Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Iran and a Costco interaction

Costco was the last stop before home. Cat food, of course … and some other stuff. I rarely taste the samples, but today I was trying every single, solitary thing that I walked by. Cheesy … more

3/23/26

Letter to the editor: Appeasement has its own historical warning signs

I’m sorry that letter writer KP Gillan found my March 12 letter so objectionable. I do not intend to engage in an extended back-and-forth, so this will be my final response on the matter. … more

3/23/26

Letter to the editor: Creative arts offerings at Centralia College are at an all-time low

Art, a higher form of human endeavor, pure from the “heart and mind,” comes from human creativity. Artistic expression seems to reveal itself when most of us are children, but it can … more

3/23/26

State Rep. Matt Marshall, R-Eatonville, speaks to other legislators during the 93 day of the legislative session on the House floor of the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Commentary: Governor must stop economically illiterate income tax before Washingtonians force a reckoning

Washington’s political class pretends it can pile on new taxes without consequence, but the numbers — and the moving vans — tell a different story. A new 9.9% tax on personal income … more

By Rep. Matt Marshall / R-Eatonville | 3/20/26

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

John Braun commentary: No matter what income tax backers say, there’s no free lunch

Before the new state income tax passed by Democrats was even proposed as legislation, many of us who oppose such a tax predicted the supporters would engage in a game of bait-and-switch. They’d … more

3/20/26

Letter to the editor: Washingtonians are tired of the hypocrisy

Last week, Gov. Bob Ferguson took to social media to celebrate two major achievements. First, the state Department of Health now processes requests to change gender designations on birth … more

3/20/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers the State of the State address for the 2026 Legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Commentary: Governor’s ‘Millionaires Tax’ is historic for all the wrong reasons

When the Washington Legislature passed the state’s new “Millionaires Tax,” Gov. Bob Ferguson called it historic. “It’s not too often in this line of work that you have a vote that’s truly … more

Amanda McKinney / Yakima County Commissioner | 3/19/26

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Jim Walsh commentary: Governor’s bragging over ‘double voting’ bill ignores real election problems

This week, the current governor sent out a press release, bragging about a bill he signed into law that discourages “double voting.” The bill, Senate Bill 6084, is fine — as far as … more

By Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen | 3/19/26

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey commentary: They mocked D.A.R.E. — now they give instructions for drug use

Over the past couple of weeks (or months), I’ve read a lot about the conflict between Gather Church and the lawsuit filed against our Lewis County commissioners over efforts to regulate a “harm … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 3/18/26

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Peter Abbarno commentary: Children, parents and students lost big in the 2026 legislative session

Every legislative session involves difficult decisions. Lawmakers must balance competing priorities while ensuring the state remains fiscally responsible. But when the 2026 legislative session ended … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 3/18/26

Letter to the editor: If there was ever a time that the U.S. has been weaker, I don’t recall it

Is anyone else as scared as I am? I feel we are headed down the path of World War III. Nothing like starting a war for the sake of Israel, regime change, proactive dismantling of nuclear … more

3/18/26

Letter to the editor: Joe Kent chose principle over position

I want to commend Joe Kent for his decision to resign from the National Counterterrorism Center. As a military veteran, I understand the weight of such a choice and the courage it takes to act … more

3/18/26

Janice and Allen Erickson are pictured outside Claquato Church in this photo provided to The Chronicle.

Julie McDonald: Janice Erickson discusses Rochester heritage farm and travels in retirement

Editor’s note: This is the third and final installment in a series. Find the previous installments at https://www.chronline.com/opinion/ . During the late 1950s, while attending Western … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/16/26

The Cowlitz River runs against the bank of homes off of Slalom Way in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Zac Eckstein: The Chehalis Basin has a flood plan — and the Cowlitz Basin needs one

Last December, in the High Valley neighborhood outside Packwood, residents spent the night stacking sandbags and watching the Cowlitz River chew away at the bank behind their homes. A few miles away … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 3/16/26

Letter to the editor: The community created by protesting

This letter is not for the naysayers, the online bullies or the people who drive by protests with their middle finger in the air. I don’t agree with them, but they have the right to their opinions. … more

3/16/26

Letter to the editor: Scripture is no shield for warmongering

As a Christian, I am appalled by letter writer Arny Davis’s recent attempt to frame unprovoked military aggression as a biblical mandate. His letter draws a warped, Orwellian conclusion: that war … more

3/16/26

Commentary: Let’s make Washington state affordable for everyone

Washington families are feeling the squeeze like never before. Whether you’re filling your gas tank, buying groceries, paying rent and utilities, or covering a medical bill, the cost of living in … more

By Rep. David Stuebe | 3/16/26

Dr. Richard J. Stride is the CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: Love the people around you and be kind more often than necessary

At the end of many of my sermons over the years, I would say something simple to the precious souls listening. I would remind them that when life is over, people will not remember how big your … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 3/16/26

Letter to the editor: Diversionary War Theory

Treating Trump’s actions as reliance on Diversionary War Theory reduces a complex geopolitical landscape to a single, narrow motive. The theory is legitimate, but political scientists describe … more

3/16/26

Letter to the editor: Trump is pimping American sons and daughters to do the dirty work for Israel and Saudi Arabia

A recent letter by Arny Davis of Adna to The Chronicle supporting Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu's second preemptive war against Iran in less than a year attempts to make the case that such wars … more

3/16/26