11/30/08 Letters to the Editor

Yakima Herald-Republic

A proposal for car industry

To the editor -- Instead of giving the automakers $25 billion, I suggest investing the money to buy back all cars that get less than 20 to 25 miles a gallon. If you divide $25 billion by $5,000 ,we could take 5 million cars off the road. Many of these vehicles could be purchased for a few hundred dollars.

The Big Three could put people to work disassembling and properly recycling all the parts. Or, we could set up recycling centers in each state, creating eco-friendly jobs. We could clean up the countryside by getting rid of these inefficient relics, we would lower our dependency on foreign oil and decrease greenhouse gasses. Putting billions into the hands of consumers would help our economy.

Instead of a bailout, I say we should invest $50 billion and take 10 million cars off the road. By taking passenger cars off the road, the car industry would have a very robust market for years. To pay for this, we should raise the gas tax at least 50 cents a gallon to pay for this sensible idea. We must think boldly for the long-term benefits to our economy and environment.

The auto makers are taking their plan back to Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2 . Time is of the essence. Contact all representatives.

 

ED PATTON

Yakima

 

A worthy endorsement

To the editor -- Joan Christopherson's Nov. 11 letter rails against the Yakima Herald-Republic's endorsement of Barack Obama. She cites Obama's lack of experience, which is a decidedly shallow approach because George Bush and his yes men, such as John McCain, have ample experience, and what good came of it? A $9 trillion national deficit, two unfounded, unjustified wars and a failing economy! Hurray for experience!

Experience takes a back seat to moral correctness and strength of character. I think Obama has demonstrated that quite dramatically during his campaign. A super rock star couldn't have drawn crowds so large. Those supporting McCain are in the minority, and put there by a member of a minority, and I see a certain poetic justice in that. What perplexes me is how many votes McCain got. Were these voters anti-black, or just prisoners of a Republican mind-set? Maybe both.

People weren't paying attention if they couldn't grasp Obama's empathy for the average American or couldn't recognize his superior intellect and self-composure under fire.

I applaud the Herald-Republic for being a liberal beacon of light in a region that is peopled by a few who should spend less time flag-kissing and more time soul-searching.

 

CHRIS GLICK

Yakima

 

Digester is a good idea

To the editor -- Re: The Nov. 23 article, "Cow power -- Digester makes dairy man a believer." Good for the DeRuyter & Sons Dairy for investing in their digester. The first one that I ever saw was in Tillamook, Ore., about 15 years ago. A cooperative of dairies went together and would haul their liquid manure to a central location. The digester had a huge covered tank and there was no smell nor flies.

If all large dairies and feedlots would pave the feeding and milking areas, funneling the liquid effluent down to the digester, then there would be no groundwater contamination. The dairies could profit from the electricity produced, plus the cellulose left for peat moss to add to the soil.

Of course, the digester itself is very expensive and would take a large loan and would be several years before it would be profitable. It's a long-term business decision. Kudos to the DeRuyters and anyone else who would clean up their operation and do it with documented workers.

I know about dairies and feedlots because I owned a feedlot for my own weaner calves, which numbered about 250 head. And if there is no digester, there is smell.

 

GLEN HUYLAR

Zillah

 

Men get breast cancer, too

To the editor -- I am writing on a topic that is probably little known among most men. But, since our Baby Boomers are getting to retirement age, I think it is something that should be brought to their attention. I am talking about male breast cancer.

Most men don't even know that such a thing is possible. But our Baby Boomers, men in the 60- to 70-year range, are the ones who are most susceptible. Even though male breast cancer is 100 times less common than female cancer, men should at least be aware enough to do a self-check. They should also be informed enough to go to their doctor immediately if they notice any lumps or suspicious changes in their breasts.

My husband is a survivor of male breast cancer and would like to encourage all men to do this simple check periodically. He is forming a male breast cancer support group and if anyone is interested or would just like to talk to him, they can contact Roger Goff through Wellness House here in Yakima. The number is 575-6686.

Please, check often and stay well.

 

DIANE GOFF

Yakima

 

Thanks for a job well-done

To the editor -- As a daily subscriber to the Yakima Herald-Republic, I want to express my appreciation and admiration to Sarah Jenkins for the fine work she has done as editor. After she arrived at the Herald-Republic, I watched as the newspaper printed more professionally written articles, covered more relevant news, added more investigative pieces and adopted a more user-friendly format.

Under her watch, the Herald-Republic served the community very well by focusing on its issues in an inclusive manner. News that pertained to any group in the Valley was featured and objectively reported. Young people were introduced to the profession of journalism by means of the Unleashed team. Other young people who read Unleashed learned about the value of a newspaper. There also was a significant increase in the number of letters from readers that were printed, enabling us to voice our opinions and concerns.

Thank you, Sarah Jenkins, for a job done with excellence. I am certain you will thrive on the challenges that lie ahead in Kansas.

 

'LYN HARTMAN

Yakima

 

Is this the time for levies?

To the editor -- The following facts appear to be undisputed:

1. We are in the midst of the largest economic slump since the Great Depression (Banks going broke; the Big Three on the verge of bankruptcy; the housing industry in turmoil; unemployment skyrocketing; etc., etc., etc.)

2. The state of Washington has a huge deficit and monies that local municipalities have relied upon are drying up;

3. City of Yakima revenue is down and expenses are up; and

4. According to at least one source, the city of Yakima is ranked 302 out of 385 individual cities for crime rate in 2007.

With all of the above in mind, though, the city of Yakima continues to pursue the $34 million Aquatic Center and an Emergency Services levy that will tax the citizens another $1.3 million a year. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?

 

REED C. PELL

Yakima

 

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