OPINION 6A T HE D AILY A STORIAN Founded in 1873 STEPHEN A. FORRESTER, Editor & Publisher LAURA SELLERS, Managing Editor BETTY SMITH, Advertising Manager CARL EARL, Systems Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN, Production Manager DEBRA BLOOM, Business Manager SAMANTHA MCLAREN, Circulation Manager Chinook leader looked for path forward T he premature death Tuesday of Ray Gardner, chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation, is a sad milestone for the tribe but one that has been foreseen for quite some time. Gardner loved his cigars and those who knew him well took vicarious pleasure in his enjoyment of their sweet smoke. But in the way of things, tobacco didn’t love him back. Perhaps combined with other factors, smoking led to obstructive lung problems that PDGH LW GLI¿FXOW IRU *DUGQHU WR breathe in recent years. His health took a turn for the worse around last Christmas and he was hospitalized, eventually coming home and even EULHÀ\UHWXUQLQJWRZRUNEXWQHYHU UHFRYHULQJ XQWLO KH ¿QDOO\ VOLSSHG away back to the land of ancestors. Gardner remained in symbolic leadership of the Chinook Indian Nation up until his death, but effectively turned over organizational management to Vice Chairman Sam Robinson and other members of the Tribal Council in October 2013. They are an energetic and passionate group, still very interested in pursuing formal federal status, something that has been denied this famous tribe since the mid-19th century. We have often commented in support of righting this wrong as a matter of fundamental social justice. We remain convinced that the healing of old wounds by the conferring of tribal prestige on the Chinookan peoples of the Lower Columbia would be advantageous to everyone here. The very name “Chinook” could be enormously valuable DQG SUR¿WDEOH LI DWWDFKHG LQ D substantive way to sustainably produced seafood, timber products and social events. We live in WKH FHQWHU RI RQH RI WKH 3DFL¿F Rim’s greatest civilizations, the destination of Lewis and Clark and a host of other famous explorers. A new HBO television production will reignite interest in the Corps of Discovery and the native peoples they encountered, of whom the Chinook and Clatsop were among the most important. Descendants of men and women who created this civilization continue to live among us as proud and fully integrated members of modern communities. They should not be penalized for their ancestors’ hospitality and welcoming nature, which permitted white settlers to make themselves at home here. Pragmatically, there are many obstacles to obtaining formal federal status that are unlikely to be overcome anytime soon. Although the Bureau of Indian Affairs has helpfully revamped some of its criteria for tribal recognition and acknowledgment, a Republican Congress won’t be inclined to favor the Chinook cause, especially when some existing resource users such DV WKH 'XQJHQHVV FUDE ÀHHW IHDU potential tribal encroachment. Also complicating matters is a simmering dispute among Clatsop descendants, some of whom have formed an alliance with Nehalem people to the south, while hundreds of others remain under the organizational umbrella of the Chinook Indian Nation. The majority of residents without any Indian DNA can stand back from all this, and yet wish the best for all our neighbors who pursue WKH GUHDP RI ¿QGLQJ D UHQHZHG connection to their glorious past, along with a brighter path to the future. We’re certain Gardner hoped for reconciliation and cooperation among all residents of his people’s historical homeland. This is an aspiration we all ought to share. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 The real story behind the St. Helens coal denial for the project, placing HFW LQ WKH ¿UVW SODFH ² D the county back at square fact that was discovered at one for getting the project the commission level after construction ready. n August, the Oregon months of project review In response, the coun- by Oregon Department of Transportation Commission ty sought private property Transportation staff. (OTC) rendered decision on acquisition for the project Further, when asked, project funding from state the Port could not show by use of eminent domain and the project is now be- they had the funds in their lottery funds funneled through ing contested by 100 per- own coffers to guarantee ConnectOregon. Catherine cent of the farmland own- the required match in ab- Since ConnectOregon passage sence of Ambre Energy’s M. Mater ers whose property will into Oregon law, projects forwarded funding. To compound the be affected. The county to the OTC have been summarily problem, the Port claimed failed to disclose the rail- approved ... until last year when a their project was ‘construction road easement denial to the commis- berth improvement project at the Port ready,’ but failed to disclose they sion at the time of their August de- have a serious operating permit prob- cision. As a consequence the project of St. Helens was denied funding. lem with the Division of State Lands was unanimously approved for $2 The project proposed to assist that will negate construction start up million in public funds — based on coal company Ambre Energy in the to a year (a fact that would disqualify misrepresentation of project status. Both projects are up for reconsid- transport of coal through Oregon to the project from being ‘construction eration at the February OTC meet- foreign energy markets via the Port. ready’ as is required by law). The project was rejected on the It seems that no construction at ing: the former by heavy political basis of not complying with Con- the Port will occur without the Port pressure to reverse the August OTC nectOregon legal requirements, but securing a new proprietary lease decision to deny project approval at the criticisms — and from DSL, a process the Port; the latter by citizen demand accolades — pouring in that requires months of to revoke project approval from The real from the public follow- review and a full public Benton County. Both are clear examples of an ing the OTC decision hearing. This, too, was issue squarely focused on the discovered at commis- alarming fact: the Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation lacks over- debate over Oregon’s surrounding sion level. role in coal. To exhibit such a sight on projects submitted for the story is The real issue sur- reckless disregard for ConnectOregon funding to ensure rounding the story is truth, one can only against project misrepresentation or not coal, it’s the not coal, it’s fraud: the conclude that the Port project fraud. And, if OTC oversight submittal of fraudulent either felt they were is exercised, it is ignored or “re- fraud. information to a public above the law, should moved.” It is times like this we all need entity for the purpose be awarded special to be reminded that no one is above of securing public funds. The Port treatment, or both. of St. Helens submitted a request for Consequently, the Port project the law; no governor; no senator; no $2 million in ConnectOregon lottery was denied, but another project was government agency; no port. There’s much more unfolding in funds to pair with a $3 million match approved at the same time. A Cor- the Port said Ambre Energy had vallis-to-Albany bike trail project Oregon transportation funding (in committed for the project. All Con- submitted by Benton County pro- addition to coal concerns) that needs nectOregon projects are required to posed a bike trail to be constructed immediate, swift and decisive atten- have a funding match in order to be on railroad right-of-way between tion. Catherine M. Mater is the imme- eligible for public funds. the two cities. Shortly after Connec- The problem? Coal issue aside tOregon project submittal to ODOT, diate past chairwoman of the Ore- — the Port never had a commitment the county discovered the railroad gon Transportation Commission and from Ambre Energy to do the proj- would deny use of their right-of-way president of Mater Engineering. By CATHERINE M. MATER For The Daily Astorian I Building better secularists how to take up these bur- gle required to live by it. dens don’t turn bad, but Consider the tasks a person they drift. They suffer from would have to perform to a loss of meaning and an ver the past few years, there live secularism well: unconscious boredom with • Secular individuals has been a sharp rise in the their own lives. have to build their own number of people who are atheist, moral philosophies. Reli- • One other burden: Past agnostic or without religious gious people inherit creeds secular creeds were built on the 18th-century en- that have evolved over cen- DI¿OLDWLRQ lightenment view of man turies. Autonomous secular $ ¿IWK RI DOO DGXOWV DQG D WKLUG David as an autonomous, rational people are called upon to RI WKH \RXQJHVW DGXOWV ¿W LQWR WKLV settle on their own individ- Brooks creature who could rea- category. son his way to virtue. The ual sacred convictions. As secularism becomes more past half-century of cogni- • Secular individuals SURPLQHQW DQG VHOIFRQ¿GHQW LWV have to build their own communities. tive science has shown that creature spokesmen have more insistently ar- Religions come equipped with cove- doesn’t exist. We are not really rational gued that secularism should not be nantal rituals that bind people together, animals; emotions play a central role seen as an absence — as a lack of faith sacred practices that are beyond indi- in decision-making, the vast majori- — but rather as a positive moral creed. vidual choice. Secular people have to ty of thought is unconscious, and our Phil Zuckerman, a Pitzer College so- choose their own communities and minds are riddled with biases. We are ciologist, makes this come up with their not really autonomous; our actions are FDVH DV ÀXLGO\ DQG own practices to make powerfully shaped by others in ways Secularism we are not even aware of. pleasurably as any- them meaningful. It seems to me that if secularism is body in his book, Liv- • Secular individuals has to do for ing the Secular Life. have to build their own going to be a positive creed, it can’t Zuckerman argues Sabbaths. Religious just speak to the rational aspects of our nonbelievers that secular morality people are commanded nature. Secularism has to do for non- what religion is built around individ- to drop worldly con- believers what religion does for be- ual reason, individual cerns. Secular people lievers — arouse the higher emotions, does for choice and individual have to create their own exalt the passions in pursuit of moral responsibility. Instead set times for when to action. Christianity doesn’t rely just believers. of relying on some eye SXOOEDFNDQGUHÀHFWRQ on a mild feeling like empathy; it puts agape at the center of life, a fervent in the sky to tell them spiritual matters. what to do, secular people reason their • Secular people have to fashion DQG VHOÀHVV VDFUL¿FLDO ORYH -XGDLVP way to proper conduct. their own moral motivation. It’s not doesn’t just value community; it val- Secular people, he argues, value au- enough to want to be a decent person. ues a covenantal community infused tonomy over groupthink. They deepen You have to be powerfully motivated with sacred bonds and chosenness that their attachment to this world instead of to behave well. Religious people are make the heart strings vibrate. Reli- focusing on a next one. They may not motivated by their love for God and gions don’t just ask believers to re- ne of the illusions about our If you have memories of a be articulate about why they behave their fervent desire to please Him. spect others; rather each soul is worthy regional economy is that 3DFL¿F 1RUWKZHVW VDZPLOO LQ WKH as they do, he argues, but they try their Secularists have to come up with their of the highest dignity because it radi- to follow the Golden Rule, to be own powerful drive that will compel ates divine light. WLPEHU DQG ¿VKLQJ DUH GHDG RU 1950s and have walked through best The only secularism that can real- considerate and empathetic toward oth- VDFUL¿FHDQGVHUYLFH dying industries. It is true the shape a contemporary mill such as ers. “Secular morality hinges upon little The point is not that secular people ly arouse moral motivation and impel of both have changed considerably +DPSWRQ $I¿OLDWHV LQ :DUUHQWRQ else than not harming others and help- should become religious. You either action is an enchanted secularism, one over the past 40 years. But timber, the contrast is striking. Today’s mills ing those in need,” Zuckerman writes. believe in God or you don’t. Neither WKDWSXWVHPRWLRQDOUHODWLRQV¿UVWDQG As he describes them, secularists the point that religious people are autonomy second. I suspect that over ¿VK SURFHVVLQJ DQG ¿VKLQJ DUH use far fewer people. They depend seem like genial, low-key people who is better than secular people. That de- the next years secularism will change quite alive in Clatsop County. on computers. Contrary to the have discarded metaphysical preju- ¿HVVRFLDOVFLHQFHHYLGHQFHDQGFRP its face and become hotter and more Based on the accepted economic belief that wilderness designations dices and are now leading peaceful mon observation. The point is that an consuming, less content with mere be- standard of three jobs per million reduced sawmill employment, and rewarding lives. But I can’t avoid age of mass secularization is an age nevolence, and more responsive to the the conclusion that the secular writers in which millions of people have put spiritual urge in each of us, the drive board feet of lumber harvested, it automation was the principal cause. are so eager to make the case for their unprecedented moral burdens upon for purity, self-transcendence and appears there are some 900 timber But mills do require a highly creed, they are minimizing the strug- themselves. People who don’t know VDQFWL¿FDWLRQ By DAVID BROOKS New York Times News Service O Timber economy is quite alive O It’s wise to add a jobs fair to Astoria Timber Festival jobs in Clatsop County. This Saturday will see the return of the Astoria Timber Festival — an event that pits high school teams in competition through a variety of events that include axe throwing, climbing and more. It takes place at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. New to this year’s event is a jobs fair. Like all industries and professions, logging and millwork must attract a new generation of workers. Kudos to the festival’s organizers for adding this component. skilled workforce, and these are good jobs. So are jobs in the woods. The largest privately owned timber parcel in Clatsop County has gone through a series of owners over the past 30 years, from Crown Zellerbach to Cavenham to Willamette Industries to Weyerhaeuser to the Campbell Group. This remains a significant resource that creates its own employment base. Good luck to all of the high school teams. And we hope that some of these young people will connect with future employment. Where to write • U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D): 2338 Rayburn HOB, Washing- ton, D.C., 20515. Phone: 202- 225- 0855. Fax 202-225-9497. District RI¿FH 6: 0LOOLNDQ :D\ Suite 220, Beaverton, OR 97005. Phone: 503-326-2901. Fax 503-326- 5066. Web: bonamici.house. gov/ • U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D): +DUW 6HQDWH 2I¿FH %XLOGLQJ Washington, D.C. 20510. Phone: 202-224-3753. Web: www.merkley. senate.gov • State Rep. Brad Witt (D): State Capitol, 900 Court Street N.E., H-373, Salem, OR 97301. Phone: 503-986-1431. Web: www.leg.state. or.us/witt/ Email: rep.bradwitt@ state.or.us • State Rep. Deborah Boone (D): 900 Court St. N.E., H-375, Sa- lem, OR 97301. Phone: 503-986- 1432. Email: rep.deborah boone@ VWDWHRUXV'LVWULFWRI¿FH32%R[ 637, Cannon Beach, OR 97110. Phone: 503-986-1432. Web: www. leg.state.or.us/ boone/ • State Sen. Betsy Johnson (D): State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E., S-314, Salem, OR 97301. Telephone: 503-986-1716. Email: sen.betsy john- son@state.or.us Web: www.betsy- MRKQVRQFRP'LVWULFW2I¿FH32%R[ R, Scappoose, OR 97056. Phone: 503- 543-4046. Fax: 503-543-5296. Astoria RI¿FHSKRQH • Port of Astoria: Executive Di- rector, 10 Pier 1 Suite 308, Astoria, OR 97103. Phone: 503-741-3300. Email: admin@portofastoria.com • Clatsop County Board of Commissioners FR &RXQW\ 0DQ ager, 800 Exchange St., Suite 300, P.O. Box 179, Astoria, OR 97103. Phone: 503-325-1000.