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Removing marker is not the answer
The Editor:
We want to point out that representative Hans Dunshee has
acted irresponsibly in describing how he would “remove
the monuments, even if he gets arrested for it.” While
his statement is certainly irresponsible, the fact of the
matter is that to “rewrite” history by removing
a historical monument erected with honorable intentions
for the purpose of positioning himself politically is totally
irresponsible.
 Are
we going to have a Washington state version of the Confederate
flag removal controversy going on in the state capitals
of some southern states?
The
sanctity of the International Peace Arch State Park has
been and is now a concern of a number of citizens in our
community on both sides of the border. It is, as Samuel
Hill intended it should be, a place where citizens could
reflect on the meaning of brotherhood and the unity of our
two nations. Over time this has been extended to include
the peaceful co-existence of all peoples. The removal of
an historical monument to appease current politics or viewpoints,
erodes the sanctity of the park and its Peace Arch monument.
And to do so for political name recognition, even to honor
a deserving person, without consulting those who have devoted
untold hours of time and labor to the preservation of the
park, is also a great injustice. It is clear that representative
Dunshee did some research on the particular marker that
offends him. Had he done more research to better understand
the other monuments that also stand on that ground, he might
have realized how unfortunate his “solution” is
to the racist issues that the name of Jefferson Davis represents.
The extension of his “logic” to remove the sins
of the past by removing monuments to people who have been
deemed worthy of such tribute in the earlier history of
our nations is faulty. Would we dare to go back and remove
the monuments to Presidents Washington and Jefferson because
they were “slave owners?”
We
are also troubled by the fact that a deserving Civil War
soldier has not been recognized for his contributions (whether
or not he was or was not a slave or African American). We
can understand why Mr. Dunshee should feel it necessary
to do so now. But, to do so without regard to the understanding
of both the park, the International Peace Arch monument,
and the people who inspired its construction, dedication
and meaning to peoples from around the world, creates another
oversight or injustice as well.
I
hope you will not support the dedication name change of
highway 99 and the removal of the historical marker. There
are many other ways to honor a brave soldier of the North
without the rancor and divisions brought about by the emotions
of a single representative.
John and Carol Choulochas
Blaine
The
Editor:
In the recent article about the so-called Confederate marker,
Hans Dunshee is quoted as saying that the “object of
the Confederacy was to perpetuate slavery.”
Let’s
have some historical accuracy. The object of the southerners
was to be allowed to sell their raw materials to anyone
they wanted, and not just to the mills of the northern United
States. Slavery had little to do with the cause of the war
and was only brought into the mix in order to motivate the
Union population.
Very
few people at this point would agree that slavery was right
or moral, and we can all be thankful that it no longer exists
in this country, but how many of the people of Whatcom County
or Washington think that the federal government should have
the right to mandate that we sell all our apples and grapes
to California? That was the situation in the United States
prior to the Civil War and that is why the southern states
seceded from the Union.
Let’s
get our history straight before we start arguing about Jefferson
Davis.
Calvin Armerding
Blaine
The
Editor
I grew up in Whatcom County and am familiar with the marker.
I suppose I learned who Jefferson Davis was from the marker
long before I learned it in history class. As for removing
it, I feel that would be a mistake. Jefferson
Davis is part of history, as is the civil war and everything
associated with it. So are Jefferson Davis’ accomplishments
prior to the war.
Let’s
leave history as it is, and leave the marker alone. If Mr.
Dunshee wants to name a road after someone else, let him
do it in his district. If the marker offends him that much,
he can use the Lynden crossing to return to the US after
his trips to
Canada.
Jeff Haws
Via the Internet
A
day of prayer...
The Editor:
World Day of Prayer 2002 will be observed by Christians
in over 170 countries around the world on Friday, March
1. In Blaine the service will be sponsored by the women
of local churches at 11 a.m. at the Free Church Unitarian
at 1218 Harrison Avenue, a handicapped accessible facility.
Since
1887, World Day of Prayer has brought together in informed
prayer and prayerful action, international men and women
from many backgrounds, cultures and Christian traditions.
Since 1941, World Day of Prayer has been sponsored in the
United States by Church Women United, a grassroots ecumenical
movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other
Christian women.
“Challenged
to Reconcile” was chosen by the women of Romania as
the theme of this year’s celebration. The Romanian
women ask us to pray with them for understanding, peace
and love.
Please
join with us in the World Day of Prayer 2002 celebration
and worship.
Laura Amundson
Blaine
Fabulous
food bankers
The Editor:
As a member of this community I wish to take this time to
say thank you to all the volunteers at the food bank for
all their hard work. These people work very hard to make
sure that people of the community have food to feed themselves
and their families. Without the food bank in Blaine most
people would find it hard to make ends meet.
These
volunteers are at the food bank on a daily basis gathering,
sorting and packaging food for the people to pick up on
Tuesday and Fridays. These volunteers donate their time
and work for the people of the community. From time to time
we need to let these volunteers know that they are appreciated
for their hard work and unselfish time to the community.
Again, thank you. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Donna Gibson
Blaine
Please help...
The Editor:
The Parents of Seniors 2002 are raising funds to sponsor
a drug and alcohol free grad night party. We have selected
an event which we keep a secret from the seniors until they
are on the bus going to the event. This years fundraisers
have been recognized by our Lt. Governor Brad Owen in the
“Take a Page” publication February 2002.
We
are in need of your help. The Parents of Seniors 2002 are
sponsoring two more fundraisers and are asking for your
support.
Our first fundraiser is from February 7 to March 15 –
we are selling Easter lilies. They come in a six-inch foil
wrapped pot and are nursery quality and are being sold for
$8 each. Pick up date is Saturday, March 23 at the Blaine
elementary school library from 9 a.m. - noon. We will be
happy to deliver your order - just let us know.
Our
second fundraiser will be Butter Braids to be delivered
right before Mothers Day on May 4. They are $8 each and
come in raspberry, cinnamon, cream cheese, apple, peach,
cherry, blueberry and caramel rolls flavors. These coffee
cake style pastries are delicious and are excellent to serve
family and guests.
We
appreciate any help you can give our organization. Blaine
high school class of 2002 is the largest class to graduate
from Blaine with 130 students. Our goal is to raise $13,000
for this event so that each student can go without any cost
to them. We are one-fifth of the way there.
You
can order any of these items from any parent of the senior
class 2002, or Anna Folk at 332-5902 or myself at 332-2740.
If you are in the area, orders can be dropped off at the
high school office.
If
you would prefer to make a donation of cash or perhaps a
gift certificate or item that we can raffle off the night
of the event please call me at 332-2740.
Thank you for your support.
Sheila Connors
Blaine
The
Editor:
Wow! The business and community members of Blaine are showing
tremendous support of our youth. Blaine Youth Baseball has
been receiving team sponsors and donations and we are truly
grateful. There are teams that still need a sponsor though
and if you are considering supporting a team (or making
a donation) please contact Sheldon Miller at 332-6333 for
information on how to do so.
This
season’s first registration day went really well with
75 boys and girls signed up so far. We have one more opportunity
for you to sign up your baseball or softball players on
February 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blaine elementary
school library. Please bring a copy of their birth certificate.
We have lots of room left and hope to see many more kids
registered. Remember, February 16 is the final date for
registration. Another important date is February 22, which
is for tryouts for all registered 10 to12-year-old boys
so the ‘Majors’ coaches can determine their teams.
This is at 3:30 p.m. at the high school football field.
Baseball season is coming up fast! We’re looking forward
to fun, fair, competitive ball games in a safe and friendly
environment!
Larissa Dhanani
Blaine
Letters
Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however,
the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters
must include name, address and daytime telephone number
for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and
may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length
and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10
names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest
to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication.
Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters
will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding
names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one
letter per month from an individual correspondent will be
published.
Please
send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com
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