The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

In my opinion, the three most devastating events that can occur in a person’s life, but not in order of trauma are: 1) the loss of son or daughter in war; 2) a woman’s awareness and treatment for breast cancer and; 3) a bitter divorce.

You might have a different opinion and change the subjects or circumstances. Being a Vietnam veteran, I witnessed many boys/men who would not come back to their parents; sad. Working and lecturing in the field of health and wellness with many women, and having female relatives that were diagnosed with breast cancer, I learned what a traumatic experience this is for them. Living in Wahkiakum County, I learned first-hand what constitutes a bitter divorce.

What constitutes or fuels a bitter divorce? There are two sides to every divorce; two people become angry with each other; one or both want to hurt/penalize the other, etc, etc. However, an interesting outside force that can unnecessarily fuel a bitter divorce is the unscrupulous actions of one or more of the lawyers representing the parties, and actions of the court. The key word to help to prevent war, cancer and unscrupulous behavior is “education."

While I can’t stop wars or cancer, perhaps offer an opinion on the former and support for the latter, I can and will work to educate and help people/couples learn of the legal perils that lawyers and the courts can do. One goal as this November’s election nears and into the future, is to discuss and propose referendums/laws to curtail the abuse of lawyers and courts in divorce cases.

Dennis T. Gordon

Puget Island