Letters to the Editor

Right to opinion, but respect neighbors
The Editor:
My family and I arrived in Blaine this last weekend from our home in Edmonds to begin our spring vacation in our condo here in Blaine. It is always our favorite place to retreat and we hope to make this our permanent place of residence in a few years. Weren�t we surprised and a bit annoyed to learn that the picture on page 3 of the April 10 � 16 edition of The Northern Light (Patriotic prayers for the public) is the same display that is directly below our condo on Peace Portal Drive.
As horns honk and traffic comes to a snail�s pace, I�m reminded how noble it has become for this former veteran to support our troops with many flags waving as he stomps on the rights of the citizens here at home looking for a peaceful holiday that is not to be obtained. I wonder if Mr. Manfra�s display would be appreciated by our troops if it were right outside their doorstep for several weeks?
In conversation with Mr. Manfra, it seems to matter very little to take into consideration the rights of his neighbors as he rallies his own personal beliefs at the expense of others. I remain thankful to our troops for protecting our freedoms and remain hopeful that one day Mr. Manfra will remember that consideration of your neighbors should go along with supporting our troops.
Virginia Reeves
Edmonds, WA

Two separate cat issues
The Editor:
I would like to comment on the letter to the editor in The Northern Light written by Ken Knutsen regarding �save the songbirds.�

I think that there are two separate cat issues. I agree that the feral cat issue should be looked at. On the other hand, I don�t think our pet cats should be kept inside all of the time. I talked with a local veterinarian regarding the issue and she pointed out that a cat that has been allowed to go outdoors would have a very stressful time if it were to then be kept inside all the time. She felt this was taking their rights away and this would not be very humane. We want to treat our cats as humanely as we would like to treat our birds.
The other issue with songbirds is that there is the hierarchy in the animal kingdom. There are birds of prey that also hunt these songbirds. Should we get rid of the birds of prey? Just a thought. Thanks for taking this into consideration.
Cheryl Fischer
Blaine

Blaine needs new name
The Editor:
On a recent trip, I met a young man who had heard of Semiahmoo. It was quite a unique name he thought. But he couldn�t recall the name of the city it was in.
I believe it to be a fact that places like St. Tropez, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, Carson City or Bar Harbor hold a sparkle of imagination for the average traveler that other places do not (Salinas, Pasco, Tigard, Bisbee). Blaine is one of those names that lack imagination.
�Blaine� as a name probably carried some political weight back in the 1800s. However, it is not very descriptive of the city it identifies.
A new name is needed! It will cost money to change the name, but it will also change the way the city does business. In 60 months, nearly 110 businesses have closed their doors in Blaine. This is a commercial emergency!
Our firm will hopefully be joined by others in offering a prize for the winning selection of the best new name � to be decided by our city council.
We are requesting that all suggestions for a new name be sent to the city council and that the council establish a re-naming committee. It is possible that a list of the best suggestions could be made available to the voters in a poll � if the council chooses to do so.
Our firm is contributing $1,000 to the re-naming prize fund in the hopes that our city will sparkle like the waters it sits beside.
We have another firm that is willing to add $500.
Joel Douglas,
owner Grandview Business Park
Bellingham

Love you, Danny Boy
The Editor:
Marrying Danny Thomas on August 31, 2002 was like marrying a whole community. Suddenly I was swept up in numerous numbers of family and friends. His love of sociability was ever apparent as when going to Yorky�s for milk could take well over an hour. I often thought he had a bigger than life persona.
Danny headed to California on February 12 to work for Timex. On to Utah, he completed a six week refinery job, heading home to Blaine March 28. He was able to help in our move to a new family home.
On April 1 Danny complained of extreme headache pain. Soon after I had him comfortable in bed, he had a brain aneurysm and went into a deep coma.
The past weeks have been a blur of hospitals, surgeons, decisions, grief and anguish. Unfortunately as new as our relationship was, we had yet to get around to wills and funeral planning. One never thinks this will happen to them, but then it did.
Thank you to all my wonderful friends and coworkers for your overwhelming support and kindness. Thanks to our fishermen friends of Blaine Harbor for assisting in every way possible. Thank you to caring neighbors. Only with your support does one find the energy to greet a new day.
Now I must reflect on the love and happiness Danny and I enjoyed. I only wish farewell had not have to come so soon. Love you, Danny Boy. Corren Thomas
Blaine

Local history needs to be collected, told
The Editor:
If you have either a story or a tall tale to tell about the �pictures from the past� section of The Northern Light, please contact me at 332-3402 or email me at jimzellwa@aol.com. My desire is to accumulate human interest accounts of the Blaine and Birch Bay area and make them available to current and future generations. The request for stories and tall tales include any and all person, places, things and events from the Blaine and Birch Bay past.
Jim Zell
Blaine

Speak your mind
The Editor:
America�s controversial presence in Iraq has stirred many people to express their judgement on our government�s actions. I am thankful for the courage and conviction of Americans who speak their minds, especially those who risk criticism for opposing the government�s military presence there. These are people who understand that to criticize the government is not to criticize America.
To those who have criticized war protestors, I say, the American government is not America. The people of America are America, and the exercise of our freedom of speech is absolutely essential to the preservation and prosperity of our democratic way of life. In America it is the truth that keeps us free, the truth each of us is willing to speak when we see something happening which feels inconsistent with our individual integrity.
Our greatest fear should be for an America in which citizens silence themselves and turn away from what is true for them out of senses of duty or loyalty to the government or one of its leaders. This is not my definition of patriotism. Our greatest commitment as American citizens must always be to our values, to our Bill of Rights. And when it comes to what our government does, our loyalty must always be to the obligations inherent in the Bill of Rights, among those the obligation to exercise and protect freedom of speech.
True Americans insist on our right to speak what is true for each of us. True Americans refuse to sacrifice freedom of speech in the name of security.
They understand that true security comes with always being willing to speak up and say your truth, even if you�re the only voice in the crowd. True Americans never protest the right of another American to protest. David Hallock
Blaine

Proud and ashamed
The Editor:
I have been wintering in the United States for over 20 years and am proud to say I have been treated well as a Canadian wherever I have gone.
I am ashamed of the Prime Minister�s decision to follow France�s lead in objecting to freeing the Iraqi people from this tyrant.
James Michener wrote that the American people are the most neighbourly people in the world and have demonstrated this in defeating Hitler and other tyrants, without claiming their land as theirs.
Their goal of furthering democracy is a noble one, fraught with their being disliked by many countries. I feel this is mainly because of their freedom and high standard of living. Many enemies of the U.S. are immigrating to the U.S., loving the prosperity but hating the Christian faith as it differs from theirs.
Our world is free because of the fierce pride of the American people and their dedication to helping those less fortunate. It is an awesome role with many pitfalls because not all decisions made will be in perfection.
I believe that President George Bush is a great leader with awesome responsibilities I would not want. I thank God that we live so close and hope we can continue to be trusted neighbors. This is my opinion.
Ray Friesen
Surrey, B.C.

Thanks for support
The Editor:
The family of Daniel L. Thomas would like to thank all whose love and support and expressions of sympathy were shown in the passing our loving son and devoted husband.
A special thanks to Reverend Dennis Wildermuth and the ladies of Grace Lutheran Church for the luncheon served after the service. Thank you and God bless you all.
Jean Thomas & family
Blaine

Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10 names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com