4A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
JIM VAN NOSTRAND
Editor
Founded in 1873
JEREMY FELDMAN
Circulation Manager
DEBRA BLOOM
Business Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
CARL EARL
Systems Manager
OUR VIEWS
The logical ends
of political hate
B
umper stickers proclaim, “Kate
Brown is not my governor.”
T-shirts, magnets and decals
declare, “Donald Trump is not my
president.”
Those items are reprehensible.
They are far from the magnitude
of the shootings at a Pittsburgh syna-
gogue and the mailings of pipe bombs
to high-profile detractors of President
Trump.
But they are dangerous to our polit-
ical souls and those around us, if not
to our physical bodies. Kate Brown in
Oregon and Donald Trump in America
hold public offices that represent all of
us, regardless of whether we agree with
them or not.
Public disagreement and civilized
protest can be a sign of a healthy repub-
lic, but defining your life by the protest
can be destructive.
It certainly appears to have been for
Cesar Sayoc, who has been charged
with sending pipe bombs to promi-
nent Democrats. His ardent support for
Trump isn’t what defined his life — his
hatred toward others is.
Ronald Lowy, a lawyer for Sayoc’s
family, described it well in a New York
Times interview: “He lacked an iden-
tity. He created a persona.”
That persona was stoked anony-
mously in a like-minded online com-
munity, and his actions, while ulti-
mately failing their intended purpose,
showed the logical conclusion to such
rage.
In Pittsburgh, the consequences of
that anger were tragic, as 11 people
were gunned down during religious
worship.
Although it will come as news to
many partisans, political views can be
polar opposite and legitimate. Neither
Brown nor Trump deserves vilifica-
tion. Neither one merits being called an
extremist.
Trump has intensified America’s
political and cultural divides through
his polarizing, us-vs.-them mentality.
Sadly, many Democrats have responded
in kind. There is no good end to this
game. Such rhetoric might be appropri-
ate for a football coach; but in politics,
America needs more of the rugby or
lacrosse style in which opponents bat-
tle fiercely on the field and then join for
pizza afterward.
This is not a plea for everyone to
play nicely, although that would be
good. We know that one editorial can-
not cause a person to say, “By golly,
now I know I shouldn’t vilify my politi-
cal foes — just like I shouldn’t run with
scissors or play with lighters!”
Rather, we humbly suggest that if
people are dismayed by the current
political tenor — we believe most are
— that they take it upon themselves to
change the tone. This might sound like
a contradiction, but the place to start is
with those who share their views — the
candidates, political parties and organi-
zations whom they support.
No one can change the other per-
son, regardless of how much argu-
ing takes place. Research indicates that
such arguing usually cements a person’s
existing view. Instead, people have
greater opportunity to influence the
like-minded individuals who already
have their trust. Together, help them see
the value in pulling back on the rhetoric
and reclaiming truth instead of pushing
insinuation.
Consider what could happen if voters
demonstrated irrevocable civility and
demanded civility from the candidates
they supported. Until that becomes the
societal expectation, the current politi-
cal climate will only worsen.
A place to start is Oregon’s guber-
natorial race, where both major candi-
dates and their allies have been compet-
ing over who can wallow deeper in the
gutters of political slime, mistruths and
negativity.
Kate Brown and Knute Buehler are
both decent individuals, though you
would not know that from the oppo-
sition campaign ads. Both deserve
respect for aspiring to the office of gov-
ernor. Neither is perfect. Yet after the
election, one will have the task of uni-
fying Oregon.
The Daily Astorian
State Sen. Betsy Johnson and Shawn Teevin share a laugh during
the Knappa Schools Foundation’s auction at Knappa High School.
The clearest choice
on the ballot
ur final and most emphatic
endorsement goes to state Sen.
Betsy Johnson, who is a force of
nature on behalf of her constituency.
Her re-election campaign has been
no less vigorous than prior years even
though she does not have serious
opposition.
Ray Biggs, a little-known member of
the Constitution Party from Columbia
City, is running against her. While we
admire anyone who steps up to the plate,
especially doing so to prevent an incum-
bent being re-elected unopposed, Biggs
has not offered any sound reasons why
anyone would want to replace Johnson
with him.
Johnson’s commitment to a life-
time of public service was learned as a
girl watching the example of her father,
Sam Johnson, who served seven terms
in the Oregon House in the 1960s and
1970s and was mayor of Redmond, and
her mother, Becky, who served on state
boards.
Charitable contributions through the
Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, which
her parents created, have consider-
ably enhanced organizations throughout
Oregon.
A resident of Scappoose, Betsy
Johnson served the Port of St. Helens
and the Columbia County Health
District, and lobbied on behalf of avi-
ation interests before working for the
state, managing the aeronautics divi-
sion of the Oregon Department of
Transportation, which she helped create.
Following in her father’s footsteps,
she served first in the House then took
O
over the District 16 Senate seat when
Joan Dukes retired. This will be her
fourth term in the upper house in Salem,
representing the differing communities
in Clatsop and Columbia counties with
equal vigor.
When critics complain about pol-
iticians not representing the people,
Betsy Johnson is the asterisk. “Everyone
except Betsy, of course.”
She is a tireless dynamo, working
long hours on myriad subjects from log-
ging to fishing to education to health. It
is remarkable that Johnson seems to find
more hours in the day than just about
anyone you will meet.
Trained as a lawyer, skilled as a pilot,
Johnson’s approach is deeply rooted in
a respect for every resident of the state,
carrying on Oregon’s traditions within
the legal framework, making modi-
fications where necessary as society
changes. And she does so in a refreshing,
personable manner which exhibits her
caring nature.
People unused to voting for
Democrats might pause. But there is no
need. Johnson’s commitment to encour-
aging bipartisan consensus in Salem is
something she lives out on a daily basis.
In fact, anyone who has followed
her career would laugh at the idea of
her being the proverbial “cookie-cutter”
Democrat. Many liberal Democrats fault
her because she sometimes votes with
Republicans, especially on gun and crim-
inal justice issues. We believe that shows
she is in sync with her constituents.
We urge a positive check mark next to
Betsy Johnson’s name.
GUEST COLUMN
I will vote
By JULIE FOSS
For The Daily Astorian
o matter where I am, who is running, or
what the position is, I will always vote.
I will always mail my ballot in or go
to the nearest voting booth because my voice
is a unique one nobody else has. Not a single
other person in this country articulates their
thoughts the same way to formulate opinions
the way I do; not one person has experienced
the same challenges to help form opinions of
importance.
My life is unique, and therefore my vote is
a reflection of what I find important. As a child
of a Coast Guard member, I acknowledge and
respect service members for their sacrifice.
Not only has my dad sacrificed parts of his
life, but I have as well.
As a first generation Egyptian-American, I
also have connection to an entire spectrum of
experiences that are quite different than just
being connected to the military.
I have watched Islam, my religion, be per-
secuted by people who claim to hold American
values.
I understand and sympathize with immi-
grants of all kinds because these are the expe-
riences of my mom and grandparents. That is
why I will always vote: to support candidates
who want to see equality and support for all
people in this country.
My vote reflects a multileveled spectrum of
opinions, and what I have to say is important
to create a balanced America.
Another reason I will always vote is my
passion for equal health care. Four years ago, I
had a 12-hour spinal surgery to position spinal
rods in order to straighten drastic curvatures.
Having scoliosis and going through that expe-
rience has caused me to find all health care
issues of extreme importance.
N
ESSAY CONTEST
High school students in Clatsop and Pacific counties participated in an essay contest sponsored
by Indivisible North Coast Oregon and the American Association of University Women in Astoria
and Seaside. The theme was “I will vote.”
• First place ($250): Julie Foss, senior, Astoria High School
• Second place ($150): Travis Popkin, sophomore, Naselle-Grays River Valley School
From left, Eric Halperin and Laurie Caplan,
from Indivisible North Coast Oregon; Ju-
lie Foss, from Astoria High School; Mag-
gie Blaser, from Astoria High School; Kar-
en Beck, from the American Association
of University Women in Seaside; and Liz
Bartell, from the American Association of
University Women in Astoria.
• Third place ($100): Maggie Blaser, junior, Astoria High School
I realize that medical situations can affect
one’s life when least expected, and I find it
important to vote someone in who pushes an
agenda that includes equal access to health
care.
I was fortunate enough to receive care at
a children’s hospital that covered all costs
for families, but not everyone is in a similar
situation.
I represent a unique and diverse demo-
graphic that includes race, religion, family life-
style and medical situations. My opinions on
voting reflect that as well. I will always vote to
make sure my voice is represented, that I vote
for someone who strives to improve diversity.
Everyone has different experiences, good and
bad, that shape the way they think, and I will
always vote for someone who realizes that.
Julie Foss is a senior at Astoria High
School.