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July 17, 2008 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
Should Prayer At City Council Be Non-Partisan, Non-Sectarian, Non-Denominational Or Just Plain Non?
When I first heard that the issue of prayer was being brought up at City Council meetings, I thought e'gads, haven’t we been down this road before? Why are we wasting time debating on the proper words to use in prayers that should come from the heart rather than a fill-in-the-blanks form anyway?
Council could always have a moment of silence to allow time for individual prayers, but it seems we've been down this road before too...
Now there's the problem of discerning, do we want prayers at City Council to be non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-denominational or just plain non?
Some people may be offended by the flag salute too… maybe we should start saluting something less country-specific like a globe of the world?
At first glance, not being able to publicly express our spiritual beliefs anytime, anywhere we choose, may seem like a violation of our rights and an attempt to make us conform to a non-specific society of people who can’t express themselves or their opinions for fear of offending someone.
But then when the sectarian dust clears, I realize even God gives us the freedom to choose whether or not to follow him, and the First Amendment of the Constitution enforces our choice. But it doesn’t give us the right to force it on others.
The courts are clear when it comes to the separation of church and state. In 2002, during a Burbank, Calif., City Council meeting a prayer was offered in “the name of Jesus Christ” and it triggered a lawsuit.
After the City of Burbank lost the trial and appealed to the 2nd District Court of Appeals this decision was given: "Any legislative prayer that proselytizes or advances one religious belief or faith, or disparages any other, violates the Establishment Clause... because it conveyed the message that Christianity was being advanced over other religions.”
In other words, sectarian prayer had been deemed unconstitutional at Burbank’s city council meetings.
At the last Baker City Council meeting there was a similar situation when Bob Vanderbilt, closed his invocation with “in Jesus' name.”
In the discussion that ensued, Councilman Terry Schumacher went on record as saying, "I don't think we can ask someone from the public not to pray the way they want to. We are not in a position to tell them how to pray."
I agree completely, but the person asked to pray at city council meetings can always enforce their freedom of religion by saying “no” to offering the invocation if it goes against their beliefs to pray in a non-sectarian way.
Just as us non-smokers stood up for our lungs and said we aren’t going to inhale secondhand smoke at public places any more, people of other faiths have the right to not have to listen to sectarian prayers during a public meeting that is supposed to encompass everyone in the community whether they are Jewish, Christian or Buddhist.
I personally am not offended by the way Vanderbilt closed his prayer, but I respect the rights of others who may be because ironically, the same Constitution that ensures one person’s religious freedoms, also protects others from being subjected to it. Just as I would not want to go to a public meeting where I had to listen to someone open it by giving reverence to a different god than I am accustomed to, I can understand why others of different religious denominations wouldn’t want to be subjected to what I believe. Some may argue that if you don't like the way council meetings are opened with a prayer, don't go, but these meetings have always been intended for everyone, and should not exclude anyone.
Whatever Council decides, there are plenty of other places we can share our beliefs with others rather than at city council meetings. That same First Amendment that protects our religious freedoms also protects our rights to freedom of speech and since this newspaper isn’t considered a government/ state entity, we can, and do, express our and your opinions and beliefs. You may chose a different way, but I’ll close my editorial, in Jesus’ name. (DS)
—Letters—
Baker County Fair And Panhandle Rodeo Court Extend Their Appreciation
To The Record-Courier:
The Baker County Fair and Panhandle Rodeo Court extend a huge thank you to Baker City. There were well over 100 businesses that welcomed us with either renewing their ad or were glad to put a new ad in the Panhandle Rodeo program. We had fun meeting everyone and saying hello to many familiar faces.
We also extend our thanks to the Pine Valley Fair Association whom helped us get an excellent start with our clothing, and George and Opal Matile, Halfway, whom generously provided funding for our chaps. We were extremely fortunate that Greg Gomersall, New Plymouth, Idaho and Rex Becker, Medical Springs, made the chaps high priority in their work.
Lisa Shira, owner of both The Last Resort Salon and Smartie Pants Parties, and Blue Mountain Design, we thank you for the absolutely beautiful flower arrangements and the serape embroidery, respectively. Our horses look dashing. And a thank you goes to Elkhorn Boot & Shoe Repair for adding the final detail; grommets.
John and Mary Jo Binford, Halfway, provided the funding for the Queen’s breast collar and Rex Becker again made time to make it. Shane Pierce with Roper added all the fun extra clothing. Dell’s Feed & Farm Supply were very generous with their gift certificates to each of us, which provided for some fun “shopping.” D&B along with Del’s added another gift certificate that provided supplies to keep our horses looking super. Thank you, all.
Two of us must recognize some incredible training that we have had the fortune to experience. Alex and Kristen have spent many hours with Alice Trindle, Haines. Both she and Susan Tripplet have been instrumental in our deeper and genuine understanding of our horses. We continue our aspiration in becoming horsemen.
Everyone come out this weekend for the fun filled Miners’ Jubilee. Again, a huge thank for everyone’s support, and we hope to see you Labor Day!
Baker County Fair &
Panhandle Rodeo Court
Support EID Renewal
To The Record-Courier:
Business and Property Owners:
Think about this.......
No EID?
No HBC!
No More facade renovation grants
No More state or regional promotion
No More highway billboards
No More Pocket Parks
No Christmas tree
No Christmas Parade
No Parlor Tour
No Fall Festival
No Cowboy Poetry
No Taste of Baker
No Paint Your Wagon
No kids bike races
No downtown trick or treat
No Duck Races
No Street Dance
No more streetscape (garbage cans, benches, planters, banners)
No Historic Baker City, Inc director (Ann Mehaffy)
There are many more "perks" that come with having a vibrant and alive downtown association, the ones I've mentioned here are the most obvious.
It would be devastating to our downtown economy if the EID were to fail. We count on all the downtown activities to help promote our business and then, as with the trickle down theory, I spend my income locally at hair salons, grocery stores, cell phone providers, internet service providers, insurance companies, car dealerships, restaurants, bike shops, newspapers, banks, plumbers, appliance stores, furniture stores, etc. You get the idea. Just because you don't see the dollar come into your store during an event, it's the trickle down!
Please support the EID renewal. I would also like to urge all past HBC presidents to let everyone know how important the EID is.
Gail Duman/Barbara Jeans, past HBC President and Board Member
MVMH A Success Story
To The Record-Courier:
On June 30, I retired from the Board of Directors at Mountain Valley Mental Health after serving this organization for many years. During that time, MVMH has always provided quality care to our clients.
Repeatedly, a small and dwindling group calling themselves Healthy Mental Health, and the County Mental Health Advisory Committee have published nasty or incorrect statements about the organization, our current and previous Directors, the Board of Directors, and our Staff. In spite of this constant harassment over the last two years, the organization has flourished, as noted by the State Mental Health Division and GOHBI.
I would personally like to thank the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and entire Staff for their dedication and extremely hard work which has made MVMH a remarkable success story. I would also like to thank Kevin Campbell at GOHBI, and both Bob Nikkel and Keith Breswick at the State Mental Health Division for their untiring support.
Laurence W. Levinger M.D.
Baker City
Predator Control
To The Record-Courier:
The U.S. House of Representatives may consider the fiscal year 2009 Appropriations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and related agencies any time following the 4th of July break until the early August congressional recess.
Given the recent political activity of animal rights groups, and as sheep producers from this area, we must heed warning of any possible attempt by the animal rights congregation via Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-4) to limit the USDA’s Wildlife Services’ (WS) ability to assist farmers, ranchers, landowners, cities, airports and others whom benefit from their services.
In past years, Rep. DeFazio has attempted to limit the lethal control that WS utilizes; thankfully, he has been unsuccessful thus far. WS has the authority to assist in solving problems that are created when wildlife causes damage to agricultural property; feedlots; domestic livestock; civil aircraft; fish stock; commercial forestry; nursery and game animals; endangered species; and field crops, fruits and nuts. In addition, it also assists American industries; federal, state and local governments; and private citizens to help protect human health and safety at the workplace, at public sites and at American homes.
WS uses lethal control in a larger wildlife management plan that incorporates non-lethal alternatives as well. Non-lethal management strategies are a large part of what is done in these management plans, but in some scenarios, lethal control is the only viable option. WS needs every tool, whether it’s lethal or non-lethal, to effectively address the preservation of human health and safety as well as protect our livestock, pets and property.
Livestock losses to predation are estimated to be worth $18.3 million in the sheep industry and $51 million in the cattle industry. In the absence of effective predation management tools, these losses increase two to three times more. Without the crucial support of WS, we, and many other ranchers, would not be able continue.
The United States produces the cheapest, safest and most abundant food supply in the world. If we allow special interest groups to dictate how we raise and provide this food supply, we will have to look toward other countries, like we do now with oil, to provide food.
Clint Krebs, Ione, Ore., ASI Executive Board Member
Lynn Trupp, Portland, Ore., Oregon Sheep Growers Association President
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