Today’s letters include:
Children can’t be left alone in cars
Servants in houses of own minds
More forgiveness, less judgment
Dems pandering on energy front
Read The Full Story

Servants in the houses of own minds???

This is by far the most wacked out thing I’ve read in Letters
to the Editor in this paper.  I’m not sure this qualifies for
this section, as it has to do with nothing except someones
perception of being nuts.  I expect more from the editors here.
This is a place for people to respond with their opinions on
topics.  This letter should be in someones diary or medical
records but kept private please....

4632 - 23 August 2008 03:54 PM

Servants in the houses of own minds???

This is by far the most wacked out thing I’ve read in Letters
to the Editor in this paper.  I’m not sure this qualifies for
this section, as it has to do with nothing except someones
perception of being nuts.  I expect more from the editors here.
This is a place for people to respond with their opinions on
topics.  This letter should be in someones diary or medical
records but kept private please....

Well, if you look again, there are actually two such letters ("wacked out") in today’s Saturday Soapbox.  I would guess the Herald has a non-discrimination policy in regard to their letters to the editor.  While both of those letters were uncomfortable to read, if the writer includes their full name, and the Herald publishes them, hopefully someone who knows the author personally will read the letter(s) and see to their mental welfare.

“When Democrats took over Congress, gas cost about $2 per gallon. They had an opportunity recently to vote on offshore drilling. Rather than allow a vote, they chose to go on vacation instead.

So much for pandering.”

Mark Lijek
Anacortes

Lets explore some facts Mark:

1. When GWB took office in Jan 2001, the price of brent crude was US $19. bbl. That same year, VP DC held secret meetings with executives from the oil companies. One year later, the price of brent crude was US $33. bbl, an increase of 74%. From Jan 2001 to Jan 2007, the Reps controlled the White House and Congress and the price of brent crude rose to US $75. bbl, or 295% in just 6 years.

2. In 1981, Reagan signed into law the existing ban on offshore drilling, supported by a dem house and rep senate.

3. GHW Bush signed an executive order banning offshore drilling in 1990. GWB repealed that order in July 2008 (2 months ago) after it stood for 18 years, seven of which while he was president. Now he and McCain are pressing congress for quick action to change the Reagan law. That this action coincides with the political season is no surprise. Congress is being prudent to not rush to judgement, wait until after November, and look at this issue with greater care to avoid making a colossal mistake.

The history on these issues is clear. The decisions to ban offshore drilling were made by reps. The real escalation in the price of oil took place under the watch of a rep congress and white house. If you are going to make an arguement for pandering, Mark, it would seem to me to have to be about the reps.