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They’re illegal domestic enemies

As a Northwest Washington resident, I offer my apology to the Border Patrol security officers for the complaints of some of our misguided, so-called loyal citizens. These security agents are performing — professionally and effectively — the duties to which they are sworn as representatives of our government.

I, too, took an oath 50 years ago “to defend my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” Make no mistake, terrorists and so-called “undocumented immigrants” are illegal domestic enemies. They are illegally consuming citizen-funded United States resources, such as food, shelter, medical care, education, police protection, jobs, etc.

Perhaps this doesn’t bother the complainant, John Norby, but it certainly does bother me and millions of other citizens like me who strongly object. Time after time, some bleeding heart rises up to complain about the harsh treatment of these illegal entrants by our sworn security agents. Then it gets extensive coverage by the press, which invariably paints a black picture of our security agents who are doing what they are sworn and paid to do.

It is time for the rest of us to rise up and support those officials who are safeguarding our security and resources from those who are determined to deny them to us.

Like it or not, our ferries remain a conduit for the entrance of terrorists, illegal aliens and contraband — including instruments of destruction. Are you willing to start supporting those who strive to defend us, or are you going to remain a member of the silent majority, which only serves to bolster the confidence of the illegals?

Retired Lt. Col. John R. Rasavage
U.S. Marine Corps
Mount Vernon


Washington State Ferries compromising security?

It is surprising how folks think about our rather porous border with Canada, especially since a man bound for Los Angeles to bomb the airport was stopped in our state a few years ago.

Most interesting were the comments of the Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Marta Coursey. She was quoted as saying, “We absolutely will not compromise on safety and security issues.” At the same time, she said individual WSF workers, like John Norby, could do as they wish with regard to cooperating with the Border Patrol.

If an employee wishes to not comply with a Border Patrol request, it seems to me the proper thing to do is be noncommittal but carry the issue to a WSF supervisor, and keep your mouth shut. The proper thing for a spokesperson to do is to speak the truth, a problem WSF has in general.

Of course security is a problem. I suppose the day that we are not sure the aircraft overhead are ours, we can worry, but I would rather be careful today.

Donald Stephens
La Conner


PUD control of PSE would cost us

I see that Puget Sound Energy has released a study by a hired consultant that suggests it will cost the people of Skagit County somewhere in the neighborhood of $240 million for Skagit PUD to take over electricity service. Their consultant says the result will be higher rates — 20 percent higher — for electricity than we would otherwise pay with PSE.

Presumably, the study by the PUD’s consultant will be much more favorable.

Who among us, as citizens of this county, will be able to look at these dueling studies and determine where the reality sits — on one side, the other or somewhere in the middle?

Even if the cost is only half the initial estimate, or less, at the end of the day what would we have gained? Will we have better service? Will we pay for electricity service as an addition to what we already pay for water to the PUD, or will the PUD also need to increase our property taxes?

What if the actual cost due to unforeseen circumstances is much more than we’re told initially? Do we get a guarantee from the PUD that costs won’t go over a certain threshold, since we will no longer have the state regulating our electricity rates?

I am certain there are people who will say they have the answers to these and other questions, and they’ll say everything will be better than it is today.

Forgive me if I’m just a bit skeptical. I don’t see a problem with the electricity service we have today, and I seriously doubt — based on many years of experience — that anything the government provides is going to be cheaper than what we pay today.

Frank Martin
Sedro-Woolley