Wednesday, November 1, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon virtue-signaling.” Jensen Newton LETTERS Continued from page 2 administration.” Wow! That is a mouthful and I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I even know what some of those “isms” and “phobias” are. Diversity is not actually something that can exist in a like-minded group. By definition, diversity requires opposing and competing viewpoints. So for example, if one agrees with the nasty women’s group (that feels really wrong, but they made their name, not me) one would not actually be considered diverse as it relates to their mission. One would have to oppose the group’s sentiments and then, in the presence of these competing ideals, we would find diversity. Diversity cannot exist in soli- darity; it can only exist in opposition. The signs in question end with the line “diversity is celebrated.” Now for us to truly celebrate diversity we would actually need to celebrate opinions differing from those expressed on the signs. One cannot celebrate diversity by celebrating diversity — this would be a prime example of what I believe Jennifer Hills meant by her phrase “vacuous s s s To the Editor: During the recent Milli Fire I became acquainted with Warren Bielenberg, an infor- mation officer on the national fire team that directed control work on that fire. We visited briefly almost every day and have exchanged emails since Warren returned home to Tennessee. Warren was a career employee with the National Park Service. Since retirement he has been an information officer on wildfires, the Gulf oil spill and Hurricane Sandy. After getting home from Sisters, he spent another 13 days on wildfires in Glacier National Park. His biggest thrill while being here was seeing the Three Sisters after the smoke had cleared. In addition, he was truly impressed with all the people that he met while in Sisters. He summed it up with this comment: “Sisters was the most knowledgeable, welcoming and understanding community I’ve been in.” Jim Fisher Affidavit: Accused man offered money EUGENE (AP) — Authorities are investigating whether a man accused of raping a University of Oregon student allegedly offered her $10,000 to drop the case. A search warrant affidavit filed in Lane County Circuit Court last week sought to col- lect the man’s social media messages. T h e R e g i s t e r- G u a rd reports that the affidavit states the 18-year-old woman accepted the offer through social media messages exchanged with the 25-year- old man’s girlfriend and with him. University of Oregon police are investigating the rape, which was reported in April. The man has not been charged. In early September, a university staff attorney for- warded to police a copy of a Facebook message that the TIME TO PUT ON WINTER TIRES Call and make your appointment now for NO-WAIT SERVICE 541-549-1026 victim had received from the man’s current girlfriend. The girlfriend reportedly told detectives the follow- ing week that her boyfriend pushed her to forward his offer to the victim in order to have her drop the case. The fi x is... 21 Operation Christmas Child getting underway The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child will open drop-off locations around Central Oregon November 13, to receive gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. During the project’s National Collection Week (November 13–20), Sisters residents can transform empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys. Operation Christmas Child will deliver these shoebox gifts to chil- dren affected by war, dis- ease, disaster, poverty and famine. This year, the Bend Oregon Area Team hopes to contribute more than 8,168 shoebox gifts toward the 2017 global goal of reaching 12 million children. “We are honored to join the nationwide effort to col- lect gift-filled shoeboxes for children who may have never experienced the true meaning of Christmas,” said Regional Director Michael Ishmael. “Through these simple gifts and a message of hope, chil- dren learn that God loves them and has not forgotten them.” This year, the Bend Oregon Area Team vol- unteers hope to con- tribute 8,168 shoebox gifts to reach children in need. The Sisters drop-off loca- tion is at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child or to view gift suggestions, call 253-572-1155 or visit www. samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the con- venience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse. org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the vir- tual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement. FREE to Spay/Neuter Your Dog or Cat DAVIS TIRE Serving Sisters Since 1962 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage Easy as 1-2-3 1 Stop by to fi ll out a simple form 2 Call Bend Spay & Neuter for the appointment 3 Take your pet — Furry Friends pays. Done! Ask about our vaccination sponsorships, too! Furry Friends Foundation - 442 E. Main Ave. (The Nugget offi ce)