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a plan purchased through the exchange.
There will be a special enrollment period
April 1 through May 15.
People who don't have health insurance,
because the cost was unaffordable, or people
who bought plans off the exchange may
want to take a look at how much premium
subsidy they can now qualify for under the
ARP changes.
This is a complicated topic and the lim-
itations on content in a "Letter to the Editor"
make it difficult to provide detailed informa-
tion on this subject.
However, if you are interested, there is
an article posted on the Hood River County
Democrat's website that provides additional
information; visit hoodriverdemocrats.org
and click on the article titled "Important
Changes to ACA Premium Subsidies" for
more information.
Jessica Berty
Hood River
Kudos!
For 21 years, departing Hood River News
editor Kirby Neumann-Rea has helped to
keep Hood River informed. He has been
the faithful chronicler of endless events
and meetings. He has given us thoughtful
editorials filled with integrity and good will.
He has made our community richer, thank
you Kirby!
For eight years, departing Columbia River
Gorge Commissioner Janet Wainwright has
served the National Scenic Area passionately
advocating for Gorge Protection. She helped
bring the new Climate Action Plan into
being and helped to increase the diversi-
ty of the commission, advocating for the
appointment of two Native American Gorge
Commissioners. Thank you for your service
Janet!
Peter Cornelison
Hood River
History lost
I never dreamed that our well document-
ed past could be changed in any manner.
Guess who was incorrect? Me. Quietly but
aggressively, our country’s history is being
erased and rewritten by America’s schools,
colleges and universities, the media, Big Tech
companies, and the cancel culture.
Our schools and college students are being
taught that America was built on racism and
evil ... that capitalism is wicked and social-
ism is the way we should go. It’s unfortunate
that many youngsters of this day and age
don’t know that capitalism has lifted tens of
billions of people out of poverty and is the
greatest anti-poverty program ever devel-
oped ... yet alarmingly, these young folks are
not advised that socialism has only created
poverty, misery, starvation and death wher-
ever tried.
Bill Davis
Hood River
Stice for CGCC
Columbia Gorge Community College is a
major asset in our region, and it is governed
by a board of directors elected from the area
it serves.
I write to express my support for the elec-
tion of Nate Stice to that board.
Nate grew up along the Columbia River in
rural Umatilla County and did his under-
graduate work at Willamette University.
Graduating Phi Beta Kappa, his degree
included political science, economics and
Russian language. He later earned a master’s
degree in public administration from the
University of Oregon.
His work history has been in public
service, including some time in government
relations at the University of Oregon.
I have long served on a state group of
regional leaders focused on problem solving
local issues. Nate took on staffing efforts
for that group several years ago and has
led efforts to deal with the pandemic, with
accessible housing, and broadband.
In that work, he has become well known
as a problem solver and leader in bringing
people together.
Nate has been serving on the CGCC
Budget Committee for over two years,
demonstrating his commitment to higher
education in our community.
We need him on the board.
Please vote for Nate Stice for the board of
directors of Columbia Gorge Community
College.
Keith Mobley
Dufur
Books are real
There are probably a thousand reasons
why millions of decent, law abiding, intelli-
gent people avoid “The Scriptures” (the bi-
ble). “Opium of the people.” All one has to do
is review the horrid history of those who have
claimed to be readers of their (bible). One of
my favorite (bible) reading groups was those
who hanged “witches” in Salem. What of the
very intelligent (bible) reading group found
in the Waco, Texas, compound? Maybe the
wonderful incident down in Guyana when
900 folks drank poisoned sugar water while
reading their (bible).
Well, maybe you would want to live in
Ireland and become a Protestant (bible)
reader or a Catholic (bible) reader and
inherit the religious duty to kill your brother.
What of the history of the Catholic Church in
Europe for a thousand years? What words of
the (bible) did they read before arresting, tor-
turing and killing what millions in the name
of Jesus?
What of enslaving Africans and slaugh-
tering Native Americans without shame
since they were not good (bible) reading
“Christians”?
How is it possible that a book that claims
to teach love, peace, compassion, under-
standing and forgiveness and be authored
by a divine being produce so much hate and
sickness? Is it even necessary to include the
grotesque TV ministry shows who constantly
beg for money with (bible) in hand? If you
can not put out the message freely then don’t
do it at all.
Why would any reasonable person ever
touch these books when one considers the
behavior of those who claim to be reading
them? They would not.
Thus the religion of evolution is an answer
for those who see the hypocrisy and cruel-
ties perpetrated by those who claim to be
guided by a reading of their (bible). Who
could blame an evolutionist for denying that
the book is the word of an intelligent loving
Creator? Not me.
What is going on? It is not the books.
Pastor and the church system are the cul-
prits. The books are real and there’s proof!
Gary Fischer
The Dalles
April is Gorge
Earth Month
■
Overlook Park at the water-
fall, Hood River from 6-7 p.m.
Sustainable fashion will
On April 22, 1970 — 51
be featured April 12, when
years ago — the first Earth
Taylor Hill of the Renewal
Day took place with the
Workshop, Cascade Locks,
participation of 20 million
Americans. This was the cata- will speak on the environ-
lyst for environmental action mental impacts of “fast fash-
across the United States and ion” and how the Renewal
eventually worldwide.
Workshop is mobilizing to
In the Columbia Gorge we promote a circular economy.
know that a single day isn’t
On April 20, filmmaker
enough; we are celebrating
Rose Madrone will intro-
all of April as Earth Month.
duce three short films from
Columbia Gorge Climate
The Connectivity Project —
Action Network (www.
“Plants have Wings,” “Inter-
CGCAN.org) and partners
connections” and “Speaking
will again offer classes and
Out.” Join Mountain View
activities during Earth Month Grange and CGCAN for an
via an online event calendar. online screening and discus-
Earth Month offerings
sion afterward.
will include the April 3
Explore how awakening
presentation “Warming of
awe enhances our well-be-
the Gorge and its Impacts”
ing and release the grips of
by Biologist Bill Weiler. On
anxiety with Ellen Donoghue,
April 8, a socially distanced
Ph.D., on April 21. Learn sim-
rally for climate action and
ple mindfulness techniques
celebration will be led by the to cultivate a sense of alive-
Earth Action Club of Hood
ness, ease, and resilience.
River Valley High School at
Earth Day evening, April
By Columbia Gorge
Climate Action Network
22, will feature a stimulating
group of Gorge area spiritual
leaders from a variety of reli-
gious traditions and an open
discussion on “What has
mother earth taught us in the
past year?” The gathering will
honor the gift of earth and
include readings, blessings
and music.
On April 24 from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m., bring your hard to
recycle items, bailing twine,
Styrofoam and plant pots to
the Gorge Rebuild-it Center
in Hood River. A presentation
called “Recycling Realities”
will also take place at some
point during the month.
More than 1 billion people
now participate in Earth
Month activities each year,
making it the largest civic
observance in the world,
said the press release. Join
the movement this April,
visit www.CGCAN.org or on
Facebook for all the details.
Want to write a letter?
C
OLUMBIA GORGE NEWS ENCOUR-
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The opinions expressed in letters are “your
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opinions of the Columbia Gorge News, its
staff, publisher or advertisers.
Wednesday,March31,2021
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