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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 5, 2007
During the past century, while spending some six years
as a reporter/photographer (and nine months as a copy boy)
at the former San Diego Evening Tribune, I was acquainted
with a staff photographer named Chuck Boyd. He has since
retired: I’m still waiting to do the same.
Boyd has a blog, and in it he relates that Alvin Toffler in
his 1970s book, Future Shock, notes that if you were to take
the time that human beings have existed (approximately
50,000 years) and divide this time into 62-year average life-
times, you would get 800 lifetimes. Of those 800 lifetimes:
*650 of them have been in caves.
*It is only during the past 70 lifetimes that humans have
been able to communicate across generations.
*It is only during the past six lifetimes that we’ve had the
printed word.
*It is only in the last four that we have been able to meas-
ure time with any accuracy.
*Electric motors and gasoline engines have been around
only during the most recent two.
*Most of the technology with which we are so familiar has
been brought into existence during our lifetimes.
Boyd relates that he had a chance to see this rapid transi-
tion first-hand in the late 1960s when the Union-Tribune sent
a reporter and a photographer (him) to interview a man whose
son, astronaut David Scott, was training to walk on the moon.
When the father was born, the Wright Brothers had not
perfected controlled powered flight and -- within one lifetime --
his son was going to be the seventh man (of only 12) to walk
on the moon. As commander of Apollo 15, Scott also drove
Lunar Rover-1. “Yikes,” notes Boyd. Yikes indeed, we say.
In fact, if people “my age” (slightly less than 6.4 dec-
ades) think about their past, there can be some major eye-
openers. As a child, the following items, just off the top of
my balding head, did not exist: color television, 24-hour TV
programming on a gazillion stations, satellites, astronauts,
TV dinners, microwave ovens, drive-through restaurants,
commercial jetliners, espresso coffee stands on every cor-
ner, the Internet, personal computers, and on and on.
In fact, the original computers were monstrosities we’d
laugh at now (ha-ha). For example, ENIAC (Electronic Nu-
merical Integrator And Computer), which operated from
1946 to ‘55. Its physical size was massive compared to mod-
ern PC standards. It contained 17,468 vacuum tubes (some
will have to look that up to figure out what they were), 7,200
crystal diodes, 1,500 relays, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capaci-
tors and approximately 5 million hand-soldered joints.
ENIAC weighed 27 tons (not real good for use as a lap-
top); was roughly 8.5 feet by 3 feet by 80; took up 680 square
feet and consumed 150 kw of power. Input was possible from
an IBM card reader; an IBM card punch was used for output.
These cards could be used to produce printed output offline
using an IBM accounting machine.
When I worked for the Electronics Division of NCR Corp.,
which some still remember as The National Cash Register
Co., the big deal was the Century 100, which offered a 16k or
32k memory. Wow. Compared to the memories of today’s
computers, that’s like putting a Ford Model T next to a 2008
Toyota. No comparison in terms of performance and technol-
ogy. So we progress, and often aren’t really aware of the sig-
nificance or historical value of
such advancements.
Oh, one item hasn’t changed.
I’ll state it in five words: Are
you ready for Christmas?
Cave Junction
Don’t need a computer to an-
swer.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Cloudiness with rain &
freezing rain later
High--52 Low--32
Thursday, Dec. 6
Showers during the
day turning to snow
High--46 Low--30
Friday, Dec. 7
Morning clouds with
peaks at sun
High--46 Low--32
Saturday, Dec. 8
Cold, miserable rain
followed by more rain
High--39 Low--36
Sunday, Dec. 9
Returning glances of
sun through clouds
High--45 Low--31
Monday, Dec. 10
Return of nippy drizzles
High--39 Low--37
Tuesday, Dec. 11
An abundance of liquid
sunshine
High--41 Low--39
Following are the high-and-
low temperatures, and rainfall,
recorded in O’Brien
by Cheryl & Harry Johnson.
*Fri., Nov. 23 42 - 23
*Sat., Nov. 24 43 - 27
*Sun., Nov. 25 44 - 29
*Mon., Nov. 26 52 - 28 0.24
*Tue., Nov. 27 45 - 30 0.04
*Wed., Nov. 28 46 - 34
*Thurs., Nov. 29 46 - 32
Following are the high-and-
low temperatures, and rainfall,
recorded in Cave Junction at
Illinois River Farm.
*Fri., Nov. 23 52 - 24
*Sat., Nov. 24 44 - 25 0.01
*Sun., Nov. 25 51 - 28
*Mon., Nov. 26 50 - 27 0.21
*Tue., Nov. 27 49 - 31 0.02
*Wed., Nov. 28 46 - 34
*Thurs., Nov. 29 49 - 30
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 70, No. 38
Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Jennifer Newsted
Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
(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.
Some good people
From Wayne Bergman
Selma
Someone turned in our
ATM card at Home Valley
Bank on Oct. 19. This shows
that we still have good people
in our valley.
‘A neighborly thing’
From Elaine Edwards
Cave Junction
I love your newspaper,
and read it from front to back
every week.
A story I read reminded
me of what Cave Junction
might have been at one time,
and maybe this story will
encourage our residents to
bring back such nice cus-
toms. Thanks for giving us
such a wonderful newspaper.
(Editor’s Note: The story
appeared in the August 2002
issue of Guideposts. It’s
about a couple in Frankfort,
Ohio; and the good deeds,
friendliness and love show-
ered on them by neighbors as
a matter of course; plus sup-
porting them in the face of
adversity, including their
house being severely dam-
aged by fire.)
Parents in home situation
Robert Haber
Grants Pass
I want to express how
proud I am of my parents,
Kirk Taylor and Olivia
Taylor-Young.
In what’s truly a David
vs. Goliath situation, they
have chosen to fight rather
than accept personal abuse,
theft of their retirement and
intimidation into silence. But
proud as I am, I’m equally
heartbroken and angry on
their behalf.
They invested in Jose-
phine County in good faith;
yet ever since my parents
moved into CedarBrook Es-
tates in Cave Junction, they
have continuously tried to
resolve structural matters re-
garding their home and envi-
ronmental problems regarding
CedarBrook itself. In return,
they’ve been subjected to let-
ters threatening legal action if
their complaints were made
public and verbal abuse.
I’ve seen the letters my
parents have written asking
for resolution, and personally
witnessed some of the abuse.
After working hard all of
their lives, raising and educat-
ing their sons and daughters,
my 64- and 70-year-old par-
ents face the choice between
foreclosure and possible
bankruptcy or risking serious
threats to their health. Yet
they are accusing my parents
of bringing down the
neighborhood’s property val-
ues by going public.
My parents are not in
this fight to bring down prop-
erty values. They are in this
fight to protect their health,
restore their dignity, peace of
mind and a happy retirement
They are also fighting to re-
store basic fairness and ac-
countability to Josephine
County.
No one deserves what
my parents are enduring.
Good deed warriors
From Beth Williams
Cave Junction
Even though I don’t al-
ways hear it, any change in
the weather seems a good
time for one of our shallow-
rooted trees to fall on our
wooded homesite.
A few weeks ago I drove
down the driveway, a full list
of the day’s activities in hand,
to find one of those trees ly-
ing across the drive near the
road. Back at the house, I
phoned a friend for help, then
drove as close to the blocked
section as reasonable and
waited.
Some minutes later a red
crewcab pickup truck swung
into the driveway. Four guys
piled out, grabbed a chain
saw from the bed of the truck;
cut the tree trunk into conven-
ient pieces; and tossed them
into the woods.
The guys responded,
“You’re welcome,” to my
“Thank you,” and drove
away. All this activity took
less time than it takes to read
about it.
I was still stunned by
such kindness when my
friend arrived. We traded
round-eyed stares and a laugh
before he too drove away,
and I left to run errands. What
a wonderful place to live.
My benefactors are ap-
preciated.
Thief missed out
From David Bargelt
Cave Junction
A funny thing happened
to me during the holiday.
Friday morning I was awak-
ened around 5 by headlights
shining through my window.
It appeared that the vehi-
cle was just being turned
around, which isn’t unusual.
The vehicle was driven away,
and I went back to sleep.
Saturday morning I went
to my wood shed and discov-
ered that someone had re-
lieved me of two chainsaws.
Funny thing is; they were
both in bad shape. The big
066 Stihl with a 42-inch bar
needs a muffler and mounts,
and it’s 25 years old. The
other saw is newer and a little
smaller; an 041 I think. But it
needs some serious work.
I can’t afford to fix either
one at this time. They essen-
tially were worthless to me.
Maybe they’re worth a few
bucks to someone. Maybe.
The real funny part is
that the thief walked past 20
gallons of gasoline, a Honda
generator, and two good
saws. They bypassed those to
go up in the attic for the junk.
Maybe this thief should
look for another line of work.
‘Government gangsters’
From Larry Herman
Cave Junction
We don’t need gangsters;
we already have government
suppression of rights on na-
tional and local levels, in fa-
vor of corporate sovereignty
(all the rights of a person
without penalty.)
We the people are sup-
planted when local govern-
ment favors corporate inter-
ests at the expense of the citi-
zens who put them in office.
Our life, liberty and pursuit of
happiness have been attacked
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
publication. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than
one week.
A Living Gift
is an Awesome Gift
Garden Art
Ponds & Pumps
Statuary & Fountains
Trees & Shrubs
Fox Farm
Fertilizers
at the basic level of hearth
and home.
There are citizens who
pay taxes and vote, who live
along the mining site on
Rockydale Raod, and they’ve
been violated by the county.
Is it a coincidence that
Copeland Sand & Gravel/
Barlow Rock will benefit
from the mining and the re-
paving and widening of Red-
wood Hwy. at the north end
of Cave Junction? They built
the Yellow Brick Road and
line their pockets with gold.
Does the county consider
the people living along
Rockydale and mining site
collateral damage? Just as all
those damaged in Iraq are
considered by the U.S. gov-
ernment. It’s said that money
talks and BS walks. Are the
county and corporate interests
stealing from the south to pay
for expansion of the
“booming housing market”
on the north end of town?
Our government has
proved that if you repeat a lie
enough times, the brain-dead
will be faithful followers.
Deception is the New World
Order, which isn’t so new. It
also seems like the local new
order. Like above, so below.
That state says that Jose-
phine County is violating law
It’s possible to go online and
file a complaint with the Ore-
gon Land Use Board of Ap-
peals.
Why should everybody
along Rockydale, and now
Caves Hwy. and Holland
Loop, suffer because of ex-
cessive use by selfish corpo-
rate interests at the expense of
the many? I can say from
experience that the noise is
horrendous. It begins before 7
a.m. and continues until I
don’t know when, because I
have to leave and come back
later.
Also, Rockydale is dev-
astated by dirt and debris.
There are many elderly and
infirm living along these
routes that have been dam-
aged, along with property
values. Is the county going to
reduce their taxes to compen-
sate their loss? Those who
health has been damaged by
the noise, dirt and dust, and
receive Social Security Dis-
ability payments, can phone
the SS Administration at
(800) 772-1213.
The project work on
Rockydale will resume after
the first of the year. If it is to
resume before March 1, an
approved DEQ NPDES
1200A storm water permit
will be needed.
Soon, the hype will be
exposed, with those who de-
ceive. Cave Junction used to
be a nice place to live. If we
lock ourselves in gated com-
munities, we will no longer
need cemeteries, and the
Zombies will rule.
An election year is com-
ing. So we can phone Sen.
Ron Wyden in Medford at
858-5122; Sen. Gordon
Smith in Medford at 608-
9102; or Rep. Peter DeFazio
at (800) 944-9603.
Targeting terrorists
From Ed Feulner
The Heritage Foundation
Washington, D.C.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001
attacks -- contrary to all ex-
pectations -- there have been
no terrorist strikes on U.S.
soil. And it’s not because our
enemies have stopped trying.
A recent FBI report says
that al Qaeda hopes to attack
shopping centers during the
holidays. The terrorist group
hopes “to disrupt the U.S.
economy and has been plan-
ning the attack for the past
two years.”
The reason we haven’t
been hit is because U.S. au-
thorities are actively pursuing
-- and stopping -- individuals
and groups intent on killing
Americans.
This isn’t always easy.
Effective operations often
require federal, state, local
and even international coop-
eration. But our law enforce-
ment agencies have already
racked up an impressive
string of arrests.
Perhaps the biggest fish
caught so far is Khalid Sheikh
Mohammed. He’s tied to a
number of terrorist plots, in-
cluding Sept. 11, the 2002
Bali bombings and the 1993
bombing at the World Trade
Center.
Undoubtedly one of
Osama bin Laden’s highest-
ranking operatives, he also
claims to have personally
decapitated journalist Daniel
Pearl. Under interrogation,
KMS gave up the names of
several fellow operatives,
thus helping to prevent other
attacks. He’s being held at the
U.S. military detention facil-
ity at Guantanamo Bay,
awaiting trial by a military
commission authorized by
Congress.
In addition, we’ve cap-
tured many would-be terror-
ists right in our country.
During September 2002,
federal authorities arrested
“the Lackawanna Six” near
(Continued on page 3)
New Holiday Hours:
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays - 10 to 5
Saturdays - 10 to 4, Sundays - Noon to 3, closed Tuesdays
Books, Teas & Accessories, Stocking Stuffers, 1-cup Electric Warmers
Come see and keep your $$$ in the Valley.
SALE all used hardcover books
60%OFF marked price
12/8 through 12/16
592-3689
228 N. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction
H.D. PATTON JR
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Lic #39671
289 Too Far South, CJ
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One year in Josephine County - $22.80
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One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $36
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