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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 2016)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 FRIDAY EXCHANGE Proud Christian hough I often feel pas- sionate about many issues, I rarely feel motivated to address them publicly any- more, because I believe most people don’t care about any- one else’s opinions; however, , ¿QG P\VHOI FRPSHOOHG WR respond to Carl A. Johnson’s letter in The Daily Astorian’s Open Forum (“Christian val- ues,” April 8). Just because people pro- fessing to be Christians act in a certain manner does not mean WKDW WKH\ DUH UHÀHFWLQJ &KULVW and his teachings. Unfortu- nately, Christ has been misrep- resented since the beginning of time, and will continue to be misrepresented until his return. (Come soon, sweet Jesus.) Christ’s message is one of love, forgiveness and repen- tance of sins; it speaks to the betterment of oneself through charity and compassion for others. I apologize for all the cults out there, including the Catholic Church, that have used, twisted and tarnished the JRVSHOPHVVDJHIRU¿OWK\OXFUH and control over others. As far as the Scripture Mr. Johnson quoted, Timothy 1:2,11,12 — The premise of this scripture is that if a man is truly a God-fearing Chris- tian, as Christ is the head of the church and gave his life for her, so is the husband the head of the wife, and is to give his life for her. As loud and opinionated as I can be, I have no prob- lem being submissive to a strong and godly man. I actu- ally resent the Women’s Liber- ation Movement and see it as a turning point for the degenera- tion of families, (Satan’s great plan), and subsequently, the collapse of a 10-Command- ment based Christian value system that has guided man- kind since the dawn of time. Left to our own devices, well, just look around you — a crumbling and fallen world rife with spiritual orphans ÀDLOLQJ DERXW ORVW DQJU\ DQG scared. I do not worship the same God that the Muslims do: my God would never order me to murder anyone, in fact, I love and pray for my enemies. (A daily affair, as the list seems to increase exponentially.) I will defend our Lord Jesus Christ and his word until he returns to reign in truth and glory. Shame on you, Carl. CONNIE PHILLIPAKIS Astoria the dark money, save our econ- omy from the destruction of concentrated wealth, and stim- ulate healthy economic growth to be shared more broadly. Vote for a fair market dem- ocratic capitalist. Vote Bernie Sanders. CAROL SCHERER Eugene T Stop delaying wish to provide my opin- ion on the April 15 arti- cle published concerning Jes- sica Smith (“Smith will go to state hospital for evaluation,” The Daily Astorian). I believe that the criminal justice system should take mental health seri- ously, but in the case of Jessica Smith, I feel that we must care- fully consider what is at stake. It’s quite possible that Smith is severely depressed. At this time, the trial is set to begin in June 2017, nearly three years after the alleged crime took place. In my opin- ion, the delay in this prosecu- tion process is ridiculous. I understand that it’s important to give both the defense and the prosecution ample time to prepare, but with the excessive pre-trial motions by the defense, this case has simply been dragging on for too long. There comes a time where we must all face the consequences of our actions, and I believe that Smith’s time is far overdue. As District Attorney Joshua Marquis said in court, “the clock starts ticking, and after three years the defense can move to dismiss the case.” I feel that the recent changes in Smith’s mental health are nothing but an act to delay the trial, thus giving her an oppor- tunity to have her case dis- missed. Although I feel that mental health is an extremely important issue to be consid- ered during a trial, I believe that it should never be used for the defense to gain an unfair advantage. In light of her recent sui- cide attempt, I feel that Smith VKRXOG GH¿QLWHO\ EH HYDOX- ated by a professional. I think Judge Cindee Matyas should also take into consideration the possibility that this is all just an act to delay the trial. It’s important that Smith be held I 5A Support school plan have been part of the effort to start a charter school since the closure of our grade school in 2013. I understood that the district didn’t have the funds to maintain the building, or to move it out of the tsunami zone. It seemed that a tuition-free charter school would help the district and our children, since Seaside wouldn’t have to build, purchase or maintain a build- ing, and we would still have 5 to 10-year-old children attend- ing school in town. The district openly opposed XVDW¿UVWEXWWKHQFKDQJHGWDF- tics and said they would allow us to operate. They presented us with a list of “negotiable terms.” Even though the norm is less than four conditions, they gave us 11. We thought we could work with those. We didn’t know there Clatsop County caused a huge upheaval for its clients — that would be no negotiation, fact did not garner a comment no cooperation, no work- in The Daily Astorian. I know ing together. Saying they sup- a lot of people, mostly senior ported us was actually a plan citizens, who had a real tough to stall and weaken our efforts, time making the transition, and while making it appear they cared about Cannon Beach some are still struggling. I was very disappointed grade school students staying that Al Jazeera America went near their families. They very away. It was the one unbi- much want Cannon Beach to ased channel news station that support their efforts to build showed and told what the rest schools in Seaside, but they of the world was doing. It had did not meet once with the great journalists. It showed charter school board to come different cultures, which are a to any sort of compromise. part of our world. It taught and Please don’t believe our explained. It spoke to the issues efforts have been as incompe- that were too in depth and too tent as they would have you off the grid and frankly, too believe. Many have worked smart for most Americans. We very hard to overcome the wouldn’t be in such a pickle if numerous and varied obstacles more people were readers than to opening a charter school. consumers. But now, there’s Any board member would be very little real news to watch happy to tell you what we have anymore. accomplished. And, I am disappointed As an example, when the in journalists on television in Seaside board said we were general. Most of the research VLJQL¿FDQWO\ VKRUW RI IXQGV is poor, way too much hoopla they didn’t count the money and way too little profession- the school district will have alism. Unlike the days of Ted to give us to operate. For Turner, there are times — on some unfathomable reason weekends or holidays, or in the they felt we should have their late evening — that no news state mandated funds in the is available. None. It seems bank. We had all of our build- impossible in this world of ing costs, curriculum funds, technology. supply costs, payroll funds I’m afraid the country is and more than the 10 percent getting dumbed down, and extra that they required. We is beginning to reap what we have been good stewards of have sown. Something needs the funds this community has to change. Join the revolution. donated to us. Vote for Bernie. Of course we want better, MARY TANGUAY safer junior and high schools WEBB in Seaside. We also don’t want Astoria 5-year-olds taking 45-minute bus rides (one way), we want be able to easily volunteer Bernie for president to at our local school, bring for- dolatry of money and corpo- gotten lunches, backpacks, rate socialism are undermin- and homework. We want to be ing democracy and destroying able to get them quickly if they capitalism. When individuals are ill. Not everyone can easily or small groups accumulate leave work and run to Seaside; power, both democracy and not everyone has a vehicle to capitalism are in peril. Peo- do this. I don’t even want to ple are the decision-makers in imagine how long a 5-year-old a democracy and capitalism will be separated from their requires fair competition. family when an earthquake Forbes says approximately collapses roads and bridges. $21 trillion is in offshore In 2014 we had a wonder- accounts set up to avoid taxes. ful vision, which the city coun- The recent disclosure of the cil members of Cannon Beach “Panama Papers” is only the shared when making plans for tip of the iceberg. Huge sums our school to share property so concentrated eventually they purchased south of town. cause economies to collapse. Plans for not just a school, but A democratic capitalist society also a community center for is without such staggering con- gatherings of all kinds. The centrations of wealth. Money possibilities are endless if we EHQH¿WVHFRQRPLHVPXFKPRUH all work together. Please don’t if recycled by increasing num- let this dream die. Thank you bers of citizens with spendable to all who continually support incomes. our efforts. When money is allowed PATTI ROUSE WR ÀRZ IUHHO\ DPRQJ DYHU- Cannon Beach age citizens, it’s “velocity” LV LQFUHDVHG D EHQH¿W VXS- ported by leading economists. McIntosh for judge As a result of Bernie Sanders’ write this letter to urge you economic proposals, which all to vote for Dawn McIn- include a $15 minimum wage, tosh for Circuit Court judge. Asher Edelman, noted Wall , ¿UVW PHW KHU RYHU \HDUV Street expert, says Sanders ago when as a new judge, she is the best candidate for the was a deputy district attorney. economy. She has the experience to han- As a Democratic capital- dle all aspects of a judge of the ist without the support of dark Circuit Court — criminal law, money, Sanders is our only domestic relations and civil opportunity to reclaim our matters. government for the people She will be able to do the and by the people before var- job from day one, and will be ious entrenched establishment a credit to the bench in Clatsop forces, including the Demo- County. She has the judgment cratic and Republican parties, and work ethic to be a great solidify their power. judge. Sanders’ presidency will PAULA J. KURSHNER help ensure our children and Judge, Senior Circuit Court grandchildren are not pawns of Portland I accountable for her actions, in spite of whatever mental health issues she claims to suf- fer from. MEISHA BOETTCHER Astoria sometimes more, than a simple little brew pub and deli could possibly hope to promote. The Gearhart Grocery’s brewing system will not cre- DWHD³¿UHPDQ¶VEDOO´VLW- uation as one panicked indi- vidual complained. For pity’s Vote McIntosh sake, they are a half block have had the pleasure of away from the police station. practicing law in Clat- I sincerely doubt they will sop County for more than 48 be a rowdy den of hedonism years, and have had the oppor- wreaking drunken havoc on tunity to appear before a wide the community. At least not variety and diversity of judges any more than McMenamins, from around the state, as well 3DFL¿F :D\ &DIp WKH *UHDW as Clatsop County, during that Wall or any other of the many time. I believe our county has establishments which sell EHHQZHOOVHUYHGDQGEHQH¿WHG alcoholic beverages and food from the quality of our judges. in this community. A place within walking Dawn McIntosh is the most TXDOL¿HG H[SHULHQFHG DQG distance, and not out on U.S. knowledgeable candidate to Highway 101, where I can continue that strong legacy, sit down to a sandwich and a and has the personal integrity draft beer sounds good to me. If their beer and food is good, to do it right. I have seen Dawn in action I will visit them a lot more fre- and also worked with her quently than I have to date. for a few years. She is hon- Oops. That might make them a est and thorough in her work. VXFFHVVIXOSUR¿WDEOHEXVLQHVV She knows the law, and has the But darn, I’ll have to drive to strength and fortitude to man- Astoria to get the Columbia age the courtroom and dis- River Coffee Roasters coffee I like. How inconvenient. pense justice fairly. BILL GRAFFIUS Dawn has more experience Gearhart in some of the toughest cases than any other candidate, and her knowledge of courtroom procedures and rules of evi- The lost are blind dence along with her decisive- ebuttal to Carl A. John- ness make her perfectly suited son’s letter (“Christian to serve as judge. values?” The Daily Astorian, I encourage you to join with April 8): Mr. Johnson, I invite me in extending the legacy of you to a public discussion a strong judiciary and casting regarding Judeo-Christian val- your vote for Dawn McIntosh ues, the history (actually her- as the next circuit court judge. itage) of our country, and the STEVEN T. CAMPBELL impact of Judeo-Christian val- Seaside ues on not only our country, but western civilization from the time Paul the Apostle took Let there be brew the Gospel of Jesus Christ west he controversy over Gear- until our present day. The correlation between hart Grocery turning itself into a brewpub and deli is Paul’s westward delivery of laughable at best, sadly igno- the Gospel (he was specif- rant at worst. I am in favor of ically hindered from going the owners doing what they east), and the subsequent dom- need to do to make their busi- LQDQFHRI¿UVWZHVWHUQ(XURSH QHVV SUR¿WDEOH DQG VXFFHVV- and second the U.S., on the ful. That they have managed world scene is not secular to survive as long as they have coincidence — it is a divinely speaks only to their work ethic ordained outcome. Your statement that “this — nothing else. I live within walking dis- country is great because of tance to Gearhart Grocery. I diversity and the freedom of rarely shop there unless for choice” ignores the correlation emergency needs, or because just outlined, as well as the cor- it’s the only place locally that relation of the disintegration carries the coffee I like. I’ll RI¿UVWWKH%ULWLVK(PSLUHDV miss that coffee, but the own- she fell away from her Chris- ers are under no obligation tian faith, and now, the slide whatsoever to remain open of the U.S. as we have, tragi- simply for my convenience. cally, followed in her footsteps As long-time Gearhart Gro- as we continue to erase God cery employee Alyssa Logan — the god of Abraham, Isaac said, “although people love us, and Joseph, and his son, Jesus they do not shop here nearly Christ, “who is God manifest enough for us be a successful, LQWKHÀHVK´IURPRXUQDWLRQDO SUR¿WDEOH EXVLQHVV´ ³*HDU- conscience. By the way, the Book of hart Grocery,” The Daily Asto- Romans (authorized ver- rian, April 1). Nostalgically opining about sion) in Chapter 1, verse 28 corner neighborhood gro- states: “And even as they did ceries is foolish. Times have not like to retain God in their changed. Get over it. Or pur- knowledge, God gave them chase the grocery and put some over to a reprobate mind, to sweat equity into your nostal- do those things which are not gia, while praying it doesn’t convenient.” Because God is true and his drain your bank account. If it’s the Gearhart Com- word truth, we understand that prehensive Plan you want to as America has not “retained cite, then close every gift shop, God in their knowledge,” he restaurant, hotel, bed and has given us over, nation- breakfast, recreational vehicle ally, to a reprobate mind — park, antique store, real estate and hence our national leader- RI¿FH VWRUH VHOOLQJ FODPPLQJ ship is unable to govern as it JHDU RU VKHOO¿VK OLFHQVHV HWF should, and our nation contin- in town. They all promote ues to slide. Consider the correlation tourism every bit as much, I R T between increased divorce rates, violent crime, drug abuse, academic performance by our high school students, the rise of the national debt and the general weakening of our country with 1963, the year we banned the reading the Bible and prayer in our public schools. Consider again that he held our leader accountable later that year. Thank you for the opportu- nity to encourage the brethren to be bold in their faith. GARY MAURO Warrenton Bait and switch KLV LV KRZ ¿VKHULHV PDQ- agement in the state of Washington works: First, you advertise in January that we are expecting the biggest run RI¿VKWKLV\HDULQWKH&ROXP- bia River since 1938. You then RSHQ ¿VKLQJ ZKHQ WKHUH DUH YHU\IHZ¿VKLQWKHULYHU On April 1, you sell all WKH H[FLWHG ¿VKHUPDQ WKHLU UHTXLUHG QHZ ¿VKLQJ OLFHQVH for the year. On April 8, when WKH¿VKDUH¿QDOO\LQWKHULYHU \RX FORVH DOO ¿VKLQJ $OO WKH ¿VKJRXSWKHULYHUWREHJLOO- netted above the dam, the lower river sport and commer- FLDO¿VKHUPDQJHWIHZ¿VKDQG the game department gets all the money. A very good busi- ness deal. The game department’s recent emergency closure, with little advance warning, on the last day of an already short sea- son, was an unwise decision. I found out about the Saturday closure on Friday afternoon. We had bought bait, tackle and food. We had friends and fam- ily coming from as far away as Seattle. Two of these people had taken time off from their jobs. This decision affected a lot of other people with similar circumstances. Businesses and profes- sional guides had counted on WKLVGD\IRU¿VKLQJ,IWKH¿VK runs are in such dire condi- tions, then they should never KDYH EHHQ RSHQHG LQ WKH ¿UVW place. They say that if the run improves, they may reopen the river at a later date. Wouldn’t a better decision to have been to leave the river open the one more scheduled day, and then maybe reopen it a day or two later in the late season? The game department’s management policies seem to be doing a disservice to the ¿VKHULHVUHVRXUFHDQGWKHFLWL- zens who are trying to enjoy it. RON SPAHMAN Ocean Park, Washington T We need Bernie am very proud of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley for endorsing Bernie Sanders, because he is the candidate who mirrors Merkley’s own concerns in his campaigns. We still need free trade, access to health care, economic equality and cam- SDLJQ¿QDQFHUHIRUP%HUQLHLV the only one of the candidates who promotes these issues, that have been the bane of the American people for so long. I’m glad he has a fellow trav- eler in Sen. Merkley. But that seems to be where my pride ends. The sudden closing of Bank of America in I I I