Shall we take up arms against socialist Sweden?

First off we all should thank Mr. Roulstone for his service and those who put their life on the line for democratic freedoms. Yet his first paragraph of his recent letter to the editor seems a contradiction, saying he will not stand for other’s rightful opinions, as the established meaning of not standing for something is not to accept, permit or endure that something (“Rep. Larsen sides with socialists by seeking to impeach Trump,” The Herald, July 25). Another slip of the tongue, pen in this case, that we misunderstood?

He’s correct in that we fight against Russia, China and North Korea, as we do with other nations because they are tyrants and rule by force. If it were their political social views, then shouldn’t we also be at war with Canada, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Peru, Ireland and the many more social democracies spread across the world? Not advocating one way or the other, one might do well spending some time researching the history of the socialist movement; like when, why and how it started and the differences between communism and a social democracy today.

With all that aside though, Rep. Larsen’s stance just might not be so much about supporting the Squad’s’ politics, but rather for their right to express without the uncalled-for retribution. The same reason Mr. Roulstone put on the uniform, right?

Dennis Doolittle

Arlington

Talk to us

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, March 25

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

Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: What’s needed to get Link light rail on track

Sound Transit needs to streamline its process, while local governments ready for rail and stations.

Comment: Lawmakers risk second lawsuit over special education

Legislative funding proposals for special education fall far short of what school districts are due.

Comment: Hydro remains key to our next ‘Great Electrification’

Moving to a carbon-free electrical grid will rely on all sources of clean energy, especially hydropower.

Comment: Legislation could threaten access to telehealth

A bill to protect consumers’ health data could inadvertently undermine teleheath services.

Forum: Don’t allow hate to go unchallenged in our communities

Arlington and Snohomish County can’t stay silent in the face of hate crime attacks of family and friends.

Dan Hazen
Forum: When our thoughts don’t square with beliefs, we justify

We seem easily able to dismiss nagging thoughts when our actions don’t match our stated viewpoints.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, March 24

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

Cathlamet, the Washington State Ferry that crashed in Seattle last month, sits at the Port of Everett on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. The ferry will require extensive repairs after a hard landing crumpled one corner of the boat at the Fauntleroy dock on July 28. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State needs quicker route for its new ferries

‘Build in Washington’ can be scraped as a mandate, while still counting benefits of in-state shipyards.

Most Read