Online Paper discussions

New thread

2011-07-09T09:16:00.001-07:00

Per request!

'She yelled (a slur) at me'

2011-06-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

Today I had a woman drive by me here in Albany and yell “Wetback” at me. I got a real good look at her, for she didn’t even try to look away.
There was nothing equivocal about the nature of her comment. Her face was stained with contempt as if I had just killed her dog or something. Hate even.
What confused me is that she seemed to be living one sort of a lucrative, decadent lifestyle. She had sort of a business woman look, or maybe retired. What’s up with Albany?
I’ve been a bit dejected by how the city has dealt with this dog named Blue and now this? Unfortunately Albany is becoming a ludicrous town.
Speaking of origins, I’m a full-blooded federally recognized Native American Indian. If the comment “Wetback” was suggesting that I don’t belong here, think again.
Unfortunately, too many people only see with their eyes. She probably thought I was uneducated too. Have a nice day.

Zachary Pierce, Albany (June 7)

http://www.democratherald.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_2aacdda8-95d5-11e0-a3b3-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

A few observations about posters and poseurs.

2011-03-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

I know this blog is not used much anymore, but I needed to mention a few posters. Resilire seems to have been banned, all their comments that were in threads yesterday are completely absent today. Wish I knew what they wrote that finally pushed him over the edge.

N-titled ain't no liberal. It pisses me off that honest poster like Barefoot were removed when others so blatantly break the 'be honest' rule.

mynamewas is Michelle O'bell, I can tell because he called me Akia in the thread about the couple whose house burned down.

Racial taunts prompt transfer

2011-03-04T07:29:00.001-08:00

http://www.democratherald.com/news/local/education/article_9924b22a-462e-11e0-ad7b-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck....

2011-03-02T04:10:00.001-08:00

Where's Momofthree? Haven't seen her around...

more shit

2011-02-15T08:34:00.001-08:00

It Gets Better, from the Big Boss at my workplace

2010-12-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share this email that was sent out to all USDA employees yesterday. I thought this was pretty cool. I included a link to the video after his email message.

From: The Office of the Secretary [mailto:Officeof.theSecretary@ocio.usda.gov]
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 4:01 PM
To: ALL-USDA-2K
Subject: It Gets Better

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

Dear Fellow Employees –

I was upset and angered by the recent reports about teenagers who committed suicide because they had been bullied for being gay. I imagine many of you were as well. It’s never alright when kids are bullied for any reason - including for being gay or because people think they might be.

Last week, I decided to join an effort to do something about it by recording a video with a simple message: if you are being bullied or teased, it gets better.

I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the video HERE, to talk to others about preventing bullying in our communities, and to reassure those being bullied that we will support them. And if you know someone that is being bullied, reach out to them and see what you can do to help.

All the best this holiday season,

Secretary Tom Vilsack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEw569vABLo&feature=player_embedded

Holiday thanks....

2010-11-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has a wonderful, warm, and safe Thanksgiving.

Just...

2010-10-26T05:35:00.001-07:00

Wondering your guys' take on this whole NPR, Juan Williams thing.

The Bad and the Ugly...

2010-10-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Starting a new ugly comments section.

More Ugly Comments

2010-08-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit mine was slightly crude, but it was warranted. Just have to let you all know of the comment I had deleted...

What? Other than laughing till I cried, what?

2010-07-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_5f255bbe-8726-11df-8089-001cc4c03286.html

An interesting thread

2010-05-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.democratherald.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_4eb7ff1c-57b4-11df-be3a-001cc4c03286.html

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/06/violent-movie-declares-war-arizona-immigration-law/?test=latestnews

2010-05-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Is this the potenial for violence that Pelosi spoke of?

Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black

2010-04-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

http://ephphatha-poetry.blogspot.com/2010/04/imagine-if-tea-party-was-black-tim-wise.html

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_a9f546a2-4d08-11df-981f-001cc4c03286.html

2010-04-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

What's good for the goose...

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_3f0b6bf2-4c8e-11df-8d6f-001cc4c03286.html

2010-04-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

They must be racists, right?

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_ab387204-4c46-11df-8141-001cc4c002e0.html

2010-04-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

Lets see...
Life, Liberty, the pursuit of happiness, health care, retirement, home ownership, food, education, and enter the next best entitlement program here.

Paranoia about 'socialism' and health care hypocrisy

2010-04-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2010/03/30/Forum/Paranoia.About.socialism.And.Health.Care.Hypocrisy-3896738.shtml

MUST-SEE: Maddow Blasts ACORN 'Pimp' Hoax, 'ClimateGate,' 'The Triumph of Fake Politics' A long-overdue indictment of the unabated, GOP-created, media-enabled, incalculably-damaging 'unmooring of politics from facts'...

2010-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

"The triumph of fake politics...The unmooring of politics from facts," and the unforgivable truth that you've heard far more about the partisan-driven hoax/politics agenda in the media, than about the fact that that these things were all hoaxes.
Maddow takes the opportunity to highlight not only the "triumph" of the ACORN "Pimp" Hoax, but of other successful GOP-played/MSM-enabled scams such as "ClimateGate" (also near and dear to our hearts as we've covered that scam in great depth in our Green News Reports for months, most recently on Thursday), faked GOP outrage about recess appointments, health insurance reform, Miranda rights and civilian trials for accused terrorists, the stimulus bill, "death panels," Obama's birth certificate, supposed threats to the Second Amendment, armed IRS agents coming to get you, abuse of the census, Obama's "plans" to ban sport fishing, et al.
These things are, as she declares in no uncertain terms, "all bull." Yet, she adds, "there’s more bang for the political buck to make stuff up like this than to try to debate real problems in the real world. So just go with the bull"...

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7783

Fear Strikes Out

2010-03-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

By PAUL KRUGMAN (NY Times; March 22, 2010)

The day before Sunday’s health care vote, President Obama gave an unscripted talk to House Democrats. Near the end, he spoke about why his party should pass reform: “Every once in a while a moment comes where you have a chance to vindicate all those best hopes that you had about yourself, about this country, where you have a chance to make good on those promises that you made ... And this is the time to make true on that promise. We are not bound to win, but we are bound to be true. We are not bound to succeed, but we are bound to let whatever light we have shine.”

And on the other side, here’s what Newt Gingrich, the Republican former speaker of the House — a man celebrated by many in his party as an intellectual leader — had to say: If Democrats pass health reform, “They will have destroyed their party much as Lyndon Johnson shattered the Democratic Party for 40 years” by passing civil rights legislation.

I’d argue that Mr. Gingrich is wrong about that: proposals to guarantee health insurance are often controversial before they go into effect — Ronald Reagan famously argued that Medicare would mean the end of American freedom — but always popular once enacted.

But that’s not the point I want to make today. Instead, I want you to consider the contrast: on one side, the closing argument was an appeal to our better angels, urging politicians to do what is right, even if it hurts their careers; on the other side, callous cynicism. Think about what it means to condemn health reform by comparing it to the Civil Rights Act. Who in modern America would say that L.B.J. did the wrong thing by pushing for racial equality? (Actually, we know who: the people at the Tea Party protest who hurled racial epithets at Democratic members of Congress on the eve of the vote.)

And that cynicism has been the hallmark of the whole campaign against reform.

Yes, a few conservative policy intellectuals, after making a show of thinking hard about the issues, claimed to be disturbed by reform’s fiscal implications (but were strangely unmoved by the clean bill of fiscal health from the Congressional Budget Office) or to want stronger action on costs (even though this reform does more to tackle health care costs than any previous legislation). For the most part, however, opponents of reform didn’t even pretend to engage with the reality either of the existing health care system or of the moderate, centrist plan — very close in outline to the reform Mitt Romney introduced in Massachusetts — that Democrats were proposing.

Instead, the emotional core of opposition to reform was blatant fear-mongering, unconstrained either by the facts or by any sense of decency.

It wasn’t just the death panel smear. It was racial hate-mongering, like a piece in Investor’s Business Daily declaring that health reform is “affirmative action on steroids, deciding everything from who becomes a doctor to who gets treatment on the basis of skin color.” It was wild claims about abortion funding. It was the insistence that there is something tyrannical about giving young working Americans the assurance that health care will be available when they need it, an assurance that older Americans have enjoyed ever since Lyndon Johnson — whom Mr. Gingrich considers a failed president — pushed Medicare through over the howls of conservatives.

And let’s be clear: the campaign of fear hasn’t been carried out by a radical fringe, unconnected to the Republican establishment. On the contrary, that establishment has been involved and approving all the way. Politicians like Sarah Palin — who was, let us remember, the G.O.P.’s vice-presidential candidate — eagerly spread the death panel lie, and supposedly reasonable, moderate politicians like Senator Chuck Grassley refused to say that it was untrue. On the eve of the big vote, Republican members of Congress warned that “freedom dies a little bit today” and accused Democrats of “totalitarian tactics,” which I believe means the process known as “voting.”

Without question, the campaign of fear was effective: health reform went from being highly popular to wide disapproval, although the numbers have been improving lately. But the question was, would it actually be enough to block reform?

And the answer is no. The Democrats have done it. The House has passed the Senate version of health reform, and an improved version will be achieved through reconciliation.

This is, of course, a political victory for President Obama, and a triumph for Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker. But it is also a victory for America’s soul. In the end, a vicious, unprincipled fear offensive failed to block reform. This time, fear struck out.

"Jesus was a Nazi. So's your preacher"

2010-03-15T11:28:00.001-07:00

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/03/jesus_was_a_nazi_and_sos_your.html

Stock investing: Sexy easy money or long- term gains?

2010-03-15T11:27:00.001-07:00

http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2010/03/09/Forum/Stock.Investing.Sexy.Easy.Money.Or.Long.Term.Gains-3886956.shtml

CARD Act shows government can still work

2010-03-15T11:20:00.001-07:00

http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2010/03/03/Forum/Card-Act.Shows.Government.Can.Still.Work-3883271.shtml

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/11/judge-acorn-entitled-taxpayer-money/

2010-03-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

????

Ron Wyden To Block Other Extensions Until Senate Extends UI And COBRA Benefits

2010-03-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/26/ron-wyden-to-block-other_n_478521.html

How does the 'party of no' solve adverse selection?

2010-02-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2010/02/24/Forum/How-Does.The.party.Of.No.Solve.Adverse.Selection-3878002.shtml

Portland Police release details of shooting

2010-02-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/02/portland_police_release_report.html

...shooting of Aaron Campbell was an 'execution'

2010-02-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/portland_commissioner_dan_salt.html

Smoke the Bigots Out of the Closet

2010-02-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

I thought this was an excellent piece on what's going on with the repeal, as well as the fight in CA for same-sex marriage:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07rich.html?em

Ugly Comments Section (continued)

2010-02-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

As per mom's request, starting a new thread so we don't have to scroll perpetually ('cause I'm sure the ugly comments are not done!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq58zS4_jvM

2010-02-08T03:16:00.000-08:00

Is this where we are going with the green? Ummm was I the only one who was scared watching this ad???

Letter: Faith-healer group should not be entrusted with children (Feb. 8)

2010-02-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

Letter: Faith-healer group should not be entrusted with children (Feb. 8):
"Posted: Monday, February 8, 2010 12:05 am

I have my own way of praying for children: I pray that the Followers of Christ are unable to have any more children, so that they cannot let any more of them die!
It’s a shame that, even after a law was enacted after too many children of the Followers had died needlessly, jurors have done nothing but slap a few hands.
Until these people are punished appropriately for praying while their children die, instead of getting medical help, they will continue to do nothing while lives are lost that could have been saved.
Since the Followers have not changed their ways, laws or no laws, it’s up to the people of Oregon (as jurors) to ensure that this travesty is never repeated.
Rebecca Stillwell, Albany"

While I agree this issue is horrible, I think that praying for the "Followers of Christ" inability to have children is a huge over step. I agree that these parents should be held responsible, and they are according to Oregon Law. If the Legislature wanted to they could enact tougher laws with regard to this issue.

Ironically this writer is telling, or hoping, or wishing to maybe enact legislation restricting the reproductive rights of women in Oregon... That is a no-no right? At the very least she is asking Juror bias right from the git-go from now on...

On a personal note I think these families are nuts and I am a "Follower of Christ". I understand their belief, and in a strange way I can see their argument by saying it's in God's hands live or die (Which I beleive it is). What I cannot see is allowing your child to die while all you do is pray. Don't get me wrong, I think prayer is a very powerful thing and I try to do it daily. I also think that God will answer your prayers through the people that choose to go into the medical field if only you make the call to 911... There is another version to the bracelets "WWJD" re-done that read "WWJDTM" simply it stands for what would Jesus do through me.

I know I've written this story before, but allow me...

An old man listening to the radio heard a report to evacuate because there was a huge flood coming. The old man shrugged off the report, and said I am a good Christian I believe in God I'll be fine.

A few hours later water began to pour into his house. the water rose so high he was forced to go to the second floor of his house. Looking out the window he saw a man in a boat. The man yelled, "Jump in and I'll take you to safety". The old man said, "No thanks, I am a good Christian I believe in God I'll be fine". The man in the boat shrugged and kept on.

After another few hours the water forced the old man onto his roof. While sitting on the roof a Coast guard heli-chopper flew over. A voice over a loud speaker said, "Get into the basket we'll take you to safety". Again the old man yelled, "No thanks, I am a good Christian I believe in God I'll be fine".

Now when the old man was washed away by the storm and died he walked up to God. The old man said, "I don't get it. I am a good Christian I believe in you, why wasn't I spared"? God told the old man, "I sent a radio message, a man in a boat, and a heli-chopper what more do you need"?

Of course this is just one crazy right wing "Follower of Christ" opinion. What do I know? :)

http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2010/02/08/scores-given-day-dig-historic-snowstorm/

2010-02-08T01:24:00.000-08:00

Global Warming.... AHAHAHHGGGHGHGHGH........

http://gazettetimes.com/entertainment/article_8962d49c-11f6-11df-ac37-001cc4c03286.html

2010-02-08T00:09:00.000-08:00

Don't know why but I can't paste into this field...

Where's Waldo? Part Two.

2010-01-25T17:38:00.001-08:00

COE? Are you out there?

How 'bout Tom?

Letter: Overturning the marriage ban

2010-01-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

Posted: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:15 am

Incredibly, Oregon’s constitutional amendment against homosexual marriage could be immediately overturned by a Republican-appointed federal judge in California. (“Prop 8 trial focuses on kids,” Jan. 17.)

Surprisingly, the lawyer who initiated the California lawsuit in support of gay marriage is Ted Olson, whose wife was killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack and who is a lifelong Republican who served in both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush’s administrations.

Olson is ably answering questions about same-sex marriage, including those posed in a Feb. 22, 2004 editorial by Hasso Hering, “Marriage, law, discrimination ... ” For example, some marriage restrictions have rational reasons, such as not allowing marriage between close relatives to prevent birth defects. Other restrictions, such as barring polygamy, apply equally to everyone.

Promoting procreation is a rational reason for marriage, but opposite-sex marriage between infertile couples is both common and legal. Olson believes that a government promoting procreation by banning same-sex marriages is “pernicious” as discouraging procreation like China does.

Olson’s “Newsweek” essay, “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage,” finds no rational reason to bar same-sex marriages. I agree with Olson that conservatives should celebrate gays want to share in the conservative ideals of marriage.

Thomas Kraemer

Corvallis

A Letter to Rush Limbaugh

2010-01-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100114/OPINION/100119985

Letter: Try dress for success when seeking a job

2010-01-13T09:38:00.001-08:00

With high unemployment and competition for jobs, I can't help but want to suggest to job-seekers that they check their appearance before looking for work (even just picking up an application).
I've seen the people waiting in line at the Trader Joe's trailer; all were in jeans and tennis shoes. You might get to wear a Hawaiian shirt if and when you get hired, but not before. First appearances do count.

Cherrill Boissonou, Corvallis

Polls on health care reform not the whole story

2010-01-13T09:10:00.001-08:00

The Barometer

Ugly comments section

2010-01-11T17:11:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me how often I still report really ugly comments to Matt. So I thought I'd set up a place to put them.

Reasons why Oregon still needs a real rainy day fund

2010-01-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

The Barometer

Make the rich pay?

2010-01-10T01:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpCADfZD-eg

Is this the idea?

Tounge firmly in cheek...

As I See It: Make us all citizens of the world

2010-01-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

By Paul deLespinasse | Posted: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 10:05 am | 1 Comment

The pursuit of "illegal aliens" has become a high government priority. Congress has made it illegal to hire an "undocumented" alien who has managed to get into the U.S. Although discrimination in other contexts is illegal, for the undocumented it is mandatory.

Impeccable logic underlies this requirement. A major reason people want to move here is our employment opportunities and higher wages. If you cannot be hired, sneaking in is much less attractive.

Mandatory employment discrimination cannot do the whole job, especially since enforcement has been sporadic and half-hearted. So auxiliary measures are needed, and a recent court decision in Arizona illustrates what some of these measures might look like.

In June, a federal jury convicted Walt Staton of littering. His "littering" consisted of leaving jugs of fresh drinkable water in an area near the Mexican border for entering aliens who might otherwise have died from dehydration (as a great many indeed have).

The 27-year-old graduate student was sentenced to 300 hours of community service, a year's probation, and banned from the National Wildlife Refuge in which he had done his evil deeds. Now he has refused to do the community service and the judge is threatening to send him to prison.

The logic behind making it a criminal act to give someone a drink of water is also impeccable. If more "illegals" die from thirst, this will make crossing into the U.S. less attractive and reduce the burden of policing the border.

It is clear what the next step needs to be: we must make it a criminal act to give or sell food to anybody who cannot document that they are a citizen or here with official government approval.

After that, I am not certain. Allowing or requiring everybody to shoot down undocumented people on the spot might, by more soft-hearted Americans, be regarded as going a little too far. But this too would be a logical response to a problem that so many people are concerned about.

I guess the real question is: once we assume that such a category of people as "illegal aliens" is a legal and moral possibility, where do we draw the line in doing something about it?

An alternative which would not require us to draw any such line would be to abandon the whole concept of an illegal alien and regard every human being on the planet as a member of the human race and a citizen of the world. Inside the United States no matter what state we were born in, we automatically acquire state citizenship merely by moving there.

Thus, I was a citizen of Michigan for 36 years despite having been born in Oregon, and my wife is a citizen of Oregon despite her birth in Connecticut. There is no reason why this system could not work at the world level, and I am sure that at some future time we will have such a system.

In the meantime we have to live with a different system, but we need to recognize just how crazy this system is and the impossible choices with which it confronts us.

Christians, for example, including fundamentalists (perhaps especially fundamentalists!), need to think about the implications of their faith here:

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me ...." (Matthew 25:35)

Does anybody really want to live in a world where it is illegal to give a fellow human being a drink of water?

Paul F. deLespinasse lives in Corvallis. He can be reached at http://www.gusquibble.blogspot.com.

Letters: ‘Stories & Legends' tells Corvallis' essence (Jan. 4)

2010-01-04T08:39:00.001-08:00

I want to extend a big thank you to the Walker family, Morris, Lynn, and Amoris, for creating the wonderful documentary "Stories & Legends from the Heart of the Valley."
My family and I finally had time to sit down and watch the show over the holidays and I must say I've never been more proud of our community. Being a direct descendent of the first family to settle in Corvallis I've developed a deep passion for our little town and the people who reside here. "Stories & Legends" reflects these feelings.
The Morris family spent two years compiling all the information necessary to create this work of art. Inspired by our sesquicentennial, the feature is both accurate and entertaining, and in my opinion, a lasting tribute to Corvallis for generations to come. Morris and Lynn's daughter, Amoris, does a wonderful job of narration. It's evident she had fun making the film and really believes in our community.
My hats off to the Morris family for their tireless work in creating this magnificent historical portrait of Corvallis. Corvallis truly is a Garden of Eden.
Mark Dixon, Corvallis

Pretty good points on Measures 66 and 67

2009-12-28T17:16:00.000-08:00

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

Editorial: Bouquets of roses (Dec. 24)

2009-12-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

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.

The 60th

2009-12-20T00:37:00.000-08:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091220/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

Blowing bubbles in the pond...

2009-12-20T00:21:00.001-08:00

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/article_3cb9d7b8-ed29-11de-8a8e-001cc4c03286.html

Letter: Article about Muslim holy day hardly tipped balance

2009-12-16T08:48:00.001-08:00

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

Stephen King and the Army

2009-12-14T03:09:00.000-08:00

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!

Obama Spokesman: 'Silly' Not to Allow Vet to Fly Flag (fixed by Tom...I think)

2009-12-08T00:59:00.000-08:00

Vet not allowed to fly flag

For some reason the system will not let me paste a URL, or the text of the article.

Letter: Symbols and pot: Are we free?

2009-12-06T10:37:00.000-08:00

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

Letter: Biggest problem: Unequal wealth

2009-12-06T10:36:00.001-08:00

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

A dubious and costly record

2009-12-06T00:41:00.001-08:00

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

Roses and Raspberries (Dec. 4)

2009-12-04T16:58:00.000-08:00

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!

Washington speaks out on Comcast-NBC deal

2009-12-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

Another megacorp...this one could affect website access.

Letter: Sign the Christian manifesto called Manhattan Declaration

2009-12-03T08:56:00.001-08:00

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

The aftermath: A new reality for President Obama

2009-12-02T17:16:00.001-08:00

The Nuance President

Mailbag: Our war on pot smokers

2009-12-01T22:05:00.001-08:00

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.

Letter: Let's turn back clock on Daylight Savings Time to before it started (Dec. 1)

2009-12-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

Just thought the comments were entertaining on this one:

Click here

Women face tough choices without bill making it worse

2009-11-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

The Nov. 12 article, “Women face tough choices on abortion coverage” discusses some of the implications and uncertainties surrounding the Stupak amendment to the House version of the health care reform bill.
This amendment prohibits millions of women from buying (with their own money) private health insurance which provides full reproductive health care benefits.
It is not an extension of the current law, which forbids the use of federal funds to pay for abortions. It in fact restricts private insurance companies participating in the insurance exchange from offering abortion coverage if even one of their policy holders receives a federal subsidy.
The suggestion that women can buy a separate rider is a red herring. Such policies do not exist at present; furthermore, no one expects an unplanned pregnancy or one with severe medical complications.
The Senate is considering their version of the health care bill now. We must let our senators know that the Stupack amendment is not acceptable to the majority of the American people.

Priscilla Newberger
Corvallis

2009-11-30T00:58:00.000-08:00

Telegraph UK Sunday, Nov, 29th 2009

"A British university has placed an advertisement looking for a lap-dance researcher with experience studying the erotic dance industry, The Telegraph reported.
The University of Leeds advertised the position for its school of sociology and social policy, according to the paper.

The advertisement reads: "Research Officer -- The rise and regulation of lap dancing and the place of sexual labor and consumption in the night time economy," MyFoxChicago.com reported.
The university requires "prior experience of conducting research in the female sex industry," MyFoxChicago.com reported.

The researcher will study the "rise, tolerance and integration of sexual consumption and sexual labor displayed through the erotic dance industry."
Sociologists at the school intend to interview 300 exotic dancers in the U.K., as well as managers and regulators, as part of their research."

Uhhh, where do I sign up? :)

It's Islams' turn

2009-11-30T00:52:00.000-08:00

AP Sunday, November 29, 2009

"GENEVA — Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on minarets on Sunday, barring construction of the iconic mosque towers in a surprise vote that put Switzerland at the forefront of a European backlash against a growing Muslim population.
Muslim groups in Switzerland and abroad condemned the vote as biased and anti-Islamic. Business groups said the decision hurt Switzerland's international standing and could damage relations with Muslim nations and wealthy investors who bank, travel and shop there.
"The Swiss have failed to give a clear signal for diversity, freedom of religion and human rights," said Omar Al-Rawi, integration representative of the Islamic Denomination in Austria, which said its reaction was "grief and deep disappointment."

The referendum by the nationalist Swiss People's Party labeled minarets as symbols of rising Muslim political power that could one day transform Switzerland into an Islamic nation. The initiative was approved 57.5 to 42.5 percent by some 2.67 million voters. Only four of the 26 cantons or states opposed the initiative, granting the double approval that makes it part of the Swiss constitution.

Muslims comprise about 6 percent of Switzerland's 7.5 million people. Many are refugees from the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s and about one in 10 actively practices their religion, the government says.

The country's four standing minarets, which won't be affected by the ban, do not traditionally broadcast the call to prayer outside their own buildings.
The sponsors of the initiative provoked complaints of bias from local officials and human-rights group with campaign posters that showed minarets rising like missiles from the Swiss flag next to a fully veiled woman. Backers said the growing Muslim population was straining the country "because Muslims don't just practice religion."
"The minaret is a sign of political power and demand, comparable with whole-body covering by the burqa, tolerance of forced marriage and genital mutilation of girls," the sponsors said. They noted that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has compared mosques to Islam's military barracks and called "the minarets our bayonets."

Anxieties about growing Muslim minorities have rippled across Europe in recent years, leading to legal changes in some countries. There have been French moves to ban the full-length body covering known as the burqa. Some German states have introduced bans on head scarves for Muslim women teaching in public schools. Mosques and minaret construction projects in Sweden, France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Germany and Slovenia have been met by protests.
But the Swiss ban in minarets, sponsored by the country's largest political party, was one of the most extreme reactions.

"It's a sad day for freedom of religion," said Mohammed Shafiq, the chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, a British youth organization. "A constitutional amendment that's targeted towards one religious community is discriminatory and abhorrent."
He said he was concerned the decision could have reverberations in other European countries.
Amnesty International said the vote violated freedom of religion and would probably be overturned by the Swiss supreme court or the European Court of Human Rights.
The seven-member Cabinet that heads the Swiss government had spoken out strongly against the initiative but the government said it accepted the vote and would impose an immediate ban on minaret construction.

It said that "Muslims in Switzerland are able to practice their religion alone or in community with others, and live according to their beliefs just as before." It took the unusual step of issuing its press release in Arabic as well as German, French, Italian and English.
Sunday's results stood in stark contrast to opinion polls, last taken 10 days ago, that showed 37 percent supporting the proposal. Experts said before the vote that they feared Swiss had pretended during the polling that they opposed the ban because they didn't want to appear intolerant.

"The sponsors of the ban have achieved something everyone wanted to prevent, and that is to influence and change the relations to Muslims and their social integration in a negative way," said Taner Hatipoglu, president of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Zurich. "Muslims indeed will not feel safe anymore."

The People's Party has campaigned mainly unsuccessfully in previous years against immigrants with campaign posters showing white sheep kicking a black sheep off the Swiss flag and another with brown hands grabbing eagerly for Swiss passports.
Geneva's main mosque was vandalized Thursday when someone threw a pot of pink paint at the entrance. Earlier this month, a vehicle with a loudspeaker drove through the area imitating a muezzin's call to prayer, and vandals damaged a mosaic when they threw cobblestones at the building."

Upcoming Nazi Guard Trial

2009-11-30T00:48:00.000-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577766,00.html

John Demjanjuk goes on trial on Monday for his part in WWII atrocities.

Mike Penner

2009-11-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles Times sportswriter, who announced two years ago he was a transsexual and was changing his gender to female, was found dead in a suspected suicide, the paper reported Saturday.
Mike Penner, 52, who shocked colleagues and readers after he announced he was becoming a woman in April 2007, then returned to work as a man, was found dead at his Los Angeles home, according to the paper.
Penner had worked for 25 years on the sports staff of the Times.
"He was one of the most talented writers I've ever worked with," wrote Times Sports Editor Mike James on a blog on the Times Web site. "He was a gentle man, a kind man. It's just a tragedy," James wrote.
Penner revealed his transsexuality in a column in the paper, telling readers that he would continue to cover sports news under the name of Christine Daniels.
"How do you go about sharing your most important truth, one you spent a lifetime trying to keep deeply buried, to a world that has grown familiar and comfortable with your facade?" Penner wrote in his column.
"I am a transsexual sportswriter," he wrote. "It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words. I realize many readers and colleagues and friends will be shocked to read them."
Penner covered the NFL, tennis, the Olympics and the Los Angeles Angels in his tenure at the paper.

Somebody stop the reality star, and more satire from Springfield

2009-11-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harry-shearer/reality-stars-sign-us-up_b_372357.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/29/the-29-best-chalkboard-ga_n_371207.html

Mailbag: A question of exploitation

2009-11-29T10:30:00.000-08:00

In your Sunday editorial you found “byzantine” a bill passed by the legislature that would provide if “private contractors save the government money by paying people less, they are not allowed to get a contract to do the work” where public workers are already doing the work. Judging from your comments, you would probably find “living wage” provisions equally so.
Furthermore you connect this bill to the upcoming vote in January on the action by the legislature taxing corporations and households making over $250,000 — “you might want to remember the following as an example of how the Legislature that gave you the tax proposals also made it hard to reduce the cost of government.”
What should never be forgotten is the long-standing effort to exploit workers. Often, of late, done in a devious and surreptitious manner. Sometimes even with the aid of some workers, those who fall for the deceit and secrecy — unable to connect the dots of their repression.
It’s a simple clash of values, those in favor of exploiting workers versus those who are opposed.
Often such a clash cannot be resolved any other way than by a vote — like the one coming up in January. I hope those who are opposed to exploiting workers will join me in voting “Yes.”

Robert G. Gourley, Corvallis

Letter: Why was no citation issued to officer who rear-ended a pickup?

2009-11-29T10:14:00.001-08:00

I noticed in the Nov. 25 Crime Watch section that on Nov. 21, Philomath police cruiser rear-ended a pickup truck in the middle of an intersection and within a signed construction zone.
To my surprise, no citations were issued apparently because "The truck's brake lights were already on" on so when the slow moving truck braked additionally hard to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the brake lights "did not flash" to indicate it was stopping (again, because the brake lights were "already on").
Four years ago, my teenage son was cited for the exact same infraction (Although not in a signed construction zone). He was cited for failure to maintain a safe driving distance. His fine was somewhere around $200 and his insurance rates shot up.
I'd like to know why the police officer was not cited for the same thing. And in a construction zone no less. The way I understand it, even on a rural road, if you come around a corner and there is a disabled or parked vehicle in the road (brake lights or not) and you can't stop in time, you may be cited for your inability to stop.

Steve Dockins, Philomath

Basketball and Obama

2009-11-29T04:08:00.000-08:00

AP

"It was a family affair for President Obama at the Oregon State-George Washington University basketball game Saturday.

It was a family affair for President Obama at the Oregon State-George Washington University basketball game Saturday.

Brother-in-law Craig Robinson is the Oregon State coach. And the president brought along first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson.
The family sat courtside in the half-full Smith Center, munching on popcorn as Oregon State (1-3) tried to hand George Washington its first loss after four victories.
OSU led 34-24 at halftime.

Naturally, the Obamas were intensely interested in the outcome. Obama and Mrs. Robinson clapped when OSU scored. Mrs. Obama smiled and clapped, too.

Obama, an avid basketball fan who likes to play the game himself as often as he can, spent the past two days out of public view, enjoying Thanksgiving at the White House with family and friends."

By the way the Beavers beat George Washington 64-57... GO BEAVS!

Garbs' of garb...

2009-11-29T02:50:00.001-08:00

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_8c5e8d2e-dcab-11de-88ca-001cc4c03286.html

Challenges, but no excuses

2009-11-25T12:37:00.000-08:00

It's now or never.

Harvey Milk and the holidays

2009-11-25T12:36:00.000-08:00

This is an innovative idea.

The Big One

2009-11-23T04:05:00.000-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/111909_ReidBill.pdf

The link to the full bill set for debate... I have a headache now from starting to read it. Below is Rep. Greg Walden's comments on 11/09/09:

“Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives had a choice of two healthcare reform plans. I voted for healthcare reform that would reduce the cost of health insurance premiums by 10 percent, cut the federal deficit by $68 billion, and make insurance more accessible to millions of Americans. Unfortunately, that’s not the plan that passed.
“As a small business owner for more than 21 years, I know what it’s like to pay the bills and sign the front side of a paycheck. Independent analysts estimate that the $730 billion in new taxes on Americans families and small businesses in the bill that passed today will result in the loss of 5.5 million American jobs. There’s even an unthinkable new tax on items like pacemakers, artificial hips, and stints.
“The country cannot afford a new $1.3 trillion government program that creates 111 new bureaucracies, especially when nationwide unemployment is at its highest level in 26 years. Just this year, Washington, D.C. has launched unprecedented national takeovers of the auto industry, the energy industry, and now the healthcare of every American.
“The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cost of a family premium under the government takeover that passed today will be $15,000 in 2016. The Republican alternative that I voted for tonight would reduce that cost to $10,000 in 2016.
“I served on a hospital board for many years and strongly believe that this country is in need of healthcare reform. But that reform should not be borne on the backs of seniors in the form of over $500 million in cuts to Medicare Advantage in Oregon’s Second District, which would impact the healthcare of 38,000 seniors in central, southern, and eastern Oregon. Americans deserve a patient-centered approach to healthcare, not a government plan that threatens to force you off the care you enjoy right now with a more expensive plan.
“We can do better with a targeted approach that tackles the biggest problems, and that’s what I voted for. We can lower the cost of premiums and expand access by giving employers the ability to group together for stronger bargaining with health insurance companies, just like corporations and unions do right now. We can allow insurance to be purchased across state lines, giving families and businesses much more choice and competition to bring down the cost of health insurance. And we can protect Medicare and the seniors who rely on it and ensure that no one is denied access to healthcare because pre-existing conditions. The Republican plan I voted for would have done all of that.
“Finally, I am strongly disappointed that rural America was left behind in this bill. Two amendments I proposed in the Energy and Commerce Committee to ensure a voice for rural America on government healthcare committees were stripped behind closed doors, with no explanation. That’s just plain wrong, and it speaks to why the American people are so frustrated with the broken system of government in Washington, D.C.”

Private vs Public good...

2009-11-23T03:49:00.000-08:00

http://antipatrioticvenezuelan.blogspot.com/2009/10/end-of-private-property-as-i-know-it.html

Glimse into the (maybe) distant future...

Symbolism on Public...

2009-11-22T03:20:00.000-08:00

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_6614dc8a-d702-11de-9be1-001cc4c002e0.html

Interesting letter... I do like the suggestion at the end. I would have to ask however, does that mean we would have to switch out all the crosses in Arlington? What about crosses on the side of the highways?

The best of the Onion

2009-11-22T02:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnX-D4kkPOQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotlEpmAFVQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzoXQKumgCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdN4hA-rB0

Funny stuff...

Wake Up America

2009-11-22T01:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SHnpWohrg0

This might be what's wrong with America! I do love the look on the second Cop's face though...

A slow media movement

2009-11-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

As it says, connected is the new normal...

The birth of a lie

2009-11-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

stupid Monkey

Multi-school cast remakes a bedtime fairy tale

2009-11-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

This was very fun and worth taking the time to see!

Roses ‘n’ Raspberries (Nov. 13)

2009-11-13T10:33:00.001-08:00

ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

RASPBERRY (raz’ber’e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer.

We hereby deliver:

• • •

• RASPBERRIES to the idea now making the rounds among certain sportswriters that the Pacific-10 Conference should abandon its round-robin schedule for football.

Here’s the background: Under the current schedule, each Pac-10 team plays every other team in the conference during the season. Before the college football season expanded to 12 games in 2006, Pac-10 teams like Oregon State didn’t play every conference foe every year — one conference team rotated out of the schedule each year.

Like so much else in college sports these days, the argument to stop playing the round-robin schedule boils down to cash: If the Pac-10 schools were able to eliminate one conference game every year, the reasoning goes, they would schedule in its stead a nonconference “cupcake” game — a game that the Pac-10 school would be a virtual lock to win. With more wins on their records, more Pac-10 teams would be eligible for bowls and an additional Pac-10 team might even sneak into another one of the Bowl Championship Series games (and, yes, our annual BCS editorial is on the schedule for December).

To which we say, balderdash! Horsefeathers! At the end of each season’s conference play, the Pac-10 has a true champion, a team that has battled every other team in the conference. In addition, playing the round-robin schedule adds familiarity to the schedule and helps fuel the rivalries that provide so much of the pleasure of college sports — what Beavers fan, for example, is not awaiting the 2010 game against USC in Corvallis? The Pac-10 does it right as it is. Let’s not mess with something that’s working just to pursue a few more dollars.

• • •

• ROSES to Robert Blackledge, the former business owner, city councilor and downtown Corvallis advocate who died last week at the age of 93. Blackledge’s legacy of civic service included 10 years on the City Council and two years on the city Planning Commission. He also served many years on the Downtown Parking Commission and also was a volunteer firefighter for nearly half a century.

• ROSES as well to Dale Schrock, who served for 16 years as a Benton County commissioner, from 1975 to 1991 and before that, toiled on the Benton County Planning Commission, where he backed Hewlett-Packard’s controversial plans to build a high-tech campus in Corvallis. Schrock died Oct. 31 in a vehicle crash on Highway 99W. He was 80. Schrock also helped draw up the county’s first comprehensive land plan and never let anyone forget that the county didn’t end at the city limits of Corvallis.

• ROSES, finally, to Lillian “Lil” Brown, who worked at the Department of Human Services and volunteered her time with a number of local organizations, including Community Outreach Inc., Altrusa and the Majestic Theater. She died recently at the age of 56. Allen was well-known for her big voice, her flamboyant personality and for her tireless (and often thankless) work on behalf of the poor, the needy, the abused and the suffering.

These are people who invested much of their lives doing the kind of work that helps to build a community and for that, we are in their debt.

• • •

• ROSES to the Benton County Foundation for more than 50 years of service to the county. This is Community Foundation Week across the United States, and it’s worth celebrating the good work that organizations such as the Benton County Foundation do. In the last five years alone, the Benton County Foundation quietly has contributed nearly $2 million in grants to nonprofit agencies and scholarships to students. Across the nation, these foundations are assets to their communities, and the Benton County Foundation deserves to have a higher profile here.

• • •

• ROSES to the organizers of this week’s Veterans Day activities across the mid-valley. Albany, of course, is justifiably proud of its mammoth parade, but we were pleased to see a number of Benton County schools planning assemblies and other events to honor veterans as well. We look forward to today’s activities at Oregon State University, where students, faculty and staff will have a timely reminder that the Memorial Union, the center of the campus, is meant to honor those fallen military men and women who have been association in some way with OSU. With American military men and women still in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan, the ceremonies this week couldn’t have been timelier.

Continuing the discussion surrounding health care

2009-11-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2009/11/10/Forum/Continuing.The.Discussion.Surrounding.Health.Care-3827336.shtml

Editorial: Game vs. reality

2009-11-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

It is true, as the demonstrators at Heritage Mall on Monday night said, that war is not a game. But neither is “Call of Duty,” the game they were protesting, anything like war. It’s a video game, that’s all.

Yes, judging from the snippets advertising the game you can find online, it features highly disturbing images and actions. And one wonders about the mental makeup of people who enjoy engaging in that sort of game, especially as a matter of habit instead of momentary curiosity. But after all the arguments against that sort of entertainment are made, it’s still just a game. No actual person is physically harmed.

The art and technical virtuosity of the producers of computerized video games such as this one are truly astonishing. They can create ... well, creatures that seem to be alive and scenes that look like what we imagine apocalypse to look like.

As advanced as it already is, the technology will progress with every passing year. So it is reasonable to assume that the virtual reality in these games will become ever more impressive, ever more seemingly real, as time goes on.

This assumption allows us to anticipate a time when people will be able to lead a virtual life that is as real to them as reality out here in the physical world.

But even then, what happens in those game consoles will still be just that, make-believe. Our communities might actually be safer and more peaceful if we can relegate most violence and crime to what people do on their screens. (hh)

Letter: Nondiscrimination act would guard against prejudice (Nov. 12)

2009-11-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

I believe that, howsoever it may be, we are all equal, and we are endowed by that equality with certain inalienable rights, and numbered among these are the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As with most Americans, my belief in this is supported and informed by some religious belief and background. As a believer in this and the Constitution, I am not inclined to expect anyone to share or understand those religious beliefs. I do expect my fellow Americans to understand and share a belief in my opening statement, however, central as it is to our collective happiness, peace and prosperity, to fulfilling our founders' vision of an ever more perfect union.

I am disappointed when I discover there is resistance to such things as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. If someone were fired because they are white or Christian, we would be justly outraged. What if you were fired because you are straight or male? The community would rally around you and the law would come down on your side.

If one of your fellow Americans were fired because they are homosexual, bisexual or transgendered, this would not be the case. The law abandons these, our fellow Americans, to the prejudice of their employers. EDNA does nothing more than protect people from prejudice, to ensure to all of us the same equal opportunity which we all so treasure and to which we enjoy Constitutional guarantee.

Please, urge our congressional delegation to pass EDNA (H.R 3017).

Jeffrey Hinman II, Corvallis

Reflections of Alvaro Barreto

2009-11-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

“You must understand that jiu-jitsu is really four things:

One: it is a philosophy that can be summed up by the statement ‘give to win’. For example if you make strength with your arms then you give a point of leverage for your opponent to use against you. If you stay loose then you deprive your opponent of that so by appearing to be weak you gain strength.

Secondly it is a system of teaching. It gives access to proper rules of human behavior, self respect, honor, discipline, courage and so on.

Third it is a therapy. If man is too aggressive, it will calm him. Is he too weak or passive? It will make him stronger.

And finally it is a fighting system. Today in MMA people only concentrate on the last and ignore the first three.What is the essence of jiu-jitsu? Jiu-Jitsu is not an end. It is a tool for creating a better life.

On Cirriculum: In my vision, jiu-jitsu is made up of four courses: self defense, traumatic moves (locks and chokes), judo and ground fighting. To be a complete martial artist you need to know all four, because each helps the other.”On Jiu-Jitsu Professors:"Some teachers don't live correctly. A good teacher should be a good citizen with a good educational background, such as from a university. That makes him better at passing on information. Students need a leader they can look up to because the majority of the time, they look for instructors to give them confidence and keep them strong."

The Gentle Art

2009-11-09T00:04:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pImvS0OuQdU&feature=player_embedded

Beautiful...

Healthy Kiddos

2009-11-08T23:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.usaweekend.com/09_issues/091108/091108health-kids.html

In an attempt to "Give it a rest" there is no Right Wing nut job spin here...

Mailbag: Offended by this plate

2009-11-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

I am outraged as a legal U.S. citizen with a son who has gone to battle twice in Iraq to protect our country. I want answers to how an idiotically run state government office can allow what I saw.

On Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, while I was driving down Highway 20 towards Lebanon, I saw a newer black Ford Explorer. He was in front of me. The vehicle had a tinted back window of a Mexico flag and a license plate that read "Ilegal."

Is this not a slap in the face? How did DMV allow this? Does the INS know about this?

I am so sick and tired of the illegals doing what they want and where they want to whomever they want. I know that "Mexifornia" has taken over California, but here in Oregon too?

Are we now known as "Or Gone South Olé"? It is pathetic and I think DMV should be fined for allowing this. And the driver of this vehicle, be aware because when I see you again on the road, I will have INS on speed dial on my cell phone and alert them. You like advertising like this? Go back to where you came from.

Kim Lawrence, Sweet Home

The Democrat-Herald contacted the vehicle's owner, Mary Ann Patricio of Sweet Home. She said that her husband, Jesus, is from Mexico and at one time entered the U.S. illegally but obtained his citizenship about eight years ago. "I support good, decent people who are trying to come here to build a better life and to do good," Patricio said. "I don't support those who come here and do bad." The license plate is her way of showing that support.

Letter: The effect keeps us warm (Nov. 8)

2009-11-08T11:06:00.001-08:00

ohn Jones ("Letter: Sunday's carbon dioxide article was utter bunk", Letters, Nov. 1) claims that the greenhouse effect is a myth, and provides scientific-like statements to support his position.

Fortunately, he is wrong. The earth's mean surface temperature can only be explained through the greenhouse effect, primarily associated with low-concentration gases including water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane.

Without the heat-trapping effects of these gases, the planet would be about 60 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. This was already explained to Mr. Jones in a letter by Andreas Schmittner in the weekday Gazette-Times on Oct. 12. There are numerous web sites, text books and general science books that explain the effect.

Mr. Jones then explains what he really doesn't like; a group whose goals include social justice and a fair distribution of wealth and power. How do you argue against social justice? How can you even argue against "fair distribution"? Nothing in that statement says "equal distributio," just "fair."

Judging by polls, the climate-change denialist movement in the U.S. has had a good year. Mr. Jones, in his fight against the promotion of social justice and fairness, can claim some credit. The U.S. runs a significant risk, however, of being left behind in the global race for engineering solutions to a real problem, precisely because the public is so easily swayed by pseudo-science.

This doesn't augur well for the free market, or the American way of life, or whatever it is that Mr. Jones thinks he is protecting.

Laurence Padman, Corvallis

Editorial: Marriage vote never ends

2009-11-08T11:00:00.001-08:00

No one is surprised that supporters of gay rights want Oregon to vote again, in 2012, to try to repeal the 2004 constitutional amendment defining state-approved marriage as between a man and a woman. They won't give up until their goal is reached, so the issue will never go away.

If voters affirm their 2004 decision in 2012 - the way Maine just did on the same subject - activists will shoot for bringing it back maybe in 2020 or 2022. And if it goes the other way in any of those elections, you can bet that those who won the case in 2004 will have enough energy and conviction to get something on the ballot to try to repeal the repeal.

Let's just remember that in our system, nothing is ever settled for all time.

Nobody who already has an opinion is likely to change his views on something as fundamental as the definition of marriage.

But as long as activists with a different view can get petitions signed in sufficient numbers, we'll be voting on that issue again and again. (hh)

Editorial: Guns and pot

2009-11-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

The sheriffs of Jackson and Washington counties have argued before the Oregon Court of Appeals that they should not have to give concealed handgun licenses to otherwise qualified citizens who hold medical marijuana cards. Their case is not convincing.

They claim they are in a bind because of the federal law against marijuana, medical or otherwise. The sheriffs ought to remember who votes for them and who pays them - and it's NOT the federal government.

Further, only recently the same sheriffs made the valid point - in regard to a proposed change in public records law, a change that failed to get through the 2009 legislature - that people often get those licenses because they have security concerns. Seems like of all the people in Oregon, medical pot permit holders may have more need of personal security and protection than most.

Let's hope the court quickly confirms that the sheriffs have no grounds to withhold handgun licenses from the users of medical pot. (hh)

"The Expendables"

2009-11-08T01:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1320253/fullcredits

Uhhh, where do I wait in line?

"Christmas Carol"

2009-11-07T03:58:00.000-08:00

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810049009/info

This Friday morning my wife and I took our kids to see Disney's "Christmas Carol". Word of caution there are scary scenes. As you may know having talked or conversed with me on various topics that this "story" is one that I like very much. I always have.

I want to first talk about the sheer beauty of this film.

Some 3D movies are only in it for the cheap 3D gimmick. You know, the random excuse for something to jump out or fall into the audience. Of course having nothing to do with the plot. This film uses the 3D format to make the audience say to themselves, with mouths opened and eyes wide, "Wow", "Ohh", "Ahh".

There are the dirty London street scenes, snowy countryside scenes, and the three ghosts each with their own unique image and personality. Without giving too much away I was impressed on how there could be something done within the bounds of these very well know, and beloved characters which are somehow different yet not off putting. At no point during this film did I think to myself, yeah, yeah on to the next ghost. I was looking forward to the next, while not wanting the current ghost to go off screen.

Jim Carrey lends his voice to: Scrooge/ Voice of Ghost of Christmas Past/ Voice of Ghost of Christmas Present/ Voice of Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Gary Oldman lends his voice to Bob Cratchit / Marley / Tiny Tim

While Bob Haskins of ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit") lends his voice to Mr. Fezziwig / Old Joe

Without getting into the social, political, or religious implications of this story (too much) I turn my attention to the story. I like how this version sticks pretty close to the book. I found myself thinking about the less fortunate, orphans, and people I work with and for. At the films end I left feeling uplifted, spirit renewed, and ready for Christmas! I know, I know it's only November 7th. I do have to say 99.1 FM will soon start playing Christmas music 24-7...

Bottom line for me was; if you like the story go see this movie. If for no other reason for the 3D beauty, and unique story telling methods used. If you don't care for the story; go anyway simply for the 3D experience. Trust me you'll love it.

Sin Tax(s)

2009-11-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

http://gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_e82fd74e-caa3-11de-bf6d-001cc4c03286.html

The 12 Most Offensive Signs From Bachmann's Tea Party

2009-11-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

Here's the link

Mailbag: A reference to Kenya

2009-11-03T20:14:00.001-08:00

Since you had the honesty to print the article in yesterday's paper (the Oct. 18 Sunday Gazette-Times), I was hoping you had the integrity to check out and print the enclosed article.

I have seen a number of articles and tapes attesting to the fact that Obama was born in Kenya, and to the fact that his mother has not resided in the United States for five years after the age of 14 (she was 18 when he was born in Kenya), thus making him not a citizen in any way at birth. This makes him ineligible for the presidency.

The deceit must be brought to light. It is an insult to our founders, and to all those who have followed the constitutional requirements.

Susan C. Woods, Albany

Ms. Woods included a printout of a web page from a 2004 edition of a paper in Kenya that refers to "Kenyan-born U.S. Senate hopeful Barack Obama."

Deja Vu

2009-11-03T03:25:00.000-08:00

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809962998/video/16379548

Is it just me, or is this a remake of an "Outer Limits", or "Tales From The Darkside" of the same title? I swear I saw this episode... I don't think it was a "Twilight Zone"...

Mailbag: How can world allow this?

2009-10-31T00:20:00.001-07:00

I just saw the play, "My Name is Rachel Corrie," and wept, heartbroken at the horrendous suffering of Gazans - which Americans fund.

Hamas is called a terrorist organization (suicide bombers ARE terrorists) but the bigger terrorists are politicians who use Gazans as pawns in pursuit of political gain.

• Olmert, Livni, and Barak who betrayed Sderot's residents (also pawns) by breaking the June cease-fire although Hamas had essentially stopped rocket fire.

• Abbas, who told Israel to keep bombing Gaza so as to destroy his political enemy Hamas.

• Obama who caved in to Zionist pressure from Congress, dropping his demand for a settlement freeze in order to gain support for health care reform.

• Christian Zionists, who count their flawed theology more important than human lives created in the image of God.

Rachel screamed, "How can the world allow this to continue?" after seeing tanks and bulldozers destroying any semblance of a normal childhood in Gaza, tearing down homes and greenhouses, destroying the food supply, wiping out sewage, electricity and water treatment. She stood amazed by brave families practicing nonviolent resistance simply by continuing their daily tasks in the shadow of Israeli guns.

How CAN the world allow this inhuman siege to continue? How can Americans continue to fund this brutality with $13 million every day?

Please do something: join the boycott and divestment movement. Support a single truly-democratic state with equal rights for both Palestinians and Jews.

June Forsyth Kenagy, Albany

Letter: Selling, tossing Halloween candy poor way to thank those who give (Oct. 30)

2009-10-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

Each year in the paper, there is an article about the dentist who gives children money in trade for the Halloween candy that they have collected.

I have worked in retail for years, and have seen the elderly - as well as others having a hard time financially - count out what money they do have available to buy candy so as not to disappoint the children when they come to trick or treat.

How would they feel if they knew that the candy they work so hard to buy is thrown away?

What kind of parent would encourage their children to go out and get as much candy as they can so that they can turn it in for cash?

Why don't the parents and the dentist just offer children cash instead of going trick-or-treating? At least then, those nice folks who hand out the treats wouldn't be throwing away their hard-earned money by giving treats to children who don't appreciate it.

Cathie Beard, Philomath