Letter to the Editor: Captain America would be proud of EHS students
Published 11:00 am Thursday, March 12, 2026
Buss’ severe, self-righteous bullying letter condemning local high school students for walking out of class in order to protest policies of the ICE agency and Trump reflect a double standard about civic engagement in this country (“Thank you, EPD, for not putting up with protest nonsense,” published March 5). Buss conveniently fails to mention the conditions that caused this protest.
Buss conveniently fails to acknowledge Police Chief Floyd’s balanced Facebook statement published in the newspaper as prudent.
After the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by out-of-control poorly trained ICE agents, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rushed to the microphone to call Good and Pretti “domestic terrorists.” Buss, do you agree with Noem’s characterization? Yes or no? Readers here want to know.
Buss’ manufactured outrage is misplaced. Buss bullies high school students exercising their freedom to protest and yet Buss doesn’t bellyache here about AG Pam Bondi covering up for Trump by withholding evidence implicating Trump’s serious crimes recorded in the FBI files. Also, why doesn’t Buss tell us what Homan did with the bag containing the $50K?
Buss is eager to protect Trump’s criminal enterprise while ridiculing “left-wing” citizens for beliefs and activities he doesn’t like.
I first learned about the high school students’ protest after reading this newspaper. The thought bubble over my head read “Wow!” My breath was taken away by the students’ gumption, courage, resolve and social awareness. “Leftist”? Perhaps, but at least they aren’t ICE bullies.
The citizens staged the Boston Tea Party – a protest – helped to found our republic. Protests have been a defining expression of patriotism in our country.
Likewise, young peaceful (italics for emphasis) people played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. In Birmingham and throughout the South; students marched, faced police brutality, fire hoses, endured police dogs, and in some cases paid with their lives so that this nation might live up to its promises. Buss, how would you critique Bull Connor and the Birmingham Police Department in the 1950’s? Readers here want to know.
Buss, did you not learn the above history in high school or is this history too “woke” for you?
Buss’ attempt to ridicule the student protest is presumptuous. Buss, do you condemn all gun-rights advocates when there are senseless deaths after a mass shooting? No, you don’t. I suspect the tone of Buss’ letter would be very different had these same students walked out to champion the right-wing (emphasis here) Second Amendment.
Captain America would be proud of these students. Captain America would want young people to avoid being apathetic and silent, and to be engaged and willing to stand up for what they believe. Democracy is not a spectator sport. It is often noisy, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. But it is strengthened—not weakened—when the next generation participates in it.
Buss, what did you do worthwhile when you were in high school? Readers here want to know. Certainly not being a student of American history and you certainly did not read Captain America.
Stanley McKie
Enumclaw
