Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
Mike Hurta needs to think before he writes. Does he believe Blaine has any “rights” to Luke Ridnour? Yes, Luke is our hometown hero, but he is also an individual with a private life. It just so happens that on December 17 (the day of Luke’s alleged rudeness to the Blaine basketball team), I checked in as a surgical patient at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, and as the various pre-op technicians were preparing me for surgery, among the questions I was asked (at least three times) was, “Where do you live?” When I answered, “Blaine,” I immediately heard, “Oh, where Luke Ridnour is from! You must be very proud of him. You know, he was here yesterday in the children’s ward, signing autographs for the kids. He is very popular with the kids here, always very friendly, always patient, always making them smile.”
Did it occur to Mr. Hurta that Luke may have been occupied being a greater asset to the entire state of Washington, doing something unselfish like sharing himself freely with hospitalized kids who are likely frightened or experiencing pain? It’s not that Luke doesn’t have fondness for Blaine or was snubbing the valiant players from his high school alma mater, but we don’t own him anymore and it’s time to let the rest of the world know what we have always known: he is a good guy (not to mention a talented basketball player). Grow up, Mr. Hurta, and find something else to complain about, because Luke is not the selfish person you made him seem.
Jeanne Halsey
Blaine

The Editor:
I just can’t understand why Blaine doesn’t have a snowplow. Why can’t the city allow some money in their budget to purchase one? I would like to bring this to the attention of city council.
Virginia Thomas
Blaine

The Editor:
On New Year’s Eve, we had the pleasure of attending the festivities at the Birch Bay American Legion. A wonderful time was had by all with a buffet dinner and great music by Charly Brown and entourage. I suggested to Chuck, the host MC, to make an announcement to let everyone know they could help out the tsunami victims in Asia and that all funds collected would be given to the American Red Cross.
Through the generosity of those in attendance, $117 was collected. The money was greatly appreciated by the Red Cross and we would like to thank everyone who donated to this worthwhile cause. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated and thanks for a great evening at the American Legion.
Ed & Linda Stonehouse
Blaine

The Editor:
Many people, even the religiously faithful, are in awe of the power unleashed by the tsunami. This event killed approximately the same number of people as will be killed or wounded by President Bush in his 21st century “crusade” (for oil - though he calls it a war on terror), yet the former is causing some re-evaluation of beliefs while the latter is accepted because God is supposedly telling Bush what to do.
Christian Science Monitor writer Robert Marquard, in an article published in the January 4 Seattle Times, reports that a senior politician in Sri Lanka claims that “Lord Buddha” sent the tsunami. O.G. Gurage, representing the west coast district, said the tsunami was punishment “for not taking care of the earth properly.”
The number of disposable items has increased so that now things that should be reused are available in throwaway models. Even newborn babies have been found in dumpsters, deposited there by parents who simply didn’t want them and were not intelligent enough to consider other non-criminal options.
This sad predicament reflects poorly on the family as well as on schools. What kind of values are we teaching our children about the importance of the planet and life? The need to reduce waste is discussed in class but schools are taking a less than active role in facilitating recycling, totally missing an opportunity to make a notable stand.
There are trash containers available at sporting events – why not recycling bins? The ubiquitous water bottles and soda cans left littering the bleachers and area around the field by careless students could easily be deposited into the proper receptacles if they were simply made available. Yet, I am told it is a matter of money. Why is that, when it has been shown that recycling reduces the cost of trash disposal?
This planet is our home, the only one we will have. Our lack of responsibility in recycling is one factor that is shortening the life of this planet. Not taking the time to recycle is an arrogant behavior that may well contribute to the early death of our world.
This Asian tsunami should be a wake-up call. Start recycling. No one is excused.
It is so good that some foreign visitors were saved by God-directed “miracles.” I’m sure that makes the natives wonder what His priorities are when several people are saved because they prayed but 159,000 others die. What is wrong with that picture?
Karl King
Birch Bay

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