Letter to the editor: Truth and democracy are on the ballot

1. To be truthful allows for discussion to focus on an actual problem rather than on diversion.

2. It is highly alarming to me to have grown up to see our elections go from debates about policy, to a complete demonization of the other side with minimal justification, The portrayal of Tiffany Smiley as an election denier despite her clearly stating that Joe Biden was the president of the United States has been particularly scary for me to see. As terrifying as the January 6th riots were, the portrayal of January 6th, a largely disorganized riot consisting of violent thugs, as an attempted overthrow of the United States government scares me almost as much. We have now been through two election cycles where the losing side attempted to portray the winners as illegitimate. I refuse to participate in these moralization games when anyone who examines the facts, rather than the rhetoric, sees that both sides of our election system have become morally bankrupt. I cannot think of a single administration, Democrat or Republican, in recent history that has been morally righteous. I have seen the violence inspired by Far Right Rhetoric. I have also seen the destruction of my home city caused by bad progressive policy. I refuse to “vote blue no matter who”. I vote by policy

   • Very well said. I watched the debate between Patty Murray and Tiffany Smiley. I saw one candidate sit smugly and not answer the question about late term abortion… babies in the process of being born, (Killed) under the guise of “reproductive health”. She fights for women’s rights? What about women training and competing their whole lives in a sport to earn a scholarship or compete professionally only to be knocked out of the race by a man who calls himself a woman? What about a woman’s ability to give birth, only to be told now that men can become pregnant (and give birth?). We have a senator that has been in Washington DC representing progressive liberalism that is not the will of the majority of the people in this country, but more importantly not the will of the people in the very state she is supposed to represent. Death is on the rise in Washington. Violence, drug addiction, suicide… but she wants to take away guns from law abiding citizens. 30 years is enough. Let’s give a passionate, fighter a chance. We need to stop the bleeding.

     • There’s a lot to unpack in this whole thread, but William – I’d like to know your factual sources for examples of “women training and competing their whole lives in a sport to earn a scholarship or compete professionally only to be knocked out of the race by a man who calls himself a woman” – firstly a transgender woman IS a woman, and secondly, where are these HUGE amounts of cis women who are losing out on scholarships and losing races by transgender women? One or two instances – perhaps. But this isn’t something that is an actual problem. What IS a problem is trans women – especially trans women of color – being murdered because of the kind of rhetoric you are spouting. And as for your statement ” What about a woman’s ability to give birth, only to be told now that men can become pregnant (and give birth?)” – are you saying that somehow cis women won’t be able to give birth anymore because some transgender men can? Can you explain why and how that is going to stop your wife or daughter or niece from the right to give birth?

     • Abortions occurring at or after 21 weeks gestational age are rare. They are often difficult to obtain, as they are typically costly, time-intensive and only performed by a small subset of abortion providers. Yet these abortions receive a disproportionate amount of attention in the news, policy and the law, and discussions on this topic are often fraught with misinformation; for example, intense public discussions have been sparked after several policymakers have theorized about abortions occurring “moments before birth” or even “after birth.” In reality, these scenarios do not occur, nor are they legal, in the U.S. Discussion of this topic is further obscured due to the terms sometimes used to describe abortions later in pregnancy– including “late-term,” “post-viability,” “partial birth,” “dismemberment” and “born-alive” abortions—despite many medical professionals criticizing and opposing their use. Kaiser Family Foundation.

       NO woman happily carries a child to term and then decides to abort that child because she’s changed her mind. These are heartbreaking scenarios and horrific decisions that families are forced to make. This level of disinformation is not only ignorant and false, it puts women at risk. If you’re going to say something, please at least make it the truth.

   • Stating Biden IS the President, is NOT the same as clearly stating he was elected fairly and legitimately. Just a month ago, Smiley was asked THREE times by Dana Bash and failed to answer the known obvious truth. Both ex-attorney general Bill Barr (r) and cyber security chief Chris Krebs (r) and 60 courts said it was a free and fair election. If she can’t acknowledge that obvious FACT, then she has no business anywhere near the US Senate.

   • To try to convince anybody that the January 6th “riot” was a “largely disorganized riot consisting of violent thugs” is political gaslighting to the highest degree. Obviously you did not pay attention, during the 9 hearings, to the mountain of evidence and testimony, almost all from Republicans, that proved (with videos, documents and sworn testimony) that it was a planned, funded and coordinated effort to stop the peaceful transfer of power. There is solid evidence that the effort to overthrown the legally elected government was in fact in the works months before Trump lost the election. Many dedicated politicians lost their careers for telling the truth…the least you could do is listen…and not be “scared” when a dark force pervading our government is revealed to be just that.

3. Much to be considered it seems. I think what should be frightening for both parties is that to Cut and do away with Social Security would mean pain for both parties. I don’t know for sure but SSI very well could be affected, Medicaid and Medicare dollars could be reduced. Remember people on Medicare and Social security pay taxes a lot of them. Break them and where do we get the money? SO both parties need to think really hard about what they spout and plan to do. Sadly, in some ways, it is time to leave the social issues alone and concentrate on fiscal issues. I am speaking more Federally but the local or State election matters too. As usual I say to everyone move to the center or it will be too late for life as you’ve known it. I am speaking to Candidates and Citizens here. both State, Local and Federal. Very much I want honestly no rhetoric in response. Be reasonable and leave your personal ideals alone for awhile. Both Sides. Remember you can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.

4. Time to retire Patty Murray. 30 years is enough unless you like what is happening in our state and the country with crime, open borders, Fentenyal killing our youth and compounding the homeless mental illness crisis, families having to choose between food and fuel, inflation killing families and the middle class, etc etc etc. Murray has been in office 30 years and her constituents are not the residents of Washington State but rather her party and the DC swamp As the 3rd ranking member of her party she had the power to stand up and take a stand on issues that effect everyday Washingtonians, but she has proven to be nothing other than a bobblehead rubber stamp for her Party leadership. She has failed miserably. Make no mistake she has sat by and watched the defund the police, the destruction of our cities and the decay of our communities and done nothing to lead. After 30 years she cannot even coherently tell the voters what she has done to earn our vote. This is an IQ test for voters in Washington and the whole country. Time to flush the toilet. I support and gladly will vote for Tiffany Smiley

5. Maggie, I’m sorry there was no clear evidence. This “ court trial” was not even legal. Who has a “trial” and not let Republicans defend their positions? Who has a trial with No Republicans involved? Liz Cheney has never been a Republican. The party has known for years she was a Rhino. So did the Democrats and that was why she was chosen. Witch hunt. This was a group of what looked like part Antifa, FBI, dumb Washington DC a guards…and who knows whom else. Who opens the door (guards) and tells people to come in? (On camera) and then says it was a riot???

   • Joy, the reason there were only two Republicans on the January 6th committee is because the Republican House Leader, Kevin McCarthy, didn’t want to have them on it. To say Liz Cheney has never been a Republican is hilarious, look at her voting record. While I don’t agree with some of Ms. Cheney’s policies, I am very impressed that she had the courage and the morals to take a stand to call out January 6th for what it was even though it cost her her seat.

     Antifa, FBI, dumb WA DC guards – it would be beneficial for you to change the channel to some other news sources.

   • This was never called a “court trial”; it has been called a hearing from day one. Republicans, including Trump, were invited multiple times to defend their positions and have adamantly refused. He has now been subpoenaed, as were many others, in order to compel him to tell his side; he’s largely expected to fight the subpoena. How that is “not letting Republicans defend their positions” is beyond me. And Liz Cheney has never been a Republican!!? Cheney voted solidly with the Republicans throughout the entire Trump years. What she voted “Nay” for – HR 7909 – Ensuring Children and Child care workers are safe act of 2020, HR 1044 – Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 just to name a couple. She comes from a long standing Republican family and her father was the Vice President to a Republican President. You can dismiss her as a RINO for having the courage to tell the truth, but she is a Republican through and through. And to say that the insurrections were anything other than Trumps preplanned mob is ridiculous. Why would any group attack a government, thereby committing a federal crime, to protest an election they WON?

     • Thank you Maggie for your clear and concise statement of the facts!

   • Very well stated, Joy, and here’s another fact: Speaker Pelosi refuses to release the 14k hours of security footage of the FULL event, not just selected clips.

     And last week, two 30’ish, Lynnwood men are arrested, while Ray Epps is still a free man. This is not equal justice!

     • Tom Hawn, There is no evidence that Ray Epps was an FBI plant assigned to instigate the riot. That is a fully DEBUNKED conspiracy theory.

     • The speaker’s office does not house the security footage from the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol Police Board, which is compromised of the sergeants-at-arms for both chambers and the Architect of the capitol, does.

       It’s possible that it is being held as evidence for further criminal trials as several members of congress MAY have broken the law by providing information the day before the insurrection to the known assailants.

       What we do know: Speaker Pelosi was on the phone saving Mike Pence after his own President tried to have him removed from office. We’ll never know the full extent of what happened as the Secret Service scrubbed their communications on January 5th.

       What we do know: Speaker Pelosi was in effect the President of the United States at that time, while the actual President of the United States was in the White House watching the tragic events unfold on TV, and calling no one and the Vice President was trying not to be killed by his own party.

   • This is not and never has been presented as a “court trial.” This is an oversight hearing which the Republican House Majority leader declined to allow “Republicans” to participate in because Nancy Pelosi refused to allow highly pro Trump biased Rep.s (in her opinion) to be on the hearing panel. That is her right as Speaker of the House. That goes away if Republicans take back the House. Those are facts.

     “Liz Cheney has never been a Republican,” is an opinion, and illogical, since she voted with Trump over 90% of the time. I guess you are now only a Republican if you worship and salute Trump at all times. That’s called a cult, not a political idea party.

     There is no hard and confirmed evidence that Antifa was present in any way in this riot. That is a rumor believed and promoted by people on the Right, but it is definitely not a fact, at least at this point in time. I do not care who people choose to vote for or why, but I do care when people allege that opinions are facts. This is a type of dangerous misrepresentation for all, no matter the Party.

6. Tiffany Smiley has accused Patty Murry of being responsible for every problem the country and our state has, from inflation to homelessness. Have you really watched the various adds and personal attacks Smiley and her supporters have put out on Murry? Yet I’m supposed to think Smiley is the answer to our political prayers because she does actually admit that Biden is President. I’ve seen low bars for credibility but this one takes the cake. Are you aware that the Trump election deniers lost every court case at every level and that all their various claims have been totally debunked by facts? Are you aware that virtually every one testifying so far in the Jan. 6th. hearing is or was a Republican and a Trump supporter? Are all those people like William Barr and Susan Hutchinson just low life liars that have suddenly turned on poor old Mr. Trump? I don’t care how you vote or what you believe, but don’t try to tell me Jan. 6th. wasn’t a planned attempt to overthrow the government and Pence’s life wasn’t threatened in the process. It’s all on tape for heaven’s sake.

   • Well said, Clinton, well said.

7. I’m guessing that folks who support Smiley either haven’t seen the Seattle Times endorsement of Senator Murray (https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-truth-about-patty-murray-plenty-to-show-for-30-years-in-senate/), purposefully ignore her significant accomplishments, or ignorantly buy into the Republican propaganda that she is to blame for all of society’s ills. After watching the television hit pieces on the Senator, you might think that she singlehandedly was responsible for Queen Elizabeth’s death, too.

   The truth is Murray has been an effective and strong voice for the people of our state, especially veterans like Smiley’s husband, and has represented us with integrity and most importantly, truth. Contrast that with Smiley and her party, who consistently promote candidates that espouse The Big Lie, treat women as second-class citizens, and value assault-style weapons over children’s lives.

   The truth is this is an increasingly complex world and the way forward is to work together, not disingenuously single out people to blame.

8. Anyone who wants to watch the recent candidate forum between Murray and Smiley can do so here: https://seattlecityclub.org/wsdc/

9. I always love election season where both sides sit around the table and rationalize which flavor of “Drinking the Kool-Aid” their candidate serves tastes best. Funny.

10. Tiffany Smiley may acknowledged Biden as president, but refuses to admit that he was legitimately elected. She aligns herself with a party that opposes sensible restrictions to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. She supports a party that denied women freedom to control their reproductive life.
    The Republican Party is also suggesting balancing the budget by cutting social security and medicare benefits rather than having businesses and wealthy individuals pay a greater share of tax revenue. Her party wants looser regulations on companies that pollute our air, land and waters in the name of greater profits leading to climate change. Regardless of what she may say now she would fall in line with the republican agenda is she were to succeed in being elected. Know what you’re voting for, then vote.

11. Maggie, about abortion…how do you know this? For the last four decades, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has partnered with the states to collect aggregate statistics on abortions in the United States. States are not required to submit abortion data to the CDC. The ones that do are not required to tell how far along they are.

    • Time to shut down this comment thread — thanks for the discussion all.

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