opinion
february14
2012
Between the Lines:
Rules of Engagement for American Politics
By Randy Sanders
Randy.Sanders@Live.com

Something has turned pro-
foundly ugly, even record-shattering in
American politics recently.

According to a Gallop news
poll, this past decade has been the most
politically polarizing in our nation’s
history. Sure, American politics has al-
ways been a rough and tumble game,
but it’s never gotten to this point, where
disrespect is so perpetuated, even cel-
ebrated! Then there’s the unfathomable
amount of corporate money that is not
only allowed, but encouraged, and thus
produces a constant loop of lies destroy-
ing an opposing candidate’s good name
without any regard for consequences.

Even the days when Republican
President Ronald Reagan and Democrat
Speaker Tip O’Neill fought ferociously
over issues by day, yet shared a drink
and a few jokes together at night, are a
thing of the past. It’s difficult to imag-
ine senators from opposing sides simply
even dinning together anymore.

President Abraham Lincoln
warned of this when he accepted his
party’s nomination saying, “A house
divided cannot stand.” Sadly, this is the
main reason why we can’t seem to get
our country back on track. Furthermore,
it seems there’s no end in sight; just ask
any of the remaining candidates of the
current GOP primaries who are eating
their own. What’s worse, our children
are all watching all this vulgarity with
innocent eyes wide open.

In the smash-mouth game
America loves so much, NFL Foot-
ball, even those massive linemen and
muscle-bound linebackers show respect
for one another. Before, during and af-
ter every game, they’ll shake hands and
follow the rules. Those who disobey are
penalized or sometimes even tossed out.
Perhaps this is exactly what we need in
American Politics, a firm set of rules?
And these rules shouldn’t just apply to
the candidates, but for voters as well.
So in honor of the Super Bowl -- and
with my tongue planted firmly inside
my cheek -- I offer up the new: Rules
of Engagement for American Politics.
OFFSIDES: Stay in your own town
hall meeting; do not attend an oppos-
ing party’s town hall simply to yell out
nasty things, draw attention to your own
arrogant self and incite footage for the
evening news.
PERSONAL FOUL: You may run
commercials displaying how the other
candidate flip-flops on issues, but you
may not say anything derogatory or per-
sonal in nature, such as a candidate’s
choice of religion, race or their personal
lives, especially involving their family.
ILLEGAL FORMATION: You may
not formulate false information and sit
in the stands at your kid’s soccer games
passing on this false information to oth-
er people, such as a certain candidate
who isn’t born in America or a certain
candidate who has made millions sim-
ply by firing workers.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
Stop putting bumper stickers on your
car telling people that friends don’t let
their friends vote a certain party other
than the one you support. We can all
make up own minds without your input,
thank you.
HOLDING: Stop holding all those
emails you keep getting from your cra-
zy, extremist friend -- like a candidate
you don’t support who was raised by
rabid jackals, or part of a terrorist plot
to get elected and then turn the coun-
try into Sharia Law -- and email them
to everyone you know or post them on
Facebook.
DELAY OF GAME: This is the worst
and most lurid of all political penalties:
delaying your vote. Remember watch-
ing the recent news footage of people in
Libya and Egypt being shot down in the
street just for the right to vote for their
own leaders? In Oregon all we have to
do is pick up a pen (black or dark blue
ink please) and fill in the circles. Maybe
now when we remember our parents
constantly telling us “people before us
have died so that we may vote” it will
illustrate a whole new perspective about
this.

Finally, I don’t care if you’re a
conservative or liberal, you’re an Amer-
ican and you’re a friend of mine. Now
let’s all roll up our sleeves, follow the
rules and let’s get this country working
again.

Randy Sanders is a photogra-
pher and blogger who
occasionally writes for
Vernonia’s Voice.
3
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
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DEQ Asks Oregonians to Secure Hazardous
Material Against Winter Storms

The State of Oregon
urges businesses and citizens to
secure containers of chemical
products and hazardous materials,
other loose items and any waste
materials that could become
storm-driven debris.

The release of toxic
materials and hazardous wastes
into the environment makes
recovery from floods and
storms more difficult in addition
to adversely impacting the
environment and public health.
Workers and crews responding to
the storms, residents and wildlife
can come into contact with these
materials. Even a small amount
released into the environment can
cause widespread damage and
harm.

Containers of chemicals
and other products should be
securely sealed and where
possible should be stored in areas
that are unlikely to be affected by
high winds or flood waters. Move
items to higher ground if possible
and utilize shelving that will likely
remain above the flood line. Loose
items (firewood, lawn chairs,
garbage cans, etc.) should also be
secured to prevent property loss
and minimize contribution to flood
cleanup debris.

Household
hazardous
materials include products used
in the home that contain toxic
chemicals. Products labeled
“Caution, Warning, Danger,
Poison,
Toxic,
Flammable
or Corrosive” are considered
hazardous.

Some examples of
materials or wastes that should be
secured are: Aerosols, Antifreeze,
Auto Batteries, Auto Fluids,
Disinfectants, Household cleaners
and drain openers, Fertilizer, Fuel
containers containing gasoline,
lighter fluid, propane, etc., Latex /
Oil-Based Paint, Pesticides, Pool
Chemicals, Propane Tanks – less
than 30 gallons, Solvents, Tires,
Used Oil and Oil Filters.

For more information
visit DEQ’s website at www.
oregon.gov/DEQ and click on
the links under “Dealing with
Disaster Debris?” Our fact sheets
can also help. See Disaster Debris
Management and Managing and
Permitting Disaster Debris.
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