• Cheers to the Advancing Leadership class of 2010 for launching UniteFW.com. The website presents a call to action for positive involvement in the community as well as the lives of youth. One goal of UniteFW.com is to provide resources for preventing youth crime.

• Jeers to the lagging economy and its effect on Federal Way. The 2011-2012 deficit is estimated at $4.5 million — roughly 11 percent of the city’s operating budget. Layoffs are unavoidable to city staff and the police department. Before blaming the city’s leadership, consider that after every peak comes a valley. The pre-crash economy was the peak, and the nation has been sliding into a valley the past two years.

Let’s put the scenario in perspective. Suppose you have $1 million dollars and you buy a pack of gum for 50 cents. You still have $1 million. But if you only had $10 and bought that same pack of gum, you’re left with $9.50. That is the type of math problem that has left Americans angry, confused and searching for someone to blame.

• Cheers to the construction on the much-anticipated triangle project. Construction will begin in August at the Interstate 5/State Route 161/State Route 18 interchange. When completed, the project is expected to increase safety and traffic flow by decreasing weaving traffic at the interchange. Any driver who has experienced that deadly weaving traffic while trying to enter or exit I-5 will appreciate the construction most.

• Cheers to the likely end of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy related to gays serving in the U.S. military. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a defense bill that would repeal the policy. The policy “has caused the dismissal of 13,500 men and women who wore our uniform with honor, put their lives on the line in service to us and this great nation — and only asked to serve their country on equal terms,” according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). The repeal awaits feedback from the military as well as Senate approval. The proposal is more symbolic, as the military would no longer force gay soldiers to stay in the closet if they wish to stay in the military. In the end, what matters most is these citizens’ choice to serve their country. These citizens are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of America by serving in an all-volunteer military. God bless them all — gay or straight.