Letters

Bomb the debris

A very large floating dock just washed up on the Oregon Coast. Where was the U.S. Coast Guard and other government ships and planes? Did no one see this arriving?

Since the tsunami debris field is so huge and there will be other giant pieces coming in, why can’t the Navy or Air Force planes in the region go out and bomb and strafe this mess? It might break it up enough to make it sink really deep in the ocean instead of being a hazard to shipping and eventually beaches in the west.

Lynn Lynch

Hayden

Satellite charge a rip-off

Lately, our Dish network bill has been a little more money. My first reaction was being peeved with Dish. Then, I actually paid closer attention to the bill before paying it and found that Washington has added a surcharge of $1 to our bill. Completing this rip-off, the state is also charging 8-cent sales tax for the dollar surcharge! What’s this money for? Certainly not for improving or editing broadcasts.

I don’t remember being notified when this went into effect, nor told why this money was needed, nor how it is spent. I am tired of this. I’m sick of nonresponsive government that thinks we are its private bank account when it’s not accountable for the quality of services rendered.

Why are our roads not up to the condition they were 30 years ago, when we also have a higher, staggering gasoline tax? Unaccountable, irresponsible government.

With the new surcharge on Dish, will our broadcasts now not be reruns? Will there be fewer commercials, less profanity? Doubt it.

Becky McPherson

Valley, Wash.

Financing education is smart

Bill Millovitsch (June 6) and Thomas P. Hanley (May 22) seem to think that nothing in the U.S. Constitution permits the use of federal funds “to support citizens’ educational pursuits.” On the contrary, Article I, Section 8 expressly gives Congress the power to collect taxes and other revenues to provide for the general welfare of the United States.

Many would argue that an educated citizenry does more for the general welfare than do farm subsidies that artificially lower the cost of high-fructose corn syrup for our soft drinks.

Roy Johnson

Pullman

Hands off civil liberties

Regarding Donna Kuhn’s letter (“Religious liberty under assault,” June 9), I fail to see how the decision of my government to offer equal access to a marriage license to a group of people long denied equal treatment, or to allow all of my fellow citizens to serve in the military regardless of sexual orientation inhibits your freedom to worship your God as you choose.

Your religion has demonstrated a particular consistency when it comes to excluding the “other” (see defense of slavery, treatment of Native Americans, prohibiting interracial or interfaith marriage, the right of a woman to choose, the opportunity of a woman to serve as pastor or priest).

Sadly, my government shares much of that history, but thankfully has shown that it is capable of righting some of the wrongs it has codified (see abolition of slavery, a woman’s right to vote, a woman’s right to choose, ending segregated education, ending segregated military, Jim Crow era).

If you wish to continue denying me access to your God because of the color of my skin, the way I dress, the car I drive, or whom I choose to marry you are free to do so. Just keep your hands off of my hard-won, secular, civil liberties.

Michael Nelson

Spokane