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Opinions Jan. 31, 2008 |
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Letters
Check McCain’s Record Before Calling Him ConservativeTo The Record-Courier:I note with disbelief that some people insist on calling John McCain a “conservative.” Have any of those who refer to him as such taken even a moment to verify their works by simply checking his voting record in the Senate? I must assume that they have not.
Take a look at a few of his “conservative” votes and initiatives:
• Co-authored the bill to prevent groups from speaking out on a candidate’s record less than 60 days prior to an election.
• Co-authored a bill to close “gun show loopholes” to deny lawful purchases at gun shows.
• Co-authored a bill to grant amnesty and citizenship to illegal immigrants.• He voted more than 90-percent of the time in favor of bills introduced by the Clinton administration.
In today’s issue of the Arizona Republic there is a poll showing that McCain won’t even carry his own home state in the primaries. Obviously, the people there have finally seen through his facade.
There is much more now concerning John McAmnesty and his “conservatism.” You can learn the facts at www.therealmccain.com. Also check http://knowbeforeyouvote.com to learn the stands of all the candidates BEFORE you vote.David CheneyBaker CityFreedom Is Not FreeTo The Record-Courier:It’s good to see so many writing on this coming Presidential election. People who stand up against lies and misrepresenting of both parties. I would rather write about the Lord Jesus Christ and His love, but I feel led to add to just how important this election is with more facts. It will not matter whether you are Republican or Democrat if we all lose our Constitutional rights. If you are a believer in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, the one who holds the whole Constitution of this United States and our freedom together, then hear this! Our country differs from any other country in the world. No other country has the safeguards against government tyranny as we do.
The founding Fathers saw that we were to be CITIZENS who lived under good government, but had the right tom come against bad government, NOT as SUBJECTS under a KING who makes all the rules that you will obey or pay the price. We fought Bill Clinton and his Kingship for eight years over this. We shouldn’t be made to do it again with Hillary and Obama who both believe the 2nd Amendment doesn’t apply to us! They both have lied to get votes, but their own voting record shows what they really want. They both are in favor of gun ban. Bringing back Bill Clinton ban even stronger, that can lead to complete confiscation. Hillary was in complete even stronger, that can lead to complete confiscation. Hillary was in complete agreement with the confiscation that took place during “Katrina.”
Obama has variously supported bans on manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns. In 1998, he embraced the call to “BAN” the sale or transfer of ALL forms of Semi-Automatic weapons. In May 2000 Hillary made the statement at the million Mom march, “We have to license and register ALL handguns.” She will work with Feinstein of California to record all gun sales (not just handguns). Obama calls the D.C. gun ban “COMMON SENSE” and believes it’s constitutional. You judge?
D.C. bans private ownership of handguns, but also ANY operable long gun in homes for self-defense. You may not like guns, that’s all right, but the giving up of one’s freedom always led to another.
Just a true fact. Rebecca Peters confesses, (U.N) said, “self loading (semi-automatic) RIFLES, SHOTGUN, for sport did not make those guns suitable for civilian ownership.” Her aim wasn’t at sporting guns and collectables. 700,000 in Australia are to be melted down into soup cans and bus stop benches. If you want the same here, put Hillary or Obama in the White House. Then Peters and her boss George Soros will be happy to help them do just that.
In closing, guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens have kept this country free from foreign intervention. Lets keep it that way! Freedom is not free, you must fight for it! It is also said if your firearm is registered and you are asked to give it up, you do or go to jail. Think about it!Richard FoxBaker CityArts Are Well Represented In Baker CityTo The Record-Courier:In regard to your article on Thursday, Jan. 17, concerning Art and Artists.The representatives of Crossroad Arts Center are doing a fine job of presenting ideas for creating interest in the community concerning the visual arts as well as drama and so on.
I like and strongly recommend the program for our young people. They need to develop interest in creativity into the make up of their adult lives.
We now have a very good foundry, which can cast bronze into sculptures of varied interests. This business has created several jobs, they are located on 3100 Auburn Ave. Tyler Foust is the owner and I’m sure he would give guided tours.
Art interest is very strong in many areas and there are people who would be interested in coming to Baker City, set up Galleries, Art Instructors to hold workshops and so on.
I would like to refer you to magazine publication “American Cowboy” March-April 2007 issue. Western Art page 34. Report on Art show at the Gene Autry National Center’s Museum of the American West located in Las Angeles, Calif. 72 artists submitted 270 works and the total sale receipts amounted to $4.4 million. The top sale went to Artist Howard Terpning for an oil painting 48” x 65”. This sold for $1.3 million.
Also the “Cowboy Artists of America” are located in Kerrville, Texas, they are a fine group, they depict subjects of our western heritage, and they are nationally known.We have endless scenic beauty to paint in Baker County as well as Historic Baker City.Gene W. WestbergBaker CityLet Strommer Represent UsTo The Record-Courier:The purpose of this letter is to demonstrate unequivocal support for Deon Strommer. Deon is an outstanding leader in multiple arenas. He leads as head of his family, business, educational districts, church and volunteer. His interpersonal and mediation skills are unsurpassed. Deon is respected because he sincerely cares about the well-being of others. Without any reservation, Deon embodies everything a State Representative should be.
As head of his family with his loving wife at his side, he has set the standards high. His own eight children are exceptional students and citizens. Deon and Amy have also opened their home to their twin nephews. Deon places his family as a high priority. His love of family is obvious. He is always in any audience whether his children perform or not and he attends parent-teacher conferences. His parents live near by and he cares for them daily.
Deon has an unsurpassed competitive spirit to build new businesses. He works hand-in-hand with his employees demonstrating that the leader or employer can handle the multiple facets of his many and diverse business ventures. His staff respect and work hard because Deon leads by example. He is an outstanding small business leader, and recognition of his accomplishments is evident across two rural counties and communities.
His involvement as an elected board member of two school boards says it all. As a school superintendent, my interest has always been to have the most qualified and educated board members in the state. Deon has proven his qualifications by serving on budget committees, negotiating teams, task forces and mentoring to new board members. He has attended every regional and state in service offered by the Oregon School Board Association. I have deep gratitude and respect for Deon because he cares about all of the children in all of our schools; the one-room school house with 22 students to a high school with 650 students.
His love for his church family has placed him in Bishop positions not once, but twice. Deon is called on to solve family disputes, resolve Ward issues, care for the less fortunate families in the church and care for the senior citizens in his church and community. His church has tremendous outreach programs to shut-ins. The less fortunate receive a hand-up from Deon.
Where does one begin to list the multiple volunteer activities of Deon Strommer? I have witnessed his awesome speaking ability as he was selected by the senior class as the number one choice to be the keynote speaker. He held every child in the palm of his hand, as he motivated each one to reach for the stars. His seven month of services to Katrina victims was awesome and he continues to offer assistance to new business owners with the initial start-up phase of their operation.
I do not pretend to have a political bone in my body; however, I know who I want to represent me and my family in District 60. Deon is the leader for this challenging position. He has paid his dues. He is my candidate!Don UlreyBaker CityStrommer Supports Eastern OregonTo The Record-Courier:Tom Butler has resigned from the Oregon State Legislature after many years of excellent and highly respected service. His successor will play a crucial role in the future of Eastern Oregon. We cannot afford to be treated as a step child in Oregon politics and must be represented by someone balanced, respected and tactfully tenacious.
Our living and existence in Eastern Oregon is earned, for the most part, the “old fashioned” way; from wise and sustainable use of natural resources, and from the services and businesses that thrive in, and are essential to this type of economy.
It is crucial that we be represented by someone who will fight for our private property rights, water rights and access to the use of our natural resources without bartering them away in compromising deal making sessions. An understanding of the economic environment necessary to allow small businesses to compete and thrive against corporate giants is also a must.
In rural Oregon we have needs and concerns in education that require our voices to be heard in the halls of the legislature. We will best be represented by someone who has understanding and experience in education who can articulate our situation and fight for our cause.
We will need someone who is able and willing to take a stand when needed, but more importantly someone who has rock solid honesty with the morals and values to know where to stand as well as when to stand.
When Tom Butler endorsed Deon Strommer to be his successor I feel he once again made a wise choice in behalf of his district. Deon has owned and operated several small businesses in Baker and La Grande. He knows what it means to make payroll, be on budget, and make hard decisions. He has served five years on the Baker 5-J School Board and has worked hard to understand the problems, needs and strengths of our school system. He also serves on the Board of Education for the Union Baker ESD and was a key player in exposing and, dismantling a corrupt administration that is currently being dealt with by the courts.
Deon understands that our tie to the land, water and other natural resources is our life blood. Without them we cease to exist. He is a strong defender of our private rights and will fight to keep them for us. He is not afraid to ask questions to get better informed on any issue and is willing to give you his time if you have a concern or question for him or just want to get to know him better. Deon is a family man with family values who believes in God and the sanctity and dignity of human live.
In recent months some of you may have heard me say “I desperately love my country, but I’m not very happy with my government.” Much of this sentiment comes from the corruption and unfairness that we see exercised in the various branches of our state and federal governments. Our rights are being gradually taken from us and it is imperative that we choose good men and women to represent us or the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” may soon go by some other name. If you don’t know Deon, ask about him or better yet, give him a call. He is the man I would like to represent me and if you do a little homework you may just find he is also the man for you.Roy S. AndersonBaker City, OregonTime For A ChangeTo The Record-Courier:Your recent pictures and statements about Baker City snow removal were timely and hit the nail on the head.
Why doesn’t the city require ODOT to remove snow on all streets that are State highways?
Snow removal is not the major problem in Baker City. City management is the problem. We have some fine people on the City Council. I suggest they admit they made a mistake, replace the City Manager and get on with City business.Wayne Hyde60 Year Resident, Baker CityMiddle GroundTo The Record-Courier:I’ve studied the two articles in the local papers, this past week, hoping for a glimmer of change in the approach our county has chosen, in regard to the Wallowa Whitman, Travel Management Plan. Fred Warner, our county commission chairman, and our TMP committee, steered by Jan Kerns, is offering a 50% closure of the ML1 roads that they’ve inventoried. 50% give away to lay on the bargaining table. Such a generous offer couldn’t be resisted, so Mr. Ellis has extended an invitation to cooperate with the counties involved. Yes this is the essence of collaboration. This is so obvious, explanations aren’t needed. If you are fooled by this, you are a fool.
It needs to be repeated, 6,000 local people signed petitions rejecting any more road closures. The committee’s path, steered by the Forest Service, ODFW, and watershed issues, doesn’t represent the Stakeholders.
The counties involved with the WWNF could have taken a unique course of action, banding together and asserting a strong position of resistance. Baker County’s give-away position has certainly weakened Union Co.’s strong stand. Union Co. chose to represent the constituency. A united front to preserve, the less than half of the WWNF as “opened, unless signed closed,” is not too much to expect.
This year along with the TMP, we have the Blue Mountain Revision Plan. In this plan, one more closure weapon is the designation of Inventoried Roadless Areas. The roadless areas are a myth; most of them contain RS2477 roads, and in the past were either logged or mined. Roadless Areas are just a prelude to wilderness designation, another loss.
We can sit back and lose our heritage, piece by piece, road by road, or take an active role to prevent these irreplaceable losses. What should we consider middle ground? Middle of the whole, middle of the half, middle of what’s left after 2009, middle after the Blue Mt. Revision Plan is adapted. Middle ground for me, plus 6000 others, is here now. We want what is left.Wanda BallardBaker City |
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