Letters on letters

We should all thank Bill Collins for so carefully delivering the DNC/Russian/Al Qaeda talking points about the dangers of U.S. expansionism (Aug. 16, Bremerton Patriot). However, wherever I see U.S. troops deployed, I see an extremely grateful population that is thankful the troops are there to help and not oppress. Those who claim otherwise aren’t just trying to smear the president, but are really smearing the troops.

Our troops have performed wonderfully over the past seven years. They liberated Iraqi and Afghani peoples from oppressive tyrannical governments that were also enabling terrorism worldwide. They delivered aid to nations devastated by the tsunami in December 2004. They provide protection against piracy in the Horn of Africa area. The list could go on, but nowhere can anyone find where the United States seeks to add territory or control governments or industries.

Of course, in the same week that Bill Collins targets the troops and the president with claims of expansionism, the world was able to see true expansionism, as Russia invaded Georgia, with its democratically elected government that was trying to put down a criminal element that was being backed by Russia. Russia also sent a message to the world that it could target the major oil pipeline in Georgia, and could send oil prices sky-high again. (And that is another reason why the U.S. should embark on drilling everywhere, building nuclear

power plants, while continuing to research alternative energy sources, so we can defund those who are opposed to us — including Al Qaeda and Russia).

Mr. Collins also targets our support of Israel with anti-semetic distortions. Israel is one of only two Middle East countries that has a democracy (Iraq joined this short list in 2004, thanks to the efforts of our troops to liberate an oppressed population of 25 million people). It seems that Mr. Collins has little nice to say about democracies, or allies defending democracies, or troops liberating the oppressed and creating democracies. It is a shame he can’t have the benefit of living in a country such as Iraq, prior to our liberation of the people. Maybe then he could gain an appreciation of what we have tried to do.

MICHAEL VINEYARD

Bremerton

Election 2008

We are supposed to be fair and able to advertise our candidates like everyone else in this great country of ours.

But, unfortunately, there are those who never play fair.

Connie Lord’s signs have been torn down as soon as they go up. Now these signs cost money, hard-earned money. They have taken down more than 150 signs. There are a few who run around in a white truck and two of you thieves take them down and the only signs left are the Democratic signs.

Now let’s guess who is behind this? Afraid to play fair?

You take them from private property and in the right-of-way. I hope they catch you and give you a huge fine…or better yet, make you pay for every one…and expose you for who you truly are.

If anyone knows who is doing this, please speak up and be an American who believes in this country and fairness.

NANCY ZORROZUA

Bremerton

Robbing education funding

Numerous articles have appeared in the local press about Kitsap school districts struggling to cut their services and even teachers to balance their 2008-09 budgets yet how “hard” Kitsap legislators have worked funding our schools.

In 2005, all of Kitsap’s legislators except Woods voted for SB 6096 reinstating the death tax. The bill reads in part “the Legislature intends to address the adverse fiscal impact of the Hemphill v. Dept. of Revenue decision” and reinstated Washington state’s death tax specifically “to provide funding for education” (Education Legacy Trust Account). This account was to fund Citizen’s Initiative 728: “to increase education quality by reducing class size.”

In the 2008 legislative session, all Kitsap legislators except Sheldon voted to remove $67 million from the “dedicated” Education Legacy Trust account and move the money to the General Fund for the 2009 operating Budget. (HB 2687) The money from death taxes is still being collected but is now going into the General Fund.

Thanks to new transparency laws in government, legislators’ voting records can easily be reviewed (WashingtonVotes.org.). Voters can see for themselves who sponsors what and for which special interest, if any.

SHIRLEY BROWN

Poulsbo

Bremerton Port District

Well, it appears that another Bremerton Port District “stone” got kicked over and the sunlight is falling on another shady deal.

The Port District decided to expand the marina and needed both money and a clear path to permits. They get the money by picking our pockets with a massive tax increase that they don’t really bother to ask us about. They clear the permit path with a bit more back room skullduggery.

The Suquamish Tribe apparently had some objections to the marina construction project and either intended to appeal the permit application of indicated they might. It really does not matter which because, as a quasi-independent jurisdiction, they have been given the authority, by the courts, to take such action. The basis for appeal rests in the Tribes’ authority to protect “usual and accustomed” fishing waters.

The Port decided to avoid the appeal by entering into “negotiations” with the Tribe. Apparently the “negotiations” were not conducted in public

session although there is no known provision of the Public Meetings Act that provides for executive sessions for this purpose. The outcome, reached in 2005 (about the same time the tax decision was made), was simply to buy off the Tribe. The agreement signed by the Tribe and the Port requires annual payments of $7,000 to the Tribe in perpetuity, a $10,000 one-time payment to a net damage fund and some reserve space at the Port Orchard Marina. Our tax dollars are simply transferred to the Tribe and we get to repair nets that we didn’t damage. And as for citizens looking for mooring space at the Marina they paid for — sorry. Once again the public received no notice of the “negotiations” or the deal that was reached but we suffer the consequences.

If a major corporation, intent on expansion, was to enter secret negotiations with another jurisdiction, to prevent roadblock to that expansion, and the end result was monetary payoff with public funds and transfer of public property, it would be front page news and the parties would be getting a visit from the prosecutor’s office. This entire affair has all of the indicators of conspiracy, bribery, extortion and malfeasance or misfeasance in office. Take your pick. Voting to approve a shady deal three years after the fact does not remove the stink or the stain.

Have you had enough as a taxpayer? We have replaced one of the commissioners because of failure to execute the public trust to “maintain and protect individual rights.” Perhaps it is time to move forward to replace the other two commissioners involved in this entire mess.

JACK HAMILTON

Silverdale