I fully realize it is the policy of the West Seattle Herald to publish all but the most egregiously profane Letters to the Editor that it receives. I am gratified to having never violated that sacred charter over the course of 16 years that I've lived in West Seattle while submitting many Letters to the Editor composed within the dusty recesses of gray matter belonging to your's truly. It has been equally gratifying to see the many letters from people with whom I disagree. I enjoy, and learn from, opposing viewpoints. I even like the letters to which I find no bearing whatsoever. In point of fact, on discovering the Herald sitting quietly upon my front porch each week, I turn instantly to the Comment section.

Now, I haven't formed an opinion about the fate of the CEM property and how it relates to a public entity like the Water Taxi. But I was disturbed to read two Letters to the Editor in the Oct. 24 issue of the Herald that use exactly the same verbiage. "This is a toxic brownfield site which has sat in our midst for over 30 years and it needs to be cleaned up now." I shall not question to grammatical usage of the preceding, though I have my doubts about, "...which has sat..." What made me stand up and take notice was the archaic word, "midst." How strange that two people would choose to use such an extremely old, and rarely subscribed, word in the same section of a newspaper published on the same date.

How odd that, grouped with the letters of those two people using such a Middle English term, was a third missive that waxed eloquently on the same subject. Sound Legacy Partners must be allowed to implement their vision for the CEM property.

Coincidence? At the risk of ruining the chance of seeing similar coincidences appear in future Letters to the Editor, I have to mention my suspicions that, perhaps, just perhaps, "the noteworthy alignment of two or more events or circumstances without obvious causal connection" is always cause for reflection among (not, "amongst") those of us not "in the know."

And then, there were those coincidental letters questioning school board candidate, Steve Sundquist. Was it happenstance that two letter writers chose to raise questions about specious endorsements referenced on Mr. Sundquist's Website? And making mention of the same examples? When both letters attest to so many other extant questions? Hmm. And, in the same week? Double-hmm. A good question, methinks (there is another archaic word and I, perchance, would suggest that if one was to see it twice in print in the same week in the same section of a newspaper that there could be cause for verisimilitudinous concern).

Probably as good a question as the two letters written in support of Mr. Sundquist - both of which read like campaign advertising rhetoric.

Am I being overly suspicious? Pray, leave us hope not.

In contrast to the aforementioned letters was the guest Op-Ed by Jennifer Hall, which had every indication of having been thought up by, and written by, Jennifer Hall.

I despise myself for recommending this, but I believe it has come time for the editor of the West Seattle Herald to make judgment decisions against letters to this most august of community information purveyances. Weed out the unoriginal, plagiaristic and blatantly partisan letters in the same fashion used by the larger newspapers in Seattle. Our community deserves opinions written by individual and not templates created by committee. Form letters belong in the spam and junk mail pile. Not in our newspaper.

Sigh. Yes. It has come to this.

In the spirit of Thomas Paine, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, I remain, most respectively yours,

Peter Stekel

Alki