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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 22, 2016)
FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016 4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Opinion / Politics Governor suggests new gun control plan Governor Kate Brown announced Friday “Orego- nians United to End Gun Violence,” a plan to ad- dress gun safety in Oregon and across the country. Governor Brown was joined by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Mult- nomah County District At- torney Rod Underhill, faith leaders, advocates for gun safety, and more than 30 other community leaders from across Oregon to call for an end to gun violence. “Since I was sworn in as Governor 17 months ago, more than 600 Oregonians have died from violence inflicted by a gun,” Gover- nor Brown said. “Violence answers nothing, offers nothing, solves nothing. If we want to end violence, we must instill hope and create opportunity. I call on each of us, as Orego- nians and as Americans, to join this call to end gun violence now.” Brown will take immedi- ate action through ex- ecutive order to strengthen existing Oregon law, giving Oregon State Police and local authorities more tools to track and analyze gun transactions. These tools can be used in the prosecution of illegal firearms sales and help to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, Brown’s executive order estab- lishes a new work group to review and assess firearms- related domestic violence. The work group will make recommendations for a statewide policy that enhances the safety of do- mestic violence survivors. The executive order also directs the Oregon Health Authority to report annual- ly on gun violence and its effect on public health, and when warranted, recom- mend polices to increase gun safety in Oregon. Brown also committed to working with the Oregon Legislature during the 2017 session to pass criti- cal gun safety measures. The following three legislative priorities were outlined by Brown: Close the “Charleston Loophole.” In Oregon, if the state police are unable to determine a person’s eligibility to purchase a firearm within three days, current law requires ap- proval of the sale of the firearm. Governor Brown will prepare legislation that will make sure individuals who should not own a gun are not able to obtain one simply because authorities were unable to complete the background check within current timelines. Close the “Boyfriend Loophole.” By expanding the types of relationships that qualify under “domes- tic violence” charges, those convicted of certain crimes of domestic violence and stalking will no longer have access to firearms. Ban extended-capacity magazines. Outlaw the future purchases of extended-capacity maga- zines in Oregon. This type of ammunition enables in- dividuals to fire repeatedly without the need to reload and increases a shooter’s ability to injure and kill large numbers of people. With support from Sena- tor Wyden and Congress- woman Bonamici, Gov- ernor Brown also called on Congress to act now to pass national firearms safety legislation in a letter to Oregon’s congressional delegation. “Every day in the United States, 22 people die from homicidal gun violence,” Governor Brown said. “I urge Congress to ban assault weapons and strengthen anti-terrorist legislation by passing the common sense ‘No Fly, No Buy’ ban.” Supporters of Gover- nor Brown’s “Orego- nians United to End Gun Violence” plan include representatives from the following organizations: Everytown for Gun Safety Gun Owners for Respon- sible Ownership Americans for Respon- sible Solutions Ceasefire Oregon Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Volunteers of America Oregon Oregon Health & Sci- ence University Basic Rights Oregon Q Center Ferrioli responds to gun control proposal Salem, Ore.—Senate Re- publican Leader Ted Fer- rioli (R-John Day) released the following statement following Governor Kate Brown's announcement Friday of her gun control plan that includes requir- ing Oregon State Police to retain firearms transaction data for five years: "Kate Brown's reckless attempt to politicize gun control while tension is significantly heightened across the country may propel us into a debate on the confiscation of private property and criminaliza- tion of law-abiding citizens and cause the kind of prov- ocation almost guaranteed to produce more violence and anger. “Instead of attacking the freedom and rights of law- abiding citizens through gun registries and bans, we should unite to address the real problem of inadequate mental health funding that leaves struggling individu- als without the help they desperately need. "The Governor will not mention that many mass shootings in Oregon have been by people who cannot legally own or possess a firearm, but obtained ac- cess to firearms illegally, including by theft. Treating the cause of the problems leading to hostility, includ- ing inadequate mental health care, is the only way to reduce incidents of random gun violence in Oregon and throughout the nation." OFF also responds to gun control proposal Submitted by the Oregon Firearms Federation One day after a truck was used to murder over 80 people in France, Kate Brown and other liberal hacks held an anti-gun press conference that had more cops than reporters. As always, surrounded by armed guards, Gov- ernor Brown called for a ban on standard capac- ity magazines, an end to the safeguard that allows Oregonians to transfer firearms when the Oregon State Police don't do their jobs and an expansion of attacks on people who are accused of domestic violence but never actually charged or convicted of anything. Congresswoman Su- zanne Bonamici lied and said it was legal to go to another state and buy a gun with no background check, and demanded that Congress disallow persons on the "no fly" list from buying guns. In a moment of irony no rights hater could ever grasp, Bonamici quoted Congressman John Lewis, who was of course, on the "no fly" list. Governor Brown said: "Since I was sworn in as Governor 17 months ago, more than 600 Oregonians have died from violence inflicted by a gun," But no one noted that the vast majority of deaths by gunfire are suicides. That does not fit the politically correct narrative. Brown also called on Congress to ban modern firearms. "Every day in the United States, 22 people die from homicidal gun violence," Governor Brown said. "I urge Congress to ban assault weapons and strengthen anti-terrorist legislation by passing the common sense 'No Fly, No Buy' ban." Members of the so called "faith community" an- nounced their intention to ban modern firearms and magazines via ballot mea- sure, called gun owners "the enemy," and said God was on their side. In calling for the maga- zine ban Brown, amaz- ingly, said: "When a man intent on killing as many people as he could entered the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, he did so with extended capacity magazines. Those magazines allowed him to fire his weapon repeat- edly without stopping to reload, without any pause that might have given his victims or law enforcement a chance to stop him." The sheer lunacy of her remarks is staggering. The Orlando killer was in the nightclub for three hours before police took ac- tion. Does Brown actually believe he was shooting for three hours without reload- ing? The reason so many people died was because they were not prepared and not allowed by law to defend themselves. Brown also said : "Additionally, I am directing Oregon State Police to proactively notify local law enforcement if a person prohibited by law from buying a gun tries to buy one." You mean they don't do that now? The fact is, an OSP trooper is dispatched every time there is a gun transfer denial and when they find a prohibited per- son attempting a transfer, they do ... nothing. Of course, not a word was mentioned of the real cause of most mass shoot- ings. Radical Islam. 2017 is going to be the rockiest year yet for gun rights. In spite of the real dangers facing Americans every day, Brown and her cohorts will be doing all they can to strip you of your rights. — Special Column — So I was thinking ... Wasting time By Jimmy Ingram Special to The Baker County Press Wasted time is part of life. After all, we can’t be productive all the time. But some- times we find ourselves spending time do- ing things that afterward seem completely ridiculous. The “under the radar” time wasters are the ones that really get us... 5-cent deposits: The other day I took a couple small bags of aluminum cans to the recycling machines at Safeway, something I rarely do. I patiently waited my turn line for 10 minutes to experience the mind numbing act of force-feeding one sticky, not-quite-empty can at a time into a machine that seemed to have a mind of its own. After several minutes listening to the crunching of aluminum cans and experiencing emotions of anger and denial that some had been unfairly rejected, my mission was finally complete. I collected my ticket just in time to catch a few impatient looks from the people in line behind me with shopping carts full of cans (God help them). It just so happened that on this day I made the mistake of glancing at my watch before and after my quest for the return of my 5-cent deposit . A time investment of 25 minutes had left me with $2.90. I now stood annoyed and sticky handed, wondering what I should do with the 15 rejected cans I still had left. I also wondered if I could have dug $2.90 out of my couch cushions in lesser time. I realize recycling is good for the environ- ment, but I think next time I’ll save that 25 minutes and donate my cans to a kid looking for candy money. Or maybe leave them in my driveway with a sign reading “free nickels.” Television: I spend little time watch- ing anything but sports on TV, but every once in a while the sports world hits a lull and I’m forced to discover what else is on TV... and it’s horrifying. Staged reality shows, judged singing and dancing com- petitions, CSI Klamath Falls (not really, but I’m sure it’s coming), the list goes on. I’m sure there are some shows worth watching but they seem to be few and far between. The truth is, rarely do I turn off the TV having learned anything, laughed out loud, or been thoroughly entertained. And yet at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday what do I say to myself? “I wonder if there’s any- thing good on TV.” Waiting on hold: few things are a more annoying time waster than waiting on hold. “Please stay on the line and one of our customer service representatives will be with you shortly.” While we’d like to believe it’s true, we know it’s probably not. In an attempt to keep us calm, we are subjected to 30 second intervals of smooth jazz periodically interrupted with a reassuring female voice letting us know that help is on the way. Five minutes go by, then 10, 15. Hanging up now is not an Submitted Photo Jimmy Ingram is a local farmer and father of two who enjoys people watching within our wonderful community and beyond. option because you’ve toughed it out this long. Suddenly you feel like a marathon runner, willing yourself not to collapse in the last mile of the race. Finally after 25 minutes on hold you hear the voice of the person you’ve been waiting to talk to. Well, sort of. The rep you have barely speaks English and evidently YOU aren’t speaking very good English either because they don’t understand your problem. After 10 minutes of futility, you find out it isn’t really their department. You’ll need to be transferred to a different representative. What has now turned into a 45-minute process has you wondering if the $4 dis- crepancy on your cable bill is really worth it. Maybe it’s a matter of principle. Mostly it’s a huge waste of time. Ironically, a few days later you’ll receive an automated phone call or email survey asking how your customer service experience was. My usual response is, “It was recorded for quality, right? Why don’t you listen and be the judge.” Searching for savings: few things motivate Americans more than the idea of being able to save a few bucks. We all know someone who will drive around for 20 minutes trying to save 5 cents a gallon on gas; the people who will spend $50 driving to Boise to save $45 on groceries by buying things in 30 pound boxes at Costco. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a bar- gain shopper just like everyone else. I also know that I have wasted a tremendous amount of time in my life trying to save a dollar here and a dollar there. While all those savings DO add up, so does the time. Most would say that the biggest benefit of online shopping is the competi- tive pricing. I would argue that the biggest benefit is the time saved by not having to drive the wheels off your car looking for what you want or need. Worrying: probably the biggest time waster of all. I come from a long line of worriers and at times trying not to worry feels like fighting the tide. Did I pay that bill? Is my kid getting sick? Did my last commentary in The Baker County Press make me sound crazy? Time spent worry- ing is time wasted. Whatever is going to happen in life is going to happen. People will think what they want to think. Those of us who make a habit of wasting time stressing out about life’s uncertainty need a productive outlet—something to do to keep our minds occupied. I just wouldn’t suggest can recycling, bad reality TV, or calling customer service phone numbers. — Contact Us — YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS The Baker County Press President Barack Obama PO Box 567 Baker City, Ore. 97814 202.456.2461 fax Open Monday-Thursday for calls 9 AM - 4 PM Open 24/7 for emails 202.456.1414 Whitehouse.gov/contact US Sen. Jeff Merkley 503.326.3386 503.326.2900 fax Merkley.Senate.gov Phone: 541.519.0572 TheBakerCountyPress.com US Sen. Ron Wyden 541.962.7691 Wyden.Senate.gov Kerry McQuisten, Publisher Editor@TheBakerCountyPress.com US Rep. Greg Walden Wendee Morrissey, Advertising and Sales Wendee@TheBakerCountyPress.com 541.624.2402 fax David Conn, Advertising and Sales David@TheBakerCountyPress.com Published weekly every Friday. Subscription rates per year are $29.95 all areas, e-mail delivery. $39.95 print issue, home delivery, Baker City city limits only. $49.95 print issue, mail delivery, outside Baker City city limits only. Payment in advance. A division of Black Lyon Publishing, LLC 541.624.2400 Walden.House.gov Oregon Gov. Kate Brown 503.378.3111 Governor.Oregon.gov State Rep. Cliff Bentz 503.986.1460 State Sen. Ted Ferrioli 541.490.6528 Baker County Commissioners Bill Harvey; Mark Bennett; Tim Kerns 541.523.8200 Copyright © 2014 -2016 541.523.8201
