Democrats are never happy

Reading Norman Vincent Peale’s seminal book “The Power of Positive Thinking” resulted in my always looking for a positive “bright side” in every situation no matter how bleak it may first appear.

Accordingly, I usually look beyond the “horror” stories that appear in the news and, instead, perform my own research to determine the true and, possibly, “bright side.”

For instance, doom-saying Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez contends that the Earth will end in 12 years if we don’t immediately address climate change. (“Ocasio-Cortez: ‘World will end in 12 years’ if climate change not addressed,” Jan. 22, thehill.com)

This sounded pretty serious but my research reflects that actual scientists — and not refurbished coffee-shop waitresses — estimate 1.3 billion years remain before earth’s destruction (“How long will Earth exist?,” livescience.com, Dec. 3, 2023) so we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Whaddaya know … “a bright side.”

And, of course, we were implored to “mask up” to prevent the spread of Covid by many “supposedly knowledgeable authorities” — to include President Biden himself (4) — but, as time passed, we found that, increasingly, studies reflect no statistically significant evidence of a mask’s effectiveness in preventing Covid (“Do masks actually work? The best studies suggest they don’t,” Washington Examiner, Aug. 12, 2021). So masking isn’t – nor was it – necessary and, how ‘bout that… yet another “bright side”.

Lastly, President Biden says “Democracy is on the ballot” (C-Span, Jan. 5, President Biden remarks on anniversary of Jan. 6 Capitol attack) and a vote for Trump will end America as we know it. But that’s what Obama said about the 2016 election — “A Trump presidency would be a threat to democracy” (“Obama: ‘Democracy is on the ballot’,” dw.com, Oct. 14, 2016) — but hooray, democracy prevailed then and will again. “Bright side” once more.

Sadly, Democrats don’t look for a “bright side” because, truly, Democrats are never really happy unless they are miserable.

Dick Pilling

Port Angeles

A black and blue peninsula

The decisions of the Clallam County prosecutors and a judge to render an absurd plea deal recommendation which basically acquitted Dr. Josiah Hill of second degree rape and indecent liberties of six vulnerable women who sought emergency services at the hospital forces us to scrutinize our justice system.

Being a vulnerable woman should not deny her total protection in our county medical system. Of all places to feel safe, an emergency room should be the most secure — for everyone.

The court denied a motion for each woman to have a separate trial, thus eliminating the chance for them to pursue individual cases, to hold this untrustworthy doctor accountable.

The questions become: Why would the prosecutor make such a ludicrous plea deal? Were these women expendable?

Now county residents must decide how to strengthen our local justice system, starting with the next prosecutor election in 2026.

A Port Angeles police officer lost his job when he hid knowledge of the attacks on an unguarded patient, a credit to PA Police Chief Brian Smith, who was scolded with disbelief online for the termination of this once highly regarded officer.

Yet, Hill will prowl free in less than 179 days. The Olympic Peninsula’s image, black and blue as if pounded in an unprovoked assault, is tarnished.

Gayle Brauner

Port Angeles