I want to add to the recent discussion of pedestrian safety: I am appalled by the large percentage of pedestrians who walk the highway and other roads facing the same way as traffic.
I’ve been writing and researching about the loss of our rights and freedoms for many years now. What I’ve discovered now is something some might even consider more ominous and immediate.
Appreciation goes to the black tail deer who have given their lives (“Vashon visitors appreciate island hospitality,” Jan. 7). Not for sport, one would hope, but from a quick kill, for food, not to waste, but to give thanks.
John Hasty’s letter of appreciation of our island’s hospitality during hunting season was most gracious (“Vashon visitors appreciate island hospitality,” Jan. 7). It was good to see that he, with his family, was able to enjoy our woods and wildlife, both live and dead.
I would like to take a few minutes to offer a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the residents of Vashon and Maury Island. I belong to a very small group of blacktail deer hunters who have been treated so well by residents that words alone are insufficient to express our gratitude for you hosting us each year.
In regard to the two letters to the editor: “Schools should stop teaching evolution,” (Dec. 24) and “Evolution: The subject is one of the most important for schools to teach,” (Dec. 31).
Baahaus Animal Rescue Group provides an important service to our rural community (“Couple creates a sanctuary for farm animals,” Dec. 31).
People read The Beachcomber to stay current on the issues affecting Vashon Island. Issues we’ve seen too much of include suicide, concerns over violence in schools and the impact of drug addiction on our community. I want to encourage people who care about these things to support Vashon Youth & Family Services (VYFS) this winter because their work makes a difference in these issues.
In response to Peter Thalhofer’s letter (“Schools should stop teaching evolution,” Dec. 24), I would like to say that evolution is one of the most important subjects that can be taught in school.
A recent big news item is the release of a highly redacted government report on the tortures that we committed in Iraq and other black sites around the world. The administration’s spin on the release of this report, which is being mirrored in the mainstream media, is that the most important thing about this is that it will endanger Americans when so-called terrorists learn what we did to so many of their friends and relatives. Actually, they already have a pretty good idea.
I’m writing to remind readers to visit the Vashon heritage museum during the holidays. It’s open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, except Christmas. It’s a not-to-be missed and intriguing experience.
“Suicide Prevention” curriculum in the schools sounds like a good idea, but it faces a huge hurdle.
I’d like to commend the school district’s recent recognition of the state of our young people (“Schools begin wide suicide prevention effort,” Dec. 17). One thing still worries me, however: the use of the term “at-risk students.”