Whidbey
Write to us: The Whidbey News-Times welcomes letters from its readers. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Letters should be typewritten and not exceed 350 words. They must be signed and include a daytime phone number. Send items to P.O. Box 1200, Coupeville WA 98239, or email kgraves@ whidbeynewsgroup.com
OPINION Page A6
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Whidbey News-Times
IN OUR OPINION
We have much to be grateful for on this Thanksgiving Each year, as individuals, many of us gather with friends and loved ones to give thanks for the incredible blessings in our lives. As a community newspaper, the Whidbey News-Times has much to be grateful for. First and foremost, we are grateful to exist in a free society, one in which the First Amendment protects everyone’s right to free speech. The First Amendment is a simply constructed sentence, beautiful in its succinctness, masterful in the great power it affords each and every American: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Free speech is not a right enjoyed in all countries. American blood has been shed to preserve it. Blood is still being spilled around the globe by those in search of it. That is one reason we respect to those who write letters to the editor, express their opinions and sign their names. They are exercising the greatest of rights. Another right not allowed in some countries is the ability to vote. In the United States, we enjoy a system that allows us to collectively choose who represents us. We hire them to work for us, fire them if we believe they aren’t doing the job properly. For the right to vote, we are grateful. It’s our hope that those Americans who are apathetic about voting will some morning wake up and realize what an incredible privilege it is to cast a ballot. We are also grateful to live in a society in which people can agree, disagree or agree to disagree, where even ugly speech is rightfully protected under our Constitution. As a community newspaper, we realize we have an awesome responsibility and that we are held to a high standard. It’s a given that not everyone will like what appears on these pages, nor is it expected everyone will — especially the Opinion page. Wonderfully, in the end, we are all one community, working together to build a better future for those who will follow in our footsteps. To all of our readers, advertisers and their friends and families, we wish a very happy Thanksgiving.
News-Times whidbey
Scan the code with your phone and look us up on-line! Keep the app and look us up anytime!
Published each Wednesday and Saturday from the office of The Whidbey News-Times 107 S. Main St, Ste E101 • P.O. Box 1200 • Coupeville, WA 98239 (360) 675-6611 • (360) 679-2695 fax On the Internet at www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Letters to the editor OLF
unaccountable federal government. Bill Schoonover
Oak Harbor Smith Island not Congress a replacement Editor, We the people Vincent Hagel is to be commended for his “out need to wake up
of the box” thinking about relocating the OLF to Smith Island in his Oct. 23 letter. There is, however, one teensy-weensy problem. That is, Smith Island is part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. By the time the current administration, and the following ones could get the island’s status changed, complicated by years of environmental studies, jets would be obsolete and Mr. Satan would be raising the thermostat in his abode. Never underestimate the incompetency, inefficiency and downright stupid decisions made by those in our
Editor, I find it interesting, or should I say frightening, that anyone who is a responsible citizen of this great country could say, “Congress is doing fine.” Really? The last time I checked, this is supposed to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It seems to me the biggest enemy of the American people today is the United States Congress. Though there are some genuinely good people elected to positions in Congress,
Executive Editor & Publisher.....................................................................Keven R. Graves Advertising Manager......................................................................................Teri Mendiola Assistant Editor .......................................................................................... Jessie Stensland Contributing Editor...................................................................................... Megan Hansen Reporters............................................... Janis Reid, Ron Newberry, Sara Hansen, Jim Waller Administrative Assistant...............................................................................Renee Midget Advertising............................................................... Nora Durand, Phil Dubois, Gail Rognan Creative Manager.............................................................................................. Connie Ross Lead Creative Artist........................................................................Michelle Wolfensparger Creative Artists..........................................................................Adine Close, Jennifer Miller Circulation Manager...................................................................................Diane Smothers Circulation Assistant.....................................................................................Kacie Simpson
people who still believe in this country’s original constitution and its intent, mostly what I see today is an extremely divided group of mindless “ideologs” who believe they know what is better for us than we do. I’ll make my own decisions and take responsibility for them. It is not just this Congress or the current president, though Barack Obama is particularly incompetent and divisive, it is decades of politics, “political correctness,” and the “it’s not my fault” attitude that are destroying the fiber of this country. We, the people, have let our so-called representatives run wild and, as a result, what we have today is a blatant battle for power between the two major “political parties” who will do or say anything to remain in their positions. They are disgustingly open about what they want, that being your vote in return for
their support of your special interest group or your so called entitlement. We let them mortgage our country to the tune of over $17 trillion and counting and, more recently, were brutally attacked domestically more than I care to remember in my 59 years of life. Remember 9/11? To sum this up, we are “asleep at the switch,” and it’s only going to get worse unless we all start paying attention to what our representatives are doing in our name. Politics and political parties should be abolished. Clearly, government does not function in the presence of either. We can make our own choices about what size soft drink we should have or which health plan we want, if any. Robert Stallone Freeland
Identification statement and subscription rates The Whidbey News-Times (ISSN 1060-7161) is published semi-weekly by Sound Publishing on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $19 for 3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in island county from North Whidbey Island to Greenbank; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for 2 years delivered by in county mail from Greenbank to Clinton; $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year mailed out of county. Payment in advance is required. It is published by The Whidbey News-Times PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Whidbey News-Times, PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright © 2013, Sound Publishing
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTS: WALGREEN, JCPENNEY, BIG 5, HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE, CABELAS, COASTAL FARM & RANCH, WALMART, RADIO SHCACK, OFFICE MAX, TARGET, RITE AID, SEARS, MICHAELS READER INFORMATION: ADMINISTRATIVE: The Whidbey News-Times is a publication of Sound Publishing, and is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association and Suburban Newspapers of America. Advertising rates are available at the News-Times office. While the News-Times endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, it shall not be responsible to the public for advertisements nor are the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily those of the Whidbey News-Times. The right to decline or discontinue any ad without explanation is reserved. DEADLINES: Display Ads–4p.m. Friday and 4p.m. Wednesday; Legals – Noon Friday & Noon Wednesday; Classified Ads – 4:30 p.m. Monday and 4:30 p.m. Thursday; Community News – Noon Friday and Noon Wednesday; Letters to Editor – Noon Monday and Noon Wednesday.