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.