Welcome to the VEB.

Afternoon Snark: For the first time, a rescue tug will be stationed year around at Neah Bay. But it will only be for this one year, meaning that the state could again be at increased risk of a tanker or other ship running aground in the Strait of Juan de Fuca after that. One encouraging aspect is that considerable work has gone into the preparation for the tug's year of operation beginning Tuesday. For instance, the state Department of Ecology and the Makah Indian Nation came to an agreement to put new electrical outlets on a dock where the tug will be stationed, reducing carbon emissions associated with running standby generators. But the $3.7 million cost is money that Gov. Chris Gregoire and the state Legislature came up with. The state budget will be much tighter come January, so it's all the more important that Congress find or create a permanent funding source, such as a fee on shippers. And, certainly, with the U.S. Supreme Court helping Exxon out on the costs of its Alaska oil spill, industry will be feeling generous about prevention – right?
Joe Copeland

Editorial plans for July 1.

Joe Copeland is writing about the possibility of a Seattle Parks levy. The Parks and Green Space Levy Citizens' Advisory committee report puts together a plausible package that could go forward to voters. Our advice: Keep it as small as possible. And, If citizens think it's too expensive, they could always say no.
email: joecopeland@seattlepi.com

D. Parvaz is writing about one park, Victor Steinbrueck Park and its importance as one of the city's crown jewels. Imagine walking up from a cruise ship ... only to have to walk "around" the park because it's too dangerous.
email: dparvaz@seattlepi.com

D. is also writing about the Army's report on the Iraq war. The Defense Department says introspection is part of its culture -- and we know now the occupation went badly.
email: dparvaz@seattlepi.com

It's in the P-I (a pre-editorial board morning preview)

A record setting weekend, temp wise. We won't complain. We're just glad we finally don't need a sweater at work. ...

Speaking of hot, the King County budget debate promises to be a scorcher. We've written about this before -- and may again soon -- but for us the bottom line here is that there is a structural tax imbalance that doesn't work for county governments. This is particularly a problem for urban parts of the county because the level of services are higher than the tax side of the ledger. What ever budget is patched together will only be a temporary fix -- the bigger question must be addressed by the state Legislature. We're hoping next session.

Another agenda item: New Army report detailing history (and failings) of Iraq occupation.

Reader comments.

Sunday's editorial: A vital truth: Protecting family. Comments here.

flyboy posits:

Nonsense! A family is often more than just a mother and father. It includes aunts, uncles and grandparents. Even without an extended family, there are countless singled parents who manage just fine.

thinkwell is not thinking at all. Parents die for all kinds of reasons. Some parent give birth, but are essentially absent for the rest of a child's life.

What is important is how the child is raised. There are countless anecdotal examples single parent families raising good kids. There are just as many anecdotal examples of two parent families raising monsters. My great-grandmother was orphaned at an early age and raised by a spinster aunt, and later widowed. She raised a wonderful family.

We have enough trouble removing kids from dangerous situations without dumping another group of kids on the state agencies that are being raised just fine.

There is no such thing as a perfect family.

Roger Knight offers another take:

I am glad that we now support intact families as the best way to raise children. Threfore I look forward to reading editorials calling for the restoration of fault and due process to divorce practice and getting rid of the cash incentives for filing for divorce embodied in the present no-fault, meaning no due process, practice of stripping the breadwinner of his property and ordering him into peonage, or shall we say, SLAVERY, to pay alimony and child support at UNREASONABLE rates.

The 50% divorce rate with females being 80% of the petitioners ought to give everyone a clue about the present incentives in the system and how this is leading to most of the social problems we now have in our society.

Another comment generator, column by D. Parvaz on death with dignity.

Marine Vet starts the debate:

Agreed.

Many people want to stop this initiative because they want to force their choices on other people.

They scream and yell about possible abuses, but tried and true safeguards are firmly in place. Just look at Oregon--they're doing just fine.

The last thing people need when making the difficult decision of how to end their life is the government sticking it's nose in the middle of it.

Give people the freedom to choose in this difficult time.

However Dr.Sue counters:

O

ver 80% of the people dying under the Oregon law have cancer, and yes, our physical bodies are not as pretty at that point. But if anyone knows of someone experiencing unacceptable pain or other symptoms, they had better find better medical care, because such suffering is not necessary. You mentioned, "I'd rather see an improved version of the law here than none at all." Take a close look at Oregon with its nearly identical wording. There is no process for reviewing the adequacy of end of life care given to those who kill themselves, nor for improving the types and doses of drugs used. The press has revealed more information about individual cases than the state even collects, and yes, there is abuse--family pressure, undertreatment of pain and depression for starters. Did people choose suicide because they weren't getting good care? Who knows? Almost all are NOT experiencing significant pain according to independent research of the families. Financial pressure? Oregon Health Plan just sent a letter to a patient in Eugene refusing to pay for chemotherapy but offering the cheaper assisted suicide drugs. You think it won't turn into euthanasia of the unwilling? Look at Europe where it has spread beyond Holland and families have been surprised to find it happened to someone they know would never have chosen it. It already happened in Oregon when a doctor ended the life of a stroke patient in a coma, and only had his license suspended for two months. I-1000 is dangerous, corrupts medicine, and doctors can't be sued if they screw up the diagnosis or undertreat pain and depression. Your choice? Eventually someone else who thinks you have reached the "not worth it" point will decide for you. The proponents admit they want more. Don't be taken in.

Top opinion comment draws -- Global warming and guns. Favorite subjects for those who regularly disagree with P-I editorials. Fair enough.

Enjoy your holiday week. And Independence day is the ideal time to weigh in ... discourse welcome.