Letters to the Editor for Dec. 11, 2009

So many helped Joel in his journey

To the editor:

On Nov. 22 Joel Cummings passed away after a long fight with cystic fibrosis. Joel touched the lives of many people here in Baker City and beyond Baker City. Joel was number one on the waiting list for a double lung transplant when he passed away. Joel loved life and he loved to help people. He was a Paramedic and loved what he did.

My wife and I would like to thank everyone in Baker City and beyond for all the financial help and the prayers that were given during Joel’s journey. Even though his journey did not end the way we all hoped for, Joel will always be remembered as a fighter.

We would like to say how proud we are to call Baker City our home. Baker City and all who live elsewhere who supported Joel and Saundra and his family — you are all awesome! Again, thank you for everything you did for our family during this journey. Thank you from Joel’s uncle and aunt.

Jim and Linda Thomas

Baker City

We don’t want to pay for abortions

To the editor:

The political majority in the U.S. Senate (including the two Senators from Oregon) has brought us one step closer to the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, and at taxpayers’ expense, no less!

Senator Reid’s tabling of the pro-life Nelson Amendment is the latest disconnect between his words and actions.  Senator Reid calls himself pro-life, yet he continues to advance the gruesome procedure that kills one human life and wounds another.

Just think what could be accomplished if some of the money of the proposed health care bill were to be used helping women receive medical, emotional, and physical help, and to encourage them to give their babies life? Just think what would happen if more organizations like Baker City’s Rachel Center were available to “come alongside” these men and women, to encourage them to bring their baby to full term instead of snuffing out the life within? If this money could be used to reduce the cost of adoption, just think how many children could be placed in loving homes where children are wanted and loved.

There have been over 50 million children killed through abortion since Roe v. Wade became law. Why oh why can’t Americans see that these babies have the potential to make our country great? They are the lifeblood of future generations.  The silent cry of these infants will ring out for generations as we see our population dwindle. America is already on the brink of following many European countries that are no longer able to sustain their populations. 

Abortion is an abomination upon our society, and we need to do everything in our power to reach out to women and men, in love, to provide for their needs and to help them realize the blessing of life over death.

We belong to the growing number of taxpayers who want no part of abortion’s bloody business. If you agree with us, please call your senators today.

Senator Wyden:  202-224-5244

Senator Merkley:  202-224-3753

John and Susan Busch

Baker City

An ode to the Bulldogs

To the editor:

On the cold concrete floor, a pool of blood-soaked sweat gazes up at a haggard face from where it fell. The boy’s eyes are closed as he focuses on the words of his coach.

“Hang in there men.” He says as he paces. “You’re halfway through building a memory that will last a lifetime. I want you to listen closely to what I have to say.”

The locker room is quiet for what seems like eternity. Only the hollow echoes of water dripping from a leaky showerhead interwoven with heavy breathing can be heard.

“You’ve played one hell of a ball game.  Right now, your own fathers can’t be any prouder than me.”

“You’ve pushed yourselves to vomiting, and sacrificed your blood.”

“Why?”

“Is it because I asked you to?”

“Is it because your brother sitting there beside you needed you?”

“Maybe.”

“But maybe, just maybe you did it because you love this game. Maybe the passion you have deep within your very soul DRIVES you.”

“Now, I ask you to go out on that battlefield for one more half, stand beside your brother because he needs you, and play ball because you LOVE to.”

“Let that passion carry you through the last second of this game. If you do this, I promise you, you will be stronger, you will be wiser, and you will be victorious!”

The young men begin to fidget as the energy once again starts to well up.

The boy wipes the remaining sweat, blood, and mud from his face with the inside of his elbow. He grits his teeth and growls out, “Bulldogs” with a low gravely voice. A teammate joins him for the second, more powerful, “Bulldogs!” Then the entire team shrugs off what little pain and exhaustion remains in their battle-scarred bodies and all join in. “BULLDOGS, BULLDOGS!, BULLDOGS!!”

As one impenetrable body, they stand and pull on their scratched and battered helmets one more time. The energy spills over from the walls around them as they explode from the locker room, rushing to the field where destiny welcomes their passionate souls. 

Rick Nichols

Baker City