In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Protests of the right, rash ilk

Cheers, then jeers: To legislative reactions regarding stay-at-home orders. State Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Vancouver, and three other Republican members of the House of Representatives have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Jay Inslee in federal court. The suit argues that stay-at-home orders issued by the governor violate the U.S. Constitution and seeks to bar Inslee from keeping those orders in place during the coronavirus pandemic. “He claims that the emergency can continue as long as he thinks it continues,” the lawsuit reads, “and no one but he can say otherwise.”

We disagree with the premise of the suit and with the arguments it makes. But we cheer the effort and the right of the legislators — joined by four citizens from around the state — to challenge the power of the governor in federal court. It is essential to our system of government that the people are able to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and it is the role of the courts to assess those grievances.

On the other hand, Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver, warrants jeers for taking an irresponsible approach to expressing her grievances. Kraft took part in a protest of stay-at-home orders at the state Capitol, then led a gathering of more than 100 people in a protest at the Clark County Courthouse.

By all means, the public has a right to protest, but few of the protesters have worn protective gear or observed social distancing. In other words, they have risked spreading infections that will only cause stay-at-home orders to be extended. “The majority in Olympia are not listening,” Kraft told the crowd in Vancouver. “It is the people who ultimately have the authority over their government.” What she failed to mention is that while 100 people protested, hundreds of thousands of Clark County residents adhered to the stay-at-home orders issued by the officials they have elected.

Cheers: To Vancouver Farmers Market. The popular downtown market has returned, albeit with a different look. There are fewer vendors, fewer customers, and social-distancing guidelines are in place. The usual 165 vendor stalls have been pared to 34 in order to maintain separation, and customers are limited to 150 at a time.

Jordan Boldt, the market’s executive director, says the goal is for customers to view the market as a grocery destination rather than the community event it long has represented. While the market will feel different for the foreseeable future, the return of fresh, local produce for customers and an outlet for farmers in the region is most welcome.

Jeers: To porch pirates. Kennewick police are searching for two women who have been caught on camera pilfering packages from porches. Unfortunately, there is nothing new about that, but the pair has added a twist: They are dressed as medical professionals, wearing the common blue scrubs.

“Both appear to dress as nurses,” Kennewick police said, “and we do not believe they are actual nurses.”

Cheers: To journalism. The Seattle Times this week was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of Boeing in the wake of two crashes of the 737 MAX. A series of stories detailed how the company violated its own standards and how shortcuts led to lax federal oversight.

Journalists do not perform their jobs for the purpose of winning awards, but the Pulitzers annually remind us of the importance of their work. Whether in a major city, a midsized city or a small town, a local newspaper provides oversight that keeps corporations and governments in check for the benefit of the public.