06/30/2006: "If You Can't Fight Them, Join Them"

It's an age-old ploy in politics: if you can't argue the issues, make a personal attack. And who can argue the mission of Friends of the San Juans?: "To protect the land, water, sea and liveability of the San Juan Islands through science, education, policy, law and citizen action." Can anyone who lives here or has ever visited these blessed isles not be a friend of this place? And if a friend, why not a Friend?

The problem the foes really have with Friends is that there are too darn many of them! And they are everywhere: next door, across the street, on the ferry, in the grocery store, and even (gasp!) in the courthouse! This is a small county with a small population. Everyone knows everyone else (almost), and we are on a first-name basis with our local elected decision-makers. That's all part of what makes this the special place that it is.

If you can't fight them, join them. Be a Friend, and be a part of the conscience of this special place. I may not always agree with what they do, but I would still rather be a Friend (of the San Juans) than a FOE (friend of you-know-who)!

Miki Brostrom
Waldron Island