Board’s headline and editorial flawed

Your Aug. 3 editorial has an interesting headline: “City monument isn’t endorsing a religion.” The many letters to the editor surrounding this lawsuit have been disturbing. I’m curious to know what you (or any of your readers) think of when they see a star of David and a cross? My first thoughts are of religious beliefs. Since both of these symbols are at the bottom of the Ten Commandments monument, which belongs to the City of Everett, I associate the municipal government with religion. This is very obviously a religious text and it’s very obviously on city property.

Does your headline miss this point? Putting a disclaimer, as you suggest, next to this lovely piece of art is not the solution. It belongs in front of a church or in a cemetery or someone’s private property. I agree with your final statement that “people should work toward a reasonable settlement before the courts get involved.” As a taxpayer, I don’t want my money going to lawsuits that are losers. I’m sure there’s a lovely place to put this thing where it can be appreciated by those who find these monuments soothing and inspirational. Your headline is flawed. Your opinion is flawed. And, they certainly don’t belong together.

Marysville

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 26

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

The WA Cares law is designed to give individuals access to a lifetime benefit amount that, should they need it, they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports. (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services)
Editorial: Changes to WA Cares will honor voters’ confidence

State lawmakers are considering changes to improve the benefit’s access and long-term stability.

Burke: If Canada won’t join U.S., our state could look north

There are more pluses than minuses to becoming the 11th province, including an easy-to-sing anthem.

Comment: Governor should reconsider pulling fisheries expert

Gov. Ferguson, without explanation, canceled the reappointment of a Fish & Wildlife panel member.

Comment: U.S. allies get the message in Signal debacle

It’s clear what U.S. officials think of ouor allies, but so to is the administration’s ineptitude.

Comment: ‘Adolescence’ should wake us to plight of boys

The Netflix series delves into how boys and young men have fallen for toxic role models on social media.

Comment: Trump-onomics made sense to voters; less so now

The president’s trade war and other economic policies are wars of choice. He will own their effects.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Keep journalism vital with state grant program

Legislation proposes a modest tax for some tech companies to help pay salaries of local journalists.

A semiautomatic handgun with a safety cable lock that prevents loading ammunition. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Editorial: Adopt permit-to-purchase gun law to cut deaths

Requiring training and a permit to buy a firearm could reduce deaths, particularly suicides.

FILE - The sun dial near the Legislative Building is shown under cloudy skies, March 10, 2022, at the state Capitol in Olympia, Wash. An effort to balance what is considered the nation's most regressive state tax code comes before the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in a case that could overturn a prohibition on income taxes that dates to the 1930s. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: One option for pausing pay raise for state electeds

Only a referendum could hold off pay increases for state lawmakers and others facing a budget crisis.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, March 25

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, March 24

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.