LETTERS AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JAN. 20, 2007

A couple of trappers are running their lines along the Hurricane Creek Road near Joseph, between the campground and the trailhead. For as long as I have been here, 12 years, that portion of the road has been a popular winter hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing area.

Many folks walk their dogs along that road, as I was doing the other day when my dog was caught in a leg trap. A state trooper quickly identified who was setting these traps, but he couldn't persuade them to trap somewhere else. These two guys, the trappers, don't care if they get a dog now and then, even if it means a serious injury. In fact, the trap that got my dog was reset the next morning.

It's well known that the upper Hurricane Creek Road is well used. Tracks of people and dogs are all over the snow there. I don't believe it's right to put pets and kids at risk when there are many alternate trapping areas available, or to deny the use of this portion of road to folks who have been using it for years.

Wally Sykes

Joseph

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I truly fear for the future of our nation because of the well-meaning but misguided actions of its citizens. It starts with an unfounded hatred of our president. He is accused of lying, hypocrisy, ignorance, ineptness, having no regard for the law, having a lust for power and worse on a daily basis. None of which is true.

I could refute each of these accusations, but it would take several pages. Instead, I challenge every reader who has accepted these accusations as true to take the time to research the origin of each myth about our president. Don't accept a Michael Moore propaganda piece or biased blog but actually deal with facts. Unfortunately, every hurtful statement, peace demonstration or adverse political action gives aid and comfort to our enemies and decreases faith in and support for our nation and its noble aims.

The war in Iraq is not just President Bush's war; it's our war. It has become another Vietnam only because too many of our citizens and politicians have made it so. Remember that the war in Vietnam was not lost on the battlefield. It was lost by a vociferous peace movement, caring but misguided citizens and weak-kneed politicians. Don't let that happen again!

President Bush, his administration and our brave armed forces can win the battle in Iraq — which is only a part of our worldwide struggle for survival — particularly if all the naysayers quit nit-picking every decision and/or action. The alternative is beyond comprehension.

If you don't believe me, take the time to view the recent documentary "Obsession: The Threat of Radical Islam." I think you will agree that we are fighting an enemy who won't be placated.

Gerald J. Perren

Enterprise

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I would like to respond to the Jan. 2 article on the play "Ophelias Unite." The article did not mention Chrissy Mazella, who has been the most important individual in the development of my project.

Mazella, a 22-year-old who hails from New Port Richey, Fla., was a friend, counselor and director at the Columbia Gorge School of Theater, which I attended for four summers. My third summer, in 2005, she directed the original "Ophelias Unite," which she adapted from the book "Ophelia Speaks" by Sarah Shandler.

As an actress in the production, I was deeply moved by her ability to capture the female adolescent experience so eloquently and with so much emotion. Her original play truly changed me as a person and inspired me to create my senior project.

To call me the "playwright" of "Ophelias Unite" is to use the word too loosely. While I did rewrite the monologues in the script, it was adapted from Mazella's characters as well as those from the book "Ophelia Speaks" by Shandler. I simply altered the script by adding my own personal experiences and those of people I've known throughout my life within the monologues.

I feel that there should have been more emphasis in the article on the importance of crediting Mazella as my inspirer, my friend and the original writer of "Ophelias Unite."

I hope this letter conveys to the community the importance of Mazella in the formation of my project as well as how deeply appreciative I am of her courage as friend, as a play director and as a woman in this world. I'd like to personally express my gratitude to Chrissy for inspiring not only me but so many others through her work.

Megan Matthews

Imbler

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It has been determined that Baghdad is now the center of gravity in Iraq. The strategists have determined that the main terrorist effort is being sent to Baghdad and that U.S. forces should focus there. The majority of the troop strength increase in Iraq is going to go to Baghdad. The remaining portion will go to a troubled province, al Anbar, which borders with Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Baghdad.

Understand that Baghdad is nothing like a U.S. city. They don't have good infrastructure, good sewer systems or living conditions — they never have. The majority of the population of Iraq lives in and around Baghdad. Imagine Manhattan Island if each household had one AK-47, was intertwined with foreign terrorists and the police force was only three years old. Anarchy. The fact that Baghdad hasn't completely destroyed itself is already pretty amazing.

Terrorism is a problem that is a little confusing to most. Just because there are no attacks does not mean that terrorists don't exist. It means they are preparing for their series of attacks.

If you hope to quell terrorist attacks, you must continue to be on the offensive. If you stop, they will have more time to prepare their explosives, train more terrorists, brainwash more children and find more targets.

The way you tell if we are doing good things in Iraq is the increase in attacks. The increase in attacks, especially against civilians, shows that the terrorists are getting desperate.

A terrorist would prefer to be left alone to build and plan for an attack. When you hear about a large IED that kills U.S. troops, there is typically a foreign terrorist cell that was unnoticed and un-harassed.

Only diligence is going to keep

terrorism at bay. Defense is not the answer. Offense is.

Brian K. Dean

La Grande

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Today when I went to the counter to pay for my purchase at Rite-Aid, the clerk knew not to put my purchase in a bag.

So I asked how many people choose not to have their purchase put in a throw-away bag. "Well, there's one other guy that chooses not to take a bag."

Yes, America is referred to as a throw-away society. We need to change our ways and reduce our use of non-renewable resources, re-use what we have and recycle what we can't use.

Everything we use comes from Mother Earth. And she is being raped and pillaged to satisfy our desires for convenience and comfort.

Together we can change our ways and help our planet heal from the abuse.

Jacque Lee

Island City

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I congratulate your reporter Bill Rautenstrauch on the excellent article about Mike Lester. Something not mentioned was the fact that Mike is also a good Christian young man. He attends the Church of Christ on Gekeler where my husband and I attend.

Many times Mike is asked to fill in and wait on the table when a designated member is absent. To my knowledge, Mike has never refused to do this.

We are blessed to know Mike and praise McDonald's for giving him the opportunity to be a very useful person in the community.

Nina Christian

La Grande

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I predicted to anyone who would listen that outgoing Commissioner Lamoreau would not go without a parting shot or two at his favorite subjects — his fellow commissioners and the golf course. His community comment in the Jan. 13 Observer simply supports my prediction.

The State of Oregon has declared that the golf course is an economic development project; therefore it qualifies for use of those funds. It's my understanding that no Union County tax dollars have been used to support the golf course. All monies coming to the county must go through the general fund and are disbursed to designated county expenditures. This would, of course, include economic development funds.

Mr. Lamoreau continues his criticisms by stating that the closure of the golf course in the winter would save tens of thousands of dollars. Surely Mr. Lamoreau knows that the only expense of the course in the winter is the salary of the course professional and superintendent, both of whom are full-time county employees. Other expenses, such as insurance, are a never-ending cost. Closing the course for the winter would at most save only pennies.

After conducting one of the most expensive county commission campaigns, Mr. Lamoreau needs to reflect on why he was not re-elected. Could it be that comments such as those expressed in his article might have something to do

with it?

Finally, I have had numerous occasions to seek information from the county, including copies, and have never been questioned for my reasons. As for paying for copies, that is standard procedure among government agencies and in the private sector.

Good grief, just because things might be available under the public records law doesn't mean they should always be free.

L. Harry Bigler

La Grande