East Oregonian A4 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 CHRISTOPHER RUSH Publisher KATHRYN B. BROWN Owner ANDREW CUTLER Editor WYATT HAUPT JR. News Editor JADE McDOWELL Hermiston Editor Founded October 16, 1875 OUR VIEW Capital Press Photo/Sierra Dawn McClain A panoramic view of the June 27, 2019, protest at the Oregon Capitol in Salem. Voices of frustration, and fear, at the Capitol T housands of Oregonians gath- ered in front of the state Cap- itol last week to protest cli- mate change bills that wouldn’t help the climate but would raise the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity and natural gas in addition to threat- ening rural jobs. The only thing House Bill 2020 offered was the promise of “green” jobs and the fact that it wouldn’t sig- nificantly impact the climate. Even proponents have said it would have impacted only about 0.12% of global greenhouses gases. What the protesters said was from the heart, born of frustration and fear for themselves and their fami- lies and a realization that, in the large scheme of politics in Oregon, they barely matter. Portland has the votes, so who cares about Pendleton, or Til- lamook, or La Grande, or Baker City or John Day? The voices were as clear as they were heartfelt. “We’ve got climate problems to deal with, obviously,” 19-year- old Mary Hewitt told Capital Press reporter Sierra Dawn McClain. Hewitt comes from a family of truckers, fishermen and other work- ing-class people. “So many of my peers have come out supporting these bills. They think they’re fighting for the environment, and I get it. But this is not the way to help the earth. Ride a bike to work. Walk more. Recycle. But don’t crush me and my family. We’re people, too.” Ellie Hilger, 30, from Tillamook, also took part in the protest. “Tillamook is not just a tourist destination,” Hilger said. “We work the land and take care of it. I come from a logging family. My dad runs a hay farm. This bill will destroy Tilla- mook industries.” “Crush” and “destroy” are not words demonstrating confidence in the Legislature. These folks — log- gers, farmers, truckers and ranchers — have been the targets of Oregon environmental activists for decades. The activists have crippled the tim- ber industry, once a mainstay of the state’s economy. They have attacked ranchers — note the shameful attack on Dwight and Steven Hammond that continues in a Portland court- room. Good Lord, haven’t they been through enough? Now, even after they were pardoned by President Donald Trump, the environmental attack dogs continue. And note the bills constantly intro- duced in the Legislature attacking loggers, farmers and ranchers — the people who provide the state’s food, fiber and shelter. It’s as though rural Oregonians — even the ones whose families braved the Oregon Trail to build a life here — are an endangered species. They feel that political “leaders” such as Gov. Kate Brown have not only aban- doned them but are actively working against their interests. We often hear chatter about heal- ing the urban-rural divide. Yet some politicians appear to use it and try their best to widen the gap that divides Oregonians. As an example, where was Brown when last week’s protest took place? Where were the others, who still insist HB 2020 was misunderstood? This was a chance for them to talk with the protesters, to gain an understanding of their concerns, to show empathy and tell them they fully understand and promise to pre- vent any legislation that would hurt rural Oregon. This was a chance to start building a bridge, yet they didn’t show up. HB 2020, the cap-and-trade cli- mate bill, died in the Legislature during the waning days of the ses- sion. But another bill, HB 2007, which will require heavy equip- ment and trucks in the three counties around Portland to have expensive new diesel engines, passed. Proponents promise to keep push- ing cap-and-trade bills in the future. No doubt they will, and in the pro- cess they will continue to drive a wedge between urban and rural Ore- gon, which would pay a dispropor- tionately high price for an immeasur- ably small impact on climate change. What also won’t die is the distrust and damage Brown and others have inflicted on Oregon, its people and its economy. YOUR VIEWS Merkley a tourist, not a concerned legislator Sorry, but your Tip of the Hat to Sen. Jeff Merkley of June 29 is mis- placed. While it is true that he puts forth effort to come to Eastern Oregon, it is clear from his record as a senator that his visit is for naught and his par- tisan ways do continue. The visits are just that, a “visit”; he is a tourist on a social trip, not a concerned legislator that comes to listen, understand and pursue legislation that supports us. Most recent evidence of him being out of touch on the needs of all of Ore- gon is his supporting Tweet of May 28 of Oregon HB 2020. So yes, please come, senator, but do us all a favor and listen and act! Carl Culham Athena Lawmakers should do their job In the late 1990s, the federal gov- ernment threatened water rights to the Little Walla Walla River because steelhead and bull trout were listed as a threatened species. I was a pastor in Milton-Freewater at the time. Those of us who understand the complexities of rural agriculture can imagine the chaos this threatened. Local irrigators, and our church, began to build a coa- lition which included the Tribes, vari- ous government agencies, diverse envi- ronmental groups and more. We found a solution and a way around the crisis. Cooperation was the key. The Associated Press reported Fri- day that 11 Oregon lawmakers fled the state to avoid the cooperation and conversation that we elected them to 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. engage in are now claiming victory in the defeat of HB 2020. HB 2020 would have had Oregon declare a state of emergency around climate concerns that desperately need attention. Its goal was to “dramatically reduce greenhouse gases by 2050” through a cap and trade regime yet to be wholly defined. While we in rural and urban Oregon experience the crisis differently, we all know it exists. Those of you in our state legisla- ture have been given a trust by the people of Oregon. It’s a hard job. I respect that. It is likewise the job of faith communities like mine to sup- port your work and speak up when you have failed. I am doing my job. Leaving the state to avoid doing yours is a catastrophic failure. My prayers for renewed integrity in office will continue. Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke Portland Thank you, Greg Walden U.S. Rep. Greg Walden held a town hall meeting in Athena at noon on Sun- day. He was very forthcoming with information, from forest fires, opioids, wolves, the border, and even touched on the Green New Deal and what the cost would be to implement such a plan. He handled the antagonists very well. His staff gave out contact infor- mation and he promised to get back in touch with people with answers to spe- cific questions. I was impressed and Greg Walden is assured of getting my vote again. It was exciting to actually have him come to Athena. Sally Thompson Athena CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES U.S. PRESIDENT GOVERNOR Donald Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 whitehouse.gov/contact/ Kate Brown 160 State Capitol 900 Court Street Salem, OR 97301-4047 503-378-4582 U.S. SENATORS Ron Wyden 221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5244 La Grande office: 541-962-7691 Jeff Merkley 313 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202-224-3753 Pendleton office: 541-278-1129 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE Greg Walden 185 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6730 La Grande office: 541-624-2400 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. REPRESENTATIVES Greg Barreto, District 58 900 Court St. NE, H-38 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1458 Rep.GregBarreto@state.or.us Greg Smith, District 57 900 Court St. NE, H-482 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1457 Rep.GregSmith@state.or.us SENATOR Bill Hansell, District 29 900 Court St. NE, S-423 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1729 Sen.BillHansell@state.or.us Send letters to the editor to editor@eastoregonian.com, or via mail to Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801