GCS off to positive start
To the Editor:
The tone of the article concerning the Goldendale Christian School does not match what I know about the school. Each of the issues mentioned that were made by parents of some of the former students has a reasonable explanation.
I would like your readership to know that the Goldendale Christian School, a non-denominational school, is having a very positive start to the new school year. Our students, representing a variety of churches, are happily learning about the Bible and the four R's; reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic, and respect.
Connie Mabe
Goldendale
Let's help the Deschutes
To the Editor:
The mouth of the Deschutes River has silted in so bad that is a great hazard to boaters unfamiliar with this area. The access channel is very shallow and very narrow, and it's not where an unfamiliar boater would expect it to be located. The sand bars are huge on the west side and across the mouth of the Deschutes, as well as on the east side of the mouth. So you can just imagine a boater coming out from under the freeway bridge going five miles per hour, hitting the throttle to top speed, and then hitting one of these huge shallow sand bars-speed plus shallow sand bar equals sudden violent stop, causing severe injuries and possible death. This is a huge hazard to the visiting fishermen.
The Deschutes attracts fishermen from all over the U. S. to fish our famous salmon and steelhead from July through October. It is not uncommon to see 50 to 100 boats at the mouth, with one to six fishermen in each boat. These tourists bring hundreds of thousands of dollars to the local and state economy.
I am asking all concerned fishermen to email or write the governor, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley, plus local and state representatives and anyone who may influence getting the mouth of the Deschutes dredged after the winter weather. To have these fishermen continue to come to our area, we must provide a safe environment for them to fish.
Each letter written represents 2,000 concerned citizens, so please take a few minutes and let our voices be heard. Together we can make a difference.
Carol MacKenzie
Wasco, Ore.
Where were all the flags?
To the Editor:
I could not help but notice the lack of American flags present on Friday, Sept. 11, and quite frankly I am upset. Have we already forgotten only eight years ago? I was asked why I was wearing my American flag pin on my blouse. It seems to me that American history and our civil liberties are no longer deemed important.
Am I wrong in thinking that, now more than ever, we should embrace our country and what it means to live here? I hear in some schools (funded by the government) children are given the choice of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The current generation thinks that Pearl Harbor was a box office hit, rather than a day of infamy in our nation's history. However, I do not believe that we should simply rely on schools to teach. Since before the time that this great nation came to be, men and women have fought for us. Can we not return the favor in thanks and raise the flag? People died, and yes, that is a reason to remember.
Elaynna James
Goldendale
Hastings unclear on health care
To the Editor:
I recently contacted Congressman Hastings' office about my concern over the lack of affordable health care in this country. Specifically, I was upset that my grown children currently have no health insurance.
What I received back from Congressman Hastings was a generic letter, short on facts and long on assumptions. He stated that he supported more health care choices for patients. Can't argue with that. But then he went on to affirm his belief that the way to expand coverage and lower cost was through more employer-based health insurance and health savings accounts (HSA).
Congressman Hastings insisted that part of the mix to lower medical cost would be to limit medical malpractice lawsuits and remedies. This sounds reasonable on the face of it, but since it only accounts for less that one percent of all medical costs, it would do little to lower cost.
Congressman Hastings calls the public option a trillion-dollar take over of the health care system that would "ration care." As someone who has been shopping for medical insurance in the current for profit system, I can attest to the fact that all we have now is rationed care. There are limitations on everything.
In reality, almost 30 percent of the health care in this country is already "public." This includes Medicare, Medicaid, veterans insurance, and the federal employee medical insurance programs. Coincidentally, the later is where Congressman Hastings and all members of Congress get their medical coverage.
I'll tell you what, Doc. I'll give up my support for the public option when you give up the government-run health care that you receive as a member of Congress. If it's good enough for you, why isn't it good enough for the rest of us?
Eric Olsen
Goldendale
|
