[This piece was submitted to the Leader and rejected by them. Writer Brett Nunn explains, “I first offered it to the Leader hoping to reach a certain audience and start a civil conversation. The editor wrote back “it’s not experimental and it’s FDA approved.”]
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Yes, I gathered with a crowd of my fellow Jefferson County citizens at the traffic light in front of Safeway on Sims Way in Port Townsend on Saturday, August 20th. We were a mix of health care providers at risk of losing their licenses, grass roots activists, and just regular people. We were there to oppose the governor’s vaccine mandates for health care workers and teachers; something all of us agreed was an egregious overreach of his powers.
We had plenty of people giving us the thumbs up, and plenty of people flipping us the bird, or yelling obscenities out their car windows.
I have mentioned before that when I moved to this town a couple decades ago to raise a family it was a tolerant place filled with interesting, creative and intelligent people from all backgrounds with many varied beliefs. Somehow it all worked. We didn’t always get along, but I would like to think we respected each enough to practice a live-and-let-live philosophy that really made life here dynamic, invigorating and relaxed.
Not so much anymore.
So in the spirit of the peaceful past I extend an olive branch along with a request for my fellow citizens, whom I know to be kind, well educated, and supposedly tolerant, yet drive by in their Tesla’s and Prius’s flashing rude hand signs while saying, “&*$% you, you’re an idiot.”
I need more.
You say I am an idiot. It’s hard for me not to feel the same towards you.
Where does that leave us?
Give me more.
Am I an idiot because I want health care workers in Jefferson County to have the freedom to choose what medical treatments they want, rather than have Governor Inslee order them to take a shot or lose their license?
Am I an idiot for taking an afternoon away from my family to stand on a corner with a sign because I want you and your children to have the same freedom to choose or refuse whatever medical treatment might be required by government in the future?
Or am I an idiot because denigrating someone who has a belief different than yours is far easier than striving to understand?
I understand the fear of the last year and a half.
I understand the peer pressure.
I understand it is just easier to “go along to get along” because we were told if we got the shot everything would go back to normal.
I understand all this.
What I don’t understand is why I should “&%$@ off” when our politicians and media are pushing experimental medical treatments for the whole population that we all should know by now were not approved by the FDA, the makers of which have no liability for short term side effects that are real (seizures, heart damage, paralysis) or long term side effects (which remain mostly unknown), that doesn’t keep you from being re-infected or passing it on to others, for which it seems a third booster is needed after only six months, all for a disease that has a 99%+ survival rate for the majority of the population?
That is what I know.
Please tell me what you know, that makes what I know, something I should “%$#@ off” about?
In the mean time I urge everyone to de-escalate. Wherever you are, strive to be an island of calm, no matter what the media is saying.
If the last eighteen months has taught us anything, we can’t rely on government, either state or federal, to be of much help here in Jefferson County. Each of us, as individuals, have to do our part to knit this community back together, keep it strong, sustainable, and self reliant into the future. We can’t do this while we yell “idiot” at each other.
Now tell me what you know.
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Have you been censored?
Has a letter you’ve written been censored by the Leader, Peninsula Daily News, or other local media? The Port Townsend Free Press will publish all censored letters to the editor that meet our guidelines for civil discourse*.
Submit your previously-censored letter to
censored@porttownsendfreepress.com
*No insults, taunts, bullying, intimidation or profanity.
Brett Nunn has spent the last two decades in Port Townsend’s Uptown, raising a family, volunteering at local schools and wandering the outdoors. He writes about survival, community and culture. He is the author of the book, “Panic Rising: True-Life Survivor Tales from the Great Outdoors.”
I have been a follower of the PTFP since the beginning and truly believe it provides a valuable point of view. While I mostly agree with the Editor(s), that is irrelevant. What I would like to see is some clarification on why Brett and others think the Leader is under any obligation to print ANY contrary points of view. Is it not their right to print anything they want under our 1st Amendment? If so, why do we keep railing against them and giving them even more ink time? Sincerely asked, Michael.
Thank you for your sincere question, Michael, and for being a long-time PTFP follower. Agreed, any publication is within bounds to reject any material they choose. The Leader, however, claims its Opinion page is a “community forum” representing the entire community. Its publisher has said that they publish ALL letters to the editor, which is a blatant lie. As we have seen, any letters that challenge health department pronouncements are not allowed to see print. Brett’s submission is a longer opinion piece for that page, not an LTE. It appears clear from their rejection note, though, that their refusal to publish it was based on the same censorship wall that they’ve applied to the letters—it does not align with the health department’s messaging. We intend to provide a voice for those who are being censored.
A couple years ago a rape victim’s family appealed to Port Townsend Free Press to publish a letter the Leader refused to print. The Leader had done a great disservice to a rape victim, indeed, had revictimized her. We published their letter in full: https://www.porttownsendfreepress.com/2018/10/20/the-letter-the-leader-wont-publish-how-michael-haas-mistreated-a-rape-victim/ Respectfully, former PTFP editor, Jim Scarantino
I just read some of the Haas treated this rape victim, so why does this guy have a job and is not being prosecuted himself…Jefferson County is so corrupt, I was born and raised here trust me I have lots of stories that will make your jaw drop….I feel for the rape victim and wonder what ever happened to the case?
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Yet the Leader will publish vile rants of hate directed at the unvaccinated.
This us-vs-them mentally comes naturally on the heels of a media-produced panic. This is scarier to me than covid.
I have lived in PT for 42 years. My old liberal and peace-loving friends are shocking me with their authoritarian and hateful rhetoric.
Michael, The question you should be asking is why would they decide against printing this and the other Letters to the Editor that have been published here. Of course The Leader, Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc… can publish whatever they want. The question should be “Why are all mainstream media suppressing the same things?” Are we a better society because of their suppression?
That’s not likely.
Growing up in the early 60’s in Berkeley, being involved with the Free Speech movement and other activism, I had visions of a more free and accepting future society, sadly in many ways we are a more divided and angry society.
Thank you Brett, for your calm commentary on the escalating divisiveness in Port Townsend – City of Dreams…as long as your dream is the same as ours it seems. I was one of those giving you the thumbs up as I drove by. If I hadn’t been on my way out of town, I would have joined you.
I’m a relative newbie to Port Townsend – only 18 years under my belt, so will probably kick the bucket before I gain anything resembling ‘local’ status. I thought of my move here as a lateral one – PT in the early 2000s felt much like my native Marin did 30 years previous to my exit. Now, only 18 years later, I hardly recognize this place – it has become everything I left behind. Nearly gone is the visible coterie of colorful, quirky characters who kept the town alive with art, music and any excuse for a parade or celebration in the street. Certainly gone is that ambiance of easy acceptance, or at least tolerance, of everyone’s differences and opinions.
The level of fear engendered by a media-enhanced pandemic would never have happened here 18 years ago, or so I would like to believe. The community would have come together to find solutions – not bowed to the continued onslaught of fear- mongering, turning neighbor against neighbor because of differing ideas about a virus and vaccine of all things!
What has happened here?? How did we become so vicious that we’re calling each other names simply because some of us believe that what goes into our bodies, is our business, not any government or medical officers’? Despite the growing rhetoric around vaxxing or not vaxxing, vaccine effectiveness vs. vaccine injury, don’t we owe it to ourselves and our community to listen to one another’s concerns without judgement? How can we possibly hope to survive as a community if we can’t even talk to each other without escalating to name calling and villifying ‘the other’ simply because our views are different? Where does it end?
Belated welcome, from a fellow x-Marinite.
True, PT has changed a lot since the 60’s, but it’s still a much better place to live than in most any big city in America.
Before reaching any conclusions I suggest you read the Court of Appeals case which overturned the rape conviction found here:
https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/D2%2049417-5-II%20Unpublished%20Opinion.pdf
while recognizing that these articles about the rape accusation were written in the context of an election between Mike Haas and James Kennedy. PTDP was an active supporter of Mr. Kennedy.
Joan, I never met Mr. Kennedy until after the election. Please read the series we did on how Haas mishandled the case and retraumatized the victim and ignored evidence that the physical incapacity defense of this man who had assaulted other women was a complete fabrication. Yet he tossed the case. The Court of Appeals case did not opine on guilt or innocence.
Brilliant! Thank you for a wise and insightful opinion piece, even though rejected by the Leader. I thought its great point was incivility amongst those who disagree, rather than thoughtful dialogue.
I appreciate the survival of PTFP. PTFP has published some great content. Now no one can say they were silenced.
We need all voices to cast informed votes. Those elected guide policy. Those that want to change a policy need to convince voters. I am concerned that as anti vaxxers pass away at such an alarming rate they will have less of an impact on elections. We will miss their voices.
Dear PTFP,
Thanks for publishing Brett’s letter. How refreshing to hear a fellow citizen speak honestly about his experiences! I wasn’t at the protest, but in my view, the street corner is no longer a safe place to hold a conversation–especially when most passersby are moving at 25 miles per hour. Unlike fast-food and commercials, meaningful dialogue happens when we give time and place, and respectful listening. Sadly, when we need it most, we’ve been denied our customary venues for public conversations–pubs, coffee shops, festivals and concerts. Social distancing is a recipe for inducing depression and fear. Once I realized this, I decided not to allow myself to be manipulated. Then, I did what I always do: I sought out the wisdom of trustworthy voices–people who aren’t getting rich off of this crisis.
I turned off corporate media long ago, disillusioned by the lobbyist-influenced, gridlocked government, and the fear-mongering narratives that justify endless war and an inhumane economics. But at least–so I thought–we had independent journalism, Public Radio, getting us the truth. This morning in my car, risking a brief few minutes to listen to NPR, I was appalled (but not surprised) to hear that Facebook–a veritable fount of disinformation and authoritarian squelcher of dissenting voices–is now a financial sponsor of National Public Radio! Yikes indeed!
These are strange times, indeed, when many our fellow citizens, effectively deranged by fear-inducing narratives, seem to have forgotten about our 1st Amendment rights–the right to express our feelings, thoughts, and beliefs.
I approach controversy humbly, seeking to broaden my understanding through reading, listening, and attempting to see other viewpoints. To ridicule or censor others if their views diverge from our own denies our fellow citizens the same fundamental freedoms we hold dear.
I strive to do my part to live in a community where slow conversations happen again. I want to understand, with compassion, what’s really going on for my fellow citizens. Perhaps listening, and being listened to, from the heart will allow us all some self-reflection, and needed insight.
Thanks for listening !
Sincerely,
Gary Eduardo Perless
Brett – I am just now reading your article.
While I disagree with your position on vaccines–that public health is purely a personal choice–I have am learning the huge importance of discourse, respect and empathy in the wake of the Y pool incident. I suppose though I try to think more about what is good for society, the environment, etc. than what is good for me personally.
Either way, I agree with you that derisive comments do nothing to gain respect for one’s position and I laude you in pointing this out, once again.
My new mantra: disagree without being disagreeable.
Thanks for writing this article.