For the last couple of days, we’ve been vacationing on San Juan Island and have been fortunate to see the orca whales several times off the southwest side of the island. What an amazing sight! It’s even more amazing to see how close the whale-watching boats get to them.
Isn’t it a shame — and a bit typical — that your next-door neighbor complains about you to the newspaper, instead of walking 30 feet across the grass and asking you directly about things? (“Threats to local orcas,” page 8, Sept. 2 Journal). Jim Pound would have saved himself a lot of embarrassment if he had only taken the time to come over.
I remember Gale Carter. I was come-lately in Gale’s life. I was at Mullis Center perhaps a couple years ago when this bear of a man out of the blue seized my hand, pumped it several times and asked who I was, what I was doing there and what I had done with my life. At that point, Gale did not know me or I him, but from the vise-grip he had on my paw I was convinced he did not intend that state of affairs to continue.
There are too many to list individually, but thank you to those who volunteered and worked a shift or two at the booth during the fair. I also want to thank everyone who bought a burger or hot dog at the American Legion Auxiliary booth at the fair.
If we really want to save the whales, we should be focusing our efforts on these issues rather than perceived notions and unproven claims based on an organization’s agenda that will have little or no impact.
Many of us are not fully aware that all industrialized countries except the United States guarantee necessary health care to all their citizens, and usually to visitors as well.
Save the dates: This year’s recycling collections of agricultural plastics are as follows (all from noon to 5 p.m.).
As a resident of Lopez Island, I wish to share a little story about a Good Samaritan on San Juan Island. My son and wife were visiting from New Wilmington, Pa., and wanted to visit San Juan Island and to stay in a B&B, and with bikes they could explore the island. Upon meeting a family on the ferry, they were told about a great ride out Roche Harbor way.
In response to a recent letter from an interested citizen regarding this July’s Independence Day celebrations, we share the sentiment that it is wonderful that there were only a few minor fires and no reported fireworks-related injuries in our county.
I am aware of the ongoing debates about the orcas and the boat traffic. It sounds like the whole thing is escalating rapidly. For a very thoughtful approach to the issue, you should check out Monika Wieland’s blog at www.orcawatcher.blogspot.com dated Aug. 26. Perhaps it is something that should be shared with your readers.
If we really want to save the whales, we should be focusing our efforts on these issues rather than perceived notions and unproven claims based on an organization’s agenda that will have little or no impact.
In his Aug. 5 letter, John Boyd suggested that I “turn myself in” and that I apologize to Kari Koski (and everyone who volunteers for Soundwatch) for making the point that Koski, in her role as Soundwatch spokesperson, serves as an echo chamber for the whale-watch industry. To Koski, I would say, if you’re going to act as a spokesperson and be quoted in the newspaper on public policy issues, you have to be ready for people to disagree with you.
It has been a month now and I have searched each issue of The Journal for the expected reports of fireworks-caused forest fires, homes and barns burned down, human deaths or injuries from fireworks, even reports of animal injury. And what horror stories have I found? None! Nothing, nada, zero. Another safe and sane Fourth of July!