Dear Editor:

7-9-21

Thanks to all my friends who gave my son and me such a wonderful reception on my recent visit to Forks.

Here we go again. The comparison of Afghanistan to Vietnam seems inescapable to me, but I don’t pretend to be an expert. I would estimate that within six months the Taliban will regain control of the country and once again we will see photos of women being stoned to death. Women will have to cover their faces and stop going to school. They will need to be escorted by a male in order to leave home, etc. But there is no honorable way to leave the country and our friends will suffer the consequences.

If you are as confused by what appears to be a new definition for the word “reconciliation”, so am I. It has always meant patching up a quarrel and reaching a new understanding. Now, in Congress at least, it seems to mean ramming a measure roughshod through the opposition.

For decades scientists have been working to produce acceptable versions of beef and chicken, but I doubt their efforts will reach fruition within the near future. If they should succeed what a godsend for the environment and animal lovers and the animals facing execution. (Wik)

On April 18, 1775, British redcoats arrived in Lexington and Concord, Mass., to search for contraband (weapons and ammunition) belonging to the Minutemen. At first, they were polite, but they were largely unsuccessful because the colonials had been forewarned by Paul Revere and others. But the fracas escalated and soon came the “shot heard round the world.” More shooting followed and the Brits sought only to escape. Before they reached a relief column from Boston, the casualty list showed (dead, wounded, and missing): Brits, 273 and colonials, 92. The British had faced total annihilation.(“The Minutemen and Their World,” by Robert Gross).

If the current rate continues scientists predict that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by weight in 2050. TIME, April 20,’20)

In 1871 the Peshtigo forest fire took at least 1200 lives, but it was overshadowed by the great Chicago fire that happened at the same time. (R.D.,6-20)

Bob Hall

Bellingham