Islanders are justified in expressing their concern about the recent health care merger. They are entitled to their opinions about Catholicism, and the Franciscans ought to be able to give satisfactory answers about what “Catholic health care” means. Unfortunately, a majority of people misunderstand Catholic beliefs.

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To the men manning a vulgar “Impeach Obama” stand in front of our post office on Friday, May 10: Besides the fact that you are abusing your First Amendment rights by your defamatory portrayal of the president of the United States as Hitler, it is obvious that you have no knowledge of the process of impeachment.

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It is very disheartening when one is the victim of theft, and the recent break-in at Pandora’s Box has left us here at Ferret Shelter Northwest supremely disappointed. Very little was taken because they leave no cash in the register at night, and money was apparently what the burglar sought.

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I encourage all islanders to go online today and make a pledge or donation to Vashon’s public schools through the Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation (vashonschoolsfoundation.com).

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In the March 27, 2013, Beachcomber, there was an article titled “Two Vashon fisherman honored for heroism.”

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I am writing to encourage someone to file to run for the board of commissioners for Water District 19. I particularly encourage candidates with a balanced perspective on the need to protect our island’s precious environment and our need to develop responsibly and sustainably.

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Christopher Davis, MD, sent you a particularly clear message on his attitude on the proposed involvement of the Franciscan Health System in the salvation of the Vashon Health Center managed by Highline Medical Center. (Letters to the editor, May 1) He felt that Vashon ought to ignore their (bishops’) directives and, rather, appreciate the benefits we’ll derive from their deep pockets. He clarified his point with a simple comparison: If you’re far out at sea and sinking and someone — the Franciscans or a Coast Guard helicopter — offers to save you, would you take the opportunity to harangue your rescuers with questions about their policies? His message is clear: Just be glad that the Franciscans are willing to take you on board.

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I read with interest the concerns expressed by community members at the recent meeting held to discuss the impact of the proposed merger between Highline Medical Center and the Franciscan Health System on the Vashon Health Center. (“Islanders express skepticism over health care merger,” May 1) The reservations voiced by many appear to boil down to the desire to maintain community, organizational and individual autonomy and contro

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Withholding medical procedures from patients that want it is about power, not medicine. The only religious values that matter in a doctor-patient relationship are, frankly, the patient’s.

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Last week, my friend Gregg Rocheford published a letter citing some often-quoted statistics about gun violence. The relatively low number of rifle murders as opposed to blunt objects, knives, etc. is really quite striking, but only if one assumes that “rifle” includes all homicides using firearms. I believe that this is the assumption that advocates of less gun regulation want you to make. When you include homicides by handguns, the picture looks entirely different.

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