Letters

Backs Pakootas

At a recent “Conversations With Cathy,” our Representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, expressed concern about President Obama’s intention to use executive action to move immigration reform forward. (Republicans in the House refuse to let the immigration bill passed by the Senate go to the floor for a vote.) The Leadership, which includes our Congresswoman, knows that the bill would pass with bi-partisan support. The irony of the situation is obvious. The Republican Representatives can’t do their job but can take the time and spend the money to sue the President for using his constitutional powers to start the work that they refuse to do.

The people of this Congressional District need a Representative who is willing and capable of forming consensus with other legislators to get the big jobs done, not petulantly blocking any opportunity for constructive compromise. Joe Pakootas, a community leader and successful CEO, is running for Congress and would be such a person. He has proven his ability to negotiate with local, national and international leaders. We need representation that is, in fact, interested in the needs of all citizens of the 5th District and is willing to work to meet their needs.

Carolyn Cress,

Pullman

That’s why

I can now understand why the President doesn’t want to put the cart before the horse: his narcissism would prevent him from lookng in the mirror.

Mel Mundell,

Garfield

Sunscreen act

After a delay that dates back to 1999 both parties have come to pass the Sunscreen Innovation Act that will allow us to purchase sun blocks that have been on the market most everywhere except the U.S. The F.D.A. last approved a new sunscreen in 1999.

Eight new chemical ingredient applications have been awaiting regulatory approval. Three of them since 2002 and three more since 2005. The F.D.A. has justified this inaction because of a supposed lack of safety information.

Please stop and think how many lives will be lost because of the delay as we have a cancer death rate of one per hour in our republic.

The house bill sponsored by liberal Democrat John Dingel of Michigan and Kentucky Republican Ed Whitfield told the F.D.A. to clean up the backlog by next June. This also creates an eleven month maximum review period for new compounds and matches the approval criteria to global norms. The bill passed by a voice vote. The senate version also enjoys support by both parties. However, it has not brought it up for a vote.

This is but one issue that has been held up by the F.D.A. who appears to be power hungry!

I recently had my second melanoma surgery so I have a strong interest with the silent killer.

Gerald W. Ray,

Spokane

Greed

The city needs to come to their senses. The cement river event: just putting to the car owner, a person who invested thousands in their car, yet Colfax wants to charge him $15 to park the car so people can look at it. I won’t show my car if there’s a fee. That’s ridiculous.

I’ll do the cruise, but that’s all.

How about that breakfast for $7.50?

Greed will kill this attraction.

Bill Skelton,

Colfax

Above and beyond

In the past month we have had the opportunity to work with the Whitman County Sheriff’s department. Over the period of the investigation we worked with several deputies and even Mr. Myers.

They all were very professional, prompt, courteous and thorough. They went above and beyond in the investigation to get a satisfactory resolve of our situation.

The residents of Whitman County should be very proud of Sheriff Myers and the deputies he has working for you.

Jim & Laurie Stemmene,

Pullman

Pullman