearly all of the ribbon cuttings, evens and festivities (in) the city.
She was also one of only two city council members in the entire Tri-Cities with perfect in-person attendance at every meeting last year. Melissa’s yea votes include streamlining government functions, easing the application process for mobile food vendors, and eliminating unnecessary permits and fees on basic home repairs including reroofing, residing, fences, short retaining walls, sheds, etc.
Her opponent is heavily supported from the west side of the state. In fact, 20 out of 29 of his donations that have an address are from the Seattle area, including the Washington State Democratic Party. We don’t want Seattle-style politics over here. We want law and order, quality of life, and a strong, vibrant business community.
As a council, we have made great strides at cleaning up (the) downtown and want to continue that work and not (have) downtown Pasco become lawless like Seattle. Retain Melissa Blasdel, District 6 Pasco City Council.
Charles Grimm, Pasco
Bullying targets most vulnerable
Bullying is a deliberate action meant to harm, intimidate, or control someone else. It can happen anywhere and often shows up as physical, verbal, emotional, or visual abuse.
The impact of bullying is serious. Research shows that about 39% of bullying is based on physical appearance and 33% on sexual orientation. Victims often struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can affect their health, safety, and academics.
While the exact reasons people bully is unclear, it’s often linked to insecurity, jealousy, or the desire for power and control. Every student deserves a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment. Every person deserves to be safe from bullying. Bullying should never be tolerated.
At SARC, we believe prevention is key. Our education program helps students recognize bullying behaviors, promote school safety, and helps people understand how to report concerns. If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, please reach out to SARC at 509-374-5391 for support.
Tommy Riojas, Richland
Why is dissent so hazardous today?
The commentary, “Why we need dissent,” in the Sept. 24 Tri-City Herald, is a lesson that everyone needs to read. Our government and corporations will retaliate against all forms of dissent against the propaganda and autocratic actions taking over our lives. Trump wants to prosecute dissent and make political prisoners of all his foes.
He is having his opponents investigated by “his” government. And corporations are retaliating against dissent. Eliminating dissent by illegally preventing free speech is prerequisite to absolute control of our population by Trump and corporations. They are following in the steps of Adolf Hitler, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and Ali Khamenei to maintain absolute control over their populations.
The term Silent Majority was popularized in 1969 by President Richard Nixon in a speech that appealed to Americans who supported the Vietnam War but weren’t protesting in the streets.
Now, Trump and his corporate lackeys punish dissenters, thus changing the definition of this term to mean Americans silenced by threats from Trump and his lackey corporations. Be careful! What you say may cause you to become a political prisoner like the dissenters in China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.
Jim Tow, Richland
Don’t contribute to cycle of violence
I am writing to urge you to partake in the “Don’t name them” campaign. The current style of reporting and the focus on the alleged perpetrators who premeditated a mass shooting at Kamiakin High School has only contributing to our culture and cycles of violence. It has been well documented that giving perpetrators the fame and notoriety they are seeking in the reporting of their crimes leads to copycats and shooting contagion.
How many mass shooters can you name from the past 30 years? Compare that to how many heroes and victims you can name. Coverage of these events needs to shift toward prevention.
We should be hearing about the informants that tip off law enforcement and programs to help at-risk youth. We don’t need another manifesto, we need to stop glorifying violence. A “No Notoriety” policy is crucial and the responsible step to prevent future tragedies.
Maddie Southworth, Pasco
Opportunity lost in Croskrey piece
Cameron Probert missed a great opportunity to write a positive story about Sheriff Tom Croskrey’s retirement. The sheriff had a long local career in law enforcement, rising through the ranks to the top law enforcement position in our county.
He came out of retirement to turn the office around. By all measures, he was extremely successful. As he said he would do going in, he is now stepping aside. He is leaving BCSO far better than it was when he took over.
The tone of Mr. Probert’s article certainly doesn’t reflect the attitude and gratitude of many appreciative, thankful citizens.
Jeff Kruger, Kennewick
Add conservative voices to paper
More and more I am seeing this paper make choices to cut and paste national articles from liberal papers and news channels.
I would hope, given you have the choice, that you would make the decision to go on to your services and choose articles to publish in this paper that support a more conservative opinion. I realize we have had an influx of a more liberal views in this area since 2019.
However, we are bombarded enough on all other news and media channels enough with the liberal outlook. I don’t want to read articles from the New York Times, LA times and Seattle Times.
I’d rather read about the FFA meeting at the fairgrounds than read what writers have to say in these markets about national issues.
Thomas Olson, Richland
Ferguson wants month of mediation
Once again, the governor of our state has declared the month of October to be Community Conflict Resolution Month, and Oct. 16 as Community Conflict Resolution Day in Washington.
Many years ago, our state Legislature passed the Uniform Mediation Act. In this act, our lawmakers were providing a way for civil disputes of all kinds to be settled without the need for courts. Community Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) were established across the state to relieve the load of our courts, and to give all citizens a skilled, low cost way of settling disputes.
There are now 21 DRCs. These independent nonprofit organizations offer mediation and other kinds of conflict resolution services using highly trained volunteers from the local community to serve as mediators.
The Benton Franklin DRC has been in operation for 26 years, and has helped to resolve thousands of cases with out the expense or stress of litigation. In addition, we provide communication and conflict management training, restorative practices in our schools and recently have launched a program to help people engage in civil discourse in a respectful and productive way.
In the current political climate, we believe our mission is more important than ever. And, our governor agrees.
Paul Shelp, Kennewick