Letters to the Editor: November 21-27, 2019

The Editor:

One of the most appalling aspects of this impeachment is that our President considers his fellow Americans as the enemy to the degree of enlisting foreign agents to help him. What is perhaps worse is that too many of us also share this type of thinking.

The media blasts accusations from either side, whether it concerns those “stupid and cowardly” Republicans or those “lying and crooked” Democrats bringing the house down. Do we really know who our enemies are these days? We must put such fear words aside. It is time to use this impeachment the way it was intended for dual protection from political removal of a president, but also from a rogue president who turns democracies into tyranny. 

This is not a case for warfare. It happens this time to favor the interests of the Democrat party, who then will go after it vigorously just as the Republicans will offer strong defense. We must get as many facts as we can on the table openly so that we – as one country – can decide whether our President should remain, be removed or curtailed in office. Of course he will defend himself as is his right, but he may not cause obstruction to the extent that facts are not permitted to become known.

This may lead to a new and quite perilous course and to take it will require the most sober and serious judgment we have. This is not likely in a vitriolic setting with hijacked emotional thinking. The demeanor here is solemn.

Sharon Robinson

Blaine

The Editor:

I am writing to make a correction for the recent article about the Bay Medical Clinic closure. In the article, Jami Makan originally wrote that there will be no family practice providers left in Blaine. This has since been corrected to state “no Medicare” providers. I write both to introduce myself to the community and to reassure my patients that I am still here.

I am Dr. Elizabeth Schnippel, ND, a naturopathic physician licensed in the state of Washington as a primary care provider. I have been working in this role for over two years at TouchStone Health Clinic, seeing patients as young as three weeks and some patients over 65 years old. As a naturopathic physician, my approach may feel a little different than Drs. Kazymyra and Allan. I take a look at your whole health picture and work with you to make diet and lifestyle changes that help to get to the root of your health concerns. I also prescribe drugs, run labs (including in-house strep and influenza tests) and refer to specialty clinics including physical therapy, gastroenterology and cardiology. I spend time with my patients educating, explaining and answering questions.

As most of my patients are on Medicaid, I am very aware of the direct and indirect costs of healthcare and work with my patients to find a workable solution.

I am proud to be a member of the Blaine community. Since I moved here, I have felt welcomed by my neighbors, patients and co-workers. My kids attend the Blaine school district and I have started working with the nurses on various projects.

I wish Drs. Kazymyra and Allan well on their retirement. You are much respected in this community and your services will be missed.

Dr. Elizabeth Schnippel, ND

Blaine

(Ed. Note: The main differences between naturopathic physicians (NDs) and MDs are in their scope of practice and prescribing rights. NDs are limited on the controlled substances that they can prescribe, whereas MDs have the authority to prescribe all controlled substances. In addition, while both NDs and MDs are primary care providers, the naturopathic scope of practice is narrower, as specified under RCW 18.36A.040. According to a 2010 article in the journal Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, many NDs incorporate “age-old healing traditions” into their practice. They are not trained or licensed in the same manner that MDs are, and the scope of practice of NDs is not uniform nationwide.)