Letters to the Editor

Flags missing...
The Editor:
What a shame! Canada Day and Independence Day are only three days apart and both national celebrations are just around the corner. And what do I see? Flags up and down the streets of Blaine, spread thick as Swastikas in Berlin back in the ’30s. And like the uncompromising Nazis, who would never allow a Union Jack to fly beside a German flag, not one Canadian flag was permitted to accompany the good old Stars and Stripes.
This is spite of Canada’s gracious permission for United States jetliners to land on Canadian soil in the wake of 9/11! This, in spite of Canada’s willingness to help my country wipe out enemies, real or supposed, in Afghanistan! This in spite of a United States bomb that killed four Canadian soldiers and wounded others, over there! This in spite of my country’s willingness to express its gratitude by screwing over the Canadians in a softwood lumber deal that left thousands of them unemployed!
Yes, this - of all places - in the Peace Arch city!
So now I suppose my city and maybe the chamber of commerce too will imagine Canadians shall come joyously flocking into Blaine, impressed with our many flags and none of their own. Monday morning I asked a White Rock merchant what he thought of the conspicuous absence of the Red Maple Leaf. He just smiled and said, “We’re used to it. But there were a lot of U.S. flags flying in White Rock after the attack on the towers in New York.”
Fortunately, the biggest flags and minds in our otherwise thoughtless town, remembered to fly the flags of both nations. We may be glad these flags rise above all others, being the only ones visible from the freeway.
Richard E. Clark
Blaine

El loco hombre!
The Editor:
El Loco Blanco strikes again! This time blaming the liberal democrats for what he judges to be flaws in the NEXUS system.
Borders are a federal issue - don’t shoot the messengers. He failed to hear there will be no easy way to obtain a NEXUS card. Both the Canadians and the Americans in turn are reviewing all who apply and each individual will be interviewed in person. Then those who pass will be fingerprinted. As for the Canadian Muslim population, the U.S. also has a comparable one. You have expressed the same mind set as those individuals who placed U.S. citizens of Japanese descent in internment camps during WW II.
It’s that kind of irrational thinking and fear that set citizens against one another (it’s happened in Canada recently) and that is exactly what Osama Bin Laden strives for. Jews, Muslims, Christians, as well as other religious groups all fighting one another.
Amicable co-existence lost with hate and fear is taking its place. We all need to let reason prevail. Don’t help the enemy.
LeAnna McGuire
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

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 are limited to five individuals or groups. 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 email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com