The Editor:
President Donald Trump, I suspect for many, is not an easily likable individual. More strongly, he’s likely an easily dislikable individual. Go figure, he did not spend the bulk of his adult life as a politician; publicly making statements refined by handlers, opining poetically false piety, conscious misdirection of policy positions, etc.
Trump is the only person ever to be elected President who previously had never run for political office – he was this nation’s first ‘non-political’ presidential opportunity – what many had often wished for. Now we are, apparently, shocked at what that is like.
He very often (and often to his disadvantage) does not give a damn about how he comes across. This is a trait that many of us used to find, maybe, refreshing? Yes, Trump is at times, or seems, crude, opinionated and often self-indulgent.
However, he’s not your minister, family counselor or life coach. He’s in charge of the most complex secular entity in the world. And I believe his primary concerns are, near hourly, focused on doing that for the betterment of that entity. He assigns strong capable operatives, who are well founded in their respective disciplines, to cabinet and bureaucratic positions (unlike political favoritism appointments of almost all previous presidents).
My intention, in this local publication, here in the far northwest corner of the country, is not to affect anyone to vote for Trump and influence the outcome of the upcoming presidential election (particularly considering the representative influence of this state). It’s not even to convince anyone to now like Trump – that’s even difficult for those of us who support him.
My hope is that those of you who identify with his opposition – at least understand and accept us who do support him. My interests are selfish, as I do regularly wear Trump and Pence attire around the community and want to reduce the likelihood of having the likes of tomatoes or eggs thrown at me.
We do love you liberals, hoping you understand us.
Peter Werner
Blaine
The Editor:
The Port of Bellingham and various school officials are working on getting internet to those who don’t have it. One company they have reached out to is Comcast. We can help nudge Comcast to bring their service to all of Blaine. “How?” you ask. By calling Comcast at 800/xfinity. This may show them that there is enough demand to bring service to more of Blaine. They may tell you they don’t currently service your address. Ask to be put on a list for potential future growth. Let’s show them the potential for growth in Blaine.
Thank you for your time and please call.
Marci McCarthy
Blaine
The Editor and Mickey Masdeo:
When I read your letter in the last edition of The Northern Light, I wished we could sit down for a visit. You seemed to be looking for answers and expressed some distress over an article written by a young Black woman who was explaining the Black perspective. You felt her perspective was too negative and what she said seemed to offend you. I am a privileged white person, just like you, so maybe you will find it easier to hear what I am saying.
Because your family willingly came to the U.S. and experienced the hardships of not speaking the language, survived and became good citizens, do not equate that with being kidnapped from your home and brought to the U.S. as a slave.
Your white privilege allowed your family to prosper. White skin, which you did not earn, gave you an advantage and helped you reap rewards throughout your life … rewards that are denied to people with Black skin.
Because you have never personally observed racism, do not assume racism does not exist. Because you had one Black friend, you have not proven you are not a racist.
As a low-income landlord you saw firsthand how people must use whatever means necessary to survive in a system that over incarcerates and denies equal opportunities for employment, education, voter rights and all other manner of rights because their skin is Black.
All lives do matter. Black Lives Matter asks us to acknowledge that Black lives have value and deserve equal respect and treatment. Black Lives Matter is an organization that does not advocate violence.
The marches and rallies promoting Black Lives Matter have been predominantly peaceful. Anarchists and troublemakers will always take advantage of a situation to further their lawless cause. Know troublemakers for who they are and do not confuse them with peaceful protesters.
Aggressive police action taken against citizens, both Black and white, who are publicly congregating and exercising free speech, a constitutional right, has created many of the violent street scenes.
So, here I am, Mickey, a white person, explaining what it feels like to be Black and how words and deeds that a Black person lives with every day are hurtful and damaging.
But, you know, it’s really not my place to do this. It’s time for us to stop telling the story from our perspective. It’s time for us to stop interpreting the Black story. It’s time us white folks to sit down and listen.
Georgia Donovan
Blaine
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