Letter: Earthquake centered under 1950 State St., Tacoma

Did you feel it?  That’s the address of the Tacoma News Tribune (TNT) whose editorial board opinion aftershocks are registering throughout Pierce County.

The reason?  A seismic shift in principles.

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Here’s what the TNT opined on October 17, 2008:  “Voters should get Lakewood out of the business of taking money from vulnerable people.”

The issue?  Gambling.  An attempt to ban a predatory industry of which the TNT – then – acknowledged would, per then-Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz, eliminate “11 police positions, among the many cuts that would have to be made in the operating budget.”

“But if the ban fails,” the TNT – then – continued, “the city would continue to impose a stealth tax on the poor and gullible. It would continue to ignore the social costs of problem gambling: personal bankruptcy, broken families and crime. And it would continue to base too much of its budget on a risky bet: that the casinos will continue operating in an increasingly competitive market.”

But that was then and this is now.

Now – now – the TNT, aka drug-dealer as it is in affect recommending cities drop their basically silly scruples and their marijuana bans along with them – including Lakewood – and hold out their collective city hands for a share of the literal pot, now the TNT pompously, pontifically, perhaps even with no little buffoonery says:

“Principles are well and good but they don’t keep the lights on, and they don’t pay for recreation departments or police officers.”

What a turn(coat) of events – not to mention likely the saddest commentary on our clueless-media-influenced (recent election) culture, when principles – principles – take a backseat – as in the rear of the bus – to profits.