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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2015)
Page 4A OPINION East Oregonian Friday, February 6, 2015 Founded October 16, 1875 KATHRYN B. BROWN Publisher JENNINE PERKINSON Advertising Director DANIEL WATTENBURGER Managing Editor TIM TRAINOR Opinion Page Editor OUR VIEW Tip of the hat; kick in the pants A tip of the hat to the Pendleton Police Department for their sweep of the violent, racist gang that was spreading its tentacles into the city. The United Aryan Empire gang allegedly committed violent, dangerous acts and had planned to commit many more — including murder and the creation of a criminal enterprise that ZRXOGEHPRUHGLI¿FXOWWRFUDFNHDFK month it was in existence. Having them on the hook — not just for crimes that get them back on the street in 30 days but for serious jail terms — is for the good of the city. There is a lot of work still to be done to convict these alleged lawbreakers and make the charges stick. But plenty of toil and trouble has already been exerted, and suspect men and women are in custody. The streets of Pendleton are safer because of it. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial board of Publisher Kathryn Brown, Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, and Opinion Page Editor Tim Trainor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of the East Oregonian. OTHER VIEWS Kitzhaber must resign By The Oregonian “I’m not going to consider resigning,” said Gov. John Kitzhaber at a disastrous press conference held Friday following revelations about the apparently borderless world of public policy and SULYDWHJDLQLQZKLFKKHDQG¿DQFpH Cylvia Hayes exist. “I was elected by the people of this state to do a job, and I intend to do it.” No doubt, the governor does intend to do the job Oregonians gave him, which, simply put, is to pursue the interests of his constituents. That intention, however, is no match for an ugly reality of his own making, whose sordid elements keep surfacing with dispiriting regularity, most recently this week thanks to the work of Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson of The Oregonian/ OregonLive. Two people involved in Kitzhaber’s 2010 campaign helped +D\HV¿QGSDLG work with groups interested in Oregon policy, Budnick and Gunderson reported. Both have landed in Kitzhaber’s administration. More ugliness may surface, but it should be clear by now to Kitzhaber that his credibility has evaporated to such a degree that he can no longer serve effectively as governor. If he wants to serve his constituents he should resign. To recite every reported instance in which Hayes, ostensibly under Kitzhaber’s watchful eye, has used public resources, including public HPSOR\HHWLPHDQGKHU³¿UVWODG\´WLWOH in pursuit of professional gain would require far more space than we have here and, besides, repeat what most readers DOUHDG\NQRZ6XI¿FHLWWRVD\WKHUH¶V a pattern, and the person who bears the responsibility for allowing it to form and persist is Kitzhaber, who should know better. After all, as he pointed out during Friday’s press conference, he’s been VHUYLQJLQSXEOLFRI¿FHRQDQGRIIVLQFH the 1970s. Consider, instead, what Oregonians have learned during only the last couple of weeks. First, Hayes received a combined $118,000 in 2011 and 2012 through the Washington, D.C.-based Clean Economy Development Center even as she served as an unpaid energy adviser to Kitzhaber. This income is not fully accounted for on tax forms Hayes provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Neither has the governor fully accounted IRUWKHPRQH\LQHWKLFV¿OLQJV A big chunk of Hayes’ fellowship money, $75,000, came from the San Francisco-based Energy Foundation, DQRQSUR¿WWKDWIXQGVFOHDQHQHUJ\ initiatives such as the low carbon fuel standard. Implementing a low carbon fuel standard is a priority for both Kitzhaber and Democratic leaders in the /HJLVODWXUH7KHVHVVLRQ¶V¿UVWSXEOLF hearing on a bill to that end happened on Monday. How did Hayes end up with a fellowship funded by an organization with an interest in clean-energy policy in Oregon? A Kitzhaber campaign adviser, Dan Carol, helped arrange the funding following Kitzhaber’s election in 2010, Budnick and Gunderson reported. Carol subsequently landed a position within the Kitzhaber administration. That position, Willamette Week has reported, pays more than $165,000, making Carol Kitzhaber’s highest-paid aide. Who knew following the trail of “clean energy” money could make you feel so dirty? Another campaign adviser, Greg Wolf, helped land Hayes a position with the Rural Development Initiatives. The QRQSUR¿W%XGQLFNDQG Gunderson reported, wanted Hayes to help raise money for a clean economy project — including tens of thousands for which Kitzhaber’s support was needed. Wolf, like Carol, later secured a position in Kitzhaber’s administration. Is it any wonder .LW]KDEHUQRZ¿QGV himself stranded in an ethical swamp? To understand the full extent of his predicament, consider his inability to answer one simple question during his press conference Friday: Is Hayes a member of your household? He DQVZHUHGWKLVTXHVWLRQLQWKHDI¿UPDWLYH RQPXOWLSOHRFFDVLRQVLQHWKLFV¿OLQJV But on Friday, following the discovery of apparently unreported fellowship income, he said, “I have no idea whether she is ‘legally’ a member of my household.” The governor has not yet quibbled about the meaning of “is,” but Friday’s evasions were almost Clintonian. The questions about Kitzhaber’s judgment and competence ask themselves. Is he so oblivious that he had no idea that campaign advisers were helping his girlfriend line up employment marked by ethical red ÀDJV",VKHUHDOO\VRFOXHOHVVWKDWKH had no idea how much money Hayes collected through her fellowship, which would explain his apparently incomplete HWKLFV¿OLQJV"2UDOWHUQDWLYHO\GLGKH know and fail to act? Both possibilities DUHGDPQLQJDQGLW¶VGLI¿FXOWWRLPDJLQH alternatives that are not. Whether through gross inattention or complicity, Kitzhaber has broken faith with Oregonians. His career in Oregon politics is one of great accomplishment, but his past success does not excuse WKHPHVVKHKDVPDGHRIWKHRI¿FHZLWK which Oregonians entrusted him. He is now less a governor than a source of unending distraction. He can no longer lead Oregon effectively and should resign. His constituents deserve better. It should be clear by now to Kitzhaber that his credibility has evaporated to such a degree that he can no longer serve effectively as governor. LETTERS POLICY The East Oregonian welcomes original letters of 400 words or less on public issues and public policies for publication in the newspaper and on our website. The newspaper reserves the right to withhold letters that address concerns about individual services and products or letters that infringe on the rights of private citizens. Submitted letters must be signed by the author and include the city of residence and a daytime phone number. The phone number will not be published. Unsigned letters will not be published. Send letters to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com. OTHER VIEWS Public opinion left out of Obama’s immigration drive G allup recently asked adults Public opinion is not stopping the around the country a very administration from plowing ahead simple question about with the president’s decision to grant LPPLJUDWLRQ$UH\RXVDWLV¿HG quasi-legal status, work permits RUGLVVDWLV¿HGZLWKWKHOHYHORI DQGIHGHUDOEHQH¿WVWRPLOOLRQVRI immigration into the United States immigrants here illegally. The recent today? Are too many immigrants FRQ¿UPDWLRQKHDULQJVRIDWWRUQH\ coming? Too few? Or is the number general nominee Loretta Lynch Byron just about right? showed just how determined the Before giving the results, it’s president is. York Comment important to note what that number Early in the hearing, Sen. Sessions is. The U.S. awards legal permanent asked Lynch, “Who has more right resident status — a green card, to a job in this country -- a lawful which means lifetime residency plus the immigrant who’s here, a green-card holder or option of citizenship — to about 1 million a citizen, or a person who entered the country people per year, a rate Sen. Marco Rubio unlawfully?” calls “the most generous” It’s a safe bet most on Earth. In addition, the Americans would say the government hands out more person in the country legally than a half-million student should get the job before a and exchange visas each person here illegally. But year, tens of thousands of not Lynch. “I believe that refugee admissions, and the right and the obligation about 700,000 visas to to work is one that’s shared temporary workers and their by everyone in this country families. The percentage of regardless of how they came foreign-born people in the here,” she answered. U.S. population is heading Sessions went on to ask: toward levels not seen since What if an employer chose the period of 1890 to 1910. to hire a person who is in So is that too much, or too little? Gallup the country lawfully over an illegal immigrant found that 47 percent of Americans believe the covered by the president’s executive action? level of immigration should stay where it is. Would the Justice Department take action Thirty-nine percent want to see it decreased. against that employer? Lynch wouldn’t And just 7 percent want it increased. (The answer. remaining 7 percent said they don’t know.) When the polling group Paragon Insights Put another way, 86 percent of Americans asked recently about the work-permits portion would like immigration into this country to of the president’s action, they found that by remain at today’s level or to decrease, versus 7 71 percent to 21 percent — a 50-point margin percent who want to see it increase. — Americans would support new legislation “Americans wish to see current record “that strengthens the rules making it illegal immigration rates lowered, not raised,” said for businesses in the U.S. to hire illegal WKHRI¿FHRI5HSXEOLFDQ6HQ-HII6HVVLRQV immigrants.” who has opposed comprehensive immigration No matter. Last November, when President reform measures on Capitol Hill. “Yet the Obama announced the unilateral executive president’s ‘Gang of Eight’ immigration bill ... action on immigration, he noted that there doubles the number of annual guest workers are “good, decent people who are worried and triples the number of green cards over the about immigration,” who particularly fear next 10-year period.” that “immigrants take jobs from hardworking Given public opinion, it shouldn’t surprise Americans.” anyone that the bill did not become law. “I hear them. And I understand them,” Gallup did not ask about immigrants who Obama said. But the president explained he are already in the United States illegally. But “had to act” on behalf of the immigrants. a Wall Street Journal poll touched on that Obama knows the problem, and he feels for question just before the State of the Union those who might be hurt; he’s just on the side speech, asking respondents which issues of those here illegally. should be “an absolute priority for the Obama Many aspects of public opinion favor administration and this year’s Congress.” opponents of comprehensive immigration On the list was “passing immigration reform and of the president’s unilateral legislation that would create a pathway to U.S. action. Yet even with that advantage, those citizenship for foreigners who are currently opponents sometimes seem unable to make staying illegally in the United States.” It their case effectively. With Republicans now ranked 12th out of 15 possible priorities, with in control of Congress, it’s an open question just 39 percent calling it a must-do. whether GOP lawmakers can craft legislation Another immigration-related option, that moves the nation’s immigration policy passing reform “that would do more to secure forward while still respecting public opinion. our southern border with Mexico,” ranked Ŷ much higher, with 58 percent of respondents Byron York is chief political correspondent calling it an absolute priority. for The Washington Examiner. Are you satisified with the level of immigration in the United States today? YOUR VIEWS Measles is a serious problem that shouldn’t be shrugged off This letter is in response to a letter to the editor on “Measles? What’s the big deal.” Contrary to what was written, measles is a very big deal. At the turn of the century, newborns had an 11 percent risk of mortality prior to their ¿UVWELUWKGD\0DQ\GHDWKVZHUHDWWULEXWHGWR vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. The measles-containing vaccine is highly HIIHFWLYHSURYLGLQJQHDUO\SHUFHQWHI¿FDF\ with just one dose. Unfortunately, children under 12 months of age are unable to receive the vaccine. Additionally, household contacts of individuals who are immuno-compromised due to cancer, organ transplants or other conditions cannot receive this vaccine if they have contact with the immuno-compromised individual for 28 days following vaccination. Measles is one of the most highly contagious vaccine-preventable diseases. It is airborne, so Mr. Olsen’s claim of good housekeeping and healthy nutrition do nothing in preventing exposure. Additionally, most individuals who have measles are contagious prior to the onset of the rash. They make the call to their doctor, and sit in the waiting room for up to an hour coughing and exposing everybody around them the entire time. Unbeknownst to parents sitting nearby, their precious 1-week-old baby has now been exposed and could very well likely develop measles in the next 2-3 weeks. What does measles do? For many individuals, it makes them feel awful for two weeks. It is a virus, so antibiotics are ineffective in treating the disease. For others, it can be fatal. It can result in severe systemic infections, deafness, pneumonias, seizures and brain encephalopathies. In other areas of the world, 1 in 20 children die from measles. 7KHOLYHPHDVOHVYDFFLQHZDV¿UVWGHYHORSHG in 1963. Prior to its availability, greater than 3 million people were infected annually. Within one decade of vaccination, the incidence of measles dropped by 99 percent. In the year 2000, transmission of measles was declared eliminated in the United States. Breakthrough cases were almost always due to international travel. Then came the age of families choosing to not vaccinate their children out of fear over mercury (which hasn’t been in pediatric vaccines for nearly \HDUVDQGJRRGRO¶0U:DNH¿HOG whose horribly designed, inaccurate and medically neglectful study on MMR vaccine and autism resulted in the resurgence of this disease. In 2014, there were documented 644 cases. Nearly every single case was in an unvaccinated child. And now, despite us living in the age of incredible advancements in medicine, we have another outbreak of over 100 cases by the end of January 2015. Measles no big deal? I beg to differ! Amy Allen, R.N. Pendleton
