Death with dignity

It’s a useless

catch phrase

Hopefully we can get by the “catchy phrase” death with dignity.

Hopefully we can see that it is bad. Bad prop and bad medicine. As I see it, we should question things that:

• Allow us to do things without informing anyone (family or friends)

• Allow them to cover up so we can’t review what has been done.

• Allow them to deliberately falsify the death certificate.

Further education reveals that:

• Washington State Medical Association says it’s a bad idea.

• American Medical Association along with 49 other states oppose it. Yes, Oregon Medical Association opposes it too.

• Many Washington Legislators oppose it. That is why is as a prop and not legislation.

Those who want a “cheap, quick exit” – go for it.

Those who don’t should know that it is fundamentally incompatible with life.

Jack Bartlett

Poulsbo

Reader feedback

No free rides in

a free market

In her column last Saturday, Val Torrens said that Metro in Seattle should continue to provide shuttle service to Seahawks games, for which it charges $6, when the cost of providing the service is $25. As she also said, people want something for nothing, or close to it, and the only entity that has a chance of doing that is the public sector. But there is no free lunch. The difference between what the service costs and what Metro charges for it must be paid by someone other than the rider who benefits from it, which is unfair and akin to larceny. A noted historian said that all great civilizations decline when people vote themselves largesse from the public treasury, yet people continue to vote for politicians (mostly Democrats) who promise them something for nothing or close to it.

But the cost of that something must be borne not only by the voters who want it but also by the voters who do not want it by confiscating their money through taxes, which again is unfair and akin to larceny. We are talking here only about services that can be provided by the private sector, not essential public services that can be provided only by government. Providing shuttle service to people who have enough discretionary income to attend a Seahawks game is not an essential public service.

In a free market, the private sector provides better service at lower cost than a government monopoly.

The government monopoly might charge less for the service because it is subsidized, but the subsidy comes from people who are forced to pay it even though they do not benefit from the service.

Stan Teigland

Poulsbo

Andy Anderson fishing pier

What happened

to the fishing pier?

Editor’s note: If you have any information about the fate, or history, of the Andy Anderson Fishing Pier on the Hood Canal floating bridge, please e-mail editor@northkitsapherald.com.

I have just returned to California after a recent visit to Poulsbo and the surrounding area after a nine-year hiatus. I now live in the Sierra Nevada mountains, but I spent my summers growing up in the 1960s and 1970s staying with my grandmother and grandfather, Kay and Andy Anderson, at a two-story house on the water in Vinland.

In late fall of 1987, the Andy Anderson Fishing Pier was commemorated at the former toll area of the eastern approach to the Hood Canal floating bridge. A plaque was installed at the head of the fishing pier, talking about the importance of public access to the water for fishing and recreation.

Last week, my family and I drove to the floating bridge to see the plaque once again. I was distressed to find out that it was gone. No one in the vicinity knew what I was talking about. I have since learned that the fishing pier was closed after 9-11. I am looking for information regarding this event but am not having much luck digging it up on the internet.

Michael Paul Anderson

Nevada City, Calif.

Thanks!

Summer program was great

I wish to thank all of the families that participated in our summer program again this year. We had children return to us from all over the United States and the world.

The children were fabulous. I can’t thank my staff enough for the spectacular curriculum that was created for our summer camps. The camps consisted this year of swimming, horseback riding, cooking, environmental studies and gardening, sports, music and dance.

We enjoyed several celebrations and performances throughout the summer.

Hats off to the kids, they are extremely talented group, ages 3 years to 12 years old.

All my love and appreciation goes to the families that were here this summer. It was the best summer imaginable.

We are now getting ready for Montessori classes this fall and I can’t wait to see everyone again next year. Our new Web site will capture much of the summer’s activities and will be up for viewing in another month.

Janice Pederson,

Owner of Hazel Creek Montessori