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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2018)
Page 4A East Oregonian Friday, October 19, 2018 CHRISTOPHER RUSH Publisher KATHRYN B. BROWN Owner DANIEL WATTENBURGER Managing Editor WYATT HAUPT News Editor Founded October 16, 1875 OUR VIEW Native Americans aren’t just a political football Boston Herald W ith the controversy of Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s claims to be part Native American still swirling through the political atmosphere, it is important that we hear the voices of actual Native Americans. They’re not too thrilled. Native American groups say they’re tired of being a “political football” in the back and forth over Warren’s heritage claims. “It’s problematic in the sense that the general American imagination has this fascination with native people, but overlooks what’s been done to them,” Raquel Halsey, the head of the North American Indian Center of Boston, told the Herald. “They think they’re honoring native people, but the real way to do that would be focusing on the issues that face native people,” like land rights, treaties, economic development and education, she said. According to Kim TallBear, a Canadian researcher on Native Americans, Warren’s DNA drop comes “despite her historical record of refusing to meet with Cherokee Nation community members who challenge her claims.” Elizabeth Warren should meet with those Cherokee Nation members and have a robust discussion about their needs and challenges. Monday night Warren tweeted, “At the end of the day, I trust the people of Massachusetts to look at the facts about who I am and how I’ve lived my life and make their own judgment about me.” But who she is is still in question. An overture to the Native American community would give her a fresh slate with which to build a legacy and serve to clearly define her. According to 2015 statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation, “The rate of drug-related deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native people has almost quadrupled since 1999, according to the Indian Health Service. It’s now double the rate in the U.S. as a whole. Oklahoma — home to the 120,000 citizens of Cherokee Nation — leads the country in prescription painkiller abuse.” As a whole, the total U.S. jobless rate among American Indians and Alaska AP file photo In this July 8, 2018, file photo, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., greets people follow- ing a town hall event at Belkin Family Lookout Farm, in Natick, Mass. Natives was 8.9 percent in 2016. That is compared with 4.9 percent for the U.S. as a whole, according to a Bureau Of Labor Statistics report. The Indian Health Service, which falls under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reports that “American Indians and Alaska Natives born today have a life expectancy that is 5.5 years less than the U.S. all races population (73.0 years to 78.5 years, respectively).” Sen. Warren, Native Americans need help. You are a powerhouse in Washington. You have an obligation to use your talents to improve their lives. Since you resurrected the DNA issue for political gain, the opportunity for a good faith gesture presents itself: Senator, we call on you to draw upon your own personal wealth and make a substantial contribution to the cause of Native Americans. YOUR VIEWS Water and our congressional representation Water quality and water shortage are both critical issues for our area, so I was glad when Greg Walden and Jamie McLeod- Skinner addressed water issues in their recent televised debate on Bend channel KTVZ. In that debate, Rep. Walden took credit for reauthorizing the Safe Drinking Water Act, saying that, because of his work, “When a mom is pouring water out of her tap at home, she knows that water is safe.” However, the current administration, with Congress’ acquiescence, has been systematically dismantling the Clean Water Act and other water protections. Mr. Walden has been standing by and allowing our water resources to become vulnerable to degradation, and then acting as if he’s made useful contributions. Why does he not speak up in support of the Clean Water Act? Climate change is another threat to our water resources. The current administration is, at best, blatantly ignoring this crisis. Walden is going along with the administration, and he remains silently complicit as the EPA dismantles important regulations to help prevent climate change. His silence regarding the EPA regulations isn’t surprising, since Walden appears to receive substantial campaign money from the fossil fuel industry. But back in Oregon we see drought after drought, and this summer has brought drought conditions to almost all of Oregon. Farmers and ranchers deal with lack of rainfall and runoff, while we hear crickets from the administration regarding addressing climate change. Jamie McLeod-Skinner understands that water quantity and quality are intrinsic to how we connect with the land. Jamie understands water law and cares about agricultural uses of water. She speaks out for clean water and will continue to do so in Congress. Jamie also understands that what we do regarding water and climate will impact our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beyond. She understands that tough choices may need to be made, and will speak out regarding Oregon’s water needs in Congress. She knows that the people who really understand local conditions and needs of the land are the people who live here, and wants many water decisions to be made locally. Jamie believes in local efforts, and local land stewardship. From Congress, Jamie will help Oregonians and the people across our nation find wise, effective, and fair ways to reduce the rate of climate change, and help our farmers and ranchers produce food for the world. My vote is for Jamie McLeod-Skinner. Patty Jones Pilot Rock Murdock serves us all I support George Murdock. I have known George Murdock for many years. George is a man who is honest and knowledgeable. The county needs George Murdock and all his experience. He knows which buttons to push to help our county. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial board. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of the East Oregonian. He has experience in the county, state, and even Washington, D.C. It takes a lot of time and years to get these contacts. It just does not happen overnight. George Murdock has them. Bringing money into Umatilla County, to help build roads, help our law enforcement, help with economic development, cutting waste in government, balancing the county budget — these are just a few of the things Commissioner Murdock has done for us. We need him to be re-elected so that he can continue to serve all of us in Umatilla County. Please vote for George Murdock for County Commissioner. Jack McWhinnie Umatilla McLeod-Skinner a much- needed change in D.C. A letter in Tuesday’s East Oregonian listed strengths of Greg Walden. Most were based on national politics and not what’s happening in rural Oregon. The writer mentions the recent federal tax cut, which largely benefit the wealthy. The tax cut is projected to add over $800 billion to the national deficit in 2018. In the past Walden has called for government to balance the budget, but that is not how he’s voted. The writer also highlighted low national unemployment. The unemployment rate in rural Oregon lags behind the national level and unemployment is an incomplete measure of the health of our economy. Median household income and the percentage of people below or near the federal poverty level need to be taken into consideration as well. Based on statistics from the newest census data (for communities with more that 5,000 people) the following five communities are among the 10 poorest in Oregon: Prineville, Ontario, Madras, Milton-Freewater and Umatilla. All in Walden’s district. We need and advocate in D.C. for Oregon communities. Lastly, the writer says Walden has been in Congress a long time, which has earned him the chairmanship of an important committee. Walden does head the House Energy and Commerce and Committee. This committee deals with private and public health insurance (Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP) as well as the regulation of food, drugs and drug abuse. There have been several attempts to repeal the ACA under his leadership. The committee has passed legislation to help those already addicted to opioids, but virtually little to stem the flow of legal opioids into our communities. Walden is one of the largest recipients of donations from pharmaceutical companies, receiving more then $200,000 in the past two years. It’s time for a change in Washington that will benefit Oregon’s Second Congressional District. Join with me to elect Jamie McLeod-Skinner to be our representative in Congress. Jamie supports access to affordable health care, will work with communities and businesses to improve rural economies, and invest in rural public education and job training programs. Jamie puts people first. Ron Fonger Pendleton Liberty hangs in balance on measures 105, 106 We are in a war in Oregon and America to preserve our way of life, our liberty and the rule of law. In Portland Antifa and BLM mobs rule and the police have been ordered to stand down. The press and media shield these hooded terrorists and give them cover to intimidate citizens. This is the Democratic Party version of socialism in action and it will spread if Oregonians fail to take a stand. Democrat socialism is destroying Oregon and America. We have the rare opportunity to defeat this press and media shielded form of Communism on ballot measures 105 and 106. Measure 105 would repeal a law limiting use of state/local law enforcement resources to enforce immigration laws. Just like the police in Portland handcuffed to protect Oregon citizens from thugs, our police officers are handcuffed to protect Oregonians because the sanctuary law shields lawbreakers from detection. According to data compiled by David Olen Cross in January, the Oregon Department of Corrections has 136 illegal immigrants incarcerated for murder and over 500 for rape and sexual assault. There are 170,000 illegal immigrants here because the Democrat sanctuary law drew them here and Oregon taxpayers foot the bill of over a billion dollars of year for the services. That is Democrat Socialism in action: tax those that work to pay for those here illegally. Measure 106 would “Prohibit spending public funds directly/indirectly for abortion.” The current Democrat socialist law places no restrictions on spending public (taxpayer) funds for abortion. This is classic Democrat socialist policy of forcing Oregonians to pay for a policy most believe morally wrong. Oregon Christians, who believe the Bible, hold the public policy of abortion on demand at taxpayer expense an abomination unto America and God. We believe life begins at conception and to kill that life (through all nine months, for any reason) is premeditated murder. In the last year alone your Oregon tax dollars paid for 3,556 abortions at a cost of $1.7 million dollars. The Democrat socialist policy of taxing those that produce income to pay for policies that destroy our people and way of life must end. We will all be accountable to our creator for our stewardship of his creation and the sanctity of life. Vote wisely, brethren, because our liberty and way of life hangs in the balance. Stuart Dick Irrigon Murdock checks all the boxes I feel fortunate that over the last 30-plus years of my business life I’ve had the pleasure to work in some capacity with numerous Umatilla County commissioners. In my opinion, George Murdock is a very good county commissioner. George is an excellent communicator, an experienced administrator, and a tireless advocate for Umatilla County. I think the most important aspect that I value with George is his financial and budget experience. Umatilla County government is an important aspect in all our lives. Each of the county departments are basically small to medium-sized businesses that serve all of us in some capacity at various times of our lives. Today, there are more needs and wants than we have the financial ability to address. It is critical for the commissioners to know and understand how to manage the county budget and personnel to get the most bang for our buck. George has the experience, the ability to communicate with, and the skills to cooperate with all of Umatilla Country to help make county government work as efficiently as possible. Please join me in voting for George Murdock for county commissioner. A vote for Murdock is a vote for ourselves. Kevin Hale Pendleton 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. 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.