I read the letter in the forum “Enough of funding war, Growlers” [Leader, Feb. 15]. Just more griping and complaining from the liberal whiners in Port Townsend. My wife and I listen to noise every day passing over our home from the airliners into Seattle as they change power settings and turn toward Seattle; military jets into McChord Field; sea planes to and from Victoria; Coast Guard helicopters; and an occasional Navy F-18 Growler.

We also have SR 19 at the end of my driveway, with the traffic noise of the tractor-trailer trucks and sirens of emergency vehicles, and a large dairy farm behind our property, where we hear farm equipment, cattle, and sometimes we smell the manure when it’s spread.

If we listen to the rants, then all these noisemakers should stop for the well-being of us all. No more airliners for us to travel in and out of Seattle, no military around providing security, jobs and tax base, no trucks bringing food into our county or fuels, no emergency vehicles for help, etc.

[The writer] also mentions the expenses of defense budget. The problem with that is the congressmen and senators tacking on “pork” that has nothing to do with our national defense. For example, a study for a women’s museum in the D.C. Mall about two years back, and there are many more examples.

Article 1, Section 8, U.S. Constitution states “provide for the common defense and general Welfare of the United States” and it further states “shall be uniform throughout the United States.” This is why we have bases spread across the country.

This attitude of not in my backyard is just plain selfishness. Construction of the NAS started in 1942. The base was here long before most all of us, 75 years ago. Live with it or move away.

GARY H. PRICE

Port Ludlow