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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2021)
A4 THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, JANuARy 21, 2021 OPINION editor@dailyastorian.com KARI BORGEN Publisher DERRICK DePLEDGE Editor Founded in 1873 JEREMY FELDMAN Circulation Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN Production Manager CARL EARL Systems Manager OUR VIEW A reset on climate and infrastructure P resident Joe Biden has the opportunity for a reset on climate change and infrastructure. On the North Coast, we are vul- nerable to rising sea levels, land- slides and wildfires. Our economic survival depends on preserving the Columbia River as a vital ship- ping channel, improving the Port of Astoria, strengthening our high- ways, roads and bridges and pre- paring for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami. We look to the federal gov- ernment to have the foresight to address climate change and the wisdom to invest in infrastructure. For the past four years, that fore- sight and wisdom has been absent. We agree with President Biden that climate change is an existen- tial threat. On the international stage, we believe the United States should recommit to the Paris cli- mate accord and pressure other major polluters, particularly China, to take stronger steps to contain greenhouse gas emissions. On the national stage, we favor the move away from coal as an elec- tric power source and incentives for the auto industry to convert to cleaner-burning fuel and electric vehicles. Last year, we changed our mind and supported cap and trade before the Oregon Legislature as a step forward on climate change after opposing House Bill 2020 in 2019. While Oregon should not wait for the federal government to take action, we think regional and national approaches have the Hailey Hoffman/The Astorian Addressing climate change and investing in infrastructure are priorities for our region. potential to be the most successful. Infrastructure is an essential component of Biden’s climate agenda. The chance for a clean energy future and new jobs that position the United States to com- pete in the global economy is in front of us. But investments in infrastruc- ture can happen on a separate track. Climate change remains politically polarizing and it will take time and patience to reach consensus. The bipartisan enthusiasm for an infra- structure package has only grown during the coronavirus pandemic. Biden intends to unveil a “Build Back Better Recovery Plan” in February that could serve as an out- line for Congress. In a speech last week, the Democrat referred to reviving the nation’s manufacturing sector and significant investments in research and development for new technology. Given four years where “Infra- structure Week” became a punch- line on Twitter, the new president shouldn’t overpromise. A bread- and-butter blueprint would be fine. “It’s time to stop talking about infrastructure and finally start building it,” Biden said. “Millions of good-paying jobs that put Amer- icans to work rebuilding our roads, bridges and ports to make them more climate resilient, to make it faster, cheaper and cleaner to trans- port American-made goods across our country and around the world.” We hope the Biden administra- tion works collaboratively with Democrats and Republicans to craft a spending plan that can reach the states as soon as possible. State and local governments can leverage the federal money and upgrade crum- bling infrastructure. While we would place the Port and some of our highways and bridges at the top of the priority list on the North Coast, we also would like to close the broadband gap that deprives too many rural communi- ties of high-speed internet access. There is a tendency after a pres- idential election to raise expecta- tions about what is possible. We expect Biden to lead on climate change, but we don’t think the president — or any one leader — can magically solve the problem. We know an infrastructure pack- age is achievable. And we do expect Biden and a Congress con- trolled by Democrats to deliver. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Concerned Shared version A T mong the many abuses of power that President Donald Trump has com- mitted, I am concerned that he will pardon those who will be convicted of acts related to the insurrection that occurred in our nation’s capital on Jan. 6. Some suggestions for the criteria for presidential pardons might include the following: • Presidents should not be allowed to self-pardon. • Vice presidents who assume the pres- idency in the event of a conviction should not be allowed to pardon their predecessor without the consent of two-thirds majority of both houses. • Crimes that involve campaign finance laws, tax evasion, insurrection and other politically-related chicanery should not be pardoned that were committed under that respective president’s administration. If any of your readers agree with these sentiments, I encourage them to contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Demo- cratic leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici to consider these suggestions. Pelosi and Schumer do have contact options on their websites that allow resi- dents not living in their jurisdictions to pro- vide feedback regarding citizen concerns. DUANE THOMPSON Seaside Criminal s an octogenarian, I find it difficult to wrap my brain around the “new nor- mal” that exists for our young children and young adults. I was shaken to the core by the follow- ing quote in an editorial regarding Jan. 6 by Theunis Bates, the managing editor of The Week magazine: “During the Capitol siege, young staffers for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took cover in a conference room, barricaded the door, turned off the lights and hid under a table in silence … survival tactics they had learned growing up with active-shooter drills in schools.” My heart is breaking for our young peo- ple and the terrible things that we adults are doing to their lives, their futures and their world. It is beyond unfair, it is criminal. Shame, shame on us. LARRY ALLEN Astoria A o have a civil society, we must have a shared version of facts and reality. President Donald Trump tells the world he won the election in a landslide. That is not true. He lost by seven million popu- lar votes, and he lost the Electoral College vote 306-232. He says the states must investigate to find election fraud. They did. There was none. He says the courts must look at the evidence of election fraud. They did. There was no evidence; that’s why the court cases were dismissed. Those who study tyrannical leaders have labeled such a gambit “the big lie.” Tyrants create a false version of reality. By strength of personality, and playing on fears and prejudices of the populace, they convince their followers of events that are not true or real. Trumpism is built on the big lie. Sup- porters say they are abiding by the Consti- tution. They are not; they are subverting it. They say they are protecting democ- racy. They are not; they are trying to over- throw it. They accuse Vice President Mike Pence and elected representatives of being trai- tors. They are not. They acted per the Con- stitution to certify what our nation’s secu- rity agencies have assured the world was a free and fair election. Followers claim to be patriots. They are not; they are sedition- ists mounting an insurrection. Trumpism is anti-democratic, and infused with racism, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, conspiracy, violent rhetoric and lies. It is time for Republicans to turn away from Trumpism and rejoin civil society. ERIC HALPERIN Gearhart Stand up for truth A n open letter to the Clatsop County Republican Party and its Central Committee chairmen/chairwomen and delegates: In light of the violent insurgence and protests in Washington, D.C., driven by the rhetoric and instructions spelled out by President Donald Trump to fight, be strong and march to the Capitol to make your voices be heard— as he continued to repeat unfounded claims of election fraud — it is your civic duty and responsibility as representatives of Clatsop County and the Republican Party to help end this tide of misinformation and division by directly denouncing the lie that the 2020 presiden- tial election was “stolen.” Study the facts from a variety of sources. There is no evidence presented, despite over 50 lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign. No judge, even those Trump appointed, found any viable proof, which is the very thing this country is based on. If you do not denounce those who refused to accept the results, you are com- plicit in the violence that occurred and could once again follow, even in our own Oregon State Capitol. Follow the lead of the growing number of Republican leaders around the county, stand up for truth. But not truth based on a limited viewpoint, but based in facts and the U.S. systems of justice, law, democracy and decency. Certify the election results, publicly. Help heal the nation. JUDITH P. NILAND Astoria Trump’s lie A dolf Hitler once said, “Tell a lie loud enough and long enough, and people will believe it.” President Donald Trump has taken this advice, and for the past two months has lied to the American people that he won the 2020 election. Now, he has used this lie to enrage peo- ple into committing violence against our nation’s Capitol, which has left citizens dead and others injured. The truth is he lost. There was no voter fraud or conspir- acy, he just received fewer votes than Pres- ident Joe Biden. KEITH NEAL Astoria Party of Lincoln? hocking, terrifying and horrific are but a few of the adjectives that come to mind when thinking about the attempted coup in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6. A rally called by the president of the U.S. to overthrow the legal votes of the American people, and the certification by all 50 states that President Joe Biden won the election of Nov. 3, will go down as a very low point in our history. Only President Donald Trump could assert that he won an election in which he garnered seven million votes less than his opponent. His claims have been shot down by judges in numerous states where he lost. Make no mistake, America’s very own S Adolf Hitler showed his true colors when he incited his stormtroopers to stop the Congress from certifying Biden’s win. This insurrection also caused the death of at least five people, numerous injuries and property destruction. Notably, the chair of the Clatsop County Republicans was at the rally to support Trump’s disinformation about election results, and participate along with QAnon supporters, neo-Nazi and white power groups, and others who falsely believe that Trump won the election. Old Abe Lincoln must be rolling over in his tomb at the thought of Trumpers and their actions. “Patriots,” it’s time to take down your Trump flags and support the Constitution of the U.S. NED HEAVENRICH Brownsmead Deep divide T he events that have taken place since the general election have made clear a deep divide in the country. Not just in political associations, but the gap in data-driven information, scientific facts ignored, refusal to accept the rule of law, as well as the naked grab for power by politicians to remain in power, with com- plete disregard for the well-being of all citizens. The political disregard of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guide- lines for pandemic prevention are the cause of over 4,000 deaths per day. The refusal to accept judgments by numerous courts at all levels to support the alleged vote counts are all clear indicators of low voter information. The seditious attacks on the Congress are extremely con- cerning, as it indicates radical movement based on unsupported conspiracy. Disre- gard for veterans and current members of the military is especially disgusting. During the takeover of the Capitol, police officers were killed and beaten, including one traitor beating an officer with an American flag. We no longer have an honest debate over political ideas. It’s down to threat- ening those who disagree. We even had a proposal on the county ballot that attempted to usurp all federal, state and local gun laws. If we expect to have a free and open society, we must have a better informed constituency. RICHARD McINTOSH Astoria
