Law enforcement acted properly

I have to take exception to Andy Vander Meulen’s insulting letter. The brave troopers, MVPD officers and deputies who arrested Zamora at great personal risk were protecting the public. Law enforcement professionals do not endanger the people they are sworn to protect.

The officers on the scene had to determine in a split second whether or not to act, and they acted in the best interest of the public safety. A gunfight on the freeway or in downtown Mount Vernon is not in that interest. Furthermore, as to these professionals “putting him down,” that is not the job! That is what the courts are for.

In my 27 years as a law enforcement professional, I have never been prouder of these men and women and of the actions that were taken on that tragic day. Thank God that these people have decided to protect and serve this community!

Ron Coakley
Clear Lake


Are any public servants running?

I’m still steamed about the recent presidential “debate.” Not much debating was going on, just a lot of finger-pointing!

The “fundamental difference” (remember that phrase being thrown back and forth) between the candidates and the American public is that we are desperate for solutions, not blaming! I want to hear what they plan to do about the economic crisis, the energy crisis, the crumbling infrastructure crisis and all the other crises that are not being addressed realistically in this campaign.

And speaking of reality, can any president truly solve these problems without a cooperative Congress? Shouldn’t our focus in this election be more on our representatives and senators, rather than on the presidential race? In all levels of government, we need to elect people who are not so beholden to a political party and special interests that they lose sight of who they actually work for and represent!

As far as I’m concerned, the two-party system in this country no longer serves the best interests of the American public. The parties serve to perpetuate themselves.

Even though I’ve probably upset a huge number of readers, I hope some will think about who genuinely serves us in both Olympia and Washington, D.C. I’m really concerned that none of the current group of candidates gets (or cares about) the true concept of public service in government.

Cathy Estabrook
Mount Vernon


Re-elect Littlefield to PUD post

Al Littlefield has proved throughout the years that he is capable, experienced, knowledgeable and qualified for the PUD commissioner’s position. His top priority is to provide safe drinking water in Skagit County with sound management and skill.

We respect Al as a PUD commissioner because he has shown us over the years what an outstanding PUD commissioner he is. His best interests are in our families’ future, businesses and our environment. He strives to make things happen in a positive way, which is tough when he needs to represent all of Skagit County’s citizens with respect and understanding. 

Al is a lifetime resident of Skagit County and is dedicated to his family, friends and our community. Many in Anacortes knew him when he was a Texaco dealer for more than 30 years. You could always get excellent customer service, a good cup of coffee and great conversation while filling up your gas tank. Well, it’s been a lot of years since then, and Al still provides us with a good cup of coffee and excellent PUD service. 

Please join us in voting yes for Al Littlefield for PUD commissioner.

Rick Harvey
Anacortes


Ills to come with an Obama reign

It was a silly exchange during the first presidential debate: “I have a bracelet, too!” responded an eager Sen. Obama, who then fumbled to remember the name of the fallen hero, Sgt. Ryan David Jopek of Merrill, Wis. There are, however, more serious matters that we needn’t address.

We don’t need to go into the $126,349 Obama received in contributions from Fannie and Freddie (sixfold McCain’s in one-tenth the time). Nor need we allude to former Fannie Mae CEO Daniel Mudd deeming Democrats the company’s “family” and “conscience,” nor how, as the Washington Post reported, Obama’s campaign sought the advice of former Fannie Mae CEO Franklin Raines on housing. Nor do we need to discuss how Andrew Cuomo’s 2000 policy mandated that 50 percent of GSE loans be approved for low-income/bad credit folks — the kind most likely to default.

There’s no need to mention the shady practices of Acorn, which helps elect the type of people who enabled the financial crisis, who stopped a 2003 attempt at oversight on the grounds that “The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing” (Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.). Never mind that Sen. Obama served as Acorn’s lawyer and later trained its staff!

Lastly, we needn’t touch on the Soviet police state tactics of Missouri law enforcement publicly embracing the “Obama Truth Squad,” threatening prosecution against any speech they, as judge and jury, deem untruthful. Though beaten back, this is a chilling harbinger of what to expect under an Obama administration.

Elect the unvetted Obama, and say goodbye to the First Amendment, possibly the Second, and any hope of getting out of the mess his friends helped cause.

Greg Hedger
Sedro-Woolley