Helmets not as effective as claimed
To the Editor:
Congratulations on a well thought out, well-executed editorial (The Sentinel, June 26). Would that more Americans would go around thinking about what freedom truly means.
I’ve been involved in biker’s rights for many years and we spend a lot of time pondering just that issue. I’m very much in favor of seat belts because it’s been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are effective safety devices. Aside from the fact that the government shouldn’t interfere with personal choices, I don’t move a car without one.
Unfortunately, motorcycle helmets are another matter. Despite all the manipulated numbers we all see and hear from the press, there is no empirical case for motorcycle helmets actually being effective. When I hear those exaggerated claims, I want to shout, “Where is your evidence to back up what you’re presenting?” They won’t be able to cite any.
When a state goes from requiring helmets to allowing freedom of choice, the fatality stays the same or goes down. You have less death by head injury but more death by spinal column injury and the phenomenon of the helmet strap driving the lower jaw upward into the brain case. The two wash each other out.
I’m an engineer and I can go into the physics of it but I’ll spare you. The fly in the ointment is that when a state allows us a choice, the number of motorcycles in that state goes up dramatically and the death rate naturally follows it. Online, you can view charts made from data provided by the NHTSA (National Highway Safety Administration and you will see this is not a fluke but something that has been consistently documented since at least 1979.
Please keep up the good work and most of all, the clear thinking.
John Pierce
ABATE of Oklahoma
More coverage of community events
To the Editor:
I was dismayed that five pictures with a five-line caption was all the coverage given to the many Community Day events, yet on page 7, nearly an entire half page was given to one person’s “special fishing place.” Something is not right with this. Readers deserve better than that. Hopefully, in the future, coverage of community events, which require much effort by many residents to ensure their success, will be given the coverage they deserve.
Judith Umlauf Jones
Aurora, Colo.
Brown gave voice to KVH politics
To The Editor,
I am, at your request, writing a letter to you that is not three pages in length.
As the community and the employees at the Klickitat Valley Health hospital (KVH) are aware, I have taken a stand, as a citizen of Klickitat County’s Public Hospital District 1, against a form of dictator management at KVH.
I have stood up for the employees and my true friends have acknowledged my commitment and dedication, and my time and money for standing up for our hospital.
In the last 90 days, the CEO and the CFO have resigned, and the board has voted not to renew Brim’s contract. The only board member who ever gave me his time to listen was Michael Macy, and I just want to say a very kind thank you to him, as well as Dani Burton, the county treasurer, and anyone else that treated me like a human being.
The Washington State Auditors will soon be releasing the audit for the hospital. Anyone at KVH or your newspaper, or the local radio station, that would not listen to me, just maybe then they will see what I was all about. I set out to end this dictatorship at KVH, and if you don’t believe I have caused it to end, call up any board member, the county treasurer, the state auditor manager, or the Washington state auditor. Ask them who found all of this corruption at KVH.
In closing, I’m upset at KLCK Radio, The Goldendale Sentinel, and our county prosecutor. I warned them over two and half years ago but not a one would listen. My persistence has ended the Brim contract.
I hope you will now print this letter.
Delbert Brown
Goldendale
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