VIEWPOINTS
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Quick takes
High-speed chase blows
through Pendleton
Oh my gosh! They sped past our house
on N.W. 12th, my son was sitting by the
window and saw them race past! Crazy!
— Stacy Bustamante
Who knew a Focus could go 80 mph?
— Tonya Gould
Ford Focus captured, bicycle police
celebrate while awaiting support vehicle.
— Jim Roberts
Hermiston science programs
and students excel
Perfect. Phil Knight just announced that
they donated $500 million for a new accel-
erated science campus at the University of
Oregon.
— Summer Richmond
Lisa McElroy you were the greatest for
sure! Continue to use your lessons daily.
— Holly Appleton
Voter registration deadline
comes and goes
I’m already registered and don’t plan
to vote. Probably just the frustration of the
whole thing.
— Anji Morgan
I heard the scariest thing you can put in
your yard this year for Halloween is a 2016
voting booth.
— Tanner Remillard
One of the great lessons of the Twitter age is
that much can be summed up in just a few words.
Here are some of this week’s takes. Tweet yours
@Tim_Trainor or email editor@eastoregonian.
com, and keep them to 140 characters.
East Oregonian
Page 5A
Election will further divide America
I am looking forward
major media devoted 23 minutes
to November 9 with great
to the Trump tape, and one minute
anticipation.
to the leaked emails or any of the
Not because I will wake up
other transgressions of his opponent.
conident knowing that America
Further, instead of helping promote
has elected strong, ethical,
the sideshow, the media could have
honest, or inspired leadership
done considerably more to focus on the
that will make our country
major issues.
great again. There are only two
But since it has been about the
George
individuals left in the race for
Murdock sideshow, it is interesting almost
the presidency — with a chance
nothing has been said about the fact
Comment
to win — and neither offers the
ex-president Clinton spent half an
prospect of hope for helping
hour aboard a plane in Arizona visiting
preserve the fundamental ideals that have
with the Attorney General a week before
characterized this nation.
the FBI director mysteriously determined
No, I am simply looking forward to
Hillary Clinton didn’t mean harm in
the fact the most despicable race for the
keeping private tens of thousands of emails.
presidency in modern history will inally be It wouldn’t make any difference to me
over. Sadly, regardless of the outcome, we
which candidate was involved — I have
will be even more divided as a country and
deep concerns about a government where
led by a president who is largely unloved,
leaders are above the law and can exert
unrespected and untrustworthy.
inluence on the justice system beyond that
How can we hope to engage the interest
accorded to other citizens. I would guess
of young people as participants in helping
Martha Stewart is wondering a bit about her
shape our country when such a debacle will experiences in that realm.
decide the most important position in our
And, I suspect if all the lids could be
country?
removed casting light on the ownership
The race, however it comes out, will
of major news outlets and the inluence of
certainly not be won on a platform of
owners — some of whom are citizens of
morality. The Trump tape was yet another
other nations — it would send shivers up
chapter in Donald’s book of dalliances. His
our collective spines.
comments were deplorable and demeaning.
I have tried hard to be neutral in this
On the other hand, I can’t imagine ever
writing effort but it is dificult to overlook
having a twenty-something daughter of
the speeches President and Mrs. Obama
mine working in an Oval Ofice to which
made last week indicating their disgust over
Bill Clinton has access.
the content of the Trump tapes. I wonder
Yes, I know that it is Hillary, not Bill,
if they have ever listened to the lyrics
who is running, but rather than upholding
offered by the hip hop and rap artists they
the dignity of women, as she professes to
frequently entertain in the White House or
do, she viciously attacked those with whom if they have watched the movies produced
her husband had his own trysts.
by their friends in Hollywood.
There will be many victims scattered
This country has many issues
along the path to this presidency, not the
confronting it including the fact a deepening
least of which will be the demise of modern sense of entitlement threatens the viability
media as an unbiased and trustworthy
of the future of this society as we know it.
guardian of democracy.
A growing sense of dependency will not
While perhaps some of the bias is
help our neediest citizens out of poverty —
exaggerated, on one recent evening the
they need opportunity and responsibility,
not more artiicial supports that seem to go
on for generations.
We certainly don’t need initiatives that
destroy private sector jobs and create new
public sector jobs. Although I have spent
the better part of my working life in the
public sector, I have spent every day of my
working life aware of the fact all public
sector employees are dependent upon
the private economy. When that private
economy ceases to prosper, both those
working in the public sector and those who
depend upon government programs to
survive, are in deep trouble.
We need to appreciate, not make villains
out of those who are successful in business
and contribute to prosperity. It certainly
doesn’t bother me they enjoy rewards as a
result of their risks and hard work. Without
entrepreneurs, owners and employers, there
can’t be employees.
In Oregon, I am disappointed one of our
candidates for governor is being maligned
for having achieved the American dream by
becoming a successful doctor and private
business owner; this, after growing up
the son of a janitor and working his way
through school. He is being chastised by
those elected oficials promoting this state’s
“progressive agenda.” We have lost our
compass when we chide those who beneit
from hard work.
No, the challenges critical to this country
are taking a back seat to powerful forces
and misguided issues that do not bode well
for our future. In the few days remaining
before the election, it is doubtful voters
will be offered any meaningful answers or
solutions – just more news from the gutter.
November 9 can’t come soon enough.
We can only hope this election will be
a suficient wakeup call that it is time for
quality leadership with a healthy dose of
ethics, integrity, and morality.
■
George Murdock is a Umatilla County
Commissioner and former editor and
publisher of The East Oregonian.
YOUR VIEWS
Local law enforcement
missing pot dollars
Pendleton and Umatilla County
are losing shares of signiicant tax
revenue by banning marijuana
businesses. Oregon reports $40.2
million in marijuana tax revenue
in 2016, with an average monthly
intake over $4.4 million. By the
end of 2016, the total haul will be
more than $53 million.
The distribution is spelled out
in the statutes. After deducting
costs of administration, these funds
are distributed 10 percent to cities
and 10 percent to counties for law
enforcement purposes on a per
capita basis — but only to those
cities and counties that do not have
bans in place.
This means law enforcement
in the cities and counties of
Eastern Oregon are not realizing
the beneits of this revenue.
Pendleton will forfeit roughly
$26,700 of revenue in 2016 and
Umatilla County will forfeit
roughly $123,000. This is prior to
the local 3 percent sales tax that
either jurisdiction could enact if it
allowed the businesses.
In 2017, the distribution will
change from a per capita basis to a
per OLCC licensee basis. Licenses
include production, processing,
wholesaling, and storefront
enterprises. This mode of revenue
sharing requires established,
licensed and regulated cannabis
businesses.
If Pendleton wants to realize
these economic beneits, then
it should vote accordingly and
repeal the bans enacted by the
city council. Umatilla County
commissioners could take similar
steps if they wished.
Voters in both jurisdictions
voted against legalization. But
now that it’s here, and now that
we know what the tax revenue
looks like, the question of how to
proceed is a very different one.
William Perkinson
Pendleton
No need for change
at sheriff’s ofice
For more than 27 years,
Terry Rowan has worked in law
enforcement in Umatilla County.
He has learned and gained much
valuable experience working
through the many positions he has
held.
In 2015, his staff submitted
to the Oregon State Sheriff’s
Association a report on how they
felt Sheriff Rowan was doing;
not just as their commander but
also his serving the residents of
Umatilla County. As a result,
Sheriff Rowan was recognized
as Commander of the Year from
Oregon’s 36 counties.
With Sheriff Rowan’s 27 years
of service there has not been one
blemish from a poor decision or
lack of good moral judgment. On
the other hand, the August 13-14,
2016, front page East Oregonian
story on Ryan Lehnert, who is
running against Sheriff Rowan,
says he was disciplined in 2009
for insubordination, unsatisfactory
performance, unbecoming conduct,
inattention to duty, and improper
radio use resulting in a demotion
from sergeant to a community
oficer. In his employee evaluation
just three short months ago, it states
that he still lacks “prioritization”
and “management skills.” And it
should be noted that he still has not
regained his sergeant status to date
and I think that speaks loud and
clear!
My question is, why would we
even consider a change?
I believe Terry Rowan
has displayed the judgment,
temperament, compassion and
management skills to be re-elected
as Umatilla County Sheriff.
Richard Scarlett
Umatilla
Walla Walla County
sheriff supports Rowan
I am honored to write this letter
of support for Sheriff Terry Rowan
in his bid for re-election as your
Umatilla County Sheriff.
Sheriff Rowan and I met when
he was the undersheriff of Umatilla
County. During our tenure, I have
had many conversations with
Terry and learned that he cares
deeply about his county and the
people who live there. When he
was elected sheriff, we met several
times to discuss the Walla Walla
Valley as it covers both of our
jurisdictions.
During these conversations
and subsequent plans to serve
particularly the citizens of northern
Umatilla County, I found Terry to
possess the intellect and abilities of
a quality law enforcement leader.
I do not know Terry’s opponent
and thus have no knowledge
upon which to base an opinion,
however I have worked alongside
Sheriff Rowan and can attest to his
abilities and accomplishments.
As the elected sheriff of Walla
Walla County for the last six years,
I know the position of sheriff
requires a person who is not only
a good cop, but a leader who has
the integrity, moral character, and
administrative abilities to lead an
agency and a community through
its many unexpected twists and
turns. Throughout the years, I have
seen these qualities in Terry Rowan
as he has partnered with us to make
our Walla Walla Valley a better and
safer place.
For example, it was Sheriff
Rowan’s idea to cross-deputize
members of our Search & Rescue
teams so that they could cross
the state line to assist each other
in times of need. Sheriff Rowan
recognized that Search & Rescue
is one of those things that “lies
below the radar” … until it’s your
loved one who is lost. Then, the
members of our teams may literally
be the difference between life
and death. Terry humbly had the
foresight and leadership to quietly
enhance each of our team’s abilities
so they are better prepared to serve
you and your loved ones.
It is that kind of partnership and
thinking that I have appreciated
about Sheriff Rowan. I have
respect for Sheriff Rowan’s
creativity and how he has grown
and stretched limited resources in
order to better protect and serve his
community.
Thank you for your time and
consideration. I would be honored
to have Sheriff Terry Rowan
continue to be our partner to the
south.
John A. Turner
Walla Walla County Sheriff
Clinton would continue
anti-Christian USA
When Barack Obama became
president, he declared, “We are no
longer just a Christian nation.” He
also promised to “fundamentally
transform” America.
He has done this by declaring
war on Catholics and Evangelical
Protestants. His administration
has ordered military chaplains
to perform same-sex marriage.
Under threats of lawsuits, the Boy
Scouts opened the door to openly
gay scoutmasters. Portland bakery
owners were sued for $135,000
for declining to provide a cake for
a gay marriage. They had to close
their business.
The Air Force physically
ejected a veteran from a retirement
ceremony because he planned to
say “God” during a lag folding
speech. The mayor of Houston
demanded that pastors turn
over copies of their sermons. A
New Mexico couple was ined
$7,000 for declining to provide
photography for a same-sex
marriage. A U.S. Army training
manual and slide show lists
Catholics and Evangelical
Protestants as potential terrorists
who endanger America. These are
just a few examples of Obama’s
transformation of America.
On November 8 a new president
will be elected. I pray that it will be
Donald Trump, who supports our
Constitution, religious freedom and
the Republican platform.
On April 23, 2015, Hillary
Rodham Clinton made clear what
her agenda would be if elected
president in 2016. In her speech
at the Women’s World Summit in
New York she said: “Laws have to
be backed up with resources and
political will” and “deep-seated
religious beliefs have to be
changed.” In other words she, like
President Obama, is all about using
government to silence religious
expression. As president, she could
appoint radical Supreme Court
justices during her term.
In 2012, thirty million
Evangelicals did not vote. In the
last two elections forty million
Catholics didn’t vote. At the same
time, many military personnel
did not get to vote but tens of
thousands of illegal aliens and a
number of dead people did. To not
vote on November 8 is to vote for a
continuation of government’s war
on America.
Paul Bouchard
Pendleton
Trump cares about
more than himself
Donald Trump is not really a
Democrat or Republican. That’s
why some Republicans in Congress
don’t like him. They know full well
that he won’t go along with some
of their manipulative schemes that
hurt the American public.
Who is Hillary Clinton? Well,
she is like Paul Ryan in many
ways. Both of them worship at the
altar of so-called free trade. They
are so embedded in Wall Street
one could not dislodge them with a
jackhammer. They are war hawks
in the irst degree. One can’t forget
their ties with the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce and, last but not
least, their compulsive desire to
let millions upon millions of more
people into this country.
Anyone who has studied the
problems with overpopulation
knows full well this country is way
overpopulated. A democracy can
not withstand overpopulation. It is
impossible. Donald Trump is the
only person that has the tenacity to
do something about this country’s
disastrous immigration problem.
One of the reasons so many
Millennials can’t ind a job is
because of the H1-B visa program.
This program lets thousands upon
thousands of people come into
the high tech sector from other
countries and take jobs from native
born Millennials. That is a fact, not
conjecture. Hillary Clinton will
do nothing to help this generation
or any generation with their job
opportunities.
The biggest environmental
threat is not global warming, it
is overpopulation. That is the
inconvenient truth. When one
mentions stopping immigration
to these so-called environmental
organizations they run like a
rabbit to their hole. They are
pathetic resemblances to any true
environmentalist.
Our professional saviors and
elites will not save our nation and
civilization. To expect it from them
is to believe in magic and trust in
miracles. The cure will come from
the man and women in the street
that can read between the lines.
They can see through the tripe that
the news media throws at them
every day. They are not blinded
by their prejudice or bigotry, nor
believe the government owes
them a living. These people are
not afraid of success or failure and
what people might say. In short,
they are the people that are going
to vote for Donald Trump.
There are many differences
between Donald Trump and Hillary
Clinton. Is Donald Trump perfect?
Absolutely not, but he will help the
people of this great county. And
what of Hillary Clinton? She will
help herself. That is probably the
biggest difference.
Robert Boehm
Clatskanie, Ore.
Measure 97 is a
dangerous storm
The hype about the recent
storm we had didn’t end up
rivaling the force and destruction
of the Columbus Day storm of
1962, thank goodness. But what
if someone told you there was
a storm approaching that was
guaranteed to cost every Oregonian
$660 extra every year for the
rest of our lives and jeopardize
the livelihoods of Oregon family
farmers and rural workers?
That would sound pretty
terrifying and we would come
together to do whatever we could
to avert a crisis. Yet, If Measure 97
passes, that impending crisis would
be real and its impact certain.
The Western Equipment Dealers
Association represents nearly
half a billion in equipment sales
and thousands of jobs throughout
Oregon. As president of that
organization, I have heard irst
hand from our members how
drastic the effects of Measure 97
will be on agriculture in Oregon.
It’s no secret that the rural
economy of Oregon has been the
slowest to recover since the great
recession. The challenge to get
by right now is even greater as
agriculture faces another cyclical
slump this year.The tax proposed
by Measure 97 on revenue, not
proit, means businesses pay the
tax even if they lose money. For
those struggling to make it right
now, Measure 97 would be the
difference between staying in
business or closing the doors. It
couldn’t come at a worse time for
rural Oregon, and puts jobs at risk.
What if you aren’t a farm
household or involved in the
agriculture community? The cost
of this tax will still be felt by every
Oregonian. Measure 97 creates
a tax on a tax, meaning every
time a piece of farm equipment
is sold from a manufacturer to a
dealer, then from the dealer to a
farmer, you would tack on an extra
2.5 percent for each transaction.
That extra cost in equipment
would make Oregon farmers less
competitive and force food prices
to go up.
The same will be true for
grocery stores, which will again
have to add 2.5 percent to every
grocery bill. You quickly see
how this tax on a tax adds up to
substantially increase the cost for
every Oregonian, and regressively
affects those at the bottom the
most.
Unlike a weather forecast,
the consequences of Measure 97
are not subject to change and are
unavoidable. To avert this crisis,
Oregonians should come together
and vote No on Measure 97.
John Schmeiser, president
Western Equipment Dealers Assoc.
Salem
LETTERS POLICY
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right to withhold letters that
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ters will not be published. Send
letters to Managing Editor Daniel
Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave.
Pendleton, OR 97801 or email
editor@eastoregonian.com.