January 2008

Politicians fascinate because they constitute such a paradox; they are an elite that accomplishes mediocrity for the public good.

George Will, Syndicated columnist

Anyone who drives past Burien's Town Square site knows the traffic lanes at Southwest 152nd Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest weren't designed by the brightest of engineering minds.

Motorists often are backed up at green lights because there are no dedicated left-turn lanes.

Two weeks ago the lead editorial in The Herald asked the Republicans to set forth their programs for Seattle. Let us hope they don't respond, for if they do the echo of Iowa and Huckabee's born again followers will ring loud and clear.

Seattle doesn't need a Republican response - Seattle needs a common sense response to reign in the idiotic ultra-liberal Democrats who have taken illegal control of the so-called "non-partisan" politics of Seattle, King County and Washington State.

Tough talk on the viaduct replacement seems to be a reversal of decision. After the 2001 Nisqually Quake our governor and Legislatures allocated $2.8 billion for the viaduct replacement. This was a firm promise in regards to the public safety. Seven years passed and we still don't have a viaduct replacement and we won't until a new option is decided by 2012, some 11 years later. Looks as though the safety of the public was put on hold.

The two options on the table are a surface street/transit and an elevated structure. We have both now but not to the liking of some.

If someone sent you a letter to be on a committee and you didn't even know why, would you jump to serve?

Why oh why do we waste money on time, materials, personnel etc. for elections if they mean diddlysquat to the elected officials?

Give me a break.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct Stakeholder Advisory Committee should not only consider replacing the Viaduct but also repairing it. Why are Washington State Department of Transportation and the city stonewalling the idea of strengthening the structure to resist future earthquake forces as proposed by Vic Gray and other structural engineers? Strengthening the Viaduct is a reasonable solution and certainly involves less cost and less traffic congestion than replacing it.

Bill Ward

West Seattle

In my Dec. 13 letter to the Editor listing "another reason to remove Jim McDermott from office." (Sometimes referred to as Baghdad Jim as a result of a visit he made to Iraq where he met with terrorists, but not with our own troops) I mentioned an article in the Dec. 13 Post-Intelligencer, but didn't give the details hoping people would read the article and draw their own conclusions.

I enjoyed Dave Kannas' initial bicycle column, notwithstanding its wordiness. However, I have a lot more in common with his wife.

I, too, own only "two bicycles." I wouldn't be caught dead riding either one of them "as transportation" on Seattle's streets, and I, too, view the clip-on or toe-cage pedal as "diabolical" if not suicidal.

So, Ms. Kannas, anytime you'd like to usurp Mr. Kannas' column, I'd like to hear from you.

John Leonard

Junction

This evening my wife and I went to the Admiral Theater. We were supprised by the very low attendance. If people don't start supporting our theater we may lose it.

Paul Jensen

West Seattle

I took special notice of the articles by Matthew G. Miller that appeared in the Herald on Jan. 9. I am acquainted with Matthew. He is a good writer.

He provides ample information, clearly presented. No wasted words. His opening sentence and paragraph are well focused; they lead to what follows.

I will continue to look for more writings by Matthew.

Alma Penberthy

West Seattle

I realize that this is a week late, but it is the first chance I have had to send my comment on your article of Jan. 2, 2008, entitled 'Metropolitan Market First Here to Have Reusable Bags.'

If this is the way you research all your articles, then I wonder if we are wasting our money on your paper! All the stores in West Seattle (Safeway, PCC, QFC, And several others) have had reusable bags for some time. Even Costco, which isn't far from West Seattle, has excellent, large ones for sale. And they all cost much less than the '$2.00 each' that you quote Metro Market will be charging.