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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2017)
Page 4A OPINION East Oregonian Friday, August 18, 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 Tip of the hat; kick in the pants A kick in the pants to an unfortunate series of events Wednesday that kept a crime victim from addressing a man who committed the crime. Joseph Aaron McIver pleaded guilty Wednesday in circuit court for his role in the death of Thadd Nelson of Meacham. McIver was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for his actions. But another victim, who witnessed the attack, wanted to be in court for the proceeding. Yet she was forced to remain outside the courtroom as McIver made his plea and was eventually led away to jail. That’s because there were not enough deputies at the Stanford Hansell Government Building in Hermiston to have one inside the courtroom and another outside, shuttling people through security and allowing them into the courtroom. That’s disappointing. There should be enough staff on hand to allow victims to make their way into a courtroom if they wish to be present, as well as provide necessary security for such high-profile cases. Both are promises of our justice system. We hope the courts and sheriff’s office consider this a serious enough problem to address. A tip of the hat to the local groups that have rallied and marched for their political beliefs, all nonviolently. On two consecutive days this week, protesters gathered on the streets of Pendleton to make their opinions known. They did it with signs and chants, songs and speeches. On Wednesday, about a dozen people gathered to support the Bundys and argue that four men on trial for their actions in Bunkerville are being mistreated by the government, and raise the alarm of their general concern that the federal government is running over citizen’s rights in the court system. On Thursday, more than 100 people rallied in what organizers called an “anti- hate” march that included Pendleton Mayor John Turner. There was laughter and support from area residents, music and togetherness. We appreciate them making their opinions known in a legal way, not being belligerent nor hostile nor destructive, and attempting to persuade instead of insult. 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 Confederate flag has no place in Astoria The Daily Astorian I n what has become the highlight event of the region’s oldest festival, this year’s Grand Land Parade in the 123rd Astoria Regatta may be remembered more for what shouldn’t have been in it rather than what was. It’s unfortunate, because the festival otherwise showcased the spirit and volunteerism of the coast at its best and the organizers and volunteers deserve credit for their dedicated efforts. While the high- profile parade featured its normal dignitaries, bands, clowns and floats, and the accompanying smiles from the vast majority of the attendees, a float built by the Sons of Beaches, an off-road enthusiast group that participates in community charity events and parades, contained upsetting bumper-sticker sized decals with Confederate logos and was followed by a truck with a Confederate flag. It sparked outrage by some who saw it and further disapproval online. The all-volunteer, nonprofit Astoria Regatta Association issued an apology Monday, saying it was an unfortunate incident and that the association regrets “the impression caused that Regatta in any way supports or condones the display of the Confederate flag. Please do not let our oversight reflect negatively on Astoria, or the many, many volunteers who give thousands of hours to create a positive community event each year.” The float’s main visual was a large replica of U.S. Marines heroically hoisting the American flag on Iwo Jima in World War II and the bumper stickers were affixed to the trailer carrying it and were easy to miss. The Sons of Beaches group’s leader, Jay Pitman, said the float included several other battle flags from throughout U.S. history meant to honor war veterans, and that the trailer with Confederate decals had been used in prior parades. “We don’t fly our flags with disrespect,” he said. “We fly it with respect to all our veterans. We do not allow any personal political issues or personal agendas. We are non-biased, non-racist. We are about Americanism and supporting local law enforcement and first responders.” He said the group is considering removing the flag from future parade events. It should do just that. The flag, first flown by the Confederate army during war against the United States, mocks what our country stands for. It is a sad part of our nation’s history, as are Ku Klux Klan hoods, the Dawes Act and signs declaring “Whites Only.” None of which should be celebrated, and a family-friendly festival is certainly not the place for displaying a divisive symbol from the Civil War. A family- friendly festival is certainly not the place for a divisive symbol from the Civil War. How to handle Donald Trump D onald Trump is still president. (There’s something about catching Hard to know what to do with these wild misstatements and lies of this, people. self-aggrandizement that can actually In less than a week he’s managed be soothing in the worst of times. to put on one of the most divisive, It’s a diversion that gives you a little un-helpful, un-healing presidential break from wondering what’s going to performances in American history. It’s happen to the country.) been a great stretch for fans of Richard Meanwhile, business executives Nixon and James Buchanan. were concluding it was morally Gail On Wednesday, Trump had to Collins compromising to be on the White dissolve his business advisory councils House manufacturing council. It’s hard Comment because the CEOs were fleeing like to imagine what else could happen before autumn kicks in. panic-stricken geese from a jumbo jet. We are just beginning to fully understand We now have a president who can’t get the how critical it is for a president to have at head of Campbell Soup to the White House. least a minimal understanding of American Trump also announced plans to hold a history. This one seems to have only recently rally next week in Arizona, where he’s said discovered he belongs to the same party as he’s “seriously considering” a pardon for former sheriff Joe Arpaio, the loathsome racial Abraham Lincoln. “Most people don’t even profiler who never met a know he was a Republican,” constitutional amendment Trump told a political he didn’t ignore. Arpaio’s gathering. “Right? Does treatment of Latinos won anyone know? A lot of him a criminal contempt people don’t know that. We conviction, but of course have to build that up a little that’s nothing to our leader. more.” We had no idea how His response to the bad this guy was going to biggest challenge of his be. Admit it — during the presidency began by campaign you did not consider the possibility blaming “many sides” for the crisis. Then that if a terrible tragedy struck the country there was the reading of an appropriate, if way involving all of our worst political ghosts of overdue, statement. Then came the disastrous the past plus neo-Nazism, Marco Rubio and news conference on Tuesday, when he was Ted Cruz would know the appropriate thing to just supposed to read a brief description of say but Donald Trump would have no idea. the administration plan for infrastructure George W. Bush would have been at the — something about giving road-builders funeral for the slain civil rights demonstrator a reprieve from having to consider the in a second. About the best Trump could do possibility of future flooding. was to praise Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan But he started to take questions and Bro, for writing “the nicest things” about actually say things from his own mind. His him. Bro did indeed express appreciation for staff looked worried, then nervous, then the president’s denunciation of “those who despairing. promote violence and hatred.” That was his Even when Trump is not historically written-by-someone-else statement, which wrong, or making things up to extol his own preceded the despicable impromptu version. self-image, or failing to do even the least We’re only safe when he’s using prepared modicum of national healing at a time of remarks. The extemporaneous Trump’s crisis, he’s so incoherent that it’s possible response to the violence in Charlottesville to misunderstand what should be a simple wasn’t just tone-deaf and heartless; you had to thought. wonder about the overall mental balance of a “I didn’t know David Duke was there. I man who managed to both defend the alt-right wanted to see the facts,” he blathered at one demonstrators in Virginia and brag about his point, then lapsed into that terrible tendency real estate in the neighborhood. to refer to himself in the third person. “And “Does anyone know I own a house in the facts, as they started coming out, were Charlottesville?” Trump asked the stunned very well stated. In fact, everybody said his reporters. “I own actually one of the statement was beautiful. ...” largest wineries in the United States. It’s in This can’t go on. We don’t have time to Charlottesville.” wait for impeachment. Patriotic Republicans It was truly the kind of performance you and administration officials have to get expect from a deranged person, brought out to together and find a way to make sure that explain why he blew up a large government Donald Trump will never again say anything building and inquiring cheerfully: “Has in public that is not written on a piece of anybody seen my car? It’s really nice. A Ford paper. It’s their duty to the country. Pinto.” ■ Also, Trump does not own one of the Gail Collins joined The New York Times largest wineries in the United States. Trump in 1995 as a member of the editorial board Winery is one of the largest wineries in and later as an Op-Ed columnist. In 2001 she Virginia, which is like bragging you own one became the first woman ever appointed editor of the largest ski resorts in Ohio. of the Times’s editorial page. We had no idea how bad this guy was going to be. YOUR VIEWS It’s not Hollywood talking — its your constituents Greg Walden recently sent out a letter asking for donations, saying liberal agitators — who he likens to Nancy Pelosi and Hollywood elites — are driving from Portland to pound him at town halls. Actually, we are the ones showing up at his town halls. We are the ones challenging him when he tries to change the subject, or flat-out lie. We are constituents of Congressional District 2, not people from Portland, liberal agitators, the elite, or Hollywoodites, and not one of us last time I checked is Nancy Pelosi. He is trying to pretend like we don’t exist by equating us with people from outside his district. Worse, by claiming we are outsiders, he is trying to divide us all with fear of an outside takeover. Meanwhile, he has announced a fundraiser in Portland. If there is an outside takeover, it might well begin with Walden, influenced by Portland money and D.C. money, while neglecting the people he’s supposed to represent. And it’s false of him to use negative and dismissive terms for his outspoken constituents. We are not a solid block of liberals. We are conservatives and liberals, Republicans, Democrats and Independents, young and old, rural and urban. And we’re not trying to agitate, but looking for solutions. Our families hunt, fish, camp, farm and ranch. Our friends’, families’ and neighbors’ lives look a lot like ours. Finding that balance between preserving natural resources and using them is the key to CD2 becoming a strong force in the modern economy while remaining true to our roots. But Walden isn’t looking for a balance or a solution. He just throws around empty promises, trying to divide us with fear and anger. Our district could be known for wheat and solar, for sheep and tech industry, but instead we’re known for stand-offs and decline. Our district has strength in size and resource, and we have potential. We could be so much better. We deserve better. Walden likes to say he has a place at the table, because he’s been in Washington since 1998, but he hasn’t used that place at the table wisely, so we are no better off. He’s the real outsider, a Washington insider, out of touch with Oregon values. Sherra Inman, Rene M. Durfey, Shirley Ludlow, Bonnie Johnson, Diana Wild and Sue Miller, Arlington; Katie Cook, Gilliam County; Jeri McElligott, Ione; Amber Rose Orion and JoAn Hendricks, The Dalles; and Lari Whitbeck, Fossil. LETTERS POLICY Be heard! Comment online at eastoregonian.com 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.