Measures 66 and 67: Family farms aren't in the crosshairs
By Guest Columnist Jim Just, local farmer Lebanon, Oregon
From the Oregonian
Like most Oregon farmers, I don't make anywhere near $250,000 a year, so Measure 66 wouldn't affect my family. And like most farmers, I'm not a corporation, so I wouldn't pay corporate taxes under Measure 67. But like most Oregonians, I care about public schools, health care for the vulnerable and public safety. And like other farmers, I recognize the value of state-funded agricultural programs like the extension services, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and marketing and pest control programs. These services help Oregon farms be more efficient and successful. That's why I support Measures 66 and 67.
And that's also why I was appalled by Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue's commentary in The Oregonian ("Don't add to the risk Oregon farmers face," Dec. 11), in which he made the astonishing claim that Measures 66 and 67 are a danger to family farms. The corporate-funded lobbyists running the opposition to these measures are using the image of family farms to make wildly false claims, and it's frankly despicable.
The fact is that 85 percent of Oregon farms are sole proprietorships, which means they pay nothing under the corporate tax measure, Measure 67. At least another 10 percent are organized as either S-corporations or partnerships or C-corporations with revenues of less than $500,000, which means they would pay only $150. Only three-tenths of 1 percent of farms -- a grand total of 110 out of the roughly 38,000 farms statewide -- have more than $5 million in revenues. Only those 110 large operations could possibly pay more than $2,000 under the revised corporate minimum tax.
As to Measure 66, which raises taxes on households making more than $250,000, a true farm family could be affected only if it made more than $250,000 in farm profits. Since more than 95 percent of farms have less than $500,000 in total revenues, and there aren't many farms making a 50 percent profit, the number of real farmers affected by Measure 66 is vanishingly small.
There are some rich people who make their money in other ways but have "hobby farms." But on average, the "farm income" those people report is negative. In other words, these are rich people who have a hobby farm that operates at a loss, and they claim that loss so they can get a tax deduction.
As a farmer, I find it distressing that the corporate lobbyists opposing Measures 66 and 67 are using family farms as pawns. Farmers and other rural families have every reason to be on the "Yes" side of these ballot measures. Rural Oregon has its share of people who will benefit if Measures 66 and 67 pass, and will suffer if they fail.
In Linn County, where I live, we have 21,325 children in public schools, 14,744 people on the Oregon Health Plan, 1,084 seniors and people with disabilities on long-term care, and at least 8,277 unemployed people who will get a tax break under Measure 66. But we don't have our share of rich people. Only 428 Linn County tax filers -- less than 1 percent of the total -- are rich enough to be affected by Measure 66.
I wish the Oregon Farm Bureau were paying attention to those facts, instead of swallowing the swill offered them by corporate lobbyists.
Jim Just operates a farm near Lebanon.
Daniel M. McGrath, Ph.D.
Professor and Staff Chair
Linn County OSU Extension
PO Box 765 (mailing)
104 Fourth St. SW Room 102 (street)
Albany, OR 97321-0261
daniel.mcgrath@oregonstate.edu
Mobile (503) 931-8307
Office (541) 967-3871
Fax (541) 967-9169
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Editorial: Bouquets of roses (Dec. 24)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!
Editor's note: Because Christmas falls on Friday this year, and we traditionally assembled a traditional and special editorial page for that day, we're running the Roses and Raspberries column today. But in appreciation of the season, we're holding off on the raspberries.
• • •
• ROSES to help when you need it. This time, it was help from the Oregon State Police troopers assigned to the Oregon State University campus. No call is routine for them.
So when a 64-year-old woman who was serving as an usher at the First Church of Christ, Science, reported that her purse went missing the Sunday morning of Dec. 6, the troopers went to the church at 310 N.W. 16th St. to check it out. Within half an hour, they'd searched for and found the woman's driver's license and debit and credit cards. Roses to them for doing even the small things well.
We're sorry the woman was the victim of a theft, but the biggest hassle is worrying about ID theft. Let's hope the cash-seeking thief gets some help in the new year.
• • •
• ROSES to a delightful sight, well suited to the season: A handmade 1910 dollhouse, the pride and joy of Jill Jackson for decades, is back on display in the window of Janis Larson's store, Furniture Restoration Center of Oregon, at 1321 Main St. in Philomath.
We featured the house in an article last Christmas. It's a work of art. Jackson was a youngster when she borrowed $600 to buy the house back in the early 1970s. She's never regretted it.
A Chicago craftsman used walnut and brass nails to make the dollhouse for his daughter. It is a one-foot-to-one-inch scale model of their real house. It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, bathroom, a back porch off the kitchen and front porch off the living room. It weighs 100 pounds, empty.
Its walnut doors work, each with a brass doorknob. Lace curtains hang in the windows, and the house number - 710 - is visible on the copper placard above the mailbox on the front porch. It's worth a look.
• • •
• ROSES to one tough hitchhiking fluff-o. We're talking here about a 12-week-old kitten who crawled up into a wheel well of an SUV in Olympia, Wash., and rode all the way to Oregon in freezing weather.
Marc Lichty said he left Olympia, Wash. on Dec. 9 after working a full day. He stopped at a rest area on his way home to Tualatin and thought he heard a kitten but couldn't find one. At home - 120 miles later - he again heard the faint mewling.
He grabbed a flashlight and found the kitten tucked up underneath the spare tire spot of his SUV.
Lichty's daughter, Jenna, helped to coax the kitten out with salmon. (No fool, this cat). Lichty told the Associated Press that he couldn't image making that trip at 70 miles an hour in what was then subfreezing temperatures.
The Lichtys have adopted the kitten. They deserve ROSES and catnip.
• • •
• ROSES to winter. The Winter Solstice arrived Monday, which was the longest night of the year. From now on, here comes the sun.
It was this time of darkness that prompted the ancients to include a celebration of the day the light began to return a little each day.
But already, we can see early signs of spring to sustain us: a few hardy violets poke their tiny purple faces through the soggy lawn. A few lambs already trot after their moms in the fields.
We're for sure not done with the ice and cold. (We haven't yet seen any snow like the kind that closed PDX last year), but it's nice to see that winter's arrival in the mid-valley also coincides with signs of its inevitable departure.
• • •
• ROSES to how the depths of our winter are comparatively shallow, if you take advantage of all of the spring-like events. We speak of the Corvallis Winter Indoor Market, which starts Saturday, Jan. 16 - just a little more than three weeks from now.
If you've never been to this market at the Benton County Fairgrounds, you're missing a local re-enactment of the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy steps out of her sepia-toned world and into the Technicolor realm of the Munchkins.
The gray wooden buildings at the fairgrounds play host to a space overflowing with color, scents and flavors.
From winter vegetables and apple cider to an explosion of forced bulb flowers such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, it's a preview of coming attractions that are weeks away on the idle winter landscape.
This year, the market will continue through March, meaning it will finish with the arrival of spring.
Editor's note: Because Christmas falls on Friday this year, and we traditionally assembled a traditional and special editorial page for that day, we're running the Roses and Raspberries column today. But in appreciation of the season, we're holding off on the raspberries.
• • •
• ROSES to help when you need it. This time, it was help from the Oregon State Police troopers assigned to the Oregon State University campus. No call is routine for them.
So when a 64-year-old woman who was serving as an usher at the First Church of Christ, Science, reported that her purse went missing the Sunday morning of Dec. 6, the troopers went to the church at 310 N.W. 16th St. to check it out. Within half an hour, they'd searched for and found the woman's driver's license and debit and credit cards. Roses to them for doing even the small things well.
We're sorry the woman was the victim of a theft, but the biggest hassle is worrying about ID theft. Let's hope the cash-seeking thief gets some help in the new year.
• • •
• ROSES to a delightful sight, well suited to the season: A handmade 1910 dollhouse, the pride and joy of Jill Jackson for decades, is back on display in the window of Janis Larson's store, Furniture Restoration Center of Oregon, at 1321 Main St. in Philomath.
We featured the house in an article last Christmas. It's a work of art. Jackson was a youngster when she borrowed $600 to buy the house back in the early 1970s. She's never regretted it.
A Chicago craftsman used walnut and brass nails to make the dollhouse for his daughter. It is a one-foot-to-one-inch scale model of their real house. It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, bathroom, a back porch off the kitchen and front porch off the living room. It weighs 100 pounds, empty.
Its walnut doors work, each with a brass doorknob. Lace curtains hang in the windows, and the house number - 710 - is visible on the copper placard above the mailbox on the front porch. It's worth a look.
• • •
• ROSES to one tough hitchhiking fluff-o. We're talking here about a 12-week-old kitten who crawled up into a wheel well of an SUV in Olympia, Wash., and rode all the way to Oregon in freezing weather.
Marc Lichty said he left Olympia, Wash. on Dec. 9 after working a full day. He stopped at a rest area on his way home to Tualatin and thought he heard a kitten but couldn't find one. At home - 120 miles later - he again heard the faint mewling.
He grabbed a flashlight and found the kitten tucked up underneath the spare tire spot of his SUV.
Lichty's daughter, Jenna, helped to coax the kitten out with salmon. (No fool, this cat). Lichty told the Associated Press that he couldn't image making that trip at 70 miles an hour in what was then subfreezing temperatures.
The Lichtys have adopted the kitten. They deserve ROSES and catnip.
• • •
• ROSES to winter. The Winter Solstice arrived Monday, which was the longest night of the year. From now on, here comes the sun.
It was this time of darkness that prompted the ancients to include a celebration of the day the light began to return a little each day.
But already, we can see early signs of spring to sustain us: a few hardy violets poke their tiny purple faces through the soggy lawn. A few lambs already trot after their moms in the fields.
We're for sure not done with the ice and cold. (We haven't yet seen any snow like the kind that closed PDX last year), but it's nice to see that winter's arrival in the mid-valley also coincides with signs of its inevitable departure.
• • •
• ROSES to how the depths of our winter are comparatively shallow, if you take advantage of all of the spring-like events. We speak of the Corvallis Winter Indoor Market, which starts Saturday, Jan. 16 - just a little more than three weeks from now.
If you've never been to this market at the Benton County Fairgrounds, you're missing a local re-enactment of the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy steps out of her sepia-toned world and into the Technicolor realm of the Munchkins.
The gray wooden buildings at the fairgrounds play host to a space overflowing with color, scents and flavors.
From winter vegetables and apple cider to an explosion of forced bulb flowers such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, it's a preview of coming attractions that are weeks away on the idle winter landscape.
This year, the market will continue through March, meaning it will finish with the arrival of spring.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Letter: Article about Muslim holy day hardly tipped balance
I thank the Gazette-Times for the wonderful article describing the Eid al Adha, a Muslim holiday. It was with dismay and some amusement that I read Bobbie Younger's letter (Dec. 7, "Other religions should get as much ink as Islam did") lamenting the coverage and asking for equal coverage for Jewish and Christian Holidays.
In the 16-plus years I have been living in Corvallis, the Muslim holy days have been mentioned via national press releases only, with a few notable exceptions, including: a food day article profiling the foods of Ramadan several years ago; the tragic death of the leader of the mosque last year and the aforementioned article.
Corvallis houses one of approximately six mosques and the only Muslim cemetery in all of Oregon.
So, yes, it is important to those of us who have friends and family in the Muslim community in Corvallis to let the community know that we live, attend school, work, volunteer, celebrate holidays and are active members of this community.
Yes, we would like to share the details of the faith to further understanding and to educate the community in order to (hopefully) build bridges that have been so badly burned by a loud minority.
I, for one, look forward to the December holiday season and enjoy reading about the people and companies who are giving to the community; the holiday recipes, the decorating ideas and the different ways the various faiths and cultures celebrate. I hope Ms. Younger wouldn't deny Muslims the same opportunity.
Kristin Rifai, Corvallis
In the 16-plus years I have been living in Corvallis, the Muslim holy days have been mentioned via national press releases only, with a few notable exceptions, including: a food day article profiling the foods of Ramadan several years ago; the tragic death of the leader of the mosque last year and the aforementioned article.
Corvallis houses one of approximately six mosques and the only Muslim cemetery in all of Oregon.
So, yes, it is important to those of us who have friends and family in the Muslim community in Corvallis to let the community know that we live, attend school, work, volunteer, celebrate holidays and are active members of this community.
Yes, we would like to share the details of the faith to further understanding and to educate the community in order to (hopefully) build bridges that have been so badly burned by a loud minority.
I, for one, look forward to the December holiday season and enjoy reading about the people and companies who are giving to the community; the holiday recipes, the decorating ideas and the different ways the various faiths and cultures celebrate. I hope Ms. Younger wouldn't deny Muslims the same opportunity.
Kristin Rifai, Corvallis
Monday, December 14, 2009
Stephen King and the Army
Sunday, December 13, 2009
AP
BANGOR, Maine — "Author Stephen King and his wife are donating money so 150 soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard can come home for the holidays.
King and his wife, Tabitha, who live in Bangor, are paying $13,000 toward the cost of two bus trips so that members of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Unit can travel from Camp Atterbury in Indiana to Maine for Christmas. The soldiers left Maine last week for training at Camp Atterbury. They are scheduled to depart for Afghanistan in January.
Julie Eugley, one of King's personal assistants, told the Bangor Daily News that the Kings were approached about giving $13,000.
But Stephen King thought the number 13 was a bit unlucky, so the couple pitched in $12,999 instead. Eugley chipped in $1 to make for an even $13,000."
Finally, Hollywierd is stepping up to bring home the troops... Well, bus home some of the troops after training, but before they deploy. I do find it odd that a uber rich fella like King only put up $12,999. If 13 is an unlucky number why not put up $15,000? Hell why stop there? He's rich; why not $15,000,000.00? Those 150 "troops" were most likely stupid kids that were coerced into signing up because they just couldn't read anyway. I mean, well, lets let Stevie's quote speak for itself:
"I don't want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don't, then you've got, the Army, Iraq, I don't know, something like that. It's, it's not as bright. So, that's my little commercial for that."
Well said Stephen, well said... Thank God I learned to read! Sky's the limit!
All kidding aside this is a nice gesture around Christmas. Bravo Stephen!
AP
BANGOR, Maine — "Author Stephen King and his wife are donating money so 150 soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard can come home for the holidays.
King and his wife, Tabitha, who live in Bangor, are paying $13,000 toward the cost of two bus trips so that members of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Unit can travel from Camp Atterbury in Indiana to Maine for Christmas. The soldiers left Maine last week for training at Camp Atterbury. They are scheduled to depart for Afghanistan in January.
Julie Eugley, one of King's personal assistants, told the Bangor Daily News that the Kings were approached about giving $13,000.
But Stephen King thought the number 13 was a bit unlucky, so the couple pitched in $12,999 instead. Eugley chipped in $1 to make for an even $13,000."
Finally, Hollywierd is stepping up to bring home the troops... Well, bus home some of the troops after training, but before they deploy. I do find it odd that a uber rich fella like King only put up $12,999. If 13 is an unlucky number why not put up $15,000? Hell why stop there? He's rich; why not $15,000,000.00? Those 150 "troops" were most likely stupid kids that were coerced into signing up because they just couldn't read anyway. I mean, well, lets let Stevie's quote speak for itself:
"I don't want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don't, then you've got, the Army, Iraq, I don't know, something like that. It's, it's not as bright. So, that's my little commercial for that."
Well said Stephen, well said... Thank God I learned to read! Sky's the limit!
All kidding aside this is a nice gesture around Christmas. Bravo Stephen!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Obama Spokesman: 'Silly' Not to Allow Vet to Fly Flag (fixed by Tom...I think)
Vet not allowed to fly flag
For some reason the system will not let me paste a URL, or the text of the article.
For some reason the system will not let me paste a URL, or the text of the article.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Letter: Symbols and pot: Are we free?
Two items from Sunday, Nov. 29:
Kevin Taylor’s careful parsing of the American past would be fine were there not an organized and highly partisan “crusade” to “brand” America as Christian. We can recognize that America has become a much more pluralistic and diverse culture without insulting the dominantly WASP Founders and early Americans.
We insult them when we forget that they rejected putting the religious brand on this nation and explicitly founded a secular civil state. There is no American Christian Church composed of the not so different forms of British American Christianity and their European cousins. When the Culture War crusaders cease and desist, a cross in a public place can once again be a reminder of history rather than a symbol of religious/cultural warfare.
Second: George Will is technically correct in his concern over “the hypocrisy of medical pot.” But he misses the mockery of the law in the War on Pot.
Medical marijuana is a token bow to rationality and humanity against the theme of “the law’s an ass.” It is the illegality of pot that mocks any integrity or nobility in the Law. It is safer than beer and good medicine for people with pain. We should be able to grow our own.
Land of the free?
Don Caughey
Corvallis
Kevin Taylor’s careful parsing of the American past would be fine were there not an organized and highly partisan “crusade” to “brand” America as Christian. We can recognize that America has become a much more pluralistic and diverse culture without insulting the dominantly WASP Founders and early Americans.
We insult them when we forget that they rejected putting the religious brand on this nation and explicitly founded a secular civil state. There is no American Christian Church composed of the not so different forms of British American Christianity and their European cousins. When the Culture War crusaders cease and desist, a cross in a public place can once again be a reminder of history rather than a symbol of religious/cultural warfare.
Second: George Will is technically correct in his concern over “the hypocrisy of medical pot.” But he misses the mockery of the law in the War on Pot.
Medical marijuana is a token bow to rationality and humanity against the theme of “the law’s an ass.” It is the illegality of pot that mocks any integrity or nobility in the Law. It is safer than beer and good medicine for people with pain. We should be able to grow our own.
Land of the free?
Don Caughey
Corvallis
Letter: Biggest problem: Unequal wealth
We are hearing some pretty lame arguments supporting the initiative to repeal the tax increase on the rich and large corporations. Tax them and they will go somewhere else we are told. Ever wonder who is paying for those ads? Of course the opposite argument is to not tax them at all and let them freeload on working people. This is what Reagan did, and look at the economic mess that has caused!
The major problem with our economy is an inequitable distribution of wealth. For example, a few years back Bill Gates was more than twice as rich as the next richest person on Earth. His wealth was equal to that of forty percent of the U.S. population. Now suppose that we took away half of Gates’ wealth and gave it to the poorest forty percent. Gates would still have been the wealthiest person on the planet, but four tenths of our population would have half again as much to spend. If you are a business owner think what that would mean to you. Forty percent of your customers would have half again as much to spend in your store.
When was the last time Bill Gates bought anything from you?
To be successful a business must have customers. To be a customer people need money. Over the last 30 years we have seen an increasing part of the nation’s wealth being hoarded by a small number of greedy “have mores.” The direct result is fewer customers for the nation’s businesses.
This is the real reason for our faltering economy. The only way to take the nation back to the prosperity we had before Reaganomics is to put the burden of taxation back on those who benefit the most and reduce the tax burden on your customers.
Phillip Hays
Corvallis
The major problem with our economy is an inequitable distribution of wealth. For example, a few years back Bill Gates was more than twice as rich as the next richest person on Earth. His wealth was equal to that of forty percent of the U.S. population. Now suppose that we took away half of Gates’ wealth and gave it to the poorest forty percent. Gates would still have been the wealthiest person on the planet, but four tenths of our population would have half again as much to spend. If you are a business owner think what that would mean to you. Forty percent of your customers would have half again as much to spend in your store.
When was the last time Bill Gates bought anything from you?
To be successful a business must have customers. To be a customer people need money. Over the last 30 years we have seen an increasing part of the nation’s wealth being hoarded by a small number of greedy “have mores.” The direct result is fewer customers for the nation’s businesses.
This is the real reason for our faltering economy. The only way to take the nation back to the prosperity we had before Reaganomics is to put the burden of taxation back on those who benefit the most and reduce the tax burden on your customers.
Phillip Hays
Corvallis
A dubious and costly record
Another White House Summit planned to help American’s get jobs, supposedly. Let’s look at the past summits by the BHO Administration.
• There was the Stimulus Summit, which was intended to save Americans from losing their jobs, keep job loss under 8 percent and create 3 million new jobs. It cost America $768 billion, plus $1.4 trillion to the deficit. The outcome: 10.2 percent unemployment, more than 3 million jobs lost and big lies about new jobs created in congressional districts that never existed. In addition, 83 percent of the money went to Democratic Districts.
• Now the Health Care Summit was planned to save millions of Americans money on their health insurance premiums, insure the uninsured and provide better quality of care. So far, the Democratic Congress with the administration plans to cut more than $490 billion from Medicare repayments and tax Americans who have so-called Cadillac plans, ration Americans’ health care, even private plans. Many experts say it will cost taxpayers $2.5 trillion over the next 10 years. Above all, the taxation begins next year, if passed, but no goodies until 2013.
• The Global Warming Summit, but now called Climate Change. A proposed treaty, if signed and passed by the U.S.Senate will cost Americans more than $145 trillion in wealth redistribution. Yet, all the data those soothsayers presented is now being disproved. Evidence has emerged showing many scientists falsified their data so their preconceived beliefs showed a relationship with their computer models. Yet, scientists that wanted an open debate were targeted; some fired. Sounds like Climategate to me.
Wayne A. Pruitt
Lebanon
• There was the Stimulus Summit, which was intended to save Americans from losing their jobs, keep job loss under 8 percent and create 3 million new jobs. It cost America $768 billion, plus $1.4 trillion to the deficit. The outcome: 10.2 percent unemployment, more than 3 million jobs lost and big lies about new jobs created in congressional districts that never existed. In addition, 83 percent of the money went to Democratic Districts.
• Now the Health Care Summit was planned to save millions of Americans money on their health insurance premiums, insure the uninsured and provide better quality of care. So far, the Democratic Congress with the administration plans to cut more than $490 billion from Medicare repayments and tax Americans who have so-called Cadillac plans, ration Americans’ health care, even private plans. Many experts say it will cost taxpayers $2.5 trillion over the next 10 years. Above all, the taxation begins next year, if passed, but no goodies until 2013.
• The Global Warming Summit, but now called Climate Change. A proposed treaty, if signed and passed by the U.S.Senate will cost Americans more than $145 trillion in wealth redistribution. Yet, all the data those soothsayers presented is now being disproved. Evidence has emerged showing many scientists falsified their data so their preconceived beliefs showed a relationship with their computer models. Yet, scientists that wanted an open debate were targeted; some fired. Sounds like Climategate to me.
Wayne A. Pruitt
Lebanon
Friday, December 4, 2009
Roses and Raspberries (Dec. 4)
We hereby deliver:
• ROSES to - who else? - The Oregon State University Beavers football team, coach Mike Riley and the entire population of Beaver Nation. Those of us who remember the dark days of the 1983 "Toilet Bowl" Civil War encounter were especially ebullient ever since we realized that this year's Civil War encounter would be the most dramatic since the series began in 1894.
The Beavers played a beautiful game, and although the score was 37-33 at the end in favor of the Ducks, we are proud of our team.
• • •
• ROSES to the lowest fatality total for the 102-hour Thanksgiving travel period in 31 years. That tied the lowest fatality report for the Thanksgiving weekend that begins the Wednesday before and concludes Sunday just before midnight.
The Oregon State Police compiled the statewide report, and said the lone fatality occurred when a 60-year-old Milwaukie woman was struck by a car near Gladstone while trying to cross Highway 99E on foot.
We credit good fortune, considering that most people -86 percent - who traveled elsewhere for the holiday chose to drive. We hope that this trend continues through the end of the holiday season.
• • •
• RASPBERRIES to the near-pathological drive for celebrity - any kind of celebrity - that prompted two people to crash a state dinner that President Obama was hosting for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. We aren't going to repeat their names; that would be giving them what they most want.
However, the second part of this raspberry is to the Secret Service, which contended that the fact that two posers got in to see President Obama did not mean that he was in any danger. Oh, really? A photo of Obama shaking hands with the crashers kind of disproved that statement.
Our confidence in his safety been shaken. We don't even want to think about who might feel emboldened by this incident.
• • •
• ROSES to all of the good that is a by-product of the rivalry between OSU and the UO.
OSU won the annual blood drive, but the real winners were the many patients who will need blood between now and the end of the year, when blood donations are historically low.
The energy drive - which had Ducks and Beavers sweating it out over elliptical machines to produce energy - also was a valuable way to focus attention on the need for alternative energy.
We know that each year, we ding football fans for the many examples of rude behaviors (usually fueled by alcohol). But all in all, regardless of what ends up on the scoreboard, that rivalry produces a lot of good things.
• • •
• ROSE-BERRIES to fighting long odds. The roses go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and to two sea turtles it is trying to rehabilitate. The Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It is named for the olive-green color of its heart-shaped shell. The Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a large sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.
Both of the endangered turtles swam through warmer-than-normal ocean currents into the cold waters off the Pacific Coast instead of their more tropical homelands. The Olive Ridley was found on Agate Beach in Newport; the Green sea turtle on the southern Washington Coast. The two are females.
The Olive Ridley is in relatively good shape, but the Green turtle is still cold and has a front flipper injury. Once they improve, they will be transferred to a larger sea turtle rehabilitation facility possibly at SeaWorld in San Diego. From there, the goal is to release them back into their natural habitat.
Because of the tricky ocean conditions, more sea turtles could be stranded. Anyone who finds one should call the Oregon State Police Wildlife Hotline at 1-800-452-7888 to ensure the turtle gets the proper help.
• • •
• ROSES to Winter's Eve Corvallis. Join us tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. at the annual event that lights up the night with fun for a good cause. Sponsored by the Assistance League of Corvallis and the downtown Corvallis merchants, it's set up in lighted tents on Madison Avenue between Second and Third streets. All proceeds help children and families in Benton County. (Information: www.al corvallis.org.)
This year marks the third annual Corvallis Wassail Bowl Caroling Contest from 6 to 7 p.m. at various downtown locations. The group among the participants that raises the most money by the end of the evening takes home the People's Choice Award. Sponsored by St. Mary's Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, the donations benefit the Jackson Street Youth Shelter.
Don't miss it!
• ROSES to - who else? - The Oregon State University Beavers football team, coach Mike Riley and the entire population of Beaver Nation. Those of us who remember the dark days of the 1983 "Toilet Bowl" Civil War encounter were especially ebullient ever since we realized that this year's Civil War encounter would be the most dramatic since the series began in 1894.
The Beavers played a beautiful game, and although the score was 37-33 at the end in favor of the Ducks, we are proud of our team.
• • •
• ROSES to the lowest fatality total for the 102-hour Thanksgiving travel period in 31 years. That tied the lowest fatality report for the Thanksgiving weekend that begins the Wednesday before and concludes Sunday just before midnight.
The Oregon State Police compiled the statewide report, and said the lone fatality occurred when a 60-year-old Milwaukie woman was struck by a car near Gladstone while trying to cross Highway 99E on foot.
We credit good fortune, considering that most people -86 percent - who traveled elsewhere for the holiday chose to drive. We hope that this trend continues through the end of the holiday season.
• • •
• RASPBERRIES to the near-pathological drive for celebrity - any kind of celebrity - that prompted two people to crash a state dinner that President Obama was hosting for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. We aren't going to repeat their names; that would be giving them what they most want.
However, the second part of this raspberry is to the Secret Service, which contended that the fact that two posers got in to see President Obama did not mean that he was in any danger. Oh, really? A photo of Obama shaking hands with the crashers kind of disproved that statement.
Our confidence in his safety been shaken. We don't even want to think about who might feel emboldened by this incident.
• • •
• ROSES to all of the good that is a by-product of the rivalry between OSU and the UO.
OSU won the annual blood drive, but the real winners were the many patients who will need blood between now and the end of the year, when blood donations are historically low.
The energy drive - which had Ducks and Beavers sweating it out over elliptical machines to produce energy - also was a valuable way to focus attention on the need for alternative energy.
We know that each year, we ding football fans for the many examples of rude behaviors (usually fueled by alcohol). But all in all, regardless of what ends up on the scoreboard, that rivalry produces a lot of good things.
• • •
• ROSE-BERRIES to fighting long odds. The roses go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and to two sea turtles it is trying to rehabilitate. The Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It is named for the olive-green color of its heart-shaped shell. The Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a large sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.
Both of the endangered turtles swam through warmer-than-normal ocean currents into the cold waters off the Pacific Coast instead of their more tropical homelands. The Olive Ridley was found on Agate Beach in Newport; the Green sea turtle on the southern Washington Coast. The two are females.
The Olive Ridley is in relatively good shape, but the Green turtle is still cold and has a front flipper injury. Once they improve, they will be transferred to a larger sea turtle rehabilitation facility possibly at SeaWorld in San Diego. From there, the goal is to release them back into their natural habitat.
Because of the tricky ocean conditions, more sea turtles could be stranded. Anyone who finds one should call the Oregon State Police Wildlife Hotline at 1-800-452-7888 to ensure the turtle gets the proper help.
• • •
• ROSES to Winter's Eve Corvallis. Join us tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. at the annual event that lights up the night with fun for a good cause. Sponsored by the Assistance League of Corvallis and the downtown Corvallis merchants, it's set up in lighted tents on Madison Avenue between Second and Third streets. All proceeds help children and families in Benton County. (Information: www.al corvallis.org.)
This year marks the third annual Corvallis Wassail Bowl Caroling Contest from 6 to 7 p.m. at various downtown locations. The group among the participants that raises the most money by the end of the evening takes home the People's Choice Award. Sponsored by St. Mary's Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, the donations benefit the Jackson Street Youth Shelter.
Don't miss it!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Letter: Sign the Christian manifesto called Manhattan Declaration
A manifesto called "The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience" was recently published by a diverse collection of religious leaders. This seven-page document focuses on three aspects of America's descent into God-less immorality: the sanctity of life, the definition and meaning of marriage and religious freedom.
After reading the declaration, I was struck by its humility, civility and compassion. The signatories are self-admitted imperfect humans whose lives have fallen short of divine intentions. The writers obviously drafted the document within a framework of love (not hate, as a few cynics will claim) and a genuine concern for the common good (not prejudice, as a few cynics will claim).
At the same time, the positions contained in the declaration are unequivocal, including a call to civil disobedience when certain laws force us into doing things that violate our conscience.
All people of goodwill (believers and non-believers) should seriously consider supporting this declaration. If you care about the disintegration of our society and the tyranny we are slouching toward, give serious thought to adding your signature at manhattandeclaration.org.
Gordon L. Shadle
Albany
After reading the declaration, I was struck by its humility, civility and compassion. The signatories are self-admitted imperfect humans whose lives have fallen short of divine intentions. The writers obviously drafted the document within a framework of love (not hate, as a few cynics will claim) and a genuine concern for the common good (not prejudice, as a few cynics will claim).
At the same time, the positions contained in the declaration are unequivocal, including a call to civil disobedience when certain laws force us into doing things that violate our conscience.
All people of goodwill (believers and non-believers) should seriously consider supporting this declaration. If you care about the disintegration of our society and the tyranny we are slouching toward, give serious thought to adding your signature at manhattandeclaration.org.
Gordon L. Shadle
Albany
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Mailbag: Our war on pot smokers
Regarding your Nov. 24 editorial:
The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. In 2008, there were 847,863 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple possession.
At a time when state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, this country continues to spend enormous public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis. The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower rates of use.
The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. Decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right direction. Taxing and regulating marijuana would render the drug war obsolete. As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. This “gateway” is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.
Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Va.
The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. In 2008, there were 847,863 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple possession.
At a time when state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, this country continues to spend enormous public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis. The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower rates of use.
The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. Decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right direction. Taxing and regulating marijuana would render the drug war obsolete. As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. This “gateway” is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.
Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Va.
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