In this age of pervasive sex and violence in popular culture, of divorce and decay of the family, of social problems and parental irresponsibility, of declining ethical standards and morality, it’s refreshing to see people doing the right thing. That was true in the case of the recent home fire on Ash Street. Doing the right thing meant racing into flames to rescue neighbors and loved ones. It meant risking lives to save others.

Letters and Comments for January 21, 2010

Many readers recall back in the 1960s when Cove and Union schools proposed a shotgun wedding.

When asked if anybody had a reason why these two districts, eight miles apart, should not be joined, about 99 of the 100 voters jumped in and said the wedding would never work.

And that was before divorce became as common as buffalo wings.

Letters and Comments for January 20, 2010

Letters and Comments for January 19, 2010

Letters and Comments for January 18, 2010

We have high expectations of our candidates for governor. We expect them to listen without rendering immediate judgment, to learn and lead. We expect them to be problem solvers and to be people of character.

That’s why it came as a big surprise that most of the candidates have spotty voting records. According to a newspaper survey, Republican contenders Allen Alley missed 22 of 42 elections, Chris Dudley missed seven of 13 elections and Bill Sizemore missed 14 of 42 elections. Democratic ex-Gov. John Kitzhaber, meantime, missed five of the last 13 elections.

Doctoring is a noble profession. A medical doctor must attend school for 16 zillion years, serve a residency, learn to not faint at the sight of blood and on and on before he or she gets a shingle, or shingles as the case may be.

Bedside manners are optional.

With the health care debate raging, with arguments over pharmaceutical profits and socialized medicine, questions arise. One is this: why is there not more emphasis on prevention?

Jellum, Kennedy

Small acts of personal innovation and service can make the community a better place to live. For evidence, look no further than the Books-N-Bites program, in which students from Greenwood and Island City elementary schools have donated 500 children’s books to local restaurants.

The purpose of the program, according to Ellen Lester, the library-media specialist for the schools, is to encourage children to read while they wait for their meals. Her goal was to get 100 books from each school. The kids more than doubled expectations.