Letters to the editor for October 3, 2008

Kitten killer: Hope you’re proud

To the editor:

People better keep an eye on their cats. Our little kitten was taken and thrown into the underpass. So who ever did the deed, I hope you are happy with yourself for killing a little kitten, and taking away a family pet. You should be real proud of yourself.

Be careful out there, hunters

To the editor:

Hunting season is once again upon us, and as a certified volunteer Hunter Education instructor I would like to take this opportunity to point out some important safety considerations for hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts to keep in mind.

Hunters can prevent the vast majority of hunting-related firms incidents by adhering to the four basic rules of firearm safety:

1) Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.

2) Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

3) Treat every firearm as though it were loaded.

4) Be sure of your target and what is in front of it and beyond it.

Hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts alike can greatly reduce the chances of being mistaken for game by wearing blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing. Ideally, a blaze orange vest or jacket and cap should be worn together when hunters are present in an area. Wearing earth tones, such as brown and green, should be avoided.

Hunting is legal on most public lands except national and state parks, and on private land with landowner permission. Details on hunting season dates and areas area available at ODFW’s Web site, www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/

Oregon enjoys a rich hunting heritage, and thanks to an outstanding hunter education program serious incidents are rare in our state. I would like to encourage all of you to be well-prepared as you head outdoors this fall, and wish you a safe and enjoyable experience.

Voters should don skeptic’s hat

To the editor:

I agree with Ms. Urey’s recent letter. To a point. Her first two paragraphs are accurate; however, the last omits an action which is implied by franchise. A voter is assumed to have analyzed the issues and candidates in an election prior to casting a vote.

Before people give their voices to the “gifted scholar” she refers to, they should vet him by investigating the following:

1) His association with the political action group ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) as their lawyer and corporate trainer.

2) His association with Bill Ayers.

3) His association with Saul Alinsky.

4) His association with Tony Rezko, currently under indictment, whose wife coincidentally purchased the lot next to the million-dollar house he bought so that he could afford the purchase.

5) His association of 20 years with Black Liberation theology and one of its proponents, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

6) His association with Father Flynn for whom he appropriated at least one earmark for funds.

7) His association with Robin Hood. In a capitalistic system, is wealth redistribution possible? (Robin Hood was an improbable character with an impractical idea.)

8) And now, a new association with billionaire speculator George Soros.

Put on your skeptic’s hat. Look at the record, read major newspaper articles, investigate thoroughly. Then vote your enlightened conscience. If you don’t, our nation may be in for more troubled times. Refuse the Kool-Aid.