By Andy Valencia We’ve heard our president announce new funding for new COVID vaccines. Our local media includes a triumphant study of how Vashon did during the pandemic of recent memory. The general tone was that the world can learn from our success. We’re told the COVID storm clouds are gathering. We look at the…
August 2023, Commentary, Editorial Page
How To Run a Stop Sign
Blowing through stop signs or, should any present themselves, red lights, yields tangible benefits. It increases fuel economy, saves a few seconds, fights global warming, and generally makes humdrum lives a little edgier. Downsides include making everyone else’s lives a little edgier and slightly shorter in an actuarial sense, plus the fact that there are…
August 2023, Editorial Page
Tech Friction
By Andy Valencia Friction is certainly present in our day-to-day life. Your skateboard slows down on a level surface because of it, and some of the energy your car uses is to avoid slowing down. A different kind of friction is used to guide your behavior as a consumer; in this article, I’ll cover technology…
Editorial Page
Editor-Owner March Twisdale Departs
It is with sadness, as well as deep appreciation of her many efforts and contributions, that we announce March Twisdale’s departure from The Vashon Loop Editorial team. Just over a year ago, the idea to relaunch The Vashon Loop sprang forth during a conversation between March, Caitlin, and Jane, while in her garden. Since then,…
Editorial Page
Life Despite Money
By Andy Valencia The United States is staggering along under more debt than you might expect: US Public Debt, Last 10 Years Debt is money you borrow – rent, if you like. If the rent is very close to zero, who cares how much you’ve borrowed? But over time, if you print endless money at…
Editorial Page
Vote Against “Bank Taxes” – Pay Cash
By March Twisdale You may have noticed that young folks working the register tend to automatically assume customers will pay with a card. This happened at C&P Coffee a few weeks ago. As I was tapping on the screen, my brain started to ping at me. Only when I handed my $20 bill to the…
Editorial Page
Know Your Home Waters
Editorial Note: In this article “Know Your Home Waters”, the Vashon Loop reports on information which is in the possession of the Vashon School District. Such information includes items such as a report from a professional investigator and parent statements. The Vashon Loop reminds our readers that none of this has been tested in a…
Editorial Page
If I Were Running for the School Board …
By March Twisdale We need people who know the job. If I were running for the school board, this would be my first and primary focus. What is my role? My duty? My obligation? Who do I serve? We need people who can hold power responsibly and gently. Power is scary, because coming along right…
Editorial Page
Terms of Concern: Convenience
By March Twisdale When we hear something said often enough, we have a human tendency to believe it is true. This is known as the illusory truth effect: Hearing or reading a claim, especially repeatedly, makes you more likely to think it’s true. And it’s used against us, again and again. When businesses hire advertisers…
Editorial Page
Patterns of Abuse Exist for a Reason
Abuse happens. How we respond determines whether the abuse is effectively stopped. Or whether a pattern develops, as the abuse is tacitly allowed to continue. On Thursday, April 27th, Vivian Lyons read a letter at a Vashon Island School District board meeting, written by one of two women who have co-filed a formal complaint against…