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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2017)
Page 4A OPINION East Oregonian Wednesday, October 18, 2017 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 Closing the book on open secrets It’s hard to think of a more Hollywood problem, or a D.C. embarrassing oxymoron than the problem, or a “somewhere else” “open secrets” being exposed with problem is key. seemingly increased regularity in Also key is making sure we’re our country, from Hollywood to the not perpetuating the problem by Fox News studios to Silicon Valley accepting sexual harassment at any to Washington, D.C. level. It certainly begins at home, It’s shameful that it often takes but it must be addressed in schools, victims, by definition in a powerless too, where we form the model for position, to step forward and say how we behave as adults. Imagine what many of these powerful the repercussions of dismissing men’s associates the allegations of and colleagues a victim who first already know. It’s It’s shameful that it comes to a trusted also shameful how with a problem. often takes victims, adult quickly and easily Would she have the by definition in a courage to do so some dismiss the claims of sexual And the same powerless position, again? harassment and goes for a harasser to step forward abuse, especially who is allowed when credible to get away with and say what witnesses know the conduct. What many of these for certain what are the chances he knocks off that has happened and powerful men’s behavior after being continues to happen. associates and Sexual harassment given a free pass the is a relatively new first time? colleagues concept for us — the If you’re still already know. term wasn’t coined unsure what to do until 1975 and or if there’s even protections for its a problem, we victims have faced an uphill climb suggest you ask a simple question ever since. But that gives no excuse to a woman in your life who you for us to remain unaware of its care about. “Have you ever been pervasiveness, or look the other way sexually harassed or assaulted?” as it goes on. This question is especially important for men to ask and In the wake of the most recent consider. It’s easy to dismiss a complaints against film producer Harvey Weinstein, celebrity women problem you’ve never dealt with, but you may be surprised how close began sharing their stories. The to home it actually hits. movement took off, and this week The problem will always be with women of all backgrounds joined us, but keeping it covered in winks in, sharing “Me too” on social media to shine a light on the breadth and nods and knowing glances is not acceptable. We must look it straight of the problem. It’s a courageous on, call it what it is and make it act to admit being a victim, and clear it’s not welcome in our society. understanding that it’s not just a 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. Be heard! Comment online at www.eastoregonian.com OTHER VIEWS What’s behind Trump’s new executive actions? P resident Trump’s most recent That’s also consistent with what high-profile executive actions — Stanley Greenberg, the Democratic on Obamacare, immigration and pollster, found over the summer in the Iran nuclear deal — do three big a Macomb County, Michigan, focus things. group. “What many Macomb voters First, they push Congress to act, value about Trump is that he represents which involves more than just calling an unaligned force in American the bluff of Republican leaders who politics,” wrote The Atlantic’s Franklin talked big during the Obama years Foer of Greenberg’s findings. Byron but failed to produce once the GOP It’s a scenario in which the GOP York controlled both Congress and White leaders of Congress are the villains. Comment House. In a larger sense, Trump’s When Greenberg showed those actions point toward restoring a proper Michigan voters photos of Senate balance of power in which Congress makes Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House law on issues that are clearly its constitutional Speaker Paul Ryan, they became visibly responsibility. The president is using executive angry. That’s also what the veteran Republican authority to pressure lawmakers to exercise operative found. “Trump’s supporters think it’s appropriate legislative authority. amazing he’s getting so much accomplished, Second, Trump has reinforced what many seeing how Ryan and McConnell are trying to of his supporters find most appealing about screw him every day,” the operative told me. him — that he can act as a leader not clearly Finally, on the third point, Trump is getting aligned with either party. high marks from some And third, Trump’s conservative Republicans Some conservative actions galvanize and thinkers. When I asked support among some writers who have long one deeply conservative of Washington’s most lawmaker, who in turn criticized Obama’s conservative lawmakers polled what other members and thinkers, even some told him, he said they unilateral actions were had who have been highly are glad to see the president critical of him in the past. happy to see Trump putting Republicans to On the first point, test: Will they just talk begin to undo them. the Trump is pressing Congress like conservatives, or will to act in areas in which they actually legislate like Republicans accused conservatives? Barack Obama of executive overreach. Some conservative writers who have long On Obamacare, Trump cut off the flow of criticized Obama’s unilateral actions were cost-sharing reduction, or CSR, payments to happy to see Trump begin to undo them. insurance companies. The expenditures were On Obamacare, National Review — which never appropriated by Congress; the Obama published an “Against Trump” issue in the administration carried them out to keep primaries and has had a bumpy relationship Obamacare afloat, regardless of the law. Now with the president since — reacted with Trump has set the stage for a constitutional an editorial headlined “Trump’s Sensible fix. On DACA, Obama’s Deferred Action Health-Care Actions.” for Childhood Arrivals program, Trump On DACA, a lot of conservatives slammed has challenged Congress to come up with a Trump when there were reports he had legitimate fix to an Obama executive action reached a “deal” with Democrats Charles that all Republicans saw as overreach. And on Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. But now that the Iran deal, Trump’s action opens the door Trump has attached a wish-list of tough for action in Congress, where Republicans border and interior enforcement priorities said the issue always belonged, after Obama to any DACA legalization, many see it as bypassed lawmakers. a chance for Congress to take actual action “Each action undoes what Obama ought on immigration. (And even if Republicans not have done without Congress (CSRs, cave and pass a simple legalization, DACA and Iran),” said a conservative doing it through Congress would still be lawmaker in a text exchange recently. a constitutional solution, unlike Obama’s “Restore constitutional government!” original action.) On the second point, Trump’s actions On the nuclear deal, the Weekly Standard, highlight the fact that a lot of his supporters which has at times been a center of still see him not as an insider but as an NeverTrumpism, published a reaction with the outside force pushing an entrenched, sclerotic headline “He’s right about Iran.” “We believe Republican Party to act. (Trump’s) instincts are sound,” the magazine’s That was candidate Trump’s pitch to editors wrote. voters, going way back. “Trump is about the Trump’s actions might not work. After closest thing to a third-party candidate without all, he is pressuring Congress to act, but that having to leave the party,” Chuck Laudner, doesn’t mean Congress will act, especially who ran Trump’s Iowa campaign, told me in when the president is feuding with some May 2015, when crowds were starting to take key members. But Trump’s moves are a step Trump seriously. in the direction of fixing some of the worst Not much has changed since then. “To a excesses of the Obama administration — if huge chunk of the electorate, Trump is not a Republicans will take the opportunity. Republican,” a veteran GOP operative told ■ me recently, after attending focus groups in Byron York is chief political correspondent several states key to next year’s midterms. for The Washington Examiner. YOUR VIEWS Walden cares about Eastern Oregon issues My wife and I have had the privilege of knowing Greg Walden since we moved to Oregon in 1989. Greg was representing Oregonians in the Oregon House of Representatives when I first met him and was later elected to the Oregon Senate. In 1999 Greg was elected to represent Oregonians in the 2nd Congressional District, a position he continues to fulfill with integrity and vision. Congressman Walden has always taken the time to learn about and work with us on issues important to our region. Vital economic issues such as growing our job base, prudent use of our natural resources and diversified energy sources are all part of his forward thinking agenda. Congressman Walden understands the importance and use of all types of domestic energy. I have found that Congressman Walden recognizes the connections between capitalizing on America’s energy abundances in hydropower, natural gas, wind and coal, with improving our energy infrastructure and job creation. Clean, efficient hydropower generates 42 percent of Oregon’s electricity generation needs. As chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he plays a key role in shaping America’s energy and commerce policies, including hydropower, Oregon’s largest single producer of low cost power. I appreciate the importance his role plays in shaping the future of Oregon in critical areas such as energy as well as many more. Our region, as do others, shares a passion for education and technology, subjects that Greg supports in numerous ways as we push forward to expand our educated workforce. The staff who expertly assist Congressman Walden in the field and Washington, D.C., are predominately Oregonians. They do an outstanding job listening and helping us with concerns and issues along with providing Greg the support he needs to effectively represent the citizens of the 2nd Congressional District. Please join us in supporting and voting for Greg Walden to continue to represent us in Congress. Gary and Kathy Neal Boardman Another dangerous voice given power Angela Merkel won a fourth term as Germany’s chancellor in the national elections in September, although she lost one million votes to the AfD, which now will have a national platform on the floor of the Bundestag where they can present their noxious views. The AfD campaigned against immigration, in particular opposition to Muslim immigrants, citing racial mixing would create a mongrel people. The AfD contend the German remembrance of the Holocaust has become a cult of guilt, and homosexuality as immoral. The German media has contrasted Germany’s political scene to that of America’s, stating contempt, crude, ignorant and vindictive language will become ordinary with the rise of the far right. With the AfD in government, most feel its representation is a huge backward step for Germany. Chancellor Merkel is a practical leader, unlike our impulsive Tweeter, and will find most European countries behind her — Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and countries in support of the Paris Climate Accord. It’s an alliance of pragmatism and the United States is going to need them if we go to war against another ignorant, selfish, arrogant and unrealistic numskull. Dr. Dorys C. Grover Pendleton 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 newspa- per reserves the right to withhold letters that address concerns about individual ser- vices 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.
