Home 
Opinion Letters Letters to the Editor for May 13, 2009
Letters to the Editor for May 13, 2009
|
Put people to work in the woods To the editor: I recently spent a week in our nation’s capital with 13 other woman from seven states urging Congress to provide the tools to restore forest health and put people back to work in our nation’s forested counties. I came home eight days later to discover that the company I work for, Boise Cascade, would be indefinitely curtailing two of its mills, one in Union County that provides 120 good-paying jobs. According to the regional economist for the state, one job in rural Oregon equals the economic impact of 125 jobs in the Portland metropolitan area. Economically, closing this mill in Union County will be like the Portland area losing 15,000 jobs. I was also informed that Sen. Ron Wyden had released another forest bill. On the surface Sen. Wyden’s ideas sound like they will address several federal forest issues, but the proposal fails to address the fundamental issue facing rural Oregon — the desperate need for federal wood supply. I appreciate the need to debate long-running issues like old growth, but let’s have that discussion without jeopardizing the economic stability of our communities. Without biomass or timber supply certainty over the next couple of years, our communities and forest stewardship infrastructure will not survive. For over 2fi years now, Sen. Wyden has been chairman of the Senate committee with direct control over the Forest Service. I implore him to request the White House provide authorities to the Forest Service, before fire season, enabling them to quickly address catastrophic fuel loads in our federal lands. These authorities, along with federal funding, will provide biomass and timber supply and improve the health of our federal lands. Sen. Wyden made, and has followed through on, a campaign promise to visit every county in Oregon, and I am sure he knows nearly all of the forested counties in Oregon have unemployment rates higher than 10 percent. I and the 120 families that will soon be out of work ask that Sen. Wyden call on that same passion for visiting our rural communities to lead a genuine effort for action now to put people back to work in our federal forests. Melissa Fullerton Summerville
To the editor: Hello, Baker City, we do need to wake up. It’s about time our high school has a club for the kids who are struggling with their sexuality. What do you think this club is going to promote? Maybe some discussion on their feelings? Maybe preventing a suicide? Maybe finding acceptance with peers that share common ground? I have kids and I have a child in high school and if any of them came home and told me they were gay and joining a club I would back them all the way, because I love my kids no matter who they love. And I back the kids who are starting the club and joining the club. Lori Amundson Baker City
To the editor: I must say I agree with Ms. Opperman, who wrote about the new club at Baker High School. The part I agree with, though, is her opening statement, “Hello, Baker City, we need to wake up.” I am not sure if Ms. Opperman knows what the club, called Gay-Straight Alliance, better known as GSA, is “promoting.” At GSA, we promote the tolerance of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders. GSA is a place where everyone, no matter their sexuality, skin tone, or anything else for that matter, can be accepted. It cannot be a Gay-Straight Alliance without both gays and straights. I know much about the club; I’m its co-founder and vice-president. We started GSA to make a safe house for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, or straights with gay friends or family, or people who just want to understand. GSA is a place for friends. In no way are we promoting that you should be gay. It’s all about tolerating it, even if you don’t accept it. It is real, and it is here. Jessica Jewell Baker City
To the editor: The new gay/straight alliance group at the high school is doing good things for the kids who aren’t always treated well in our society. As you can tell by the name, Gay-Straight Alliance, this group is for both gays and straights. This group will simply provide a safe place for people to talk and teach each other about tolerance of others. Why should these kids be hurt by hate crimes because they have different sexual preferences? Why should people complain about something that doesn’t hurt anyone? If it makes them feel safe, why not have it? What could this group be promoting that would hurt anyone? They’re not trying to make people homosexual; they just want to be treated like humans. Where in the Bible does it state that it’s OK to bully and commit hate crimes against other humans? We should all follow the golden rule, no matter what our sexual preference is! Chelsea McVay Baker City
To the editor: Does God hate sinners? No. Does God hate liars? No. He hates lying and cannot let liars into his heaven. Does he hate thieves? No. He hates robbery and stealing. Does he hate those who sexually abuse themselves? No. He hates to see a life bound by the demon of lust and wasted. Does he hate a young person who was drawn away by his or her lust and committed fornication or sexual abuse with another person of either sex? No. He hates sin because it is of Satan, the chief liar, thief and murderer. It robs the person who is bound by the lust; it will eventually come true to be found as a sin against one’s own body. Is allowing on public school grounds a meeting, place and time for those who are practicing or thinking about practicing a sexual lifestyle with others of the same sex the right thing to do? No. Believe me, neither God nor any true Christian hates a young person who has been deprived of a natural mother and father’s affection and love and has been hurt and deceived into believing a same-sex lifestyle is what they are born for. God has so much of a better life for you. He offers you real life in a person, Jesus Christ, his son. He will fill you with a love and a joy which you have never known. We are all born as sinners with a sinful nature, and we need a savior. There are two basic big spirits, but God, Jesus Christ and holy spirit are infinitely greater than Satan the deceiver, the declared loser (that’s why he lies). He’s insane. Anyway, please, please, please try Jesus. He will never fail you. He is love and wisdom and guidance and life and more than you can think of. He made it all and he said, “With God all things are possible.” He really loves you. Please receive Jesus. Paul Opperman Baker City
To the editor: This is in response to Linda Opperman’s letter in the May 11 Baker City Herald regarding a new club at our high school. I am in proud support of the newly formed Gay-Straight Alliance, an honored affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. Brave students stood up last week and introduced this club to our student council. After drafting a constitution — edited by myself — and presenting their mission statement, the club was unanimously charted. Contradictory to Ms. Opperman’s claims, the club’s goal is to promote tolerance for not only gay and lesbian students, but also heterosexuals and anyone that feels uncomfortable or threatened. It is meant as a safe haven for bisexuals, heterosexuals, homosexuals, or otherwise, where students can be respected, not mocked. Monday’s letter attacked courageous BHS students who had the audacity to stand up and safeguard every student at Baker High who has felt harmed by hurtful rhetoric such as that presented by Ms. Opperman. Monday’s letter represented stubborn cowardice; a reluctance to tolerate others’ beliefs; indirect oppression; irrational discrimination; a direct smear to BHS students that have felt harassed. I have known several gay and lesbian students who have graduated from BHS, and some who are still here. Most have hidden behind shadows of shaking fingers and parents who should be tolerant and supportive, not judgmental and suppressive. I am thankful that BHS has the GSA. I wish to address Monday’s letter specifically and respectfully: in the United States, the Bible (my family is religious) is inferior to the Constitution in all ways regarding enforcement of the law. Thusly, the Gay-Straight Alliance is granted its freedom of existence and expression, as it does not present a “clear and present danger” to society. If problems are still found with this club, I welcome Ms. Opperman and others to personally consult me, the school’s administration, or the ACLU. I make no apologies regarding my support of the GSA, as it is my duty to defend my fellow students. I encourage everyone to exercise more kindness, less judgment, and more consideration for the feelings of all our cherished students. Hayden Perkins Baker High School student body president Baker City
To the editor: As I enjoy my morning walk I’ve noticed that you don’t see many, if any, American flags hanging from people’s porches. Isn’t that a shame. We need to remember that this country is still at war in two countries. Seems that after a year or so after our reserve unit returned from Iraq, our community has forgotten the importance of showing our colors and thanking our veterans. Join me in showing our American flag. Remember to thank a vet, help a vet, be a friend to a vet. David Noah Baker City |
* commenting policy and guidelines
blog comments powered by Disqus