Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2006)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 13, 2006 Besides having Charlie the Cat decide that our Christmas tree is a wonderful climbing adventure and perfect place to perch, we have of late been the hosts for our daughter, Vicki, and grandkids Natalie, 4, and Ella, 18 months. I know that Ella was eyeing the tree with the thought of clambering aboard. Instead, she chose to simply smack the ornaments within reach, enjoying the way they fall to the floor and make noise. She also left an amazing trail of cracker crumbs and craisins here and there about our house. Hey, what are grandparents for, anyway? I don’t think that any of the compact discs she tried to cram into our tape player actually went in. Close, but not in. She also worked real hard to rearrange all our knick-knacks; probably going to be an interior decorator. Natalie, although somewhat jealous of attention paid her little sister, helped Ella in a number of endeavors, not the least of which is called, “Feed the dogs your food, and then you don’t have to eat it.” Bingo and Rocky especially miss the girls because of that. What with four cats, two dogs and our young visi- tors, we had some exciting adventures involving … well … let’s just say that Vicki at one point proclaimed, “We’re having a poop, pee and throw-up extravaganza.” Santa made a surprise visit two days before our guests departed for home in San Diego County. He filled their stockings and that of our granddaughter Kim- berly, 10, who lives in Cave Junction with Dad Mike. The guests enjoyed a couple outings. We took them to Foris and Bridgeview wineries, plus Wildlife Images in rural Grants Pass. Of course, Ella at her age doesn’t often last long on such excursions before becoming a little screaming machine. But we got used to it. Amazing what crackers or cookies can do. Then, for some reason, Vicki and the girls again were singled out for extra checking by TSA at Jackson County/Medford International Airport. Yeah, they look real dangerous. Same thing happened earlier this year when they visited. Profiling? Anyway, they arrived home in good shape. We’re looking forward to seeing them again, the extravaganza notwithstanding. (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. * * * Depleted uranium information ‘fiction’ From William Reid Cave Junction Webster’s Dictionary defines fiction “as a making up of imaginary happen- ings.” Kristine Strohl in a letter to the editor last week wrote a masterful piece of fiction concerning depleted uranium. Fact: Depleted uranium (DU) is approximately 40 percent less radioactive than natural uranium. DU emits alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. Alpha parti- cles, the primary radiation type produced by DU are blocked by the skin, while beta particles are blocked by clothing. Gamma rays emitted by DU are very low. When fired or after “cooking off” in fires or explosions, the exposed DU rod poses an extremely low radiological threat as long as it remains outside the body. Taken into the body via metal frag- ments or dust-like particles, DU may pose a long-term health hazard if the amount is large. A 120mm cannon shell as used in the M1 tank con- tains approximately 5 kg of DU in the penetrator rod while the 30mm A-10 anti- tank round contains ap- proximately 0.3 kg of DU. The impact of DU ammuni- tion against a hard target creates a fine DU dust that contaminates the impact site, though small amounts of DU dust drift downwind. Test data demonstrate that normally, approxi- mately 20 percent of a DU penetrator is aerosolized on impact with a tank. The im- pact of one 120mm DU tank round could therefore create approximately 950 g of DU dust. During a single attack by an A-10 aircraft shooting a burst of 30mm ammuni- tion, between five and 16 DU bullets will likely hit the target creating 300 to 960 g of aerosol. In the last gulf war, air- craft accounted for approxi- mately 86 percent (by weight) of the DU shot. A strafing attack from an air- craft typically results in few DU rounds (5-10 percent) hitting the target. Tank rounds accounted for ap- proximately 14 percent (by weight) of the total DU re- leased, but more than half this quantity was shot on practice ranges in Saudi Arabia. In combat, 80 to 90 per- cent of the tank rounds fired will hit the target and re- main in or near it. Rounds that hit a soft target or the ground tend to stay intact or break into a few large frag- ments. In the absence of evi- dence to the contrary, it is plausible that considerably more than 80 percent (by weight) of the DU shot dur- ing the war did not hit a hard target, thereby mini- mizing the creation of res- pirable-size DU dust and reducing the immediate post-war health risks posed MANSFIELD R. CLEARY by DU in Kuwait and Iraq. Approximately 286,233 kg of DU was used during the 1991 Gulf War. In the current Iraq war the military estimates that 300,000 rounds of 30mm anti-tank ammunition was expended. With a standard 5-to-1 mix, then approxi- mately 75 tons of DU was used. The voluntary Veterans Affairs DU Medical Follow- up Program is an important source for identifying poten- tial untoward health effects in friendly fire victims who have retained DU frag- ments. Approximately a quarter of the more than 60 level 1 exposed individuals who have been evaluated still carry DU fragments in their bodies, and they have elevated levels of urinary uranium nine years after the Gulf War. The present health status of this group shows that they have not developed kidney abnormalities, leuke- mia, bone or lung cancer, or any classical uranium- related adverse outcome. For male, active-duty military personnel in the U.S. military, the average frequencies of hospitaliza- tion for malignant disease are: leukemia (all types) two per 100,000 per year; and all cancer, 60 per 100,000 per year. Lueren Moret, the sci- entist Strohl quoted in her letter claims “11,000 troops have died from DU poison- ing, and 518,739 more vet- erans have been added to the permanently disabled list from out current war contaminated with DU poi- soning.” These figures have no basis in fact. As of 2004 we had slightly more than 500,000 total in the Army and 1.4 million military on active duty. By her numbers every- one in the Army is perma- nently disabled! As far as Moret’s cre- dentials as a scientist on radiation issues, she is sadly lacking. She earned a bache- lor of science degree in ge- ology and a master’s degree in Eastern studies. She worked two years at Liver- more Labs, quitting in 1991. In the past she has been caught making false claims on DU-caused birth defects in children of Mississippi National Guard members. This false claims was made years after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had investigated the issue and found it not true. There are many uncer- tainties about the use and effects of DU munitions, but the growing body of scien- tific research points to the conclusion that the use of DU munitions creates envi- ronmental contamination that can affect the health of people. The most prudent course of action for Kristine Strohl is to press for scien- tific studies, and not science fiction. Dr. Joe, staff, others noted for compassion From Amy and Jerry Schell-Lapora Cave Junction On Wednesday, Nov. 29 my husband and I were on Hwy. 199 between Selma and Kerby, when two dogs ran onto the road. One dog made it across the road -- the other was struck by a car. The poor peo- ple driving the car that hit the dog had no chance to react. (Continued on page 3) Attorney at Law General Practice in Illinois Valley since 1980 Looking for Great Stocking Stuffers? Practice includes but not limited to: Bankruptcy - Eliminate financial problems Living trusts - Avoid probate Estate planning - Wills, power of attorney Domestic relations Auto accident - Personal Injury Criminal - DUII Real Estate contracts - Foreclosure 592-2195 Josephine County Par ks Annual Day-Use Passes will please e v er yone on your list! 200 W. Lister Good for anyone w ho enjoys: Illinois Valley News www.illinois-valley-news.com An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (AKA Bob or El Jefe), Editor and Jan Rodriguez 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 Email: newsroom1@frontiernet.net or newsdesk@illinois-valley-news.com Volume 69, No. 39 Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Scott Jorgensen Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association • Hiking • Fishing • Hor se back Riding • Mountain Biking • Tenn is • Disc Golf DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 5 P.M. THURSDAYS (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Fridays 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. Generally, one letter per person per month at publishers’ discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publishers. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the publishers’ opinion. POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE,” DISPLAY & CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publica- tion. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $22.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $26.40 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $36 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction OR 97523 or just lo v es the outdoor s Passes valid at: • Chinook • Pierce Riffle • Lathrop • Ferry Hole • Robertson Bridge • Hog Creek • Ennis Riffle • Matson • Indian Mary • Almeda • Schroeder • Griffin • Lake Selmac • Wolf Creek • Whitehorsee • Torn Pearce • Fish Hatchery Where else can you pay only $25 for the whole year to enjoy so much of the great outdoors. If you are an Oregon Trail Card holder or have a Disabled Placard, passes are $5. Additional non-commercial passes for the same household are $10 for everyone. Commercial passes are $25 each, not to exceed $200. Stop by the Parks Office at 125 Ringuette St. off of Redwood Highway between the new Dairy Queen and Chevron Station. We are the first gated area on the left. Our building is blue and yellow striped on the left hand side. To purchase by phone or for more information please call 474-5285. Passes are for Day Use only not over-night camping. T h ank you for suppor ting your Jo sephine County Par ks!
