The Editor:
I am a senior citizen who frequently travels between Blaine and Seattle. The lack of a functioning train station in Blaine forces me and others to endure longer distances and the associated time and fuel cost of getting to the Bellingham station in Fairhaven to use the train. Therefore, I urge transport authorities and Congressional representatives to support the idea of reopening the Blaine train station.
This is not only a personal comfort matter. It is an issue that will significantly benefit our community in the north and northeastern areas of Whatcom County by providing more accessible and sustainable public transportation options. It is a question of stimulating significant economic activity in Blaine by reducing transportation-related barriers.
According to a report by the American Public Transportation Association, every dollar invested in public transportation generates approximately four dollars in economic returns. Using this projection, reopening the Blaine train station would no doubt bring considerable economic benefits to our communities.
Gail T. Ryan
Blaine
The Editor:
Do we still live in a land of liberty protected by law? Or do we not live enthralled by the passing fads and fancies dictated to us by fickle man? When the citizens of other countries break laws by coming here, or staying here illegally, to their great benefit, they are termed “undocumented immigrants,” or simply as “migrants.” But when real Americans break the law, we go to jail!
Like my friend, a veteran, who volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1969. (For your information, children, nobody volunteered for the Army in 1969.) He was experiencing health issues, exacerbated by PTSD, confused, suffering flashbacks. His wife, attempting to get him to the hospital, moved suddenly and he elbowed her in the eye.
Bellingham PD nearby determined this was spousal abuse. He should have been hospitalized, but instead Bellingham PD hauled him off to Whatcom County Jail. There he was incarcerated without any of his VA-prescribed medications, isolated from family and friends.
For what good? Our veterans are pariahs, the despised of society, given lip service and a pat on the back two or three days in the year, the ultimate demonstration of hypocrisy from an ungrateful and unthankful people.
Meanwhile, the whining and wailing and gnashing of teeth over the “plight” of illegal aliens echoes across the land. Where is justice? Where is equality under the law? Or have we been reduced to some amorphous political experiment where special groups get special privileges?
Mark Aamot
Custer
The Editor:
The past two and a half months of Trump’s presidency has shown how lawless, cruel, and inhumane his policies are. The creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (which in reality should be named “Department of Government Destruction”) has indiscriminately fired tens of thousands of dedicated federal government employees. Many of these firing included nuclear safety employees.
The lack of thought in DOGE’s actions are making the government less efficient and making us less safe. Many U.S. citizens are showing their displeasure by protesting at Elon Musk’s Tesla dealerships and not buying Tesla cars since he is leading DOGE. We are voting with our wallets.
I believe that some inefficiencies need to be corrected but not like this. Thirty years ago under the Clinton administration, 377,000 federal jobs were eliminated thanks to a bipartisan committee led by Vice President Al Gore. It took a few years, but it was thoughtful and the result was balancing the federal budget for three years.
I write this letter knowing that I am protected by the First Amendment. Donald Trump is threatening our individual freedom of expression. He is asking the Justice Department to prosecute two of his former aides from his first administration because they told him he did not win the 2020 election. Also, he wants the FCC to rescind CBS’s license because he disagreed with its reporting on 60 Minutes.
I am encouraged that people are speaking out against his actions. Raise your voice to hold him accountable.
Layne Boyce
Birch Bay
The Editor:
In 1991, former President George H.W. Bush declared April as National Volunteer Month. He said, “There can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.”
The history of volunteerism in the U.S. spans over 300 years. Benjamin Franklin established the first volunteer firehouse in 1736 – ever since then, volunteerism has been a significant aspect of American civil life, with volunteers never expecting to be paid for their time, energy, talent or commitment.
Many moons ago, at the public high school I attended, students were required to volunteer as a condition for graduation. The opportunities for volunteerism were vast and fulfilling, becoming a vital part of our lives. When I was growing up, volunteering was a cornerstone of summer vacation and after-school programs, instilled in us by our elders. The ultimate reward is knowing volunteer efforts have a positive impact on our communities as a whole.
That is still true today, but volunteering is even more essential in these turbulent times.
Please join me in celebrating National Volunteer Month – it is a good time to reaffirm our commitment to giving back. Thank you one and all!
Micki Jackson
Bellingham
