Face the ‘dark’

There is a mounting effort by states, including Oregon, in support of a U.S. stamp honoring the bravery of the 442nd Regimental Combat Unit, a highly decorated, segregated and voluntary unit of Japanese-Americans in World War II.

Given Hood River’s dark history re the treatment of Japanese-Americans during and after the war, I suggest that it would be most appropriate for the governing bodies of both the city and county of Hood River to pass a resolution in support of this effort.

Considering our area’s significant role in those days, I urge that this (or these) resolution(s) be directed not just to the State of Oregon legislature but also to the Congress and the Postmaster General, through our Congressional Delegation.

Dave Dockham
Hood River

Pick up an oar

How do you speak to one who will not listen? Mr. Steve Kaplan tried in his excellent letter in the March 25 paper. I refer to a regular writer who, in a recent letter to the editor, calls the Economic Recovery Act the biggest welfare “giveaway” in the history of mankind, and says that small business owners will be unfairly taxed to pay for it.

Where is his outrage over the bailouts to big financial institutions whose reckless business practices have all but brought down the financial systems of the whole world? And does he condone the millions of dollars to be paid to already overpaid managers of one of these companies?

Those bonuses are being paid out of the bailout money, and our taxes (his too) will pay for it. Maybe he thinks these people should be rewarded for being successful no matter that the reckless actions of some of them brought on the meltdown of the system.

He blames the Democrats, but the meltdown and most of the necessary bailouts, and the lack of restrictions on those bailouts, started under President Bush’s watch. The Economic Recovery Act is just another necessary step to try to get us out of this mess. I think that this writer resents it that some people who really need it to survive will be helped.

Over 500 years ago Sir Robert Donne wrote “No man is an Island….” And those words are just as true today. We are all in this together. So, I would say to this writer, please stop rocking the boat! Pick up an oar and row! And be thankful that you have an oar to row with.

Anne Vance
Hood River

Stop ‘gun haters’

When Obama and Biden were on the campaign trail swapping lies for votes, one of the questions they were asked repeatedly was what their intentions were in regard to guns. They said over and over again that they had no interest in gun issues.

Thirty-three days after Obama moved into the White House the first of the Democrats’ coming anti-gun legislation was introduced into the House of Representatives. HR 45 is an insidious bill that seeks to register ALL firearms in America. It requires all firearms owners to submit to random searches and mental health evaluations at the discretion of the government.

In addition to this betrayal, Obama’s Attorney General has said that we need to ban all “assault weapons” to stop the Mexican drug wars. You should be asking yourself how ignorant these Democrats are.

Possession of “assault weapons” has been illegal since the 1930s. What these gun haters are referring to are “sporterized” versions of traditional military-style rifles that only look like “assault weapons.” These weapons fire one bullet per trigger pull and this alone removes them from the “assault weapon” category.

But to appease their pals at the U.N. who are seeking to ban all private firearms ownership, Obama and his sycophants are willing to sacrifice our Supreme Court-proven freedom to possess firearms.

Around America there are other Democrat-driven assaults on our firearms rights. California wants a $5 per bullet tax on ammunition. Oregon and other states want to release personal information on Carry Concealed Permit holders. Obama himself expressed an interest in invalidating all carry permits in America.

What all this demonstrates is that these Democrats LIED to Republicans to get elected. And I blame the fact that America is saddled with this clueless regime on all you Republicans who believed their lies and voted for these people.

Remember, Democrats will always want to eliminate your gun rights. We have a chance to stop these gun haters. The only way to protect ourselves from their stupidity is if we Republicans vote against them with a strong, united voice in the 2010 mid-term elections.

Cliff Mansfield
Odell

ANOTHER VOICE

by The Rev. Linda Presley

When it comes to our finances, we usually do everything we can to build up our assets. Whether we realize it or not, we can do the same thing for the children in our community; not build their financial assets, though that is a worthy objective, but to build their personal assets.

Learning how to value youth and highlighting the accomplishments of our county’s younger generation is the basis for Hood River County Commission on Children and Families’ Assets Training Workshop to be held Monday, April 20, at the Best Western Hood River Inn Gorge Room, from 2-5 p.m.

All adults who work with youth are invited to attend this training, at no cost to participants. Facilitated by Clay Roberts, a nationally recognized trainer from Search Institute, the workshop will help participants learn practical ways to enhance their interactions with youth and increase their effectiveness in helping young people succeed in various life experiences.

Participants will receive support materials at the training and have an opportunity to purchase Search Institute activity kits. As an added bonus, the Commission serves as a regional resource center for the State of Oregon and will have materials available for check-out following the workshop.

“The Hood River County Commission on Children & Families and our community partners have agreed to this training because of their commitment to building the assets of youth in our community,” says Commission Director Joella Dethman. “We welcome as many community leaders as are able to come to the workshop.”

Online registration is available at www.co.hood-river.or.us

Once the Web site is open rest your mouse on “County Departments.” A list will appear on the right. Click on “Commission on Children & Families.” The HRCCCF page will open up. A user can click on the either the underlined “Youth Super Hero Celebration” or the underlined “Asset Development Forum.” There is no link.

For more information, contact Kathy Smith at the commission office, 386-2500, ext. 3, or kathy_smith@class.oregonvos.net.

Search Institute is a leading global innovator in discovering what children and adolescents need to become caring, healthy, and responsible adults. Drawing on extensive research, Search Institute brings hopeful solutions to pressing challenges in the lives of young people and their communities.

Search Institute’s role is to provide knowledge and resources to help create an environment that supports young people.

“Hood River already does many things for youth. But, in all communities that are successful in working together, there is always room for improvement. April 20 will be a time community leaders can gather to discover ways to continue and expand the internal and external assets of our precious young people.”

At the end of the workshop, participants will be encouraged to stay for dinner and celebrate with the many young people who will be recognized for their dedicated community service.

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Rev. Linda Presley, co-pastor of Hood River Valley Christian Church, is a member of Faith Connection and a workshop organizer.