Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

There appears to be some controversy in our community about the appropriateness of displaying a variation of our national flag. Specifically, an early variation of the flag with the 13 stars arranged in a circle around the year of our nations Declaration of Independence, 1776.

While I would like to believe there might be good reason for this, I suspect that more than likely it is due to the prevailing attitude among a certain segment of the population that seeks to redefine what should and should not be appreciated about our country. It is a sad irony that the right of free expression, which they utilize to do so, is the first of the founding principles they would seek to repress. That there are those who would like to police the personal preferences of free people is strikingly similar to how the events of July 4th 1776 came to unfold.

I served the ideals of our Nation’s founding principles during my time in service knowing that they were just that, ideals. Nothing is perfect, but their evolution since the beginning has been towards the improvement of the human condition, and has stood as a benchmark for others to emulate. The flag, the date, and the year of their founding are all important historical markers that deserve reverence and respect. It saddens me to think that we have removed ourselves so far from the sacrifices of earlier generations that this is even a necessary discussion.

I hope that this Saturday others will join me in showing support for this symbol of our Nation’s founding at the Rally for the Flag at 11am, on the corner of 2nd and Commercial St in Dayton. Every freedom you enjoy today was earned because of those patriots who rallied, in that year, to that flag. Show your appreciation if you have it.

For God and Country,

Charles Amerein

Waitsburg, Wash.

To the editor,

I would like to acknowledge and applaud the Dayton Memorial Library for their book displays and other readers’ advisory efforts for Pride month. Libraries are for everyone, and I’m happy to see our library recognizing that “everyone” includes members of the LGBTQ community, their families, and their allies.

The first Pride march was June 28, 1970. It was held to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. It was common then for police to raid gay bars and beat and arrest the people inside. Trans women and drag queens were especially visible and took the brunt of the abuse. The Stonewall Uprising marked the first time LGBTQ people banded together and fought back against the treatment they received at the hands of their government. Pride is a celebration of freedom.

Transgender and gender non-conforming people are at least 4 times as likely to suffer violent attack as cis-gender people. That number rises exponentially for transgender women of color. LGBTQ youth are subject to bullying and are at risk for suicide at least twice the rate of straight and cis-gender youth, and they are almost 5 times as likely to attempt suicide.

We know that affirmation and empathy are powerful tools when modeled by adults in the community. LGBTQ children attending LGBTQ affirming schools experience 30% less bullying than kids in non-affirming schools face. It is our responsibility as adults to create a culture of acceptance and empathy.

Dayton is not the most welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. You only need to look at our local newspaper and social media groups to see that. But Dayton is home to gay kids, trans people, queer adults, gay parents, gender non-conforming citizens. They are your friends and neighbors. They live here, they pay taxes here, their kids go to school in Dayton. They use the library, and they deserve to see themselves represented on its shelves as much as straight, cis-gendered citizens do.

One month of the year, we take time to celebrate our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors. We affirm them, we love them, we celebrate them, we learn from them. What does affirmation look like? At the very, very least, it looks like a book display in the library that offers reading for, by, and about LGBTQ people. The great thing about libraries is that there’s something there for everyone. The Pride book display doesn’t speak to you? Ok. You can walk right past it to shelves upon shelves of books that will.

Amy Rosenberg

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

I have a sign that says, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” With the abrupt cancellation of modern life by covid two years ago, I felt a certain sinking realization that I couldn’t control certain things that I had before. From this chaos arose little groups across our land dedicated to fighting for our freedoms and liberties.

Mr. Charles Amerein was very instrumental in forming our local group, Columbia County Conservatives. It’s our focus as a Political Action Committee to put conservative candidates before the public and on the ballet in local races. Mr. Amerein is up for re-election as a County Commissioner, District 3. He won’t give our liberties away for a glossy grant with sticky strings attached. He doesn’t need 2000 mules to win this election. But he does need your support and vote.

As a veteran, a patriot, and man of law and order, Mr. Amerein believes in the good in America. With a firm belief in God, he stands on the Constitution as not only a governing document, but as a protection for the people of this great land. You may find him in front of the Court House listening to someone’s concerns, or he may be dressed in uniform, honoring the death of a fellow soldier and sending them to rest with respect and dignity.

Some are Republican in Name Only. I looked up the difference between what Republicans and Democrats stand for. Republicans stand for life and family values. They are for lower taxes and smaller government. They are for free enterprise and election integrity. Mr. Amerein has served us in Columbia County for the last four years. With the changing of values pushing at even our local doorsteps, we need a strong conservative to help govern our county as we move forward. Thank you for voting for the Best choice, Mr. Charles Amerein.

Kathryn Tapio

Dayton, Wash.