Page 2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Our middle child, Michael, came for a visit last
week with our granddaughter, Kimberly, who’s 8, but
who wants to be older. Just wait until she’s our age;
then we’ll see about those priorities.
Why, I recall when I was itching to be 15 1/2 so I
could get my learner’s permit for driving. For driving
my parents crazy. Then the day I turned 16 and got
my real license, I couldn't wait until I was 18, al-
though I can’t remember why. Age 21 was sort of a
big deal, as was 30. Now I don’t want to think about
advancing years. I just want to be like fine wine that
gets better with age. I told a friend this, and he sug-
gested that I be locked in a cellar.
Anyway, as I was going to say back at the begin-
ning, “Mikey” and “Kimmie” live in Covington,
Wash., not far from Kent and Puyallup, which is not a
law firm, but two cities. Speaking of Puyallup, the
state of Washington probably has as many unusual,
hard-to-pronounce-properly names as Oregon.
For example, the Evergreen State has locales in-
cluding Ephrata, Hoquiam, Wenatchee and Snoho-
mish. “WA” (for those with postal inclinations) also
includes Klickitat, Nahcotta, Okanogan, Wahkiakum
and Chewelah. Yow. Good names for a pronunciation
test. And don’t forget the twin cities, Walla Walla.
Just kidding. And our neighbor also has a place that
makes me chuckle when I say it: Minnehaha.
Our Beaver State has unusual names, and even
some sorta’ funny ones. The latter (for my sense of
humor) include Boring, Drain, Waldo, Hugo, Goshen,
Scappose, Sodaville and Sublimity. When it comes to
how-do-you-say-it sites, Oregon has a few. They in-
clude Yachats, Blodgett and Chemult. And a couple
of fun names to say are Molalla and Tillamook.
Continuing our impromptu geography lesson, we
find that Oregon has a population density of approxi-
mately 36 people per square mile. Washington’s
population density is around 88. Interestingly
(perhaps), Oregon is comprised of 98,386 square
miles, while Washington has 68,192. Could have to
do with who owns most of the land in Oregon. Hint:
Think federal.
And now, continuing the brief story of that visit
we began to outline at the beginning, it was great to
have them here. Not only ‘cuz we love them and en-
joy their company, but because Mike can fix any-
thing. So we had him busy around the house because I
fix nothing, and Jan’s been busy with “Noose” work.
Kimberly is a treat because she’s polite and smart
besides. In our living room she made a fort for herself
out of several large cardboard boxes and some big
tape I had. And then, because she’s a member of the
LDS Church, she included one small box with snacks,
which was her food storage area. Pretty cool. Also,
we couldn’t talk to her when she was in the fort be-
cause she couldn’t hear us. We had to write notes and
put them in her mailbox.
We all went for a drive to find the Onion Mt.
lookout tower, but I failed muddily and miserably.
However, we did see some beautiful countryside. And
there’s still quite a bit of snow in that area.
We reluctantly let Mike and Kimberly leave for
Washington after being here only 3 1/2 days. I think
he had some things he wanted to fix at home.
The only reason for being a professional writer
is that you can't help it.
- Leo Rosten -
(Editor’s Note: Views and
commentary, including state-
ments made as fact, are strictly
those of the letter-writers.)
* * *
Typed, double-spaced let-
ters written solely to this news-
paper are considered for publi-
cation. Hand-written letters that
are double-spaced and legible
also can be considered.
Cards of thanks are not
accepted as letters.
* * *
USFS ‘not terrorists’
From Rochelle Desser
O’Brien
The Feb. 9 issue of
“Illinois Valley News” con-
tained three letters to the
editor chastising the U.S.
Forest Service for the Bis-
cuit Fire salvage logging.
One letter read, “The
timber industry and agencies
are eco-terrorists.” This
statement is untrue and de-
serves rebuttal.
The forest service has
spent the more than two
years since the Biscuit Fire
studying the landscape and
considering how best to re-
spond. Strict environmental
laws must be followed for
any activity on a national
forest.
The forest service spent
two years and hundreds of
thousands of dollars on Bis-
cuit, working with the pub-
lic and natural resource spe-
cialists to follow the envi-
ronmental policies of our
nation. Imagine what the
result might have been with-
out adherence to these laws.
Forest service decision-
making is conducted in an
open, transparent manner;
any citizen can come in and
review the records associ-
ated with forest service pro-
jects. Agency employees are
not infallible, but as a rule
they are committed to their
mission of caring for the
land and serving people.
They work hard to meet
the spirit and letter of envi-
ronmental laws. Calling
them “terrorists” under-
mines the value of these
laws.
I did not personally
work on the Biscuit Fire
salvage analysis, but I have
many years experience pre-
paring environmental analy-
sis for projects on national
forest land. I feel I contrib-
ute to democracy in action
as we tackle tough environ-
mental issues and find col-
laborative solutions.
Some folks are con-
vinced our nation’s environ-
mental laws are too strict
and difficult to comply with.
Calling the forest ser-
vice “terrorists” undermines
the value of working hard to
follow environmental laws
and adds fuel to this argu-
ment.
‘Diatribe’
From William Reid
Cave Junction
Webster’s dictionary
defines “diatribe” as “a bit-
ter and abusive speech or
writing.”
That definition best de-
scribes a letter to the editor
in last week’s issue from
Catherine Austin. In dis-
cussing the 14 characteris-
tics of fascism she tried to
link them to the Republican
administration. All the at-
tributes of fascism she tries
to link to the current Repub-
lican administration are fee-
ble attempts at best, and
blatant falsehoods at worst.
I shall attempt to show
the error in Austin’s as-
sumptions by following the
outline of her letter, using
my parenthetical notes.
*Powerful, continuing
nationalism. (Flags every-
where, on the 60th anniver-
sary of the flag-raising on
Mt. Suribachi by our Ma-
rines; flags are still an im-
portant national symbol.)
*Disdain for the recog-
nition of human rights.
(Nothing new here. Who
signed the interment order
of Japanese-Americans in
1942? FDR.)
*Identifying enemies or
scapegoats as a unifying
cause. (Again I would refer
to the interment order signed
by a liberal president.)
*Military supremacy.
(She is worried about the
Dept. of Defense budget,
which is about 18 percent of
the total budget. Social Se-
curity Administration is 19
percent, while Medicare and
Medicaid are at 22 percent.)
*Rampant sexism.
(Strangely, she has no com-
ment on this, perhaps be-
cause the current admini-
stration has a woman as sec-
retary of state.)
*Controlled mass me-
dia. (Way off on that one;
lots of liberal media out
there. Note that Dan Rather
is looking for a new job due
to his poor judgment.)
*Obsession with na-
tional security. (Here she
Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post
Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and
Josephine County Three Rivers School District,
published at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR
97523
Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523
Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820
Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330
Volume 67, No. 50
Staff: Kacy Clement, Becky Loudon,
Michelle Binker, Nina Holm Consulting,
Shane Welsh.
Advertising Design Consultant -
Wonder Dog Graphics
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
Pain - Stress - Injuries
Deep massage - CranioSacral Therapy
Monday - Friday by appointment
Senior Discounts - Gift Certificates
Enjoy Sweet Dreams Tonight
DEADLINES:
News, Classified & Display Ads,
Announcements & Letters
3 P.M. FRIDAY
(Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be
accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.)
POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to
the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste,
legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using
complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone
number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to
verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters.
One letter per person per month. Letters are used at the
discretion of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither
acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a
letter is inordinately long in the editor's opinion.
POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE,” DISPLAY &
CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand
delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publication. Submissions
must be resubmitted each week if the item is to run for more
than one week.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One year in Josephine County - $20.80
One year in Jackson and Douglas Counties - $24.40
One year in all other Oregon counties
and out-of-state - $28
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523
Bunkbed
398
King
Canopy Bed
$
Daybed
98
1198
From Patrick Patton
Cave Junction
I am extremely sorry
about the losses to the Dan-
gerfield/McGhee families in
connection with the fatal
traffic accident near Grants
Pass on February 22.
I know that lives have
been adversely affected, and
some unfortunately cut
short.
I have the utmost re-
spect for the families, and
will send them condolences.
‘Live with it’
From B.C. Marston
Cave Junction
They know who they
are.
They’re the people who
are no longer bragging
about putting their president
back in the office. They
(Continued on page 3)
CELL PHONES:
BUSINESS OR PLEASURE?
Americans love their gadgets. And the more features we can
combine into one device the better. Cell phones, once used
only for talking, now serve as appointment trackers, digital
cameras, and web browsers. But combining the business and
personal use of cell phones is as hard as ever if you are seeking
a tax write-off.
Proper documentation means keeping track of the cost, time,
and business purpose of each call. The purpose should include
what association the other party had with your business.
Daunting as this may sound, your monthly statement might
answer some of these questions automatically if itemized. But
by itself the monthly statement will not be sufficient to allow a
tax deduction for business calls. All four points must be
covered.
If your cell phone company charges a flat monthly fee, you
must go even one step further. You must figure the percentage
of calls made for business reasons and apply it to the monthly
fee to calculate the deduction.
What about the cost of the phone itself? If the business usage is
more than 50%, the business portion of the phone’s cost can be
deducted in the year of purchase under Section 179. Otherwise,
you are looking at writing off the business portion of the cost
of the phone over ten years.
Business expenses can be tricky. Before you go “roaming” for
a new phone, take a minute to set up a recordkeeping system
that will give you all the tax deductions to which you’re
entitled.
Karen M. Bodeving, CPA PC
1624 S. E. N St.
Grants Pass OR 97526
Phone: 479-3625
on! www.bedsforless.com
New Locati
1165 Court St.
Crash condolences
$
• Complete Mattress Showroom
• Bedroom Collections
• Children’s Furniture
• Sleepers and Recliners
• Electric Fireplaces
• Futons and more!
$
Scandal?)
*Fraudulent elections.
(She does not give an exam-
ple. I would suggest the sus-
pected fraud in the 1960
election, when Mayor Daley
was believed to have deliv-
ered Chicago to Kennedy.)
A review of our nation’s
history will find these prob-
lems scattered throughout
all administrations. Some-
times the pendulum of poli-
tics swings too far to the
right or left, but our govern-
ment of the people will pre-
vail.
Self-employed cell phone users often view their mobile phones
as just another piece of business equipment. But the IRS sees
things differently. Because cell phones, like computers and
cars, can provide significant personal entertainment and pleas-
ure, usage charges can be deducted only when the business use
is formally documented. This is where many taxpayers get
disconnected.
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and
published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez
Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
zeroes in on Homeland Se-
curity, which is a product of
both the administration and
Congress. What should we
do after 9/11?)
*Religion and govern-
ment intertwined. (She fo-
cuses on Bush’s inaugural
speech. I suggest that she
read Washington’s first in-
augural address or his Fare-
well Address. Seems that
religion and government
have been there all along.)
*Labor power sup-
pressed. (While looking at
Wal-Mart actions, look back
to Ludlow, Colo. in 1914
when 17 were killed by state
militia in labor strife.)
*Disdain for intellectu-
als and the arts. (She feels
that there will be intolerance
for her letter. As a Conser-
vative, I welcome the dis-
course. It promotes a better
country.)
*Obsession with crime
and
punishment.
(Incarceration rates have
skyrocketed. On that she is
correct. Between 1850 and
1970 the rate was about 100
per 100,000 population. Af-
ter 1970 the rate rose to
about 600 per 100,000
population. Not the result of
fascism in the Bush admini-
stration, but from drug use
in society.)
*Rampant cronyism.
(She looks at Halliburton. I
say that this is a continuing
problem, not linked to any
one administration. Ever
hear of the Teapot Dome
Open 7 Days
780 NW Garden Valley Blvd.
891 NE D St.
Medford
Roseburg
Grants Pass
Corner of Court & McAndrews
Next to Joann Fabrics
Next to Staples
772-0282
677-9001
474-1060
Grants Pass Office hours:
9 to 3 Mon. - Fri.
Other hours by appointment