Re: “U.S. based on Christian principles” (letter, 9-29).

The writer states that America “was meant to be a Christian nation” and that he would have a “problem” with a non-Christian president or one who would defer to the U.S. Constitution rather than “his deeply held religious beliefs.”

What kind of Christian president does he want? Methodist? Baptist? Mormon? And once that’s settled, doesn’t it follow that everyone in Congress should share that single faith? And of course the military to defend the faith wherever a threat arises, and the judiciary to enforce it whenever a nonbeliever is found.

Western civilization …

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Re: “Green energy groups protest Centralia TransAlta coal plant” (www.thenewstribune.com, 9-29).

The article about the campaign to shut down the Centralia coal-fired power plant stated that climate change models predict a drier Pacific Northwest that could lead to more wildfires.

These climate change models that are predicting a drier Northwest with more wildfires, however, contrast with the National Climatic Data Center data indicating that the Northwest summer wildfire season precipitation has actually trended upward by 1.15 inches, a 44 percent summer precipitation increase, over the last 10 years.

The National Climatic Data Center data also indicates that Northwest summer wildfire …

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Pierce Transit has stated that it had to lay off some managers and assistant managers to save some money during this recession. Six 20-years-plus employees were laid off. Then Pierce Transit hired seven new employees. Now it is hiring 50 new operators. Where is the saved money?

There is a training staff that is highly qualified to train and has been for years. No one listened to them when they stated what it takes to train a class of this size. One of the employees laid off was the manager of safety and training). It is called training now, …

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Re: “U.S. based on Christian principles” (letter, 9-30).

The writer fails to provide any real proof other than his religious convictions to make his point.

The document that defines Christianity is the New Testament, which represents the essence of Christ’s teachings as recorded by the Apostles. According to Apostle Paul (Romans), government is empowered by God whose powers go directly to the king. These powers are then passed down the social order. Rebellion against the king or emperor represents a direct violation against God – a deathly sin.

Since the American Revolution was a rebellion against King George and, thus, …

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The lastest ads in the Dino Rossi campaign would have you believe that Patty Murray is responsible for all that is wrong with our country.

Let’s examine the facts.

Murray took office in January 1993. In November 1994 came the Republican takeover, which means they were sworn into office in January 1995.

In November 2008, the Democrats were voted in as majority of the Senate and sworn in in January 2009. (From 2007 to 2009 the Senate was a deadlock with Dick Cheney casting the tie-breaker.)

Rossi’s ads talk about “Patty Murray’s 18 years” but neglect to mention that during …

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I read the article about attendance being down at the Puyallup Fair (TNT, 9-28). No one mentioned secondhand smoke as a potential reason.

I stopped attending the Puyallup Fair many years ago because of the constant exposure to secondhand smoke. I had been coming to the Puyallup Fair since I was a child and have many fond memories. As an adult, I noticed more and more secondhand smoke as I walked around the fairgrounds.

Here’s the reality: The “smoking sections” at the fair are just as effective as “peeing sections” in a swimming pool. Everybody has contact with it. I …

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Re: “Veteran supports Adam Smith” (letter, 9-30).

Like the writer, I am a Vietnam veteran. Much of my two years was in ground or air combat. An Army Cobra pilot, I was shot down by a North Vietnamese SA-7 missile.

I heard Congressman Adam Smith at the Puyallup candidates’ forum speaking passionately of his support for veterans. His words rang hollow.

Smith, like many without military service, does not fully understand veterans. His view of veteran identity appears framed by a perception of them as an entitlement class.

I am grateful for the earned entitlements which Smith, like most politicians, …

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I am supporting Rep. Adam Smith’s re-election in the 9th Congressional District. Anyone who has attended his town hall or other meetings will recognize he is probably one the most intelligent and thoughtful members of Congress.

Smith completely understands that improving the economy and job creation in the 9th is of highest priority. In addition, his support of the military and veterans – active duty, Reserve, Guard, retired – is unwavering.

With Joint Base Lewis-McChord in our district and his membership on the House Armed Services Committee and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, his position …

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