OPINION
6A
T HE
D AILY A STORIAN
‘Inside the Coast Guard’ class takes off
By ERHARD GROSS
For The Daily Astorian
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
Now is the time for
water-rights reform
E
normous splotches of cancer-like drought consuming
some of a nation’s most productive agricultural lands: If
CIA analysts saw the same thing happening in Africa, Asia or
Latin America, they would warn of near-term economic and
social upheaval. It’s happening here in America and though
nobody is predicting food riots right away, a substantial gov-
ernmental and personal response is essential.
The U.S. Drought Monitor
(droughtmonitor.unl.edu)
has
been a source of worry for sever-
al years but is particularly worri-
some this spring. With the excep-
tion of Montana and Wyoming,
the mainland Western states are
on track to repeat the dry pat-
tern of recent years. Now in late
March when conditions might
usually be expected to be moist,
60 percent of the West has some
degree of water shortage — 7.23
percent in the worst, exceptional
form of dead dryness. Years of
this means that stored water and
groundwater are being rapidly
depleted. By its definition, NASA
warned this month that California
is working its way through its last
year of water.
Crucial food-growing areas
of California and Midwestern
states like Kansas are in the grip
of conditions that will drive up
food prices, putting greater strain
on families that already strug-
gle to balance monthly expenses.
Affordable food has been one of
America’s key advantages. The
California Farm Water Coalition
points out U.S. consumers pay
just 6.2 percent of their dispos-
able income on food, compared to
10.2 percent in 28 other high-in-
come countries. At the same 10.2
percent rate, U.S. families would
have to increase the amount they
spend on their food budget by al-
most $4,000 per year, the coali-
tion’s Mike Wade commented to
The Wall Street Journal.
Allocating water in a time of
scarcity will stretch the current
boundaries of legal ingenuity.
Water law is a topic highly pecu-
OLDU WR WKH 86 :HVW D ¿HOG WKDW
has sparked epic lawsuits and actu-
al shootouts. We’re fast coming to
a time when this untouchable topic
will have to be dealt with. As an
Oregon State University Extension
crop scientists told The Oregonian
last week, “At what point does it go
from being a dry spell to just hav-
ing to accept where we are today
and where we’re going?”
This crisis is generating a
lot of discussion. In Southern
Oregon, water users are awaiting
congressional authorization of a
set of agreements that will help
settle water-sharing issues be-
tween farms, tribes and wildlife.
In California, a venture capitalist
and a journalist have proposed a
new free market to buy and sell
water like any other commodi-
ty, rather than narrowly linking
VSHFL¿F ZDWHU WR VSHFL¿F ODQG DV
the law now mandates. Other re-
sponses include a Facebook cam-
paign seeking to make vegetable
gardening a standard offering in
public schools.
Western water was initially par-
FHOHGRXWEDVHGRQZKRPHYHU¿UVW
began using it for certain recog-
QL]HG EHQH¿FLDO SXUSRVHV ² XVX
ally by 19th century farmers and
ranchers, and then eventually by
growing cities. Byzantine court de-
cisions and rural politics driven by
property-rights philosophies make
LW DVWRXQGLQJO\ GLI¿FXOW WR HIIHFW
changes in this system.
Changes must happen. Like
requisitioning iron in a time of
war, a time is fast approaching
when we will be forced to develop
ways to get water where it will do
the most good. Having these de-
bates now will be the best way to
avoid food-price shocks and un-
necessarily harsh impacts on pri-
vate water rights.
T
he U.S. Coast Guard Sector
Lower Columbia as well as
all three ships are always on the
alert.
The men and woman of the lo-
cal command perform a multitude
of functions from regulating river
WUDI¿F WR GUXJ LQWHUGLFWLRQ ERDWLQJ
safety to the all-important rescue
missions.
We read about some of these ac-
tivities in the local newspapers and
see occasional TV coverage.
Some of our citizens have con-
tact with members of the local con-
WLQJHQW DQG ¿QG WKDW WKHUH LV D ORW
more than meets the eye. In order to
provide more detail on the complex
operations of what we see on almost
a daily basis, ENCORE (Experi-
ence New Concepts of Retirement
Education) has, in cooperation with
CG Sector Columbia River, orga-
nized a program called “Inside the
Coast Guard.” It provides a detailed
look behind the scenes: Who makes
which decisions for what opera-
tions, geographic distribution of as-
sets and the ultimate responsibility?
The local helicopters and res-
cue personnel, for instance, receive
their orders from the commander of
the 13th Coast Guard District (Seat-
tle). The cutters Steadfast and Alert
UHFHLYHWKHLURUGHUVIURPWKH3DFL¿F
Command (Alameda, Calif). Cutter
Fir gets its orders from various of-
¿FHVLQ6HDWWOH
Encore and the local sector
commenced detailed planning for
the program in November. By ear-
ly February, all dates and venues
for the different aspects were in
place. The three components of
the Coast Guard had designated
their project officers, and Encore
prepared for printing of schedules
and promotional materials. Sector
commanding officer Capt. Daniel
Travers had the opening session
on his schedule. The mayors and
city managers of Astoria and War-
renton were invited to participate
Submitted photo
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alert pauses for a quick photo
while refueling in San Diego.
SCHEDULE
Air Station Astoria, March 31,
bus departure: 9:30 a.m.
USCG Cutter Steadfast, April 7,
Maritime Museum
USCG Cutter Fir, April 14,
Tongue Point, 9:30 a.m.
Air Station Astoria, April 21, 9:30
a.m.
Motor Lifeboat School, April 28,
Cape Disappointment, Wash., 9
a.m.
For information, call 503-338-
2566.
in welcoming the listeners and
elaborate on the significance of
the Coast Guard to their commu-
nities.
The day after Encore had its
posters printed, the project repre-
sentative for the Sector, Lt. Cmdr.
Joshua Nelson called to say that
cutter Fir would not be available at
its appointed date of April 21. Fir
would be at sea on that date. For-
tunately, Nelson was able to switch
the second session with the Air Sta-
tion to April 21 and the Fir to April
14. Among the Fir’s divers duties
is corralling wayward buoys. Lt.
Cmdr. Kristen Serumgard, captain
is her skipper.
This area is fortunate to have the
Steadfast back in port for the sched-
uled session on April 7. Its captain,
Cmdr. Bitterman, reports that the
ship’s engine problems during the
last patrol in Central American wa-
ters delayed its return by several
ZHHNV +H DQG KLV SURMHFW RI¿FHU
Lt. David Kent, have designed a
promising program for the public,
starting with a reception at the Mar-
itime Museum and subsequent visit
to the ship itself.
7KH¿QDOVHVVLRQRIWKHSURJUDP
April 28, will take place at the Mo-
tor Life Boat School at Cape Dis-
appointment. Very few locals have
had the privilege to visit the only
training facility of its kind in the
8QLWHG6WDWHV,WVFRPPDQGLQJRI¿
cer, Lt. Scott McGrew, will allow us
an insight into his training program
and assets.
The Coast Guard is an agency
of the U.S. Department of Home-
land Security. Encore has hired a
secure bus from the Astoria School
District to convey participants free
of charge from the Maritime Muse-
um to and from all program loca-
tions. Cutter Alert, too, is back in
its home port.
It has been a pleasure working
with all the personnel who have
assisted us in putting together a
valuable service to our Coast Guard
units and the local communities.
The GOP racing form: First edition
By CHARLES
KRAUTHAMMER
Washington Post Writers Group
WASHINGTON —No point in
wasting time on the Democratic
¿HOG7KHUHLVQRQH7KHRQO\WKLQJ
that can stop Hillary Clinton is an
act of God, and he seems otherwise
occupied. As does Elizabeth War-
ren, the only Democrat who could
conceivably defeat her.
On to the GOP.
First Tier:
1. Marco Rubio. Trails badly in
current polls, ranking seventh at 5
percent, but high upside potential.
Assets: Foreign policy looms
uncharacteristically large in the cur-
rent cycle, and Rubio is the most
NQRZOHGJHDEOH DQG ÀXHQW FXUUHQW
contender on everything from Rus-
sia to Cuba to the Middle East. The
son of Cuban immigrants, he can
EUHDNLQWRÀDZOHVV6SDQLVKVRFDQ
Jeb Bush) and speak passionately
about the American story in a par-
ty that lost the Hispanic vote by 44
points in 2012.
Liabilities (in the primaries):
His Gang of Eight immigration
apostasy, though his current en-
forcement-first position has wide
appeal. Second, after Barack
Obama, will voters want another
first-term senator with no execu-
tive experience? (Same for Cruz
he malady of our national
There is a certain impracticality and Paul.)
politics is the illusion of total to repealing the Affordable Care Act.
Major appeal: Fresh, young, dy-
victory as opposed to compromise. This rhetoric resembles Sen. Ted namic persona is a powerful coun-
It resembles religious warfare in Cruz’ sweeping statement last week, terpoint to Clinton fatigue.
Odds: 3-1.
which the participants are more in- that he would eliminate the Internal
2. Jeb Bush. The consensus fa-
terested in prevailing ideologically Revenue Service if elected president. vorite (though I remain a bit skep-
than achieving a practical outcome
7KLVLVKDUGO\WKH¿UVWWLPHWKDW tical). Solid, soft-spoken, serious,
that involves the other side.
a president or would-be president with executive experience and sig-
Nowhere is that pattern of be- let emotion trump common sense. QL¿FDQW DFKLHYHPHQWV DV JRYHUQRU
havior more apparent than with As Garry Wills noted, John F. What he lacks in passion, he makes
Obamacare. President Barack Kennedy’s inaugural address made up for in substance. And he has
shown backbone in sticking to his
Obama’s landmark legislative ac- sweeping promises that sounded semi-heretical positions on immi-
complishment is now the obses- good and indeed now are part of gration and Common Core.
Obvious liability: His name.
sion of the Republican Party. The the nation’s top political sound
Affordable Care Act is the GOP’s bites. But JFK’s rhetoric could not
prime target, not because the act rationally be realized.
would insure more Americans,
Who gets left out in all of this is
which has popularity. It is because us, the citizens. As the Times not-
• U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici
Obama is the bete noire of the par- ed, “The act’s most tangible effect (D): 2338 Rayburn HOB, Washing-
ty’s base.
... has been to eliminate some of the ton, D.C., 20515. Phone: 202- 225-
2Q WKH ¿IWK DQQLYHUVDU\ RI worst abuses that health insurers 0855. Fax 202-225-9497. District
RI¿FH 6: 0LOOLNDQ :D\
Obamacare, the Los Angeles Times practiced on customers not covered Suite 220, Beaverton, OR 97005.
argued that, “...(T)he rational thing by group policies, especially those Phone: 503-326-2901. Fax 503-326-
for lawmakers to do now would with preexisting medical condi- 5066. Web: bonamici.house. gov/
• U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D):
be to build on that progress. But tions.” It has “sharply reversed the
LPSURYLQJ WKH DFW RU HYHQ ¿[ years-long increase in the number +DUW 6HQDWH 2I¿FH %XLOGLQJ
Washington, D.C. 20510. Phone:
ing its glitches has never been an of people who are uninsured.”
202-224-3753. Web: www.merkley.
option because the debate over
That
is
progress,
and senate.gov
Obamacare has always been politi- Republicans ought to build on that,
• State Rep. Brad Witt (D):
cal, not rational.”
UH¿QHLWDQGPDNHLWEHWWHU
State Capitol, 900 Court Street N.E.,
Build on progress
T
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015
Republican obsession with
Obamacare delivers no value
campaign. Has developed
True, it helps him raise
a solid following. Could
tens of millions of dollars,
break out, especially in
but it saddles him with
debate. 15-1.
legacy and dynastic issues
6. Mike Huckabee.
that negate the inherent
Great name recognition,
GOP advantage of run-
affable, popular. But
ning a new vs. old, not-
KLJKO\ LGHQWL¿HG ZLWK
again campaign against
social/cultural issues —
Hillary.
how far can that carry
Odds: 7-2.
him beyond Iowa and
6FRWW:DONHU$ ¿QH
Charles
evangelicals?
15-1.
record of conservative
Krauthammer
7. Rand Paul. Events
achievement. Has shown
have conspired against
guts and leadership in
taking on labor unions and winning him. Obama’s setbacks and humili-
WKUHH HOHFWLRQV ¿YH LI \RX FRXQW ations abroad have created a nation-
proxy elections) against highly ener- al mood less conducive to Paul’s
non-interventionism. His nearly
gized Democrats.
Good, rousing speech in Iowa, KRXUDQWLGURQH¿OLEXVWHUZRXOG
EXWKDVVWXPEOHGVLQFHÀXEELQJURX QRWÀ\WRGD\,VWU\LQJWRWDFNEDFN
tine questions on evolution and pa- even signing the anti-Iran-deal let-
triotism, then appearing to compare ter of the 47 senators. Strong youth
the Islamic State to Wisconsin dem- appeal, though outreach to minori-
onstrators. Rookie mistakes, easily ties less successful thus far. Bottom
forgotten — if he learns from them. OLQH+LJKÀRRURIGHYRWHGOLEHUWDU
3DQGHUHGRQHWKDQRODQG¿UHGD ians; low ceiling in today’s climate.
staffer who complained about Io- 30-1.
Longer Shots:
ZD¶V XQZDUUDQWHG LQÀXHQFH 6XUH
8. Carly Fiorina. Getting her
everyone panders to Iowa, but
Walker’s calling card is standing up footing. Given current societal ta-
boos, she is best placed to attack
to pressure.
Most encouraging sign: ability Hillary and has done so effectively.
to maintain altitude after meteoric Can she do a Huckabee 2008 and,
rise. Numbers remain steady. And WKURXJK GHEDWHV YDXOW WR WKH ¿UVW
tier? Unlikely. But because she’s
his speeches continue to impress.
talented and disciplined, not impos-
Odds: 4-1.
sible. 50-1.
Second Tier:
9. Ben Carson. Polling high, but
4. Chris Christie. Some politicians
have their one moment. Christie is a novice making cringe-worthy
might have missed his in 2012 when gaffes, for example, on the origins
his fearless in-your-face persona was of Islam and on gay choice (“a lot
refreshingly new. Over time, how- of people who go into prison go into
ever, in-your-face can wear badly. prison straight, and when they come
That plus Bridgegate cost him trac- out, they’re gay”). And not knowing
WLRQDQGGURSSHGKLPRXWRIWKH¿UVW that the Baltic States are in NATO.
tier. Biggest problem: being boxed Truly good man, brilliant doctor,
RXW LGHRORJLFDOO\ DQG ¿QDQFLDOO\ E\ great patriot. But not ready for the big
Jeb Bush for the relatively-moder- leagues. Chance of winning? Zero.
Others:
ate-governor-with-cross-aisle-ap-
Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry, Rick
peal slot. 12-1.
7HG &UX] *UDQG ÀRULG FDP Santorum and John Kasich — still
paign launch with matching rheto- below radar. If they surface, they’ll
ric. Straightforward base-oriented be featured in the next racing form.
Where to write
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: c/o County Man-
ager, 800 Exchange St., Suite 410,
Astoria, OR 97103. Phone: 503-325-
1000.