Vote no on I-1000
To the Editor,
Measure I-1000 is undignified. The measure on the current ballot mirrors the Oregon “death with dignity” law. The Washington Law, if passed, would have the same flawed safeguards. I-1000 would make “end of life” a financial decision, pitting health insurance and state bureaucrats against family members and their doctors.
Though it is promoted as placing the decision only with the patient, it also encourages the family doctor to falsify cause of death after he/she has been forced to ignore his/her Hippocratic oath “to do no harm.” Even if the law was good now, it would not be long before proponents begin stretching it to apply to those who are considered a drain on society (anyone over 80?, mentally unstable, cost too much for chemotherapy?) Why is six months the magic number? Why not five? Or 12? Even well-experienced doctors inaccurately predict the length of life by years not just months.
Though the patient would not live with the nagging thoughts of the decision—loving family and caregivers would. Playing God has never worked well. The wisest man in the world said: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die” (King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). I’ll stick with him and vote no on Initiative Measure 1000.
Gregory M. Howell
Goldendale
All concerns should be heard with open ears
To the Editor:
In regard to statements being made by John Gotts about environmental actions, I offer this information to set the facts straight about the Husum/BZ planning process: I filed an appeal in April 2007, at the request of a large group of citizens who live in the Husum/BZ area, of a Planning Commission action regarding the Husum/BZ sub-area plan.
This was not a frivolous lawsuit. It was a not even a lawsuit. It was an appeal - part of legal process established to allow concerns to be heard.
Among many other concerns, the appeal noted there was inadequate information about groundwater supplies in the planning area. This point had weight in light of the troubles with the White Salmon wells, drawing on groundwater in the area. That concern was found to have merit, and the County, to their credit, has undertaken a study to assess ground water resources.
That is the kind of serious and thoughtful work that needs to go into land use planning, and I think it is a positive result of the appeals process.
Emotional demonizing of a person or a point of view has no place in public discussion. Let’s extend courtesy and consideration to all points of view, even those we disagree with.
Open ears and minds are the most important tools of citizens and public officials alike.
Pat Arnold
Trout Lake
Rachford able to lead
To the Editor:
I would like to urge the community of White Salmon and environs to consider casting a vote for Lea Rachford for County Commissioner. I have known Lea for several years. She was a dynamic and innovative president for the Henkle Middle School PTO. In her time serving the community in that capacity, Lea raised thousands of dollars for the school. She engaged and activated parents and other volunteers to become involved with school events and activities. Lea is professional, insightful, and intelligent, while being compassionate and dedicated. Her positions reflect the changing demographics of our community. We are growing, but need to guide that growth in ways that will not undercut the very reasons we all live here in “God’s garden.” Lea will study the complex issues confronting commissioners in the coming years, listen to all sides, and make reasoned decisions based on her convictions of the legitimacy of grassroots politics in action. I believe Lea Rachford has the ability to take on a leadership role, and I urge you to vote for Lea for county Commissioner.
Nancy R. Skakel
White Salmon
Financial crisis no surprise
To the Editor:
Wondering about our financial mess? It didn’t come out of nowhere! Contrary to what the Obama campaign and Speaker Nancy Pelosi tell us, it was not a product of the Bush Administration.
“The housing meltdown was completely preventable,” wrote Orson Scott Card, Democrat newspaper columnist, in Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights? published in Meridian Magazine.
In 2005, Senator John McCain proposed the Federal Housing Reform Act, saying that if Congress didn’t act, American taxpayers would continue to be exposed to the enormous risk Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac pose to the “housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.”
The legislation was blocked by democrats and didn’t even make it out of committee. Those democrats were coincidentally the four largest recipients of political donations from Fannie Mae: Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Congressman Barney Frank. Foxes guarding the henhouse?
Then, after the CEO of Fannie Mae, Franklin Raines, made $90 million and was forced to leave, the Obama campaign actually consulted him for advice on housing.
Would the last honest reporter please turn on the lights and report some facts?
Laura Cheney
White Salmon
Be aware of domestic violence
To the Editor:
We talk about those who lose their lives every year due to domestic violence and the abuse to the victim, but what about the children who grow up with violence in the home? It starts in the womb and continues after birth. Children know what’s going on, they see the subtle signs: the controlling, dehumanizing behaviors of the batterer; the undermining of parenting that teaches that mother is not to be trusted.
This pattern gets passed down each generation unless parents make a concerted effort to learn new behaviors. Children who witness domestic violence suffer distress as if they were the victims, and quite often they are. Children who grow up with trauma in the home can display behaviors that label them as “problem children” at school. They may be diagnosed with mental problems that will follow them into adulthood.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Programs For Peaceful Living is dedicated to helping people live more peaceful lives. Our children deserve to grow up in homes where they are nurtured to become the best they can be. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us for confidential information.
Gretchen Olsen
Goldendale
Have suicide measures worked before?
To the Editor:
The voter’s pamphlet states Initiative I 1000 concerns allowing “certain terminally ill competent adults to obtain lethal prescriptions". The goal is to provide choices for the terminally ill. Oregon and The Netherlands have instituted similar laws.
A scientific approach would be to ask, “how has it worked out?” In Oregon, one patient with lung cancer and another with prostate cancer were denied treatment for their illnesses by the Oregon Health Plan--but they were offered lethal prescriptions.
Another patient who had mild dementia was refused a lethal prescription by two doctors--but her HMO intervened and arranged a lethal prescription. The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that in
The Netherlands, in 57,000 cases per year, where Dutch doctors intervened to cause death, in only one in four of those cases had the patient actually asked for it.
Families have gotten involved, not always with good motives (inheritance). This initiative ends up taking choice away from the patient and giving it to others.
We already have the right to refuse treatment and take strong narcotics--why give our choices to others who have a different agenda?
Mike Garnett
Goldendale
Obama is a socialist; vote for McCain
To the Editor:
Obama would be a bad choice to be elected as our next president. Here is why:
He supports socialism and a socialist society. He supports absolute gun control. He supports all forms of abortion, including partial birth abortion. He supports tax increases (any and all). He supports same sex marriage.
If he is elected it would put our government in jeopardy –democrats would control the Senate, the House and presidential office.
That would enable them to ram almost anything down our throats (no checks and balances).
He maintained ties with bad associations in Chicago - a self-proclaimed terrorist and Marxist, an America-hater from the church he attended for 20 years. His campaign gave $800,000 to Acorn, a fraudulent voter registration group.
The bad associations go on and on.
My choice will be John McCain for President. He opposes all things Obama stands for, and he is a dedicated, honorable hero and leader. We need him in office in these times of crisis.
Ron Kinsella
Goldendale
Where is free speech in the Obama campaign?
To the Editor:
Joe Biden is offended at Orlando WFTV reporter Barbara West’s pointed questions -- and subsequently WFTV loses foreseeable interview rights with the Obama campaign.
The Obama campaign organizes Missouri “Truth squads” including prosecutors who threaten anyone perceived as spreading falsehoods about Obama. The Obama campaign pressures the Justice Department to prosecute the American Issues Project because of their expose` of Obama’s relationship with terrorist Bill Ayers.
Talk news radio braces for a shut-down as democrats avow their support and anticipated implementation of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine”. Obama forces reporters to pay for unobstructed seats at his anticipated victory party. Will he charge for access to the White House?
Everyday Joe the Plumber quietly questions Obama and within hours his driving record, child support, and tax records are investigated and publicly disseminated in an attempt to ruin his reputation. What would happen if you write a letter of concern to an Obama administration?
Is American Free Speech imperiled? Will Letters to the Editor become a place for platitudes but no controversy? Will we lose the ability to express an opposing view from the ruling party without our personal lives splayed out publicly for the vultures topick over?
Ellen Rowley
Goldendale
Politicians tears show true colors
To the Editor:
When asked the last time he cried, Obama said his daughter’s birthday while staying at a Holiday Inn. They held a party in a banquet room and the food was "less than stellar.”
He cried because his daughter said it was the best birthday she ever had. He saw she was grown up enough to say this even if he knew it wasn’t true. (In other words, she lied to make him feel better.)
He insulted the very people he is trying to get behind him in this election -the middle class.
He spoke of the place like it was a hole in the wall and insulted the citizens of Montana and hotel employees that probably went way out of their way to make it special.
Guess the Senator had never stayed at a Holiday Inn before and Emeril wasn’t available to cater to a 10-year-old birthday on the Fourth of July. (We had a barbeque like most Americans).
Senator McCain's response was that he cried talking to a lady who lost her family member in Iraq. Can no one else see the difference?
McCain spent five years in a Vietnam prison and says he is proud to serve America.
Obama has been in politics for a few years and complains about service at the Holiday Inn.
Americans need to look at character and not be trendy with their vote. Our future depends on it.
Melody Wagoner
Goldendale
I’ll vote for Jerry Gaines this year
To the Editor:
I will be voting for Jerry Gaines, because I know for sure where he stands and I like what he has to say. Jerry has good old-fashioned horse sense. He’s no politician. He’s just someone trying to help us all out.
Loren P. Johnson
Goldendale
No thanks to government healthcare
To the Editor:
Government-run health care? Isn't that the same outfit that takes my letter to Portland and back when it needs to go across town? Isn't that the same bunch that declared war on poverty 40 years ago and still haven't fixed it?
Are they not the same type of people who sell you 30 dollar license tabs for two to three times that amount? The list of mis-steps and failures in the name of making my life better goes on and on.
Government run health care? no thanks.
I'll take my chances on my own before turning my life over to "The Department of we will take care of you!”
Leo Spencer
Goldendale
Community store is a treasure for Goldendale
To the Editor:
Our community is very fortunate to have such a treasure as the Goldendale Community Store. I’ve been helped there so many times when I had no funds to buy the things for myself and children.
The volunteers there gave over 400 pounds of food, all picked freshly and brought to the store. They gave lots of school kids clothes they would not have been able to have otherwise.
They also help locals find jobs, places to live, and other help. We are very fortunate to have a place like this.
Jessica Guthrie
Goldendale
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