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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 2017)
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017 4 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS Opinion / Politics ORP applauds travel ban The Oregon Republican Party issued the following statement from Chairman Bill Currier in reaction to today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) lifting the lower court in- junctions against President Trump’s Executive Order suspending the entry of travellers and refugees from six nations identified by by both Congress and the Obama Administration as providing insufficient vetting information to keep terrorists out of the U.S. “We applaud the Su- preme Court's Nine to Zero ruling restoring the Presidential prerogative to enforce immigration laws and protect the country from threats such as ter- rorism that were clearly delegated by Congress, but which the misguided lower courts ignored. It is not, and never was, a "Mus- lim" ban, but rather an effort to ban terrorists and their sympathizers from taking up residence in our neighborhoods where they can do massive harm to innocent civilians,” stated Oregon GOP Chairman Bill Currier. The Trump Administra- tion asserted that it has clear legal authority under 8 U.S. Code § 1182 (f) Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by President. However, this authority was largely ignored by lower courts in their rulings blocking implementation of Presi- dent Trump’s Executive Order. “Lower courts, such as the frequently reversed 9th Circuit Court, should never have tried to substi- tute their discretion and authority for that expressly delegated to the Executive Branch on national secu- rity,” said Currier. “The ruling also rejects judicial overreach by reaffirming the importance of leaving it to the Executive Branch to negotiate with countries who are either unable or unwilling to give the U.S. Government what it needs to vet visitors and refugees before granting them entry to our country.” The six countries affect- ed comprise only a small fraction of the world’s 42 Muslim-majority nations and population, and were cited as being one or more of the following: A state sponsor of ter- rorism. Significantly compro- mised by terrorist organi- zations. An active terrorist con- flict zone(s). “We live in a new era in which terrorist groups like ISIS have vowed to, and in Europe, have succeeded in covertly infiltrating terror- ists as refugees and visitors into countries they have targeted for attack," noted Chair Currier. “Today’s SCOTUS ruling rightly puts the safety and security of America First." Eastern Oregon crime lab to remain open Submitted by Rep. Greg Smith’s Office Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) joined with members of the Oregon House of Representatives to pass HB 5031-A the 2017-2019 budget for the Oregon State Police (OSP). The budget restores funding for the Eastern Oregon Forensic Lab in Pendleton, which was slated to be eliminated in the Gover- nor's Proposed Budget. HB 5031-A, allocates $427,865,128 to the Or- egon State Police Depart- ment, equaling a 4.3% increase over the agency's 2015-2016 budget. In addi- tion to current service level funding, the Joint Com- mittee on Ways and Means restored funding for the Eastern Oregon Forensic Laboratory in Pendleton. The committee also funded Policy Option Package (POP) 121, which provides $1,005,000 ad- ditional funding to the lab. $370,645 will be additional on-going funding on top of their current base funding. The remaining POP fund- ing is one-time expenses for moving the Eastern Or- egon Forensic Laboratory from its current location into space more suitable for laboratory operations. Funding for this package was taken from marijuana tax revenue. “Restoring funding of the Eastern Oregon Forensic Lab was a primary focus for myself and many who testified at the Joint Ways and Means public hearing in Hermiston earlier this year,” said Representative Greg Smith (GOP – Hep- pner). “The facility is the only forensic lab in all of Eastern Oregon, and a sig- nificant tool for our local and regional law enforce- ment departments." The functions of the Or- egon State Police include patrol services, criminal investigations, forensic lab services, fish and wildlife law enforcement, law enforcement information management and gam- ing law enforcement. The agency also houses the offices of the State Medical Examiner and State Fire Marshal. “Our OSP troopers and their families are dedicated members of our communi- ties. I am proud to support this budget which includes investments to protect individuals, our communi- ties, and our troopers,” said Smith. “Thank you to House leadership for working with us to develop a budget that supports our troopers and the good work they do.” Representative Greg Smith serves at the Co- Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Smith represents House District 57, which includes Umatilla, Mor- row, Gilliam, Sherman, and Wasco Counties. Walden talks about self- driving vehicles Submitted by Rep. Greg Walden’s Office Rep. Greg Walden (R- Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led a hearing to discuss self- driving vehicle legislation that will capitalize on this technology’s potential to save lives, clarify state and federal roles, and foster ad- vancement in innovation. The hearing focused on how to promote the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles and continue ex- panding economic oppor- tunities for Americans. During the hearing, Walden emphasized the importance of continued advancements in self- driving technology to help make America’s roads safer. “We’ve been on the cutting edge, and we can continue to be on the cut- ting edge. But the long and short of it is that this new technology has great opportunity to save lives,” said Walden. “I’ve seen it first hand in the vehicle my wife has...I believe we are on the cusp on something big, and I think that future generations will look back and say, ‘What a bunch of barbarians. You drove Letter to the Editor Policy: The Baker County Press reserves the right not to pub- lish letters containing factual falsehoods or incoherent narrative. Letters promoting or detracting from specific for-profit business- es will not be published. Word limit is 375 words per letter. Letters are limited to one every other week per author. Letters should be submitted to Editor@TheBakerCounty- Press.com. Advertising and Opinion Page Dis- claimer: Opinions submitted as Guest yourselves?’” The hearing comes as Oregon is facing an uptick in traffic fatalities. On Or- egon’s roads, 2016 was the deadliest year in more than a decade with traffic fatali- ties up 20 percent from the year before. Nationwide, over 40,000 people lost their lives in vehicle-relat- ed deaths last year alone -- a six percent increase from 2015. Walden has touted self-driving vehicle tech- nology as a 21st century solution to a 21st century problem that is affecting Oregon and the country as a whole. Opinions or Letters to the Editor express the opinions of their authors, and have not been authored by and are not necessarily the opinions of The Baker County Press, any of our staff, management, independent contractors or affiliates. Advertisements placed by political groups, candidates, businesses, etc., are printed as a paid service, which does not constitute an endorsement of or fulfillment obligation by this newspaper for the products or services advertised. — Special Column — So I was thinking ... Common phone apps and what they really are By Jimmy Ingram Special to The Baker County Press A quick look at the apps on your smartphone can tell you a lot about yourself. We download “apps” to pass the time, shop, stay in touch via social media, and just generally waste time we really don’t have to waste. Let’s take a look at some of the more common apps and what they are really good for. Amazon: The mother of all shop- ping sites. If Amazon was an actual brick and mortar store no human would have the time or energy to navi- gate through it. Size 2 diapers? Check. A starter for an 84 Ford pickup? Check. Shock and awe when you get your credit card bill. Check. I had the notion once to add up the money I had spent on Amazon over a one-year period. I ultimately chose not to because like most people a stroll through my “purchase history” would have been an hour of me saying to myself, “I bought what!?” It’s nice to have your shopping needs at your fingertips but any app that has “one- click” ordering knows they already have one hand in your pocket. Pandora: An instant reminder of how many tapes or CDs you bought in your life and how you wished you had the money back. Sure, sitting through ads every couple songs is annoying, but being able to listen to Johnny Cash one minute and Metallica the next is a real luxury. No fast forward, re- wind, batteries, or giant carrying case required. Instagram: Shameless self promo- tion with special effects. Instagram is like Facebook’s younger more im- mature sibling. It’s the place where people share pictures of their food, take bathroom selfies, show off their vacation pics, and use hashtags to de- scribe life’s experiences. Color filters allow you to wow everyone with your breakfast omelette in black in white, which looks more rustic. Turn your out-of-focus photo of a below average sunset into a work of art with magic of the “Valencia” filter. After all, sharing all your vacation selfies from the car on one social media platform wouldn’t be enough. Submitted Photo Jimmy Ingram is a local farmer and father of two who enjoys people watching within our wonderful community and beyond. Really rub it in that you get two weeks off by sharing it on Facebook and Instagram. YouTube: Video highlights on the go. When you need a three-minute video of cats doing funny things, a replay of your favorite sports moment, or a guitar lesson from a 13 year-old, YouTube is the place to go. It also allows your wonderful sense of humor to come through in the clutch when you ask your friends, “Did you see that video where—?” Everyone will gather around your phone and share a laugh. You can pat yourself on the back for spreading good cheer. And where else can you find helpful 15 minute long reviews for things like paper towels, Michael Bolton albums, and all 72 of “The Fast and the Furi- ous” movies. YouTube is one stop shopping for everything you need to know, and even more that you didn’t yet know you needed to. Google: The answer to everything. Let’s face it—in at least one point in your life, Google has made you look like a genius. Maybe it was at a dinner party where you overheard people arguing in the next room over who was the eighth President of the United States. You just casually walked in, grabbed a Dorito, and mumbled, “Martin Van Buren.” As you leave the room the everyone checks their phones... You were right. “That guy is so smart,” they say. No, you just used Google. If looking up information quickly was an old-fashioned quick- draw gunfight, you, my friend, are Wyatt Earp. Bad with directions? Not any more: Google maps. Want to see the cable layout on the Golden Gate Bridge but don’t want to drive to San Francisco? Save your gas money: Google images. Need a new pair of running shoes and too lazy to shop for the lowest price?: Google shopping. Like your crazy Uncle Ned, Google has the answer to pretty much every- thing. Difference being, of course, Google is typically right and doesn’t offer unsolicited advice starting with the phrase, “Listen and you might learn something.” — Contact Us — YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS The Baker County Press President Donald Trump 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. 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