Letters to the Editor

I read with dismay a letter from Carolyn Riplinger of the Northwest Professional Educators, claiming that teacher strikes are illegal. In reality, the statute that she cites, the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act refers to non-certified employees and does not prohibit strikes by teachers.

There's a reason why educators are not prohibited from striking by statute, while public employees such as police and firefighters are. These critical employees have been granted binding arbitration to resolve their economic and working-condition disputes. If educators don't have the right to strike or binding arbitration, they have no means to effectively address collective concerns.

Educators do respect and honor the laws of this state and nation. They also have an appreciation for the history of the American labor movement and rights attained by and for workers. They realize their responsibility for maintaining public education as a cornerstone of a democratic society. The health of public education will continue to depend on professional educators who use the legal means at their disposal to positively affect enhancing their professional lives. I have no interest in eroding that right and responsibility.

David Scott
Vice President
Washington Education Association
Federal Way

Sixth-grader most anxious to go to school

I am going to be in the sixth grade at Issaquah Middle School. I have been very excited about going back to school. I have always loved school and my teachers.

However, because of the teacher strike, I am not able to go to school. I do believe that the teachers are underpaid because of the important work they do educating children. I do have some concerns regarding the strike. This is not the time to strike with the economy doing poorly. The strike is also cutting into the school year. Teachers have to realize that there are lots of people who work more hours and get less time off. Many of these people also get paid less than teachers.

My teachers and parents have taught me to make my education my first priority. Teachers have made the choice to teach. By deciding to strike, teachers are not following through with their first priority.

Although teachers are underpaid, I think children and their families are getting punished by the teachers' actions. I hope I can go to school soon.

Mandy Nussbaum
Bellevue

Didn't state voters give teachers a wage increase?

I'm really confused. I thought that when we voted in a yearly guaranteed wage increase for all teachers in our state, we were guaranteeing them a living wage. Why are they always asking for more?

Don't teachers realize their paychecks come out of the pockets of the taxpaying public of this state, not all of whom have children in the schools? Teachers, how about giving us a break for once and get on with your nine-month job.

Glen Kaner
Seattle

SPORTS

Baseball, football, hockey and the rest are businesses

Could you explain to your readers why the Seattle P-I and hundreds of other metropolitan dailies continue to run both business and sports sections? The division between these two interests was bridged years ago, yet some people seem to think professional baseball, basketball, hockey and football are sports, rather than businesses. Get real.

That ended years ago when "players" acquired agents and demanded contracts like movie stars. Now the players have unions, like machinists and other people who actually do contribute something to our economy.

When Alex Rodriguez can get $25.2 million per year on a 10-year contract, on a team that has clearly established squatters' rights on last place, please tell me what this has to do with the "game"?

Perhaps at my age (77), when I can still remember Willie Mays being embarrassed about accepting $100,000 per year for doing something he said he would be doing for free, maybe my perspective is skewed.

No, it is baseball that is skewed, and the fans have been had.

James A. Young
Seattle

IRAQ ATTACK

Talk of waging war exemplifies administration's arrogance

President Bush's proposal to declare war on Iraq is not only extremely stupid and illegal; it is also just another example of how he and his administration are extremely arrogant, belligerent and ignorant (read: in over their heads).

Look at the facts: No tie has been established between Iraq and Sept. 11; no other country currently supports this plan; Congress has not been consulted and its approval has not been sought; most foreign affairs experts agree that this plan would make the Middle East even more volatile and thus diminish, not enhance, our national security; thousands of people will die; our country is struggling with another George Bush recession and a war would only make it worse, adding to the already growing national deficit.

If the administration proceeds on its present course, we will have become the enemy we have always feared. Our stature as one of the most "moral and just" countries in the world will be greatly reduced and we will become the pariah of the world.

Democrats and rational Republicans are calling this plan crazy. Call me cynical, but the motivation for this madness must be either to naively influence the November elections, increase the profits of oil companies or to bring on the "rapture." Please ask yourself if you are willing to sacrifice your kids for this war. Believe me, the folks advocating this madness sure won't be sacrificing theirs -- they never do.

Daniel O'Connell
Seattle

George 'Warmonger' Bush might regret attacking Iraq

King George W.'s call for war against Iraq caused me to recall Japan's "pre-emptive strike" against our naval forces in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Japan said America was "an evil nation that threatened Japan's national interests."

They lived to regret it only after more than a million Japanese died.

Setting aside a human tendency of arrogance, what is the difference between Japan's strike at Pearl Harbor and Bush's strike against Iraq? Would we also live to regret it?

It wouldn't be the first time that when things go bad in an economy and the natives are restless, a nice little war will rally the people around their president.

All of which prompted me to wonder what George W.'s middle initial stands for? Could it be "Warmonger" or "Wag-the-Dog" to take national attention off an ailing economy and a stock market that went into the tank? Have the inmates taken over the asylum?

Gus R. Stelzer
Mill Creek

COUNTY BUDGET CUTS

Vulnerable elders need county's senior services

Recent editorials about the impact of King County's $50 million budget shortfall on human services have painted only part of the picture. They have accurately described how funding cuts will severely reduce services providing child care, youth services and support for victims of domestic violence. However, they have not mentioned what the budget cuts will mean to frail and vulnerable elders.

On the other end of the age spectrum, elder care programs are as essential to families as child care. Older people and the families that care for them rely on community services that support senior independence and allow seniors to live in the community for as long as possible.

Our programs provide nutritious meals, transportation to medical appointments, legal and consumer information, caregiver support, elder abuse prevention programs, outreach to ethnic communities and minor home repair. Elders stay as healthy as possible by attending lifetime fitness classes and by volunteering to help their peers. The most frail elders go to adult day health centers throughout King County, where they receive assistance with their medications, physical activity and socialization in a supervised and supportive environment. At the same time, their caregivers get a reprieve to do the things that are important to their own well-being.

The proposed King County budget cuts will have a major impact on senior centers and adult day health centers located in rural areas.

I urge you to call or write your King County Council members and County Executive Ron Sims regarding the proposed budget cuts to health and housing services for all ages. We must advocate for those who cared for us -- our parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors and neighbors -- to ensure that the social services fibers of the community safety net include older adults, too.

Jan Knutson
President & CEO
Senior Services
Seattle

Seniors won't be locked out by changes in housing policy

The Sept. 7 P-I included a front-page article, "Seniors locked out by changes in housing policy," which I believe could mislead your readers.

The rent increase discussed in the article is a prudent one that keeps faith with Seattle taxpayers who passed bonds in 1981 to build the affordable apartments for the Seattle Senior Housing Program. That bond package included no money for maintenance and it required that the housing built be self-sustaining. Now, after nearly 20 years, it is time to repair and make improvements to these units.

Yes, the rent increase from $210 to $390 is significant . But, it reflects the very real costs of operating housing, which have been inflating for years. The increase will make sure the SSHP buildings remain a safe and decent place to live for future generations. This increase also will enable the Seattle Housing Authority to keep this program self-sustaining as promised the voters at the time of the election.

No one currently living in SSHP housing will have to leave. Your article also notes that this rent increase means some low-income seniors will not qualify for elderly housing. This is not correct. Those who cannot afford $390 per month still will qualify for other SHA programs that enjoy federal housing subsidies, programs that provide more than 3,000 apartments located all over the city and are safe and comfortable.

Meanwhile, the SSHP program will continue to provide safe, decent and affordable apartments to seniors at 30 percent of median income ($16,350), in keeping with the intent of the original 1981 bond issue.

Jennifer T. Potter
Chairwoman
Board of Commissioners
Seattle Housing Authority
DROPOUTS

More juvenile court time to keep kids in school

As a truancy intervention specialist at Madison Middle School, it frustrates me to read about the dropout rates. As I file all the necessary documents to take a truant student to court, I am held up by the available time allocated in the juvenile court for truancy-related issues.

There is a very limited amount of court time assigned truancy issues. I can wait two to three months for an available court date for a student having shown a truancy pattern. This student already is on the road to dropping out.

Legislators weakened the Becca Bill, tying our hands even more. To keep kids in school, we need more court time to stop the behavior at an early onset.

Barbara Vadakin
Seattle

KALAKALA

Port wasted money on unneeded runway

No wonder the Port of Seattle will not consider the $16.3 million proposal from the Kalakala Foundation; the port wasted many times this amount on the third runway proposal at Sea-Tac. I would much rather see my tax dollars go to restore this classy old vessel, making it accessible to all on the waterfront. The alternative is more environmental degradation and blight to communities near the airport.

Dennis MacCoumber
Seattle

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