Thanks for letting us have a say

To the editor -- I want to express my thanks and a big "Hooray!" for the changes in your online newspaper that allow a comments section for most articles. It is a feature I have enjoyed in other online newspapers very much and have asked for here as well. I think allowing comments on various stories serves a valuable purpose. Those who comment get to "vent" in some way. Those who read those comments may answer back and for sure, learn something, even if it means the other person who commented is full of hooey.

It's important to not stifle First Amendment rights and by allowing comments on the news, a person is encouraged to share his or her opinion. Also, the editorial board may learn many interesting things about the reader profiles of their paper, if they read the comments as well.

Thanks for that opportunity.

NICK HUGHES

Yakima

A better use of their money

To the editor -- Re: "A banner idea," Letters, June 25.

Although it seems a shame to waste the time and money that went into creating the "infamous banners," what is more disappointing is that the Yakima Valley Sportsman's Association would even consider spending club funds on such a thing. DJ Blankenship's suggestion that his club could purchase over $800 worth of banners is ridiculous considering the club's inability to fund sound insulation for its building.

Instead of wasting money on banners that may be used twice a year, I'd like to suggest directing some of those funds toward cleaning up garbage (shotgun plugs, cardboard boxes, etc.), spraying for weeds and insulating a building that creates a public nuisance every time it is rented out.

CALVIN WHITE

Yakima

Preposterous thinking

To the editor -- Re: The June 28 article, "Clergy vs. suicide," which includes this quote: "Pain and suffering and illness are important parts of our faith experience."

What sort of demented logic comes up with that preposterous thinking? I suspect that it stems from the same hypocrisy that has no qualms about putting a bullet in Rover's brain because he has liver cancer.

I, for one, don't buy it. Spend your life experience in the pursuit of eliminating pain, suffering and illness. Put your faith in that and learn what is important.

ED DAY

Yakima

Who pays? Who benefits?

To the editor -- Much has been written regarding the Black Rock project. How about an in-depth report on who pays and who benefits from this proposal? It appears to me that "the many" will pay and "the few" will benefit!

LORRAYNE CONRAD

Yakima