Don’t claim to speak for victims

I would like to respond to the opinion expressed in a Thursday letter, that “the president should stay in the ‘other’ Washington” instead of visiting the Oso area. While venting one’s dislike for Obama may provide therapeutic value, we tend to make fools of ourselves when the basis for our displeasure is nothing more than conjecture. For instance, we don’t know that “he and his crony entourage are invading our county simply for a hard-hat photo op.” Nor do we know that “He’ll do nothing more than create more traffic backups and huge distractions at a time when our county needs to remain focused on our own recovery.”

While there may be people in the Oso area who share these views, there have also been reports of officials, workers, volunteers and family members there who do consider it important that the president visit and see first-hand what the community has suffered and what has been accomplished since the tragedy. Yet, a person from another place claims to know better and would prefer that their wishes be denied. With all due respect, it just doesn’t get any more uncaring and small-minded than that.

Dan Postema

Everett