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To the editor,

Down through the ages whether in chains or cuffs character has been more important than color. Guilt from defying authority brings on bad consequences and defines character. In spite of being either free or prisoner the issue is not color.

We need to get out priorities straight by the Book or we get what we deserve. Sometimes it’s death through not always.

Seventy years ago, at age 27, I was headed for Hell. Grace was offered to me and I accepted it. I am here to tell you to choose Grace and respect authority. Grace has no color bar; neither does Sin. Without respect for authority, in cahoots with prejudice, a person’s good picture of himself distorts his character as to who he is and his so-called love of others.

If we choose to defy authority by promoting violence and reaping community chaos nothing constructive gets accomplished. Nobody changes. Our fallen nature results in trashed streets, burned vehicles, broken store fronts and looting. It’s not about who’s right but what’s right. Only Jesus Christ can clear our muddled minds and hearts from the haze of anger, hate, and greed that reside within. Ultimately, “when I point my finger at my neighbor” or at any of you, “three more are pointing back at me.” It puts me (us) on the spot.

Phillip Monfort

Waitsburg, Wash.

To the editor,

Teaching Psychology for 20 years at Spokane Falls Community College was such a learning experience–for me. I hope the students also learned a lot about the “Scientific study of behavior and mental processes”. When teaching the section on Evolutionary Psychology, it was always interesting to ask the classes if anyone knew about the Darwin Awards. Sheepishly, some students, especially boys, would raise their hands, grinning from ear to ear. For those of you who don’t know, every year people are selected for Darwin Awards–the dumbest things people do that actually eliminate themselves from the gene pool.

With all the people overly anxious to “reopen” the country and not wear masks, not maintain physical distance, not wash hands or carry out other precautions–is it possible that 2020 will be exceptional and have a huge number of Darwin Awards? I hope not.

Nancy Street

Cheney, Wash.

To the editor,

For years, we’ve depended on The Chronicle to give us the viewpoint of what’s happening in Dayton, a place that has great meaning for us. Do we always agree with the politics? No, but we appreciate and learn from the perspective.

However, A.F. Branco’s cartoon of June 18th is not a different perspective. It’s just utterly false. Alice and I live a very short bike ride from the CHOP/CHAZ site here on Capitol Hill in Seattle. We have visited the site a couple of times and just wandered through the “zone.” There is no fence. No barbed wire. No gates. No ID requirements. Absolutely no “whites pay $10” (a piece of utter racism which should get Branco barred from the Chronicle).

Do we agree with all the means and demands of the demonstrators? No, but their issues, the protests, and indeed the CHOP situation are important and complex. And it is entirely unhelpful to print outright lies, be they in print or in a cartoon. It’s discouraging to see Branco’s divisive passel of lies and know it is affecting all your readers.

Can you go back to Glenn McCoy or Michael Ramirez?

Doug Hobkirk

Seattle, Wash.

To the editor,

Primary election day is approaching. Early voting begins on July 17th. Danielle Garbe Reser is the Democratic Party candidate for the 16th legislative district senate seat. Her experience, accomplishments and commitment to working for the common good are unmatched.

After graduating from Whitman College, cum laude, Danielle earned a master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University on a full-ride scholarship from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and the United States State Department. Between 2002-2015, Danielle worked for the Department of State serving in danger and hardship posts in places like Beirut, Lebanon and Jakarta, Indonesia. Her crisis management experience included aiding American victims of Bali terrorist attacks in 2002, and organizing humanitarian responses to the Syrian war. She served on the staff of Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in the Bush administration, and on the National Security Council staff of the Obama administration.

In 2015, Danielle returned to Eastern Washington to become the CEO of the Sherwood Trust, the largest private foundation serving Walla Walla and Columbia counties. As CEO, Danielle oversaw investments in initiatives that created jobs, improved community infrastructure and strengthened nonprofit programs.

The rural founders’ tour that she created attracted over half a million dollars in new grants to the region. For her accomplishments she was awarded the Philanthropy Northwest Ambassador of the Year award in 2017. In 2019 she won a national award from Exponent Philanthropy for the “outsized impact” of this rural philanthropy partnership.

Danielle is a member of Rotary, serves as the vice chair of Whitman College’s Presidential Advisory Board and is an ex-officio member of Whitman’s Board of Trustees. Among others, she is endorsed by the Children’s Campaign Fund, founded in 1989, to provide for the health, well-being, safety and education of all children.

Danielle will be a powerful voice for rural communities in the 16th legislative district. The district needs leadership in Olympia, not self-interest. Please vote for Danielle Garbe Reser.

Gretchen de Grasse

Walla Walla, Wash.