Letters to the editor

Quest in peace

Arafat's legacy: Palestine could not care for him or his

Editor, The Times:

Yasser Arafat's ending is a sad commentary on his life and leadership ("Palestinians begin preparing for Arafat's death," Times, News, Nov. 10). Despite the billions of dollars in international aid his organization has received in the past three decades, there was not a hospital with sufficient staff or equipment to care for him in Palestine, while there is no shortage of weapons in Palestine.

Arafat will die beside his wife, who chose to raise her family in France rather than stay in the Middle East. His core "support groups" are on the brink if civil war to determine who will succeed his position as head of the Palestinian Authority, as Arafat apparently made no credible arrangements for the betterment of the Palestinian people in the event of his demise.

Can someone please tell me, again, why he received the Nobel Peace Prize?
— Matt Morton, Ellensburg

Bury the strife

As one who has found much to criticize in The Times' prior takes on Yasser Arafat and Palestinian-Israeli relations ("Arafat's movie" editorial, Aug. 20, and "Sharon's lose-lose Mideast gamble" editorial, Oct. 29, to cite a couple), I was heartened by "Peace without Arafat" (editorial, Nov. 7).

I found your assessment a fair and accurate reflection of his reign, assigning accountability where it is due. And I think you are quite correct that "a newly energized White House can hold Palestinians and Israel accountable for peace." Certainly they must at least try.
— David Brumer, Seattle

The wrong goodbye

It should be obvious that Yasser Arafat, the monster dedicated to the destruction of a people and nation, cannot be enshrined forever on that very people's most holy site, the Temple Mount.

If it were to happen, it would be an obscenity. It would be akin to carving the face of Osama bin Laden into Mount Rushmore. Imagine the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus walked toward his death, being used as a procession route for Arafat, a self-avowed enemy of Christianity.

If the U.S. citizenry doesn't see this, then one day we just might witness such an unthinkable addition to Mount Rushmore, to our everlasting shame.
— Carol Druckman, Chehalis

Term of adjustment

We felt your pain

The election has left me a little depressed. It's not just from the loss, but all the negativity. On one side, you have gloating and gay-bashing; on the other, anger and complaining. Then there's complaining about the complaining.

I don't think I can say anything to make the Democrats feel better, but I do want to remind the Republicans how they felt in '96 after Bill Clinton. I'm going to stop right there. I can feel the rage from the Republicans already. The mere mention of Clinton sends them in an emotional tirade. They still haven't recovered from their loss when Bill won his second term.

Now you know how we feel. Let us pout in peace.
— Markus Taylor, Bellevue

Delay reaction

President Bush, as Bill Clinton before him, has asked that the various parties put divisiveness aside and work together for the good of the country. It is a logical request and should be given the same consideration given earlier to President Clinton's request.

I would suggest that each Democratic legislator use Tom Delay as a role model and proceed to assist in the manner that House Majority Leader Delay, R-Texas, would have assisted Bill Clinton ("Gop congressman opens 'War Room' on Clinton," News, Sept. 6, 1998).

Bipartisan cooperation is a beautiful thing and, as Yakov Smirnoff would say, "What a country!"
— Vic Page, Maple Valley

Eye Canada

What started as mostly jest before the election has turned more serious. Many are talking of moving to Canada. I am not ruling it out, but I'm not quite ready to give up on the country I grew up in and used to believe in.

Yes, I'm disappointed by George Bush's re-election and the passing of constitutional amendments spun as "pro-family" but that are in truth "anti-gay."

I'll stay around and do my best to stop further erosion of my and others' rights. I'll be flying north only when I'm officially declared a non-person and feel my life and freedom are truly at risk. When that happens, this country will become everything its founders fought against and no longer my home.
— Kele Kravelin, Bellevue

Very cold land of Oz

An article in Australia press said there was an influx of inquiries from Americans wishing to migrate to Canada. So in answer to Robb Nichols ("An American embarrassed," Northwest Voices, Nov. 5), the trek of American refugees has already begun.

If any of you are thinking of coming to Australia, two words of warning: 1) Our government is a clone of yours; and. 2) the last influx of refugees from Iraq ended up in detention centers. That's the welcome you would receive here.

Other than Canada, the only country that will give a left-of-center person a home would be New Zealand.
— Robert Pallister, Punchbowl, Australia

Unword-bound

Typical of the left. Promise to leave the country if President Bush were re-elected, and what... they are still here. Why, oh why, can't the keep their promises?
— Dale Hulbert, Federal Way

Service mettle

Tempered in peace

Veterans Day is a time to honor service members past, present and future. In 1921, an unknown World War I U.S. soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This very site became a symbolic focal point for America's veterans.

American veterans fought bloody battles and endured countless hardships to earn the blessing of liberty that became our birthright. Throughout our nation's history, America's armed forces have protected freedom. Outgunned, outnumbered and against overwhelming odds, our military men and women prevailed.

Service members accept the responsibility to preserve and promote individual liberty so this nation can achieve even greater heights. Through sacrifice, hardship and lengthy separation from family and friends, their vigilance keeps us free.
— Robert Alan Wright, Yakima

Forged in memory

As the celebration of another Veterans Day arrives, I must stop and remember how very special this group of men and women is. It is through their selflessness we can celebrate freedom.

It is not our freedom of which I speak, as that was won over 200 years ago by other volunteers. It is the hard-fought freedom of our friends and allies of all nations. It is so easy to forget these sacrifices we make so far away from home, as we have always completed our task without a concern to our personal safety or the loss. We have spent our lives as volunteers, first to our nation, then our service, and finally our families.

This Veterans Day is especially important to me. This year I have a sister in Afghanistan and a nephew in Iraq. They too, like the other men and women before them, are volunteers. This veteran will never forget his service to his country and his fellow veterans.

On Veterans Day, remember the veterans all around you. Seek them out and thank them for their compassionate and selfless contribution to freedom.
— David Baily, Blaine