Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
Big is the word these days. There are big people, big houses and big cars. But the sad thing to me is that big is getting into the holidays. What was a special time to celebrate religious pasttimes and family is now choosing the material world instead. Try turning on your television and count how many Christmas commercial ads you see. You start to wonder if this is what Christmas is about, Christmas has come a long way from a baby being born in a humble manger. America, it’s not all about how many lights your street has, who has the best cranberry sauce, the big guy with the deer, or who has the biggest collection of holiday cds. It’s about much more than that and you don’t have to watch, “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown,” to figure that out. Be thankful for getting the freedom to take part in Christmas, the freedom to be with family and the freedom to celebrate. Just make sure that you know the best gifts in life are the ones that are priceless.
Happy holidays everyone.
Sophia Sennett
Blaine

The Editor:
I read yet another “newspiece” about the airport by Meg Olson in the most recent issue of The Northern Light. Another essay with a compelling absence of the whole story. Some say that prior to the Grubb’s taking over the newspaper, Meg was neutral about the airport. Since the new regime change, she writes with a decidedly biased viewpoint against. Did she have a “moment of clarity?”
If the owners of the paper are against an issue and wish to editorialize to that effect, I have no problem. That is their prerogative. But the news deserves to be balanced. It needs to reflect who, what, why, when and where. The story should reflect all of the truth not those bits and pieces that would distort reality.
People in the media are incredibly sensitive to any who might question their craft. Well, I firmly believe that Meg’s professionalism and character are suspect. She writes with contempt for the truth in order, it seems, to curry favor with her bosses. What that makes her is a prostitute, not a journalist. But then, why would a journalist want to work for The Northern Light!
Fred Silberman
Surrey, B.C.
Publisher note: We do not know Mr. Silberman and consequently have no idea on what he bases his belief that the owners of the paper are against the airport. This seems to be a case of ‘if the paper isn’t blatantly for something, it must be against it’ so let’s slime the messenger. Why doesn’t Mr. Silberman point out actual errors or concrete examples of bias? I invite our readers to re-read last issue’s account of the Blaine airport discussion that took place at city council and ask themselves: which provides more fact and detail, the article or Mr. Silberman’s letter? By the way, there has been no ‘regime change’ as Mr. Silberman asserts. The owners of the newspaper started it and continue to own it.
As for prostitutes and journalists, sadly we do have something in common: we run the risk of getting smacked around when the reality we present doesn’t satisfy someone’s
fantasy.

The Editor:
On December 12 the city of Blaine hosted the annual “volunteer appreciation brunch” at the Smuggler’s Inn. We have five excellent volunteers – Jim Zell, Sylvia Baker, Marv Adam, Jacalea Swan and Bob Hendricks – who are a much valued asset to our visitor center.
We’d like to thank Smuggler’s Inn for providing such a beautiful venue for the brunch and to the local merchants who generously donated gifts, coupons and gift certificates to our volunteers: Seaside Bakery Café, Great Northern Café, Blaine Bouquet Floral & Gifts, Blackberry House, Grace Harbor Farm, Nature’s Path Foods and Totally Chocolate. And, of course, our thanks goes especially to our volunteers who always offer a warm welcome for tourist and visitors to our city.
Carroll Solomon
Blaine

The Editor:
I write everyone to celebrate diversity. There is a rich experience to be found in learning about the beliefs and traditions of other faiths. For those individuals enjoying holidays from December 21 through January 1, a happy winter solstice, shining Hanukkah, merry Christmas, blessed Kwanzaa, a joyous Saturnalia and a special blessings to those who practice good will to all, regardless of their individual spiritual beliefs, color, race or gender.
As for the “Christmas” tree, any education theologian can tell you, the decoration of trees originated with the pagans centuries before the dawn of christianity.
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