Letters
June 5, 2010

Two answers

First is an answer to Cara Vance’s letter of May 19: Capitalism is not a founding factor in our Constitution. The Constitution of the United States does not contain the word “capitalism”, “socialism” or any other “ism.”

It does, however, charge the government with promoting “general welfare” for U.S. citizens, defined as “health, happiness, prosperity and well-being.”

In effect, the federal government, which is a republic not a true democracy, is required to ensure no state, foreign nation, corporation or other entity withholds these rights from any one person, family or group. Capitalistic greed and corporatism has robbed far too many citizens of this country of health, happiness, prosperity and well-being.

A single-payer health care system is the only way our government can provide constitutional-mandated rights to all U.S. citizens. It is not “socialism,” but constitutional rights.

A single-payer healthcare system does not have to be a government activity; it can be run by a not-for-profit organization or corporation. It just has to be supported by our government.

Second is an answer to Marilyn Brennan’s letter of May 19: We have two wars going on exactly because of capitalism. The oil industry ruled during George W. Bush’s presidency. The Taliban government of Afghanistan would not let an oil pipeline, proposed by western oil companies, to be built across its country.

One of the first things that happened after the Taliban government was disposed by U.S. military action was the granting of this pipeline construction by the provisional government put in place by the United States and its allies.

The excuses for these wars were the terrorist attack of Sept. 11 and the unsupported assumption of weapons of mass destruction held by Saddam Hussein in Iraq. The reasons were the desire of U.S. and other western oil companies for the control of oil production and greater profits.

Gary Fields
Hood River

Tap PERS

Eliminate government debt! Borrow the money from the PERS fund. They have lots of extra cash to lend.

Paul Nevin
Hood River

Idlewilde thanks

Another Memorial Day is just winding down at Idlewilde Cemetery, and it’s time to say thank you and give our appreciation to all involved who helped make the Memorial Day service at Idlewilde a big success.

To my right-hand man, Augustin Lara, for all the behind-the-scenes projects you do. Ignacio Lara and Rene Gutierrez for helping get the cemetery in tip-top shape. Dennis Leonard and Shelly Leonard for all the hours getting the veterans identified and marked for us. Randy Bell for running sound and making our service one that could be heard.

The grounds were full of music, thanks to Mark Steighner and the Hood River Valley High School band, the beautiful music sung by Dana Branson and guitar playing by Dave Johnson.

Thank you to Nick Kirby and Boy Scout Troop 387, Max Linder, Rubin Landsiedel, for placing all the stars and stripes on the graves of veterans. American Legion Post 22 for set-up and break-down of chairs and staging the program. Brian Steeves and Dennis Leonard for painting all of the flag poles and placing them for display.

John Dorsey, thank you for all your help trimming and keeping the Memorial Walk in top shape. National Guard Sfc. Gary Norris and the support of local soldiers.

Our breath was taken away by the two flyovers that the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum performed and thank you to Mildred Goe and the Bud Collins families for letting us share your personal stories.

A special thanks to U.S. Rep. Greg Walden’s office in Medford and Washington, D.C., for helping get through paperwork to receive the flag on time to present to Mildred Goe.

Thank you to all of the clubs and organizations who made floral presentations at our service and the other members of the Veterans Service Council, American Legion, National Guard, Gorge Heroes Club, Anderson’s Tribute Center for all your help and support.

While it’s fresh in our minds, if we overlooked any veteran, please call and we will correct our records (541-386-2599).

Most of all, we thank the families and friends of Idlewilde Cemetery for your continued support.

Bob Huskey, sexton-manager
Idlewilde Cemetery

Vagabond story

I first want to thank the Hood River County Sheriff’s office for the time, effort, and hard work that they did to break the case on behalf of my friend Jerry who was killed last Sept. 9.

I specifically want to thank Matt English with the sheriff’s office. He deserves a lot of praise for his time, commitment, and his hard work and sacrifice in breaking this case. Also others not named that were a part of assisting with the investigation.

Jerry was a good friend to many in the community, and throughout the world. A gentle and kind man, always showing compassion to others and those who were in need. The Vagabond was not just a business to him, but a ministry to serve others.

He always made sure there was a room to help those in need. He was a giving and loving person. Jerry would always have a smile on his face, and give encouragement to those in need.

I know that Jerry will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the community. He gave so much; and yes, he will always be a special friend to me.

Larry Douglas
Hood River

Get a plan B

At some point other counties in Oregon have had to close their libraries for a period of time — i.e. Jackson County in southern Oregon.

However, they were able to reopen their libraries which are doing well now. I think our county commissioners should contact officials of this county and find out how they were able to do this. Surely they can work on a Plan B.

Ruth Turner
Hood River

A long list

What happened with a Republican president?

Attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon
Inadequate response to Katrina
Medicare drug program
Afghanistan mismanagement
Iraqi quagmire
Housing debit crisis
Oversaw the Wall Street bailout
Created the biggest budget deficit in history of the world
Had a compliant Congress and never had to veto one bill in eight years
Set the all-time record for most days on vacation by any president in U.S. history

Now the Democrats are left to clean up this monstrous mess, and all the Republicans can do is complain.

Rich McBride
Hood River

Library needs pros

We are responding to the many requests for running the library with volunteers.

I, Pat Byrne, and now with the help of Bette Lou Yenne have been involved with organizing the current volunteers since we first started using volunteers at the library.

We currently have 42 volunteers on our roster. In the past year they put in 3,213 hours. These hours in round numbers would take $32,130 if they were paid. However, these volunteers do not do many jobs that a trained librarian would do. We have been very fortunate to have had five employees with Master of Library Science degrees.

Yes, this does require a master’s degree. Volunteers have been able to help by shelving books, reading the shelves (seeing to it that the books stay in order), cleaning books and assisting the children’s department with the summer programs.

The volunteers also assist the Friends in their projects such as “Everybody Reads,” the Sunday programs, filling the shelves with donated books to sell and our annual book sale.

We have three volunteers who actually have to be at the library on a regular schedule regarding the Gorge Link program. This program allows Hood River to participate in the lending of books and other materials with libraries in The Dalles, Moro, Cascade Locks, Parkdale and White Salmon.

Volunteer contributions are greatly appreciated by the library staff but are not an integral part of the running of the library. Many tasks are accomplished if a volunteer is available. Volunteers are not paid and often have other commitments to family, etc.

A library the size of the Hood River County Library can not rely on volunteers alone. The professional staff is integral to the daily running of a public library.

Pat Byrne
Bette Lou Yenne
Hood River

Doing the math

I’d like to thank Mr. Dallas Glenn for Mr. Glenn’s wonderful effort to make my name, Mr. Jeff Zipfel, a household name in the Hood River valley.

As politics go, name recognition is one of two key factors in electoral victory, so watch out Honorable Representative Walden, a future challenger is in your midst ;0). Last I checked, Mr. Glenn, free parking on State Street begins at Sixth Street, immediately west of the library, and continues to the termination of State Street at 13th.

If Mr. Glenn wants to quibble over “a few feet,” then I’d like to quote the esteemed Mr. (Cliff) Mansfield, as published right here on the editorial page of the Hood River News: that’s a pile of “bovine scat.”

Mr. Dallas Glenn, I fully stand by my original statement. As far as Mr. Glenn’s various implications go — keep implying. Nothing in my letter remotely gives Mr. Glenn the justification to make such implications.

First, that “furloughing ... workers is ample and just cause.” Same for Mr. Dallas Glenn’s implication that I have not “been directly impacted” by “malfunctioning city equipment.“ Likewise Mr. Glenn’s assertion that I should “come out and say what is really on his mind.“

That’s why I wrote a letter to the editor. Anyone who has listened to folks like Rush Limbaugh knows that they regularly implore their listeners to write government entities and provide topics and information to include with their communications. I find it quite ironic that the letter to the editor printed below Mr. Dallas Green’s letter is yet another one from visitors complaining about parking.

All of this brings one implication to my mind, and that’s the age-old debate tactic: If you don’t have a strong argument make fantastic unrelated implications. Score: Fabricated Implications — 0. The Printed Words — 1.

Mr. Glenn takes exception to my math; to use Mr. Glenn’s exact words, my math “is quite a stretch.“ Actually Mr. Glenn, it’s quite a compression. Mr. Glenn is correct in that I didn’t fully explain the math.

Long ago I learned that in general, estimated wear, tear and depreciation equals fuel costs. Therefore, $7.50 times 2 equals $15, divided by the cost for approximately three hours of parking at $1 per hour, gives a result of 500 percent.

According the most recent data from the Dept. of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (2006), the average MPG for the U.S. was 20.3. But since Mr. Dallas Glenn raised the issues, let’s recalculate using other universally acceptable data: the IRS allowable deduction for mileage, a nice even 50 cents for 2010.

Assuming the drive is from mid-point to mid-point, mile markers 63 in Hood River to 84 in The Dalles, that’s 21 miles one way and 42 round-trip; at 50 cents a mile, we arrive at $21 spent to “save’” $3 in Hood River parking fees. In non-Orwellian math, Mr. Dallas Glenn, that’s 700 percent.

The old adage ‘”a fool and his money are soon parted” is alive and well. Sincerely,

Jeff Zipfel
Hood River

ANOTHER VOICE

A letter of thanks to teachers of HRVHS

By TERRY MALLON

Just recently we had the opportunity to attend both the Evening of Excellence and Mr. HRV events at Hood River Valley High School.

Both events highlighted what is great about this community. While one event highlighted scholastic achievements by students of all types (students who have shown a passion for their subjects, students who have shown an increased awareness for their studies, and some who are really exceptional scholastically) the other highlights creativity, musical and acting-type talents that showcase another facet of young men and women who go to Hood River Valley High.

With this year’s graduation of our youngest, we will no longer have a child at the high school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers and staff at the high school for their contributions to molding our children into the young people they are.

The time-honored statement that it takes a whole village to raise a child didn’t resonate so well with me as a younger parent, but as a more mature one I see the influence that the village has had on my children. It’s a pretty darn fine village we live in.

Granted, it’s always good to try to get better, and I think that the high school staff (as well as elementary and middle school staffs) embrace that challenge each day, week and year.

You can see how it works. Students score high on PSAT, ACT and SAT tests. Those who go to college are successful there. Some even return to the valley to be successful here as citizens.

So to the teachers and staff at Hood River Valley High and the community (Scholarship Night, Leaders for Tomorrow, etc.) at large that has been our village, thank you very much for your contribution.

n

Terry Mallon, of Parkdale, and his wife, Ellen, are parents of Audrey Mallon, a member of the class of 2010. Their daughter Rachael is a student at University of Puget Sound.