“Hate” is the ultimate negative emotion. And yet, it is totally overused. If someone takes a position you don’t like, or heaven forbid, you cannot factually refute, you call them a “hater” who is using “hate speech.” That is the problem. When everything is hate speech, nothing is hate speech. It just so happens that…
Letters to the Editor, September 2026
Designing for Dignity: Inclusion, Safety, and the Truth About Trans Spaces
By Rachel Waldron In last month’s issue of The Loop, a guest piece questioned the inclusion of transgender individuals in public life, raising concerns about privacy, facilities, medical care, and community values. Open dialogue is part of what makes Vashon vibrant, but when public commentary touches on human rights and health, our conversation must be grounded…
August 2026, Letters to the Editor
Letter from Olga
In May and June 2025, a two-part article, “There’s No Place Like Home – a Ukrainian Woman’s Journey” by Daniel Hooker was featured in The Loop. Read Part 2 here. A companion article, “Olga and the Ukraine War,” by Andy Valencia also appeared in May 2025. I want to say how grateful I am to…
Commentary, Letters to the Editor, May 2026
I Strongly Support Our Country’s Actions in Iran, and Yes, this is an Island Issue
When I first wrote about my support for our country’s actions in Iran, it was mid to late February. A la my “cancel culture series,” I was following through on the promise I made to my fellow Islanders back in January. Each month, I would explore harms caused by cancel culture and share my thoughts…
Island Voices, Letters to the Editor, March 2026
AMERICANS: MAGA VOTERS ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS
About 155,000,000 United States citizens voted in the 2024 Presidential election. About 64% of eligibles! Millions & millions is an amazing number of our US citizen-neighbors: each somehow made the independent decision to vote for a person they never met for lunch, perhaps saw mostly on TV, heard some promises made by practiced politicians that…
Letters to the Editor, March 2026
In Response to “Thanks, Uncle Sam” (Vashon Loop 1/7/26)
Yes, the men considered to be the founding fathers and builders of our country’s foundation were audacious, courageous, determined, and visionary. And yes, many of us can imagine living with laws, rights, and freedoms especially if we have benefited from those protections. Now imagine being excluded from those original laws, rights, and freedoms because you…
February 2026, Letters to the Editor
What Language Can Do: A Student’s Experiment
By Sri Lakshmi Happy New Year! May every day be filled with beautiful fuel for your next trip around the sun. It’s a great time to be a student. An even better time to study communications. Last September, our president inspired me to enroll in college. As part of this communication study, we students chose a…
Letters to the Editor, November 2025
Art is Under Attack on Vashon
By Mike Leavitt It took living here for 13 years for me to realize how deeply the arts are embedded at the core of Vashon. Yet somehow, I still don’t understand it. To this day, every day living here, I am in constant awe at how many brilliant talents work their magic amongst our woods. If you…
Letters to the Editor, November 2025
Call For Support! With SNAP Cuts, IFCH Steps Up With Food Support
Dear Vashon Residents, Starting November 1st, 2025, people who usually get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which I call Food Stamps as an old folk, will only be getting 50% of their November benefits. Vashon Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness (IFCH) wants to help our Vashon residents who will be affected by these cuts. We…
Letters to the Editor, September 2025
Bicycles Rule! No, But the RCW Does
By Paul S As a year round bicycle commuter on Vashon, I found Dave B’s opinion piece (Bicycles Rule! Really? – August 7) a little disturbing. His stated concern for bicyclists reads more like annoyance with having to share the road with us. Although most drivers on Vashon are courteous and respectful of bicyclists, there…