Solid verdict for Hayes

I recently met Judge Debra Hayes when she was doorbelling in my neighborhood. After checking out the information on her website and her opponent’s information, the choice became crystal clear. Judge Hayes has the support of her judicial colleagues statewide, including the chief justice of the Washington state Supreme Court and over 20 local judges.

She has earned unwavering support from Anne Kirkpatrick, Mayor Verner and former U.S. Congressman George Nethercutt and from city employees, law enforcement and county prosecutors. Also impressive are endorsements from well-respected attorneys on both sides of the aisle.

Judge Hayes worked her way through college and law school as a single mother of six children and graduated with top honors. Her proven work ethic as a former deputy prosecuting attorney and four years as a highly respected judge give me great confidence that she will continue to be fair and impartial while holding repeat offenders accountable.

Spokane County has been well served by Judge Hayes, and I am proud to cast my vote for her. Compare Judge Hayes’ qualifications (www.judgedebrahayes.com) with those of her opponent, and I believe you will come to the same conclusion.

Gregory M. Galbreath

Spokane

Charles Krauthammer’s column on Saturday (Sept. 18) represents, in my opinion, wishful thinking: Christine O’Donnell, the winner of Republican primaries in Delaware, is unelectable. I think that if she was able to win the primaries she can win in November and become a U.S. senator.

Of course she comes across as an infantile, uneducated person building her “message” from slogans that have no meaning but sound as if they had, e.g., “The government is too big.” But she did not vote herself onto the general election ballot; the voters have.

The reason, in my opinion, for this is the attitude of consumerism that permeates all aspects of our lives: We are here to consume, we are here to be entertained. And elections are big show events similar to gladiator games in ancient Rome: After the exciting fight, the spectators also voted with their thumbs: up or down.

You were right in one of your recent staff editorials where you encouraged voters to go behind car stickers: Compare, analyze and then vote. But it requires effort, and with that elections would become too boring. Consequently, Christine O’Donnell is perfectly electable and Sarah Palin could become our next president.

Peter C. Dolina

Veradale, Wash.