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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 21, 2005
My Christmas Spirit flagged a bit Sunday the 18th at
the Medford airport, courtesy of TSA, which supposedly
stands for Transportation Security Administration. But I
think it also could be short for Terribly Silly Actions, or
maybe Troubling Safety Activities.
Am I upset? You bet. Not only as a taxpayer, but as
a father and grandfather who had to watch his daughter
and two grandchildren undergo a ridiculous search by a
TSA employee. Yes, I know that we need to be watchful
to screen terrorists or other troublemakers.
But come on -- a 37-year-old woman struggling with
her 3-year-old and 6-month-old daughters? With a baby
carrier and a stroller. Come on! Now I’m tempted to
swear, but I will avoid any undue exclamations.
I have to say that I’m sure TSA employees are “only
doing their job,” but our baby daughter and grandkids
did not deserve the treatment they underwent. For a
minimum of 10 minutes, possibly closer to 15, our
daughter and her children were minutely examined by a
TSA woman employee.
The
search
was con-
ducted in
plain view
of part of
those al-
ready in
the board-
ing area,
and in full
view of
those of
us outside
the stan-
chions
and ropes
TSA puts suspicious trio through wringer
to see our
loved ones off. Vicki had to shift Ella Valentina from one
arm to the next five times so her arms and torso could
be checked. What would a mom with two kids be pack-
ing? Neither Jan nor I could believe what we were see-
ing. I’m sure that steam was coming off my head to
match the sparks from my eyes.
The employee, wearing latex gloves, also carefully
checked around Vicki’s bra. Twice. Our daughter al-
ready had removed her shoes, which is normal. But
standing there with Ella, while Natalie sat on a small
chair nearby, she also had to undo the front of her jeans
so the woman could check there too. Arghh!
Even the baby carrier was examined, and a wand
was run over Natalie and the baby, not to mention Vicki.
I am still steamed about this excessive examination.
Then the woman told Natalie that she was going to get
her something. But she never came back.
Plus the guy checking ID at the boarding entrance
was about as pleasant as an infected tooth.
So this is not much of a Christmas column, although
I wish everyone, including TSA employees, a happy
holiday season. I believe that common sense must be
used for searches (oops, here I go again).
This is, as usual, a time of emotions and devotions,
especially for Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus. I
am sort of ready for the Big Day, although finding just
the right gifts for spouse and offspring is tricky.
I’m still hopeful that the Christmas Spirit will pervade
all of 2006, not just Dec. 25; that the attitude of gratitude
will continue; that many will find the Golden Rule their
personal jewel; and that there will be a continuing birth
of peace on Earth and good will toward men.
Feliz Navidad, you all.
Special Productions
In the SOFCU building, downtown C.J.
~ Victorian Lampshades
~ Gifts & Collectibles
~ Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry
592-2034
This here be the fine print:
(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.
‘Thank you’ submissions
are not accepted as letters.
* * *
Negativity of rumors
called shameful
From Rachael Dudley
Cave Junction
Living in a small town
has its advantages. I have
seen this community rally
around sick children, sup-
port high school teams, and
come to the aid of families
in crisis.
In fact, during the holi-
day season there seems to be
a rash of kindness and good
cheer. In a town such as
ours you can barely get
through a day without some-
one inquiring after your sick
mother or asking how your
kids are doing in school.
I love the fact that I can
go into my bank, and the
teller knows my dogs by
name and what kind of dog
biscuits they like. Things
like that just make me smile.
The peace that comes
with knowing that if my
family were ever in crisis
and needed help, the com-
munity would probably step
up is priceless. I have seen it
countless times during the
six years I have lived here. It
is these qualities that make a
community like this so at-
tractive.
On the flip side of this
coin is something that
makes me heartsick. I am
talking about the ugliness of
gossip. Gossip tarnishes
good reputations, ruins ca-
reers, creates suspicions and
is a friend to no one.
Gossip can make head-
lines, cause sleepless nights
and generate havoc in a
community faster than the
fishing story that gets better
every time you hear it. This
is the oldest trick in the
book, the game of tele-
phone. We are all a little
guilty of it, and it is our re-
sponsibility to tame the
beast.
Remember that if you
hear it from your teen-age
daughter or in the line at a
grocery store, it may not be
fact. Have you ever tried to
track a rumor to its source?
Good luck. No one ever
claims to be that starting
point of half-truths and in-
nuendo.
I appreciate all the kind
souls that I have heard say,
“You know, that may not be
true.” They are doing the
right thing. And shame on
all the people who have
nothing better to do with
their time then feed the
negativity of gossip.
Deputy, firefighters
gain commendation
From Thomas and
Catharine Ninow
Cave Junction
We would like to ex-
press appreciation to Deputy
Jim Geiger, of Josephine
County Sheriff’s Office, and
the Illinois Valley Fire Dis-
trict volunteers who turned
out in response to the 2 a.m.
fire call on Caves Avenue
Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Geiger held a garden
hose on an exposed wall of
our mobile home waiting for
fire personnel to arrive, pull
their hoses and cool down
our area, and knock down
the blaze.
“Thanks” seems inade-
quate in view of the com-
plete devastation next door
to us. In the aftermath, we
can see the damage caused
by the extreme heat expo-
sure, and know that we were
probably only minutes from
combustion.
So many times, it seems
all we hear are the com-
plaints, but we would like to
publicly commend Deputy
Jim Geiger, and the Illinois
Valley volunteer firefighters
for the jobs they do.
Letters venting hatred
will undo civilization
From Heather Goodell
Cave Junction
Recently deceased is a
man who devoted much of
his life to the study of relig-
ion. As long as I’d known
him, he would proclaim the
“End of the World” was to
come soon. I scoffed at his
predictions.
But each time I read our
local paper, I realize that my
friend was not far off his
mark. Only, our end will not
come in a ground-shattering
and final act, but by a slow
demise of human value and
morality. And in formaliz-
ing insults against others in
daily print.
For example, the news-
paper publicly crucified our
Sheriff Daniel, undermining
his professional judgment
and worse, allowing towns-
folk to insult his department
via editorials, which they
must have seen as a personal
vendetta.
Similarly, letters calling
women who have abortions
“baby killers” and likening
them to “Nazis” (letter from
John Bazen in “Illinois Val-
ley News” Dec. 14) seems
confrontational to me.
Those letters should be di-
rected to the court and not
the local populations.
It seems as though
every time we turn around
we are stepping on someone
else’s toes. It isn’t my fault
or yours. I appreciate all of
us having the benefit of free
speech regardless of who it
may offend.
Public forum is the op-
portunity to share our views
with others; it should not be
used to vent hatred. That
shall be our undoing as a
civilized group.
Democratic party. Loyal
American Democrats realize
that you can’t loath the military
and parrot the, “We support
our troops” canard.
Now with the economy
going gangbusters, if we can get
the Republicans to quit spend-
ing like Democrats, we will
have a shot at getting the coun-
try on an even keel.
Democrats potentially
The House of Quitters
He’s ‘still sick and
tired’ of some aspects
From Gregory Anderson
Cave Junction
I find it incomprehensible
that Democrat leaders Pelosi,
Durbin, Kerry, Reid et al. don’t
realize how much they not only
damage the morale of our
troops while they denigrate
their efforts in Iraq, they en-
courage our terrorist enemies to
keep killing.
Do the liberal elites really
believe they can trash their
commander-in-chief for their
selfish political intersects with-
out encouraging the bad guys?
Every time these hysterical
defeatists call for a pull-out,
they are doing the terrorists’
bidding.
Do the Democrats want to
be known as the cut-and- run
party? The party of linguini
spines? The House of Quitters?
Frankly, I think the bumper
stick that reads, “If you’re still
voting Democrat, you’re stuck
on stupid,” is a bit indelicate.
Ronald Reagan said it much
better. He said Democrats are
not stupid, it’s just that they
know so much that isn’t true.
The radical leftist extrem-
ist super-rich have hijacked the
From Ryan Wargin
Cave Junction
I wrote awhile back about
our wonderful town with its
bums, tweekers and thieves.
Here’s something else I’m
sick and tired of: the whole
Merry Christmas thing. There
is a business here where em-
ployees can’t say, “Merry
Christmas,” and it’s not a
Christmas tree. What kind of
crap is that?
It’s just like Wal-Mart and
other big corporations. Are
they afraid of a lawsuit? I can’t
stand this. Is this the United
States of America, the Land of
the Free?
I work, pay taxes, play
their game and go by their stu-
pid laws. But now I might get
looked down on for saying,
“Merry Christmas.” This is
plain nuts.
I guess it’s the New World
Order, whatever that means.
What’s wrong with these
people trying to ban this and
that? Do they hate Christmas?
As for the business I men-
tioned earlier, I’m going to take
my patronage somewhere else.
Give the Gift of Health for the Holidays
Traditional Chinese medicine can
prevent or reverse many diseases!
Gift Certificate Packages available
for smoking, weight loss
and pain management.
Let 5,000 years of good medicine help your
family this season. Jo Anne Stone, L.Ac. has
studied with the Chinese masters.
Call for your consult and start feeling better
than you ever thought possible!
Illinois River Acupuncture Clinic
Mon., Wed., Fri.
592-5041
Please leave a message
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (Bob) and
Jan Rodriguez - Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
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
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Volume 68, No. 40
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Our Gift to You
Free Christmas Dinner
at Bridgeview Community Church
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2 to 5 p.m.
Round-trip Cave Junction
shuttle service will be provided.
If you are unable to travel, please
phone us for assistance.
Please Join us at
Valley Evangelical Free Church
for our Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Carols
Advent Candle Lighting
Candlelight Service
Christmas Readings
5 to 6 p.m. - 498 Laurel Rd. - 592-6160
592-3923 for any questions.
Come join us in celebrating
Christmas Day .
Why? Jesus loves you!
Visit us online: www.illinois-valley-news.com