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16 Wednesday, January 13, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon LETTERS Continued from page 2 job to perform on Wednesday, January 6. The Constitution of the United States required him to verify the count of certified electors from each state. Yet, when the legally certified electors of Pennsylvania were presented to the Congress assembled, he chose to join a political stunt with no merit and no chance of affecting the election. And this occurred after an attempted coup personally directed by the President that led to the death of six people, so far, including two Capitol police officers. So much for law and order, representative Bentz. You are a disgrace to Oregon. Dean Billing s s s To the Editor: An open letter to Jim Adkins, Jefferson County Sheriff; Shane Nelson, Deschutes County Sheriff; and Mike Krantz, Chief of the Bend Police Department: I am horrified and outraged by the violence and anarchy perpetrated upon the people of this great country during the insurrection on January 6 in Washington D.C. Each and every rioter who invaded the Capitol on that infamous day should be identified, arrested and appropriately charged. There are many eyewit- ness reports claiming that law enforcement officers participated in this seditious activity. I am asking that each of our local law enforcement agencies investigate and hold accountable any officers who were involved. It would be wonderful news to learn that none participated; public confidence in these agencies would be greatly enhanced. I fully support and defend all lawful expres- sions of our First Amendment rights related to freedom of speech, but the violent mob and the deadly events that unfolded were unlawful and should be confronted swiftly and decisively. Law and order applies to all Americans; no one is above the law. Janet Keen s s s To the Editor: It was encouraging to hear about Lezlie Neusteter9s work to help drug addicts, once released from jail, to have access to addiction treatment. The power of drug addiction cannot be cured by incarceration alone. The YouTube documen- tary <Seattle is Dying= gives an in-depth view of the success of Rhode Island9s MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) program. Amazing docu- mentary that all should watch! Treatment actually starts during the inmate9s incarceration to assist them with withdrawals during their prison term and to get their addiction under control. The treat- ment continues after their prison term is completed to help them stay sober, get jobs and live a drug- free life, thus helping to break the incarceration and homelessness cycle. These programs, done right, have proven to cost less than the repeated incarceration of drug-addicted inmates. I was dismayed to see Neusteter having to ask for donations to support this type of important work. I believe the state of Oregon should focus more on funding these types of programs imme- diately to help address drug-related homelessness and crimes. Thank you, Lezlie, for your commitment and social service! Cheryl Pellerin s s s To the Editor: The U.S. Supreme Court on October 28 voted unanimously to not block the Pennsylvania9s Supreme Court decision to allow Pennsylvania to accept absentee ballots for several days after Election Day. The Pennsylvania case was an example of the complications that COVID-19 and a USPS system, slowed by the Trump administration, presented. Cliff Bentz objected to these court decisions and used the certification of the Electoral College votes to voice his objection. Bentz has no say in how Pennsylvania runs its elections. As Senator Graham later said, this was not the time or venue for that objection. Trump attorneys and supporters never presented verifiable evidence of voter fraud to the courts. Attorney General Barr stated there was no widespread fraud. Yet, Trump continues with false claims of fraud, and Bentz feeds that narrative. Five died. Trump told the crowd to fight or you will not have a country. He said he would walk to the Capitol with them. He did not walk with them. He watched TV, in a safe place with his Secret Service protecting him, while his crowd called for Vice President Pence to be hung. While five died. I called (1-202-225-6730) Representative Bentz9s office many times objecting to his contest- ing the Pennsylvania certified vote. If you objected and did not call, call now. He claims the bulk of his constituents agree with him. Nancy Kelm s s To the Editor: The world has never been out to get me. The world doesn9t owe me anything because I9m here. The world certainly doesn9t revolve around me. It astounds me to encounter so many people who view things the opposite of these tenets. They do know that the world is out to get them. Or it owes them things because they exist and have <rights,= which seem more about claims of entitlement than it does about actual rights. Or they offer what they know can be the only correct perspective(s) and the sooner that we all get in line with that thinking the better. The past four years and particularly what occurred on the afternoon of January 6 at the U.S. Capitol Building have brought to bear the vastly differing ranges of perspectives and ways of behaving that people have for dealing with this existence. It also brings to mind something written by T.S. Eliot a century ago: <Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don9t mean to do harm; but the harm does not interest them. Or, they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.= Chris Morin s s s To the Editor: For weeks now, debates have been raging throughout the country about whether Trump and his supporters were attempting to overthrow our democratic and secure election. Phrases like <soft coup= were thrown around as it became obvious that Trump would never accept his defeat. January 6 their attempt to overthrow the will of the people stopped being <soft.= Rioters forced their way into the Capitol Building and violently confronted police officers, damaged and looted staff offices, and most damningly, forced the presi- dential certification process to be delayed. We know that someone died from a gunshot wound, and officers have been sent to the hospital. In conjunction with this obscene violation of democratic tradition, at least one explosive device was found outside the Republican National Committee headquarters. This is not a normal expression of free speech. This was a concerted and organized effort to obstruct the presidential transition and cast our democracy into chaos. Without doubt, it is a case of domestic terrorism, and likely a treasonous action, for it is an explicitly s See LETTERS on page 19 Send “Sisters” to friends and family afar! They may not be able to visit right now, but they can experience this special place through the pages of The Nugget Newspaper. The Nugget Newspaper has been delivering the news, opinions, and interesting stories of Sisters for over 40 years. It is mailed to all homes in the Sisters School District free of charge and available by subscription outside the area. Family & friends afar will appreciate a gift subscription... the gift they get to open again every week! 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