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Kendall Watson (Editor) May 14, 2013 at 02:07 pm
Hi Marjorie,
By no means am I defending the behavior of someone who abuses alcohol or drugs. But I…Read More would strongly disagree with your concept that "people choose to be drug addicts and alcoholics". I believe that is a very dangerous association to make, just as I believe it is erroneous to assume that homeless people "choose" to live without formal shelter or housing. Addiction is typically described as an unhealthy behavior or illness in these settings, and while I'm no expert, I am aware of a great many medical professionals who treat people suffering from true addictions, substance abuse in particular.
People in both of these situations got there for a panoply of reasons, and I lack information to responsibly report what I've already presented on these two specific cases.
It is true that there are resources available for drug/alcohol addiction — but one size never fits all, which is also true for homeless folks who refuse or avoid a variety of services — a situation I am personally acquainted with.
I understand you feel passionately about homelessness and advocate for it here, and appreciate your expressions of concern on how it's reported on Sammamish-Issaquah Patch.
Marjorie Pacholec May 14, 2013 at 04:06 am
Kendall, for as long as I can remember there have been drug and alcohol issues, but people choose to…Read More be drug addicts and alcoholics. There is an abundance of places for care for those issues, more then any other mental health issue. My "so what" comment was made because I read into your words that that should make us less sympathetic. Thank you for clarifying. I still feel the officers had no business giving citations to these kids. Your heroin addict has a place to go, the homeless people don't. It IS safer here on the Eastside. You can sleep knowing you will wake tomorrow with your shoes still on and your backpack in place. I'm sorry Kendall but I have no sympathy for your drug victim. Yes it is sad, but there are a lot of resources available. Redmond finally has a safe haven for underaged homeless youth. If we take care of these kids, they have a greater change of survival and avoidance of drugs.
Dianne Kilrain May 13, 2013 at 09:16 pm
I thought your choice was fine. As one concerned with retirement and what I will be living on, I…Read More couldn't imagine losing that amount of amount of money through stock theft. Perhaps this person will be homeless in a year as well.
Bob McCoy May 10, 2013 at 02:56 pm
This advice is generally good, however in an encounter with a cougar or bobcat, the advice is to…Read More stare and maintain eye contact. Cats use stealth when hunting, and having a pair of eyes looking, tells the cat it's not going to surprise you. However, you should know that attacks on humans are extremely rare--in spite of all the hype promoted by those who wish to hunt these animals.
Residents in the area of the bear sighting should bring in all bird feeders, and also ensure that no pet food is left outdoors, barbecues are clean and any other potential food sources are enclosed.
Last summer I arranged a Karelian Bear Dog program outreach at the Sammamish Farmer's Market, as well as one about western Washington carnivores, and one specifically about wolves, at the Library, This year I'll try to arrange for an educational trailer devoted to bears.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/bears.html#encounters
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/cougars.html#encounters
Kendall Watson (Editor) May 9, 2013 at 03:55 pm
Thanks for the additional information on that call, Margaret!
Margaretq May 9, 2013 at 07:01 am
Re the "Slow Child" sign incident, there's a house I frequently have to drive by (I…Read More carpool with a child who lives a few houses away) that puts out their Slow Child sign right in the middle of the street. Most of the time, the kids have moved inside and the sign is left for drivers to have to navigate around. To avoid hitting the sign, you actually have to cross into the opposing land of traffic, around a blind curve, so the sign is extremely dangerous. And when the kids are playing outside, the mother and her friends turn their backs to the street to chat, or are not even outside at all. The kids are all under 6 years old, and none of them should be playing outside in their driveway, next to a fairly busy street, without close supervision. The mother apparently thinks that we drivers should babysit her kids for her, and that the sign is the only effort she needs to make to shift her burden onto everyone else in the neighborhood. The sign stays in the street for hours after the kids have gone inside, so on top of being an irresponsible parent, she's lazy. I am just waiting to hear about an accident caused by someone having to drive around her sign into the oncoming lane. I'll be the first to testify as to how she has endangered everyone who travels on that street.
Tiff May 5, 2013 at 12:00 pm
It's true that the intruder may re-think his "burglary career" after this incident. I…Read More hope so! However, the homeowner took a great risk on his own life by interacting with the burglar once he was inside the home. I am glad that the homeowner wasn't more seriously injured.
In a safety class, I was given the suggestion to speak through a closed door if someone who I don't know knocks. I can easily see someone knocking before they see me, so that is fortunate. I would say something like "What do you want?"..."Can't help you now." Then if they hang around, call the police. If they move on, I usually call my neighbors to alert them.
We have had dramatically reduced door-to-door sales calls since hanging up a "NO SOLICITORS" sign.
There was a home burglary in our Squak Mtn. neighborhood within the last month. It was during the workday and the homeowner was at work. The burglar entered the home in the same fashion as the intruder in the story above. They took some valuables and were never caught (to my knowledge). Perhaps this was the same individual?!?
Stay safe, Issaquah!
Kendall Watson (Editor) May 4, 2013 at 01:02 am
Thanks Edward A. We updated this story several times after getting more information and collapsed…Read More part of our lead sentence into an older version of the story. Things like this happen when you're first to the story :-)
dexterjibs May 7, 2013 at 02:42 pm
You see, Edward, I will not shut up until everyone agrees with me. I know I have to work extra hard…Read More to get you out of the dark ages in your world view, but I know it is possible: )
Kendall Watson (Editor) April 20, 2013 at 12:05 pm
That wasn't in the police report, Robert. What's callcenter.com?
Robert Stoops April 20, 2013 at 02:24 am
$3,498? That's a lot of money! Was that call reported to http://www.callercenter.com too?
Kendall Watson (Editor) April 20, 2013 at 12:50 am
If you're contacted by email or have a voice mail from them, forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov.…Read More If you have lost money to one of these schemes, call your local Secret Service field office. Local field offices are listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone book.
Joe M April 15, 2013 at 03:12 pm
Professor Cliff Mass, our local weather expert, wrote an excellent article that talks about the…Read More weather and avalanche forecasts for Saturday. Both forecasts were accurate, and these hikers should have read and heeded their serious warnings.
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-damaging-and-deadly-convergence-zone.html
Jenny Manning (Editor) April 15, 2013 at 02:55 pm
So unfortunate, but a great reminder to always be prepared when you go to the mountains (avalanche…Read More beacon, cell phone, snacks, proper clothing).
Robert K Israel April 15, 2013 at 02:54 pm
These people heard the same weather reports as everyone else! It is, of course terrible, but what…Read More are they thinking and why risk such an outcome?
Tim Dutcher April 7, 2013 at 04:16 pm
First, this is very sad news. It's a tragedy that can happen to any of us on the road at any time.…Read More It's a scary thought that our next trip out on the road might be our last.
The current Washington State DUI laws and punishments are not enough to keep drunks off the road (as well as texters and stoners). This 25 year old has multiple DUI arrests, but he was allowed to keep his vehicle and drive from Tacoma to Seattle to party with his friends. I think it makes sense to have a law that if you fail a field sobriety test, you are taken to jail to sober up and your vehicle is confiscated (and others that you own) for at least a year. Let them ride a bike or the bus until they've proven that they can live responsibly.
The penalty for most of our gun law violations in this state includes confiscation. Why shouldn't this be extended to vehicles that, as we see far too often, are potentially more dangerous? The loss of Morgan William's life is tragic, but what if this drunk turned head first into a bus of school kids going on a field trip?
If you agree with me about vehicle confiscation for repeated DUI offenses, please write to your legislator. http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/ And please say a prayer for the Williams family and friends as they deal with their loss.
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