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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (July 11, 2007)
Page 13 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, July 11, 2007 Rep. Walden fields town hall questions ranging from county funding to Iraq By SCOTT JORGENSEN IVN Staff Writer U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) faced nu- merous questions regarding the continuing war in Iraq during a town hall meeting Tuesday afternoon, July 3 at Anne Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass. Walden represents Ore- gon’s vast Second District, comprising most of the east- ern part of the state and por- tions of Josephine County. In opening remarks, Walden admitted that not all has gone well in the Iraq con- flict, which began in 2003. “We know the score- card has not been a good one,” Walden said. The War on Terror has so far cost approximately $503 billion, Walden said, with the Iraq conflict ac- counting for $352 billion. While Walden said that “the day is not too far off in the future” for the with- drawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, the logistics of doing so remain difficult. Dividing Iraq into three separate sec- tions will not work, as Tur- key’s government is hostile to the idea of an independ- ent Kurd-controlled area, Walden said. Turkey’s army is amassing troops along Iraq’s northern border, with light skirmishes and incursions already occurring, he said. Walden said that there’s “incredible genocide that can ensue” if American forces pull out of the con- flict prematurely. He noted that the United States must be mindful of how such a move could affect the entire Middle East. “All that is a reality,” Walden said. However, he said, the future of Iraq will depend ultimately on that country’s leaders and their willingness to take responsibility for providing security and other services to their citizens. Walden said the United States should not bear that burden indefinitely. “Their leadership needs to recognize that our patience is not forever,” he said. Resident Kevin Marr asked Walden point-blank when the congressman would stop supporting the Iraq War. “I’m not there yet,” Walden said. “I want to hear what (U.S. Army) Gen. (David) Petraeus has to say in September.” Walden went on to say that the Bush administration should adopt more of the recommendations issued by the independent, non- partisan Iraq Study Group. “We need to do more on diplomacy,” Walden said. “I fault this administration for not doing more of it.” Walden’s vote in favor of the Military Commis- sions Act of 2006 also was called into question during Rep. Greg Walden the town hall meeting. That controversial bill included the suspension of habeas corpus for terror suspects. American prisoners of war aren’t allowed habeas corpus when held in other countries, Walden said. And some of the persons released from detention have been found later on battlefields. Walden denied that de- tainees are entirely without rights. “There is a bit of an appeal structure still in place,” Walden said. “There is a process there.” The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the issue in October, Walden said. Meanwhile, the United States should work to expe- dite the trials of the accused. “I don’t think we ought to hold them there forever,” Walden said. He also addressed the county payments issue. Sev- eral Oregon counties, in- cluding Josephine, receive funds from the federal gov- ernment in lieu of declining timber receipts. The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan reduced timber harvests by 85 percent, Wal- den said. As such, the key to fixing local economies lies in responsible forest man- agement, he indicated. “What built Oregon is the wood products indus- try,” Walden said. Immigration was a popular topic during a question-and-answer ses- sion. Walden stated that 1986 was the last time Con- gress passed any major im- migration legislation, but that little has been done to uphold its provisions. “No administration has adequately enforced that bill,” he said. Audience members questioned Walden about formation of the North American Union, which would group the United States, Canada and Mexico into a single political entity along the lines of the Euro- pean Union. Walden said that he would not support formation of that organization, and that it could not be done outside the democratic process. “Any of those sorts of changes have to be voted on by Congress,” he said. Questions also were posed regarding the trans- Texas corridor, a proposed superhighway project. Crit- ics of the project character- ize it as part of a plan to merge this country with Canada and Mexico. Walden said that upon 1994 passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the nation’s borders were sup- posed to be opened to truck traffic. “That never happened,” Walden said. He stated that “private entities are looking at the construction of toll roads,” but that there are no federal plans for the superhighway. We digitize your logo or art to personalize hats, shirts, uniforms, jackets, etc. Personal & Commercial Orders No Order too Small or Large Affordable Rates Call 659-6838 for quotes 434 Caves Hwy., Cave Junction Phone: (541)592-3540 Fax: (541)592-6841 Hours: Mondays - Fridays 7-5:30 Saturdays 8-5, closed Sundays Concrete Remodel New Construction ILLINOIS VALLEY LIONS Club con- ducted an installation ceremony and potluck barbecue Sunday, July 8 at the Lions Den at Illinois Valley Air- port. Steve Lyons (left) passed the presidential gavel to Dave Anderson who will serve until July 2008. 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She holds a photo, presumed to be from the early 1980s, with club members whose identities are sought. (Photos by Michelle Binker/Illinois Valley News) READY TO DIG & AIMING TO PLEASE 24 HOURS A DAY CCB#159580 1-(541) 597-4486 Linda Sallman 128 S. Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction OR 97523 541-592-4541 Across from the new Home Valley Bank on Redwood Hwy. Open Mondays - Fridays, 9 to 5 Auto - Home - Life - Commercial Focus on Selma coming July 18 and 25. Copies of Illinois Valley News will be distributed to every post office box and rural route box in the Selma community. Take advantage of this special advertising opportunity. Phone 592-2541 by Fri- day, July 13 to reserve your space. Find this hat and handbag in Fine Dining The New Collection at Steaks - Chicken - Fish - Large Hamburgers Shop River Rock Restaurant separate from lounge Hellgate Jet Boats in Grants Pass Now Available Every Day! 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