Letters to the Editor

Schools

Films are valuable teaching tool

Of course films with a political bent should be shown in classes. This is not a new concept. The difference is that children are now viewing films in addition to (or instead of) reading politically motivated works. Can you imagine parents refusing to allow their child to read Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” or Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness?”

I’m not saying that Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” will end up in the same great company – only time will tell – but if we do not teach young people that it is OK (or even necessary) to question authority and then question those questioners, perhaps we will end up with a society more like that portrayed by Orwell’s “1984” or Huxley’s “Brave New World.”

I am so disappointed in the parents who were upset at the showing of this film; particularly since they could have opted their children out of class that day. If they were that strongly against the film, then why did they allow their child to view it? Perhaps it would have led to a lively dinner-time conversation; where they could have expressed their views and opinions, rather than just asking for someone to pass the meatloaf.

ANDREA RISEDEN-PERRY

Mill Creek

Merging cities

Benefits are in the

eye of the beholder

OK, as requested by Mike Echelbarger, I’ve considered merging Lynnwood, Edmonds, and “some obvious future annexations.” One benefit is as he described: the more South County cities we merge into one, the more influence it will have.

Of course people who choose to live in smaller towns have different reasons than those who choose, say, New York City or Chicago, and “influence” probably isn’t at the top of their lists.

Merging/annexation would certainly reduce the number of mayors and planning directors per square mile. My question is, if this is such a good idea, why should it stop with just South County cities? As the rancher said, “I don’t want all the land in the county, I just want the stuff that joins on to mine!”

Merging is not necessary to simplify road maintenance, fire and police protection, long-range planning, zoning and whatnot. We could simply pay the county to provide those services, but most people like to have control over what happens in their neighborhood, and so they like to have their own local offices and officials.

The problem of Olympic View Drive might get solved in a merger, but every city has low-priority zones, and any new city will be no exception.

One problem looms especially large: choosing a name for the merged city. Mr. Echelberger suggests “Edmonds” because it’s the oldest. There’s logic there, but I doubt Lynnwood et al would be satisfied.

I suggest a hybrid name that, I think, fits the concept: Ed Wood.

R. CUPLIN

Brier

Shopping

Edmonds provides

an alternative

My family celebrated in downtown Edmonds on Halloween. My boys raced to one store after another filling up their plastic pumpkins. My wife and I are lucky because our children are finally old enough so we can follow our children with our eyes instead of keeping them at hand. We enjoyed the party.

This year set a record. There were throngs of people of all ages, many in costume, most bundled up. Halloween in Edmonds is a tradition. Where else could our Mayor treat us to “property tax rebates?” Don’t we all wish they were real?

I’d like to thank the downtown merchants and the Chamber of Commerce for helping to make the Edmonds unique in a region of big box stores and malls. They do more than host annual celebrations. They help bring us together.

Ultimately, the business folk are trying to earn a living. It’s how they make a buck that keeps Edmonds special. A dollar spent downtown stays in Edmonds. It doesn’t go to some out-of-state conglomerate. Downtown businesses purchase most of their own goods and services from other locals. For example, would we have two local newspapers without the advertising revenue generated from the downtown businesses? And would we be able to know what’s happening in our community without the papers?

The dollar you spend in Edmonds goes round and round. The city receives a small portion each time it passes from one hand to another. In the past 12 months, the downtown merchants have collected a little more than a million dollars in sales tax revenue for the city’s general fund to help pay for our essential services.

Say thank you to the downtown businesses and enjoy yourself at the same time. Try downtown Edmonds when you shop for Christmas this year.

DON KREIMAN

Edmonds

National

Bush victory

brings concern

Already the letters to the editor are reflecting the division in our country after the presidential election. As a Kerry supporter, I thought it might be helpful to share my hopes rather than to grouse about what might have been.

My greatest concern is for my three grandchildren, two teenage boys and a 19-year-old girl. I want to know that they will not be part of a war in Iraq that we should have avoided, fought for people who want us out of their country. I hope for honesty when mistakes are made and I long for an intelligent plan to win the peace.

I want to know that in this second term we won’t further saddle my children and grandchildren with more debt while giving the wealthy more tax breaks.

I hope that our civil liberties will be restored, people will never again be arrested without being charged, and once more we will recognize that we are all innocent until proven guilty. In the words of Dwight Eisenhower, “May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.”

Finally, I look for a true separation of church and state. There is a new religious zealotry that seemed to play a major role in President Bush’s re-election. I have gone to church every week for 65 years and have been involved actively in my community, but even though I consider myself Christian, I am not one of the “in” Christians. I am suddenly understanding what it feels like to be “different,” and a little bit of what it must be like to be Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, atheist, or have a different sexual orientation.

We are all God’s children, every one of us. Let’s learn to respect each other and let God sort out who is morally superior to whom.

DICK VAN HOLLEBEKE

Edmonds