Editor,

Whidbey Island residents who don’t recognize the problem with the Growlers tell the rest of us, “The Navy was here first, and you signed an acknowledgement when you bought property here.”

However, the Navy wasn’t “here first.” Predating them is every Whidbey Islander older than 77; before any other people came here, there were the Native Americans; before them was the land and the wildlife. But for now, let’s pretend the Navy was here first. Does that mean they can do anything they want?

Suppose you buy property in a neighborhood that has a Home Owners’ Association (HOA).

The HOA specifies that dogs are allowed. Your property is adjacent to someone who has lived there for 77 years; the day after you move in he buys a big, aggressive dog. He says he needs the dog for protection. He even says the dog will protect the entire neighborhood.

However, several times a week, this dog comes onto your property and attacks and bites you.

Your neighbors — the ones who AREN’T getting bitten — argue, “He was here first, and that dog protects all of us, and you signed an acknowledgement that dogs were allowed, so stop complaining.”

That’s the situation with the Growlers. They are attacking the ones they claim to defend. They are harming our people.

Why is the “shut-up-or-leave” crowd ignoring that fact? Must we destroy our citizens in order to protect them?

I’m not saying “Close NASWI.”

I’m just asking the Navy to be a good neighbor to Whidbey, as Whidbey has been to the Navy.

Put a restraint on this attack dog. And frankly, this request has the rule of law on its side: the U.S. Constitution.

In America, the military obeys the people.

Allowing it to be the other way around invites military dictatorship.

Steve DeHaven

SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)

Coupeville