Letters to the Editor

Harnack correct on HB 1356

The rewriting of history, not only of this country but others as well, has been going on for ages. Roger Harnack's editorial in the March 10 Journal with regard to politicians and legislation to implement political correctness is right on target.

Some time ago, a group of us "old goats" were gathered together and just for the sport of it, took the NHL National Hockey League, the NFL and MLB to see just how many of the mascots of these leagues would survive today. You could literally find something wrong or offensive with each mascot in those leagues. The logical next step is to follow that NFL Washington outfit and eliminate mascots all together. Oh, then the cheerleaders must eventually go too.

As a former "War for Southern Independence" (so-called Civil War re-enactor), bumper stickers were available with the Confederate flag (stars and bars) that rightly proclaimed: "Heritage — not hate — fly it!" Considering what has taken place the last few years, the entire history of this country is being reconstructed — and taught at all levels.

Now the North Central High School in Spokane is considering a mascot change and probably the others in the state will follow suit.

We can carry this PC nonsense to the point of absolute absurdity. Thus far, much of the truth about this country's history is badly obscured or incorrect. In time, we will never know the real truth of any history of almost any nation. Enough is enough.

Mr. L.R. Keith

– Ritzville

Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ voting record

Wow, our U.S. Representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers is so lucky. She’s continued to vote with most Republicans to make life harder for most people in Eastern Washington. Yet, most times, she loses as the Democrats support measures that improve lives and lighten the financial load for most people.

Our Representative has a stellar record of voting more than 60 times against better healthcare (Affordable Care Act) for the American people. Then, she voted against Expanding Voting Rights (HR 1), most of which Washington State successfully implemented more than 10 years ago. CMR is against expanding voter registration, is for gerrymandering, is for hiding “dark money” in campaigns and not requiring voting systems be backed up by auditable paper ballots. Thus CMR is opposed to the progressive election system for which Washington State is famous, and managed by our extremely competent State Election Official, Kim Wyman, a Republican.

And she voted against Addressing Police Misconduct (HR 1280). CMR doesn’t want to give federal authorities more tools for preventing and prosecuting abusive and discriminatory conduct by local, state and federal officials.

Lastly, her really damaging vote was against the $1.9 Trillion Covid Relief bill. So, remember when you receive your stimulus check, CMR voted against it.

Just imagine what the United States would be like if CMR had her way? She’s lucky that her positions get rejected most of the time. I wonder if her supporters are aware of her activities in Washington, D.C. and approve her voting record.

Nancy Street

– Cheney

Blake decision to have grave impacts

In the Blake decision, the Washington Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the law that makes the possession of controlled substances illegal.

The far-reaching effects of this decision are becoming more apparent as the implications are being analyzed. Besides the need for thousands of prisoners to be resentenced, there is an aspect that is emerging as more problematic to the counties than any other. That is the financial aspect and the necessity of refunds to persons who have paid financial obligations imposed.

The effect of the Blake decision is that no person can be charged with the crime unless and until the legislature amends the statute. The amendment could be as simple as inserting the word “knowingly” into the possession statute, but until that is done, we have no law prohibiting the possession of any controlled substance. If the charge is possession with intent to distribute, that is still illegal.

The aspect that will have the greatest impact on counties is that any fine or financial penalty imposed upon a person when he or she was convicted of the crime of Possession of Controlled Substance which was subsequently paid, will have to be refunded.

A previous court decision made the duty to refund the money fall on the county and not the state. The court reasoned that because the county collected the financial obligation, the county has a duty to refund the money. This will amount to a financial obligation of tens of millions of dollars to the counties of Washington.

Tim Rasmussen

– Stevens County