Learn and reflect
On the theme of politics, a recent author shared reflections on Bernie Sanders that could only be qualified as ageism in addition to making pleas for seeing their favorite celebrities take the office of president, which I can only conclude as flippant and irresponsible, in particular as it relates to the message we send our youngest voters and voters to be.
My message to voters, and especially our youngest, is the following:
Challenge the jaded cynicism of others.
Be disciplined as you study and reflect on the issues.
Concentrate on the issues! Whether or not you like the sound of a candidate’s voice or their sense of fashion doesn’t matter when you are participating in the democratic process that some people have given their lives for.
When voting doesn’t seem to get the message across, consider getting involved in other ways by getting active on the streets and writing your own letters to the editor!
Be an informed optimist who rejects the jaded cynicism of others and challenge others to back their claims with real evidence and facts, not just “feelings.”
If someone doesn’t have facts or evidence, share some respectfully.
Learn how to disagree with others in a civil, self-disciplined manner.
Always be willing to learn and reflect on other points of view!
When you vote, consider the ways that not only you are affected by real policies, but also the ways in which your fellow country-people are affected now and in the future.
Enjoy the political season!
Nathan Smith
Hood River
Big Bad Wolves and Greg
We have trains trudging coal through the Gorge on the way to China to be burned for energy so we can get the secondhand acid rain smoke. We have oil trains crashing and burning here in the Gorge (we are lucky Mosier is still here). The medical mafia is still the No. 1 cause of home foreclosures here in the USA. Whack jobs with automatic weapons murder groups of innocent people and children every day in the USA. The list goes on and on and what, pray tell, is our local U.S. Congressman up to?
Well last month our representative got the wolf de-listed on the endangered species list. What? You must be kidding me?! The big bad wolf, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website says, “as of Dec. 31, 2015, 128 livestock or domestic animals are confirmed to have been killed by wolves in Oregon since wolves began returning to the state in the late 1990s.” Now, let’s do the math, let’s say 1998-2015 is 17 years divided by 128 kills, that comes out to 7.5 per year. More livestock are killed by cars, trucks and trains than wolves.
Let’s see, Greg, it seems you just might have your priorities a little backward here. The wolf is not the problem (the ranchers get compensated for a kill by us, the taxpayer). An oil train almost leveling a town five miles from where you grew up is the problem.
And who are you throwing your weight behind in the upcoming election? You’re behind Trump, right? Well a friend told me the other day that she (Hillary) might be a crook, but Trump definitely is a nut. You can negotiate with a criminal, but you can’t negotiate with a crazy person.
Greg, it’s either time to get your golden parachute (free healthcare for life and pension) and retire or get to work and protect us, your neighbors and constituents from the big bad corporations that are ripping us off, and not the big bad wolf.
Stephen J Curley
Hood River
Thank those in blue
A week ago as I parked in the shopping center I noticed a policeman getting into his car. With a sudden burst of inspiration I walked over and tapped on his window. When he rolled it down I said, “I really appreciate your service!” His enthusiastic “thank you!”, gigantic smile, and firm handshake made my day and hopefully his. Why not express your appreciation for a man or woman in blue next chance you get?
Bill Davis
Hood River
Preventing seniors’ falls
September is Fall Prevention month. It’s a good time to make people aware of the seriousness of the problem of falls among the aging adult community. Falling is one of the most dangerous events in a senior’s life. 70 percent of all accidental deaths in people over the age of 75 are due to falls. 40 percent of all nursing home admissions can be attributed to repeated falls that occur in seniors’ own homes. These appalling statistics and many others prompted the United States Congress to create the Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002. It states that “a national approach to reducing elder falls … is needed.” I’ve decided to respond to that call and take action.
I am embarking on a community-wide effort to raise awareness of the senior fall issue and teach fall prevention strategies. To accomplish this I am performing free fall prevention seminars for various senior, civic and church groups throughout the Columbia Gorge area. This is my mission and I’m pretty passionate about it. Do you know that 25 percent of seniors who suffer hip fractures die within one year of that injury? Seniors are losing their lives to this problem. But the good news is that most falls can be prevented. And our fall prevention presentation explains exactly how to do that.
For more information about Hearts of Gold Caregiver’s Fall Prevention seminars and to schedule a seminar for your group, give me a call at 541-387-0207.
Thomas Keolker
Hood River
Yes on Measure 100
This November, Oregonians will have the opportunity to help save 12 species of endangered animals from the threat of poaching, cruelty and extinction. Measure 100 will make it illegal in Oregon to traffic parts of elephants, rhinos, whales, lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, pangolins, sea turtles, sharks, and rays.
This ballot measure follows the lead of Washington, Hawaii, and California, which have passed similar laws. Current federal laws do not protect these animals from intrastate sales with some exceptions.
Oregon is the last West Coast state left to take action against wildlife trafficking. If we are unable to pass this measure, it could result in more products from these animals being sold in our state. This is Oregon’s opportunity to shut down illegal wildlife trafficking and join other West Coast states in combating the illicit trade in endangered wildlife parts.
If you are concerned about the future of these iconic animals, please vote yes on measure 100 in November.
Sheila Dooley
Mosier
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