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
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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
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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
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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”
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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,
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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
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agement in the state of
Washington works: First, you
advertise in January that we
are expecting the biggest run
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bia River since 1938. You then
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YHU\IHZ¿VKLQWKHULYHU
On April 1, you sell all
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for the year. On April 8, when
WKH¿VKDUH¿QDOO\LQWKHULYHU
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¿VKJRXSWKHULYHUWREHJLOO-
netted above the dam, the
lower river sport and commer-
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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
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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
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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
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