Cheers: To fighting misinformation. While we editorially oppose Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal to criminalize lies about election results and security, efforts to combat such misinformation must continue. Falsehoods about the 2020 presidential election remain widespread, undermining faith in our democracy; in one extreme case, they led to an insurrection last year at the U.S. Capitol. Steve Hobbs, Washington’s new secretary of state, says his office will aggressively combat misinformation.
“What we will do is lean forward — as we say in the military, ‘lean forward in the saddle’ — instead of sitting back and allowing a tweet to become a retweet, becoming a meme, and, all of a sudden, people believe in a false narrative of the elections,” Hobbs recently told Crosscut. He plans to expand his department’s cybersecurity office and will work to inform the public about safeguards that ensure secure elections. That work is essential to preserving our democracy.
Jeers: To a foolish prank. The Vancouver Police Department is investigating at least seven incidents in east Vancouver of teens kicking in residents’ doors and then fleeing. The incidents apparently are linked to a social media challenge — the TikTok “Door Kick Challenge,” which encourages users to post videos of their actions.
Among the many dumb things on social media, this is one of the dumbest. It’s always fun until somebody gets shot or beaten by a startled homeowner. Police are encouraging parents to warn children of the “obvious dangers associated with this type of crime.”
Cheers: To accessibility at Fort Vancouver. Efforts are underway to build a parking lot and remove hazards at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. A 200-space lot and updated circulation routes and trails are in the works. Meanwhile, the city of Vancouver is working to renovate the nearby Confluence Land Bridge, which has been closed since fall.
Given its history and its proximity to downtown, the fort and surrounding area is a favorite of both locals and visitors. Site Superintendent Tracy Fortmann said of the upgrades: “We want to serve our communities in our region, the nation and visitors who are coming from all over. So, this would be the key to doing that.”
Jeers: To COVID-19. Clark County Public Health reported 28 deaths attributed to coronavirus this week, the highest seven-day total since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, schools are reporting high numbers of infections, and hospital representatives are urging county officials to support vaccines and masking.
Two years ago, we never imagined we would still be editorializing about COVID-19 and its impact on our community. But here we are. The virus remains a threat, calling for caution in our public interactions and for everybody who is able to receive vaccines and booster shots.
Cheers: To pickleball. Not only has the game been declared “the fastest growing sport in America” by the Sport and Fitness Association, but it was invented in Washington. The combination of pingpong and tennis was created in a Bainbridge Island backyard in 1965. So, it makes sense that pickleball should be designated as Washington’s official state sport.
That is the goal of Senate Bill 5615. In recent months, The Columbian has reported on pickleball courts opening in Ridgefield and in north-central Vancouver, reflecting the growth of the recreational activity. Sure, there are more important things for the Legislature to consider, but recognizing pickleball’s popularity and its Washington roots makes sense.
