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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2017)
Page 4A OPINION East Oregonian Thursday, April 13, 2017 OTHER VIEWS Founded October 16, 1875 KATHRYN B. BROWN Publisher DANIEL WATTENBURGER Managing Editor TIM TRAINOR Opinion Page Editor MARISSA WILLIAMS Regional Advertising Director MARCY ROSENBERG Circulation Manager JANNA HEIMGARTNER Business Office Manager MIKE JENSEN Production Manager OUR VIEW Still staking out middle ground on wolves Wolves are never far from the And that brings us to the second bit of news. minds of Oregonians, and never far Nineteen Oregon legislators, from our front pages. Re-establishing a predator that all from the west side of the state, wrote a letter to Gov. Kate Brown had been absent from the state for a century has been a continual process and ODFW noting their opposition to any revision to the wolf plan that with plenty of ups and downs. Many of us have come to terms with would allow for the hunting and sharing our space trapping of wolves. with another apex They ended their predator, others are letter with: “Taking Two bits of not quite there yet, a strong stand today recent news (against wolf hunting) and some never will be. Those whose will help Oregon have once economic livelihood avoid the bitter again changed social conflict and is negatively impacted by wolves sport the trajectory divisiveness are understandably hunting and trapping opposed to long-term of wolves has caused of the wolf population growth of in other states.” debate in animals that harass We don’t buy it. Not being willing to and sometimes kill Oregon. consider hunting is livestock. This week, two what’s truly divisive, especially to us out here who are bits of recent news have once again much more apt than our urban changed the trajectory of the wolf counterparts to fish and hunt. debate. The first is that wolves did We’ve always tried to be right down the middle on wolves. We not fare as well in 2016 as many understand their biological role experts predicted. After fast-paced population expansion from the in our ecosystem. We understand northeast corner of the state in they need additional protections as westerly and southerly directions, they re-establish, especially from wolf populations saw little or no poachers who have ingrained disdain growth in the last year, according to for the animal. the Oregon Department of Fish & But we also think, once they are Wildlife. recovered, they should be managed like each and every animal in Although these counts are notoriously unscientific and likely Oregon. We do not think 19 west missed many wolves living in side legislators (who likely have Oregon, the results were still rather no wolf packs living in any of shocking. their districts) should be able to keep an important management Could wolves have run up tool and sporting opportunity from against the limit of habitat where Oregonians. they can repopulate? Seems In the future, Oregon should be unlikely. Still, the surprising results home to a healthy population of require additional study and a tap wolves and a season for hunting on the brakes when it comes to them. Perhaps 2016’s poor results parroting Oregon’s superior record, delay both, but it doesn’t mean either compared to neighboring states, on should be forgotten. reintroduction. 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. 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. With Syria attack, Trump uses element of surprise — on his voters B elligerence is in the air in appears tenuous at best — unless Washington. President Trump Trump makes the effort to build public is enjoying (extremely rare) support. bipartisan praise for a cruise-missile “He needs to realize that there is a attack on Syria. There’s tough talk from level of explanation that he needs to some Republicans about more. And do, particularly when you’re about to even tougher talk about Russia. North put American lives potentially at risk, Korea, too. given that starting point of 60 percent Meanwhile, the public’s reaction unfavorable,” Winston says. “It’s not Byron is ... huh? For millions of American that people are going to disagree with York voters, the two most striking aspects him, but when they hear something Comment of the U.S. action against Syria were he has done, 60 percent of the country 1) How quickly Trump moved, and 2) starts off with the viewpoint of, ‘That How little he explained his actions. guy I don’t like.’” Explaining — laying the groundwork, Trump’s no-explanations style is making a case — is an essential part of particularly bad for his political fortunes presidential leadership. because, beyond what he promised would be That’s especially true when what is involved a quick, intense, and winning effort to destroy is an act of war. Leaders contemplating military ISIS, he did not campaign on the idea of going action prepare the public to support that action. to war. Just the opposite; Trump campaigned They explain why it is needed. They explain day after day on a platform of keeping the why it is in the national interest of the United United States out of the mess in the Middle States. Then they repeat the explanation. East. Trump often excoriated George W. Bush No, that doesn’t mean they reveal exactly for the “big, fat mistake” of going to war in what they’re going to do and when they’re Iraq. going to do it. Trump said many times on the Now, Trump’s quick conversion to military campaign trail that he would not telegraph his action has left some prominent supporters actions to foreign adversaries. To do so, he unhappy — and warning of problems to come. “The thing that’s most important right now said, would be to give up the critical element of for Donald Trump is to remember those core surprise. But leaders don’t surprise the voters with an issues that he so successfully campaigned on,” conservative radio host Laura Ingraham said out-of-the-blue act of war. In the case of Syria, on Fox News Tuesday morning. “It was all Trump moved so quickly, and with such little focused on America first. Jobs, the economy, effort at public persuasion beforehand, that he wages going up — that’s it. maintained the element of surprise on his own “What I think is difficult at the same time is voters. That’s not a good idea. to manage this war footing that we increasingly Indeed, the public reaction, measured by seem to be on,” Ingraham continued. “I do early polls, is not optimistic for the president. have my concerns about this administration After the attack, Washington Post pollsters getting mired again in another conflict in the asked, “Do you support or oppose President Middle East ... I’m not sure getting rid of Trump’s decision to launch a missile strike on Bashar al-Assad was at the top of the list of the a Syrian air base in retaliation for the Syrian people in Pennsylvania.” government using chemical weapons against At the same time, Trump is winning civilians?” The result was 51 percent support, plaudits of those in his party who tried hardest 40 percent oppose. Among registered voters, to defeat him. Bill Kristol called the White Trump’s support level was a bit higher at 57 House execution of the attack “impressive” percent. and welcomed Trump as a potential convert to Then the Post asked, “Would you support regime change. “It would be ironic if Trump, or oppose additional U.S. air strikes against who campaigned against regime change, ends the Syrian government at this time?” Just 35 up pursuing it in both Syria and North Korea,” percent said support, while 54 percent said Kristol tweeted Tuesday. The day after the oppose. Again, Trump’s support was a little attack, Kristol tweeted, “Punishing Assad for better, 39 percent, among registered voters. use of chemical weapons is good. Regime Either way, the fact is, the barest of change in Iran is the prize.” majorities supports a new president sending No, that is probably not what Trump voters military forces into action for the first time as in Pennsylvania had in mind. If Trump has commander-in-chief. changed his views from what he said in the “They are not good numbers,” says campaign, or even if he has simply decided Republican pollster David Winston. Winston points out that it is often hard to assess Trump’s that Syria should be a one-time exception to his general opposition to military interventionism, poll results because he won the presidency he owes voters all around the country more of with an unfavorable rating of 60 percent — an explanation than he has given so far. that alone should tell everyone that Trump is ■ a different kind of president, as far as polling Byron York is chief political correspondent is concerned. Nevertheless, it’s possible to for The Washington Examiner. conclude that support for more military action YOUR VIEWS ODOT needs to change dangerous intersection Another person has been killed by a truck at the intersection of East Elm and Highway 395. The decision to designate this a truck route was bad to begin with and is worse now considering the increase in traffic. I think it is time for the Oregon Department of Transportation to reconsider making East Punkin Center the east/west truck route, rather than the existing East Elm route. It might even be possible to make the intersection of East Punkin Center and Highway 395 a roundabout intersection. Carlisle Harrison Hermiston Fuel standards important to farmers Whether it’s for cattle or crops, farmers and ranchers have been on the forefront of conservation. Many frontline harvesters of the land and sea are also leading efforts to find new ways to cultivate and care for soil and water, fisheries and farmland. Partnerships, like the Renewable Fuels Standard, between the agriculture community and the alternative energy industry show the valuable opportunities that can arise when we all come together. Confronting our environmental problems requires us to remember that our states, our communities, and our professions — our people — are more complicated that we often think. But changes like this don’t come easy. Congress must stay consistent so that our industry can do what we do best. I encourage Congressman Greg Walden to maintain the RFS as it is and give Oregon’s agricultural community and economy the certainty to grow. As a rancher, we want to leave the land, air and water a little better for our children. Long-term stability in biofuel production and the Renewable Fuel Standard is good for Oregon and the ranch. Curtis Martin North Powder Old PGG building better site for fire hall As a concerned citizen living here since 1948, and having come from being an engineer on the McNary Dam project, I have seen changes good and bad. I agree we need a new fire station and equipment, but not at the presently planned location of the old St. Anthony Hospital property, while the old Pendleton Grain Growers building is available. It is cement-reinforced concrete and steel, which could easily be adapted to the needs of the fire station, at a much lower cost. The PGG property has plenty of room, both indoor and outdoor, and is logistically located in the center of town. In 1959, the fire station was moved to 10th and Southwest Court, to better access the North Hill and the west end. This area is being built up, as more than 75 new commercial businesses, two new schools, a college with existing schools, eight apartment complexes and condos, a motel and a convention center. Seventy-five percent of the work force is in the west end, and the relocation of the fire station is 2 1/4 miles to the east of the present location. The old St. Anthony lot could be better used for a 100-unit apartment and condo complex, since Pendleton is short of housing. The PGG building would be a much more suitable location. Vote no on the bond measure for replacement of Fire Station 1. Bob Byer Pendleton Moving chamber not in city’s best interest I am very proud to be a resident of the city of Hermiston. When we moved to the city ten years ago, one of the things that impressed me was the forward thinking of the city leaders and the effort to make Hermiston a desirable place for new businesses to locate. One of the key components in the forward movement of our city has been the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce. The leadership of Debbie Pedro, her staff and the chamber board of directors has been a major catalyst in the development of this community and for new companies locating in the Hermiston area. How is moving our chamber offices to a basement a step forward? Do we really want representatives from a corporation going to a basement office to meet with the director of our chamber? That is declaration to all newcomers the Chamber of Commerce is considered insignificant in the growth and development of our city. Offering the basement offices of the old city library to the chamber is a clear message from the city manager, assistant city manager, mayor and city council to the chamber of commerce just how insignificant they view the chamber’s role in our city. The conference center was built through the generous donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars by the residents of this community. The city manager and council should remember that facility is there because the residents made it possible. They should be asking the citizens how they would like that facility to be used, not just by the executive decision that is being proposed. Please, clearly explain to the community how the chamber is losing money. The finance reports that have been given seem to show the funding from the hotel tax designated for their use has not been fully expended by them on any given year. This should be fully addressed at a public council meeting. This is not in the best interest of our city. It is not forward thinking and is in fact a hindrance to the advancement of our city. The justification for such a move has been based upon some questionable facts that have the appearance of not providing accurate details of the actual financial base of the chamber. F. Dean Hackett, Hermiston