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April 2, 2009 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
The Leek — Our April Fools’ To You
Welcome to The Record-Courier’s version of The Onion this week. For those of you unfamiliar with The Onion, it is a “fake news” source featuring
national, international, local and entertainment articles. Although the
articles may deal with current issues and events, they are totally bogus.
In honor of April Fools’ Day we are introducing our version called The Leek
(it’s like The Onion only smaller). We have scattered joke articles throughout the newspaper and are leaving it up to you, the reader, to figure
out which ones are the fakes. If you can spot all of the The Leek articles,
bring in a list of the headlines to receive a free novel courtesy Black Lyon
Publishing or a copy of Helen M. Rand’s “Whiskey Gulch” or Debby
Schoeningh’s “Tails From The Country Side” or “The Horseless Rancher.”
Books will not be mailed and you must come in to The Record-Courier office to submit your entry and pick up your prize. Hurry in with your answer because supplies are limited and it will be first come, first serve for
those who have the correct list of headlines. Deadline is April 15, so on
your way to drop off your taxes, bring by your list - it just might cheer
you up!
Any resemblance to people alive or dead or actual events in The Leek
articles is purely coincidental because we really did make this stuff up! No
animals, people, plants, minerals or poodles were harmed in the writing of
these articles, but at times the writers did experience brain wedgies and
severe attacks of the sillies. However, we expect to be fully recovered by
next week.
With the current downturn in the economy, we thought everyone could use a good laugh and we hope you will enjoy our April Fool’s Day articles in the lighthearted manner they are intended. Our April Fools’ Day goal: “Stress less, laugh more!”
Oh, and by the way, we know April Fools’ Day was yesterday... or was it?
—Letters To The Editor—
Administration’s Shotgun Approach To Economy
To The Record-Courier:
The recently enacted $787 billion economic stimulus plan designed to create jobs includes about $300 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses, which will not create jobs because companies are not hiring and consumers are saving their money, not making purchases they can postpone. The Commerce Department recently reported a U.S. savings rate of 5%, which is the highest since 1995.
A significant portion of the remaining $487 billion goes to social programs,
which will help the needy in some instances, but will not create jobs in the
private sector where they are needed. Examples are $50 million to the
National Endowment for the Arts; $380 million for Women, Infants &
Children’s welfare; $2.4 billion for neighborhood stabilization; $160
million for “paid volunteers” (???) for Community Service; $20 billion for
food stamps; $150 million for the Smithsonian; and $55 million for the
Historic Preservation Funds.
The Administration’s projection of creating 3.5 million jobs by the end of
2010 is optimistically off target because it is based on an average
unemployment rate of 8.1% for 2009, which was hit in February, and it is
rising. It now appears the economic stimulus plan will create about 2.5
million jobs, which doesn’t come close to replacing the 4.4 million jobs
lost in this recession, plus the 500,000 to 600,000 more jobs lost each
passing month.
For 2009 the Obama Administration predicts a 1.2% decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but a majority of economists predict a 2.0% decrease in GDP; and in 2010 it’s a 3.2% projected increase by the Administration, but a 2.0% increase predicted by the economists. For the 4th quarter of 2008 the Bush Administration projected a 3.8% decrease in GDP, but the actual decrease was 6.2%. Essentially, the Administrations are generating economic policies based on optimistic projections of our GDP, but prudence might dictate more conservative projections.
Maybe the President should end his ongoing campaign mode of governing,
curtail his continuous campaign and media appearances, start operating as
the chief executive of this country, and concentrate on creating good paying
American jobs as his primary objective.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
It’s About Road Closures
To The Record-Courier:
In reading the front page news, March 12, 2009, in The Record-Courier,
Natural Resource Advisory Committee. Regional Planning; by committee
planning? The NRAC is the adhoc committee, as appointed-delegated
officials-major opinion and minority opinion i.e. thesis, antithesis, and
the synthesis is the nexus in which are the “connected” officials, via
MOU’s, are various county commissioners and the Federal Officials of land
managers of the public domain. The 6,000 petitioners should also be
included as part of the adhoc you would think? Its basically about road
closures, to get to the so called resources as (natural). The mineral
resources are also part of the national resources of Baker and Grant
counties that fall within W.W. National Forest lands, etc. Access to these
vital mineral resources are essential to the national security and defense
of America just as much as the Patriot Act is.
The 1970 Act of Congress, Mining and Minerals Policy Act, signed into law by President Nixon was considered part of our national security. The M.O.U.’swould appear to be un-delegated authority that violates the non
sub-delegation doctrine by court rulings and Mr. Barnes retired OSP comments about civil rights act violations as well. Measure 49 does away with it.
In quoting the Kentucky State legislature history Nov. 19, 1799, “Whensoever the general government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unathoritive, void and no force. That to this contract (US Constitution)
each State acceded as a State and is an integral party, its co-States
forming as to it self the other party. That government created by this
contract was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the
powers delegated to itself, since that would have made its discretion and
not the constitution, the measure of its powers. But that in all other cases
of compact among parties having no common judge each party has equal right to judge for itself as well of infraction as a made and measure of redress.”
Are we now under UN charters? Regional government?
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
Try The Baker Food Co-Op
To The Record-Courier:
With the weather and spring planting etc., and even those wonderful herbs
and spices that we like to grow in our gardens, it ‘tis the season, but will
the weather ever break into warm weather to get the job done?
In my last letter I wanted to make one small correction on the Baker Food
Co-op regarding spices etc. One doesn’t have to be a member to shop there,
but if you become a member you do get discount prices, and especially
volunteering and helping out in the store. It was felt that most people who
are members and shop there even without being a member would know this, but I wanted to make sure this was understood and that anyone can enjoy shopping there.
One thing that I am good for is collecting all those wonderful recipes even
on line and all, and at times yes it usually calls for a spice that you may
only use once and never use again it seems like until you make the recipe
again.
This is where the Baker Food Coop can and calls for such times like these.
It is nice to get as much as you need there without buying in abundance like you do at the other stores. You can special order anything regarding
spices, herbs etc. I was amazed at how many people special ordered things of that sort for their usage.
Yes Liz’s Kitchen does have her favorite recipe issues that come out. She
was missed in the last issue. Sometimes it is hard to print all that comes
in and all but eventually the editor does her best to print everyone’s
favorite articles.
So if there is a spice etc. be sure to check the Baker Food Coop out if you
don’t want to have an abundance on hand, they will be more than happy to
assist you in your shopping adventure and checking things out that you
normally can’t buy in the regular stores. Have fun and shop till you drop
with so many things to look at.
Coffee anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
Land Grab Scary
To The Record-Courier:
This is a letter I sent to our County Commissioners. I believe this is a
crisis that the public needs to be aware of. If these land grabers sneak
this through, it would destroy Baker County as we know it!
"The USFS proposal included the removal of 4,261 miles of roads from the
existing road-system in the WWNF; a change in forest travel policy to a
system where all remaining roads would be closed unless designated as open; and, the elimination of all motorized cross-country travel in the WWNF."
I am a long-time resident of Baker County and a small business owner. I have been neglecting business the last few days discussing this horrific land
grab by special interest groups through their lackeys in the USFS. This is
something very serious. I think it needs to be out front and stopped right
now. If you do not exercise your constitutional obligation to the citizens
of Baker County it will be too late to do anything about it, and if they
are not stopped now we will be sitting in what is left of our towns looking
at the mountains! It will be too late to cry about it after they have stolen
our beautiful forests! It is obvious we have no control or influence over
the state and federal government, but we do have some influence over our
local government who under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution have the supreme authority. This is exactly why the Constitution was written this way!
You may be underestimating what is going on out here in the undercurrent.
But don’t underestimate the citizens of Baker County. I see a change in the
attitudes of my customers that they are beginning to realize that sitting on
their ass and hoping someone else will take care of things, will no longer
work. This is the most detrimental thing that Baker County has faced since
Clinton / Gore killed logging! You must take a stand, if this passes; it is
not the Forest Service that will carry the blame. It will be you, as you did
not accept your responsibility and authority to represent the citizens of
Baker County. When the public learns of the impact of this outrageous move by the USFS, there will be a roar you cannot hide from! This would destroy tourism, they will be locked out of the woods just like the hunters,
fisherman, 4x4 users, snowmobilers and the rest of us! Only a fool would
believe that this is not the goal of these terrorists.
Dan Looney
Baker City
The Quiet Positive Majority
To The Record-Courier:
I have a ranch in Durkee, Ore. I own a home in Baker City as well as some
rentals. I love Baker County as much as anyone and would not want to live
anywhere else. I don’t like writing to the paper, but I feel compelled to do
so.
I have 4 to 5 miles of Idaho Power lines going through my property and no I don’t like the looks of them but, if I’m indirectly helping some elderly
couple heat or cool their home or help anybody have a higher standard of
living I do feel like I have been a good neighbor. Idaho Power paid Baker
County almost $800,000 in taxes and they are the second largest tax payer
next to Ash Grove. If this H2B line goes through there would be another
$100,000 to $150,000. If it wasn’t for these large taxpayers I don’t think
we could afford to live here.
I called Leo Adler years ago to complain about Ash Grove on what was coming out the stack. He said Gary “they are our largest taxpayer and they employ a lot of our neighbors lets be good to them.” He was right, Ash Grove is a great neighbor.
What I believe in, is that a family home should have more priority than a
sage grouse in the placement of these lines. I also believe that it would be
beneficial if instead of a one-time easement payment to property owners
there would be an annual payment. It would be an asset to the property if
sold or to future generations. This would also lower the initial payment for
Idaho Power.
In summary, our County Commissioners and employees are doing a great job, let’s support them with a solid tax base. Let’s let the construction bring
jobs and spending to Baker City. It looks like if there is a need for this
line H2B in the Pacific Northwest, we are going to get it whether we approve or disapprove. In these tough times with our schools closing and lots of store fronts with for rent signs, lack of employment and real estate and pension funds decreasing it seems like a no brainier to get behind Idaho Power. Let’s give them the opportunity to place the lines with the least amount of impact and help them become the largest tax payer in Baker County. That would be almost one million dollars per year.
Gary Bloomer
Durkee, Ore.
Drum & Bugle Corps Cont.
To The Record-Courier:
The recent article about the corps that included the history was a nice
reminder as the corps has long been the pride of Baker. However, there were a lot of years between Dick Hindman and today’s corps. So, to continue the history, I’d like to recognize Roger Welter for his years of dedication.
Roger joined the Scout corps in 1959 at age 13 and was a member until 1965 when he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon returning in 1969, he went back to the corps, this time assisting Gordon Olsen and Dick Hindman until the corps disbanded as mentioned in the earlier article. Sometime after the parade that he organized in 1974, Dick chose to leave the corps. It was then that Roger became director of the adult corps.
Roger totally loved and lived the corps (ask Sally!). His dedication made
the corps what it was. He demanded precision throughout and it was obvious to everyone in any audience. His name became synonymous with the Baker Elks’ Drum and Bugle Corps throughout the state and beyond. I was fortunate enough to spend many of those years in the corps. Practice was every week, year-round. He spent countless hours on the phone calling to make sure everyone would be there. When the weather permitted, we practiced on the streets. Baker loved it!
The summer schedule usually began in May with State Convention and kinda ended around Labor Day. We were scheduled to play somewhere nearly every weekend. That lasted until the members families started growing up and mamas and kids decided dad was the only one having fun. After that, we chose 5 or 6 performances only and we were committed to them. Roger put together the Americanism program that everyone loved. The songs still put a lump in many throats and perhaps bring a tear.
Roger and his family moved to Portland in May, 1984. The corps continued for some time and he joined us to direct when ever possible, the last being at the Elk’s National Convention at Las Vegas, 1990. Many wonderful years!
Thank you Roger!
Ted White
The Late Great USA
To The Record-Courier:
This is in response to the Letters to the Editor from Iva Mace and her
cheering section. Iva thinks we all should get out of the way and let our
President do his thing. And boy did our new President get off to a quick
start. Doubled our National Debt in his first 60 days, indebted every house
hold $136,000 and bless his heart, he is not done spending.
His campaign promise of “no more pork” on his watch. Well maybe just a
little, 17,500 pieces of pork in the stimulus package he signed. Our
President has spent more than all the Presidents spent in the history of our
nation, how long has he been President again? He also said no lobbyists will be making decisions in his Administration. He really tried to keep them out.
But a few tax cheats, lobbyists and crooks slipped into his administration
when his back was turned, not his fault. Now to Iva’s and my favorite thing, the two trillion dollars that are freed up for schools, bridges, green energy and shovel ready jobs that will run out in a couple of years, like Iva, I’m ready for the recovery.
Nationalizing banking institutions, AIG, the car industry plus nationalized
healthcare. Didn’t the Russians call that socialism, and that worked real
well. Thank God the President is increasing the Clean Air and Clean Water
Acts, piling on more and more regulations and tax’s that’s just what our
small business companies need to keep them flourishing. Lets see that brings us to the carbon cap tax, boy I can hardly wait. Sure glad we get our power from hydroelectric dams. Sure feel sorry for those guy’s in the mid West and back East that have coal fired plants, watching their electric bills go up 30 percent. That would almost make a guy move to California.
Darn I almost forgot all about cars and trucks, you don’t suppose he will
tax the carbon on fuel do you. I am sure he’s got it figured out how you can
pay it, like adding on to the price of gas. You don’t suppose the truckers
will add this tax on our groceries do you — naw they wouldn’t do that. Sure
glad it’s spring getting real tired of this global warming. Bring it on Mr.
President we Americans got deep pockets, we can handle it.
Chuck Chase
Baker City
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