>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

I am encouraged that The Observer is providing a robust community forum. Witness the recent letter exchanges on the subject of Iraq. Although I strongly favor one side, it is right and good that all opinions be aired without fear of retribution.

As this forum is so vital, I would like to see The Observer adjust its letter policy to allow a 400-word limit and expand the letter page if need be. This would be a substantial benefit to the community.

I found Rebecca Lester's letter of March 26 most passionate, and it clearly enunciates my views on the Iraq conflict that has been tragic for our country, Iraq and the Middle East.

Although comparisons are generally odious, this is Vietnam all over again. I lived through that era and thought we would never see its like again, but here we are: a war causing acrimonious division in our country. Americans and civilians dying in great numbers. A government and military that alters and shrouds the truth. Soldiers fighting and dying without a clear and executable plan. Reduction of our moral authority in the world. Returning vets injured physically and psychologically. The government vilifying and surveilling its opponents. And on and on.

Before writing this letter I compiled a list of the policies, actions, inactions and scandals of this government that have brought grievous harm to our country and, in part, the world. I reached 26 before realizing they would not fit The Observer's 300-word limit. Maybe I'll keep adding to it and send it along in a future letter or community comment. Thank you for your open forum.

Michael Rosenbaum

La Grande

__________________________

My good friend Mary McCracken took issue with my letter in which I listed several prominent Democrats and Republicans who are using the same basic demoralizing format — 1. Your president is lying to you; 2. This war is illegal; 3. You cannot win the war so quit and go home — that Tokyo Rose used during World War II.

Being a good liberal, Mary directed your attention to what a good person Tokyo Rose was. Mary took her information directly from the Internet. I read the same information, and indeed the program was produced to specifically demoralize our troops. It defies reason that Japan would have broadcasted a program to increase our troop's morale. The program was called "Zero Hour" and was broadcast for 20 minutes each evening.

This is what liberals do. They twist things and use soft words to try to make us think their ideas are good and right, when in reality they are bad and wrong. The fact is the legislators I listed are using the same demoralizing format that was used in the WWII Japanese "Zero Hour"

broadcast.

Another fact is the legislators had complete and total access to the same intelligence information that the president had when they all voted to declare war on Iraq. Now they are all trying to cover their own stupidity by saying they were lied to.

That's what it's all about with legislators: first what's good for me, second what's good for my party, third what's good for the United States.

John C. Sprenger

La Grande

__________________________

On behalf of my family and myself I would like everyone to know how much we appreciated the flowers, cards and contributions in my mother's name, Alta Hunt.

Dr. Betsy Neeley and Dr. Lynn Harris went above and beyond, and Lowell and Carol Knopp organized a beautiful service.

A wonderful meal of donated food was served at the Elgin Community Center.

The support of our many friends and extended family is so important, and it was a great tribute to the loving memory of my mother.

Barbara Endicott and family

Cove

__________________________

From Dec. 31, 1941, until 1945 Japan killed thousands of Americans in the Hawaiian Islands, Philippines, Iwo Jima, Bataan and other land areas. Plus they sank hundreds of our ships. In 1945 Gen. McArthur granted peace to all Japanese who would accept it — not because they were innocent.

If you listen to or read the transcripts of Tokyo Rose during that time, she humiliated, maligned and encouraged men to abandon their posts. She attacked our president, our country and our people.

Today, as I read our newspapers, it seems as if some of our fine upstanding citizens hold that conduct to be admirable. This saddens me greatly.

Johnny C. Petersen

La Grande

__________________________

Request new legislation governing the manufacture and testing of dry and moist pet foods, including importation of pet foods.

PETA ran some video of a testing subcontractor of Iams pet food company, and the inhumane treatment of those dogs and cats that Iams allows to be used in testing their pet foods filled us with rage.

It is time to put a stop to this cruelty of helpless and dependent animals.

Nicholas, Meredith

and Noretta Smith

La Grande

__________________________

I recently traveled with the Union FFA Chapter to the Oregon FFA State Convention at the OSU Campus. The Union Chapter stayed at the same hotel as FFA representatives from Cove, Imbler, Elgin,

La Grande and Baker City. I found the students from our local communities to be very respectful and aware of one another. It was a pleasure to meet so many students with such capacity and leadership.

It is important to recognize success in our high school students. It is also important to recognize that success is created by active parents, schools and community. As I watched students interact with FFA advisors and one another, it was evident that investments have been made in these students.

I would like to offer congratulations to community members, parents and the agriculture advisers from Baker City, Cove, Imbler, Elgin, La Grande and Union — you have raised great kids!

Cherie Kausler

Union

__________________________

I would like to respond to Mr. Dean Varney's letter regarding murderous tyrants. He recognizes them in far-off lands but fails to grasp what is going on in our capital. A letter from John Evans Jr. followed Dean's letter and gave a complete list of the tyranny slipping in. My letter shall address the adjective "murderous."

When a drunk driver gets behind the wheel of a car and mows people down, it is called negligent homicide or manslaughter. Having Bush behind the wheel of our armed forces is the equivalent of a drunk driver taking a speeding Humvee through schools, senior centers, homes and churches.

Many of us recognized this and did shout it from the rooftops, to use Dean's phrase.

The absolute power and delusion of this president have thus far defeated our attempts to stop the drunken driver. His crimes have gone beyond negligent homicide and are approaching murderous.

I believe there were WMD in Iraq all along: War, Mistakes and Delusions have combined to bring on a destruction so massive it fills me with anguish. I lie awake at night grieving for the people whose lives and homes, whose very souls and hopes for their children are torn, mangled and defiled because of the demons of war.

Mary Cooke

Cove

__________________________

It is good to read letters from some "free" thinking people in The Observer.

Some among us simply can not bear to hear the truth.

George Bush will be a sick old man and Laura will divorce him as soon as his term is over. I read that she had already hired a lawyer and she is near a breaking point. Does any Republican out there care what Laura has endured so George can have his "war" and really screw up this nation?

Let's have some truth and justice for a change and stop this war and do something about the "sham-nesty" bill.

Letha Johns

La Grande

__________________________

On behalf of the coaches, athletes and parents of the La Grande High School Track and Field team, I want to publicly acknowledge the generosity of Gordon Royal and his team at Safeway.

We recently had a spaghetti feed fundraiser for the track team to purchase uniforms and much needed equipment. Mr. Royal and Safeway, for the second straight year, contributed all of the spaghetti (70 pounds), the sauce, the salad, the bread and the lemonade. The total cost was more than $275. We would not have been able to have such a successful event without the generous help of Safeway. We were able to raise more than $2,600.

This is what makes La Grande such a great city — people helping out in situations such as this. Without the help of Safeway and Mr. Royal, we would have been unable to purchase new uniforms and equipment essential to the track team. We greatly appreciate all their help.

Duane Smiley

LHS Head Track Coach