Letters, week of March 12, 2025: Cold War, Part II; mules, cats, rats, Social Security

Editor,

Outstanding reporting on the North Cascades National Park mule team (CDN, March 8, 2025), the packer and the crews and public they serve. We need this type of in-depth reporting for the public to know what is at stake when federal services are cut. So much history and tradition is overrun by data calls and number crunching from people who live in the East and have never quieted their mind for a minute walking (or riding) a trail on our public lands.

Well done CDN!

Greta Movassaghi

Rockport

Editor,

Your story about pack mules (CDN, March 8, 2025) reminded me of my late friend Patrick Hartburg who worked on the mule pack string for the U.S. Forest Service out of Darrington in the 1980s and 1990s. Patrick loved telling stories about pulling into a camp of backcountry firefighters in the dark after a day of fighting fire with a load of supplies, including steaks and beer, which made them instant celebrities.

He also told tales of dynamiting a dead bear on a trail that couldn’t be moved otherwise. He called what remained “takeaway” for ravens and wolves. In the off-season, Patrick stayed in shape climbing icefalls. Like Heather Koon-Swanson, he was a special breed of person, and a delight to have known.

Jay Taber

Blaine

Editor,

Not only does the new jail/behavioral service center need a good name (CDN, March 6, 2025), I think it also needs a mission statement.

Here’s my suggestion for a brass plaque in the main entrance:

“There’s no money to be made from curing people so we just lock them up — at great expense to taxpayers.”

Linda Santini

Bellingham

Editor,

A Mount Vernon councilman comments on the city’s feral cat problem (CDN March 6, 2025), drawing a multitude of reactions; including “shocking, disrespectful, degrading to immigrants.” Despite Mr. Tersero’s apologies, it appears he was already convicted in the social-media court of public opinion. It’s understandable many would find his reference to the JD Vance-inspired (soon debunked) story of immigrants butchering and dining on people’s pet cats, as a misfiring effort to invoke humor. As admitted by councilman Tersero. But did he deserve being publicly pilloried for it?

In 1729, Dublin-born satirist Jonathan Swift wrote “A Modest Proposal” as a “solution” for the Irish peasantry, who struggled to feed themselves, while producing too many babies. His proposal? To sell the excess of babies as food; a delicacy to be dined upon by the Anglo-Irish landowning elite. Apparently 300 years ago, people thought injecting barbed humor into a bad situation was a way to bring about a solution.

But then, as councilman Tersero has found out, that may be unwise in this age of social media. Somewhat ironically, in the Opinion section, George Hartnell comes up with historically compelling reasons to dine on muskrat as Lenten cuisine. Unlike councilman Tersero’s misstep, Mr. Harknell’s piquant humor is specifically targeted; namely at the “Catholic Faithful” (hopefully without creating mass outrage).

And to add to the penitential character of the proposed fare, may I suggest pairing greasy muskrat roast with frothy IPA? But cut off the rat-like tail before serving.

Paul Kenna

Bellingham

Editor,

Fellow English majors, and other dissolute individuals more inclined to read than work, may remember the 1729 essay by Jonathan Swift in which he suggested the Irish poor would be better off if they would simply sell their babies to the aristocracy for food. He goes on to discuss potential recipes and the various economic advantages of such a practice. “A Modest Proposal [for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to their Parents or Country, and for Making them Beneficial to the Publick]” is considered one of the greatest satirical essays ever written. 

The Mount Vernon council member who suggested culinary tourism might help address the city’s feral cat problem (CDN, March 6, 2025) may not rise to Jonathan Swift’s literary standard, but he clearly intended to be humorous, and if his comment makes fun of anything political, it is not the immigrant population of Springfield, but those who so readily believed that people there were actually eating pet cats. 

These are fraught times, and there is plenty to get upset about. And maybe every town should consider a resolution in favor of immigrants, along with an acknowledgment that nearly all of us have some in our family trees. But let’s not spend too much energy on the odd joke that doesn’t land quite right. That’s not where our anger belongs.

Scott Miller

Bellingham

Editor,

Let’s talk about Social Security.

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, admits to regular use of ketamine for his treatment-resistant depression, which can produce psychotomimetic effects, including dissociation and paranoia. Ketamine can act as a transient intoxicant and is liable to abuse, addiction and diversion as an illicit recreational drug.

Musk said in an interview, that he is “almost always” sober during his late-night posting sessions on his social media platform X.

Donald Trump chose Musk by executive order on “day one” to be the cost-cutting czar of the new (inefficient) Department of Government Efficiency. DOGE is wreaking havoc on our country’s system of checks and balances, making our government less responsive to the American people.

Musk has no legal right to decide how the U.S. government spends our money. That is the role of Congress. He has no right to take control of federal agencies in the shadows or possibly under the influence of drugs.

Most of the more than 70 million people who receive Social Security count on it to keep a roof over their heads. Musk distains people who rely on Social Security, calling them the “parasite class.” 

Every American should be outraged that the world’s wealthiest person with resistant depression who requires ketamine for control is making snap, unfiltered decisions about their earned Social Security. 

Do you want a ketamine-fueled jester deciding the future of your Social Security? That includes Trump supporters.

Micki Jackson

Bellingham

Editor,

If the government “invests” in cryptocurrency, those who subsequently lose their Medicaid/Medicare/Social Security etc. would, in my opinion, legitimately be enraged … and express it accordingly.

My question: Does the administration really want to risk provoking violent protest — a la Detroit, 1967 — on a national scale? Every Federal building in every city would become a target needing National Guard protection. Congress would declare Martial Law and suspend Habeas Corpus.

Think what you are doing, Mr. President, before throwing the country into upheaval. History will paint you with the same brush, and you may suffer the same fate, as Marie Antoinette: “Let them eat cake … er … Bitcoin.”

Omar Firestone

Bellingham

Editor,

If the Lummi Islanders want a buyer for the Willows that will benefit islanders (CDN, March 5, 2025) how about a consortium of wealthy islanders which there are plenty pony up the cash, buy it, and donate it to Whatcom County Parks. It would make a nice facility for county residents. 

Bob Worley

Bellingham

Editor,

I was amused by the recent advice by Rich Hudson, R-N.C., to Republicans to avoid in-person town halls and to hold tele-town halls instead. 

I wonder why not simply substitute AI town halls where the questions are scripted to the representative’s policies, and the answers are similarly written in the best possible light?  That way our representatives, their staffs, and their constituents would never need to attend the meetings! Win-win!

In-person town halls are useful ways for congressional delegates to learn that they are about to walk off the cliff. Instead of avoiding feedback, they should be paying attention. The 2026 campaign is already underway.

Meg Hayes

Bellingham

Editor,

Several decisions greatly impact our daily lives and for a society that is built around the automobile, the decision to surrender your car keys and give up your automobile was one, due to health issues and age, I recently made.

I was supported by my family and friends yet as I had always lived an independent lifestyle, I felt a hesitancy about what my life was going to be like.

There are many reasons I have been thankful for living in Bellingham and I was soon to discover the   Whatcom Transportation Authority’s (WTA) paratransit bus service which is funded by a sales tax and grants from the state and federal governments. For all information, I suggest you go to their website.  

More than the wonderful convenience of the bus picking you up at your home and taking you to your destination, the bus drivers are the ambassadors of goodwill for the bus service — thoughtful, good humor, and always keeping your safety uppermost in their interactions. I always embark with a positive feeling that extends throughout my day.

And you get a glimpse of the ability of those disabled riders — whether in a wheelchair or using some walking aid — to navigate their transportation needs with safety and a positive experience.

If anyone is struggling with the decision to discontinue driving, be assured there are opportunities to extend your activities beyond your home. The frequency and location of routes for the regular Whatcom Transit Bus service are easy to accommodate to your lifestyle. 

And, of course, there is Uber. 

Helen Moran

Bellingham

Editor,

As someone who has plenty of experience with labor ordinances in Whatcom County (CDN, March 4, 2025), I agree with councilwoman Kaylee Galloway.

We heard the same tired old arguments from the contractors when we wrote, proposed and passed the state-registered apprenticeship utilization ordinance in 2020. We heard it again in the City of Bellingham when it was proposed to mandate clean energy and weatherization, we heard it in the Port of Bellingham, that any labor standards are far too burdensome on industry to undertake.

I get that a company, even the multimillion-dollar companies here in the county, are striving to protect their bottom lines. But I submit, if our tax dollars are going to be used to improve the county infrastructure, then the least that can be done is afford the workers who do the work, a family-supporting wage, and benefits.

The AGC noted in the article, that the open shop contractor he represents, would be hard-pressed to provide insurance, retirement, and sick leave, which is what is called “benefits,” to their workforce on par with what the Building Trades Unions provide.  

Since historically, union contractors competitively compete with the open shop, and do win bids, its not too much to ask that our tax dollars are maximized to support the workers who build and maintain this county.

The state has a prevailing wage law, Whatcom County can and should go one step further with a PLA or CBA standard.

Trevor Smith

Bellingham

Editor,

While the story of Becky Burke’s detention (CDN, March 10, 2025) is undeniably sad, I can’t help but notice that Cascadia Daily News chose to highlight the case of a white tourist rather than the hundreds of people of color in our own community who face detention by ICE every year.

Why do we not see more coverage of the immigrants from Latin America, India and Asia who are detained right here in Washington, often under far more dire circumstances? Many of them are longtime community members with families and jobs, yet their stories remain largely untold.

The focus on a white, seemingly “typical” traveler reinforces harmful stereotypes and perpetuates the idea that immigration enforcement is only a concern when it affects those who fit a certain demographic. This selective coverage fails to represent the true reality of ICE detention in our region and undermines the lived experiences of countless community members.

At a time when the current administration has allowed ICE to ramp up its enforcement efforts, often with little oversight or accountability, it is more critical than ever to shine a light on these injustices. Immigration enforcement is not just an issue for foreign tourists — it is something that affects our neighbors, friends and co-workers every day.

I urge Cascadia Daily News to critically examine its editorial practices and commit to providing balanced and equitable coverage of immigration enforcement. Our local news must reflect the diverse realities of our community, ensuring that the stories of all those impacted by ICE are told with the same urgency and compassion.

Sachin Pai

Bellingham

Editor,

The recall of raw cat food in Washington due to possible H5N1 bird flu contamination is yet another alarming reminder of the dangers of exploiting animals for food. Bird flu is jumping between species, infecting cats, killing animals in nature, and putting humans at risk of the next pandemic. If we want to protect animals — and human health — the solution is simple: go vegan now.

Bird flu thrives in filthy, crowded factory farms, where chickens and turkeys are crammed together in their own waste, unable to even spread their wings. These conditions are perfect breeding grounds for dangerous viruses like H5N1, which mutate rapidly and easily spill over into other species — including beloved companion animals. And as long as animals are raised and killed for food, we will continue to face these deadly outbreaks.

Health experts have warned us for years that animal agriculture is a ticking time bomb for the next pandemic. So, please, let’s shut down these disease incubators and go vegan.

Rebecca Libauskas

The PETA Foundation, Norfolk, VA

Letters to the Editor are published online Wednesdays; a selection is published in print Fridays. Send to letters@cascadiadaily.com by 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Rules: Maximum 250 words, be civil, have a point and make it clearly. Preference is given to letters about local subjects. CDN reserves the right to reject letters or edit for length, clarity, grammar and style, or removal of personal attacks or offensive content. Letters must include an address/phone number to verify the writer's identity (not for publication).