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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2019)
A4 East Oregonian Wednesday, October 9, 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 Let voters decide on death penalty L ike Kate Brown, who replaced him as Oregon gov- ernor, John Kitzhaber wanted to do away with the death penalty in the state. But at least Kitzhaber respected his constituents enough to recog- nize that this matter ought to be left to voters rather than the legislative or executive branches. When Kitzhaber declared a mor- atorium on executions in Oregon in 2011, he supported the idea of put- ting the issue on the ballot. This was eminently reasonable — the last time voters decided on the death pen- alty, in 1984, 55% who cast a bal- lot supported execution as a possible punishment. Moreover, that vote amended the Oregon Constitution, which means the voters, having decided capital punishment should be an option, also reserved for themselves the option of changing their mind. AP Photo/Andrew Selsky, File Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks to reporters in February in front of pictures of previous state governors in Salem. Not that the sanctity of the Con- stitution has proved much of a deter- rent for Brown and the Democrats who control the Legislature. They not only haven’t shown much interest in consulting voters about the death penalty, but this year they passed a law that severely narrows the defi- nition of aggravated murder — the only crime punishable by execution in Oregon. And although their intent was that the new law would apply only to future cases, the Oregon Justice Department concluded the law could potentially also affect defendants who have already been convicted. The bottom line here is that Brown and her backers in the Cap- itol, being legally precluded from reversing voters’ 1984 decision, have been striving to thwart the elector- ate’s will anyway. Oregon has changed quite a lot in the past 35 years, with the elector- ate trending toward the left side of the political spectrum. It may well be that a majority would choose to remove capital punishment from the Constitution. Brown and the Demo- crats should advocate for giving vot- ers that chance. OTHER VIEWS No escape from trade wars’ effects T YOUR VIEWS Yes vote is investment in Hermiston students Hermiston has the opportunity in November to yet again invest in its young people and its future. The Hermiston School District is asking voters to approve a bond that will fund adequate classroom space for its students. It’s a package that takes into consideration the growing student enrollment and the priorities of residents polled in the past year. Support for a school bond such as this is truly an investment, and we see the returns every day. Grad- uates of the Hermiston school sys- tem are a huge part of our commu- nity. We’re lucky to live in a place that adds jobs and housing at a pace that enables alumni to return and give back to the community they grew up in. It’s incredible to look around at the number of businesses started or managed by Hermiston gradu- ates. Alumni are stepping up into service clubs, nonprofit boards and volunteer positions. At Hermiston High School, more than a quarter of the teachers were once Bulldogs themselves. I have always been apprecia- tive of the education all my kids received from the Hermiston School District. My son teaches at Armand Larvie Middle School, while my daughter is a member of the Rotarians. My kids and so many others were students who came up through a district supported by the commu- nity. They attended first-rate schools with outstanding teachers and staff. Residents made this possible by supporting school bonds. Please join me in voting Yes for Hermiston Schools. Phil Hamm Hermiston Agape House leader announces new journey To the community: For the past 17 years, it has been my honor and privilege to lead East- ern Oregon Mission and its two out- reaches, Agape House and Mar- tha’s House. It is now time for me to turn over the reins and begin a new adventure. As I reflect on the past years, I cannot help but see God’s hand in all that has been accomplished. These accomplishments are not mine but His, and would not have happened if you, our supporters, had not provided prayers, vision, and funding. I want to give a brief recap of the major highlights of what God and this community have accom- plished during my tenure here. At my first board meeting, I was pre- sented with a challenge: Bring to reality the vision of the board for a new facility. After three years of planning and fundraising, Agape House moved into its current home at 500 Harper Road. With the new building, Agape House was able to expand services to those in need in our community. Also during this time, Agape House partnered with Blue Mountain Community College to open and operate a thrift store. 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. We expanded our Harper Road location with the purchase of two additional acres to provide space for current and future programs. Seven years ago, with the encouragement of the late mayor Bob Severson, our board developed Martha’s House, a homeless family transitional program. These are your accomplish- ments. I was only the catalyst. A very special thank you here goes to my wife, Jodene, who is a prayer warrior, confidante and encourager. So what is your role in the future of Eastern Oregon Mission? First and foremost, your prayers are needed to ensure the organization continues to look to God for direc- tion. Pray specifically that God provides a new executive direc- tor. Second, your financial support is needed to allow Eastern Oregon Mission to continue to provide ser- vices to our community. So what is up for Dave and Jodene? I had a plan to enjoy retire- ment here in the Hermiston area, but God had a different plan. The one major lesson I learned during my time here is to follow God’s leading. We will be moving to Ari- zona and beginning a new journey. In closing, I would like to per- sonally thank each and everyone who has supported Eastern Oregon Mission during my time here. So please join me on Oct. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church’s fellowship hall and allow me to thank you in person. Cake and punch will be provided. Dave Hughes Hermiston he trade wars are hitting This protectionist action me where it hurts. spurred retaliation. IBD says “economists generally argue that One of my few respites Smoot-Hawley helped dry up from these rough-and-tumble times is to sit by an autumn bon- global trade and exacerbated the fire with good friends, a Leaf Great Depression.” Since then, tariffs had steadily and Bean cigar and some fine trended lower — until recently. Scotch whisky. “Before Trump took office, But, reports Forbes, the U.S. government announced last week half of U.S. industrial imports entered the country duty-free, a “25% tariff on all single malt with no tariff imposed,” IBD Scotch whisky imports, as part of a wider set of tariffs aiming to says. “In 2016, the average U.S. tariff rate was 1.6% across all punish the European Union.” products, according to the World As of Oct. 18, Scotch whisky Bank. ... After Trump’s esca- — and Parmesan cheese from lation of tariffs in May 2019, Italy and olives from France and the average U.S. trade- Spain, tasty goods I weighted tariff rate also enjoy — will be stood at about 7.5%, more expensive. according to a Deutsche Regrettably, that Bank calculation.” means I have to pay China, no stranger to attention to govern- ment trade actions — unfair trade tactics, is a which is about as fun as primary target. spending hours watch- “In 2018, Trump T om ing spirits be distilled. became the first presi- P urcell dent to systematically Forbes says the ori- COMMENT gin of my costly hooch threaten and impose tar- iffs to try and reshape woes dates back to 2004, when the U.S. got steamed the flow of trade,” IBD says. “Trump’s stated purpose for that the E.U. was subsidizing Airbus’ development of its A380 new and higher tariffs? Shrink the 2017 U.S. trade deficit of and A350 planes, which made $566 billion, boost U.S. produc- competing harder for America’s tion and increase manufacturing Boeing. jobs.” To retaliate, the U.S. raised Now we’re in a bona fide trade tariffs on the E.U., which caused war — which isn’t going well. the E.U. to raise tariffs on, The trade deficit is getting worse, among other things, American not better. Americans are pay- bourbon, which led the U.S. to ing more for low-cost imported raise its tariff on Scotch whisky. I’m certainly no expert on tar- goods they depend on. And iff diplomacy — I found trying American farmers, who depend to grasp Economics 101 at Penn on exports to pay their bills, are State unpleasant — but it seems getting hurt as China retaliates. It’s a game of “chicken” that’s much like a playground fight imposing uncertainty and pain among children: on global markets, including “You’re a meanie!” ours. “You’re a dodo head!” I don’t know how it’s going “Nuh-huh! to turn out. But I do know these “Yuh-huh!” stresses and strains get more Investor’s Business Daily troubling by the day. (IBD) explains that tariffs used They’re so troubling that I to be how America paid its bills can’t even escape them by sit- — until 1913, with the introduc- tion of the income tax (and later, ting by an autumn bonfire with payroll taxes). good friends, a Leaf and Bean cigar and some fine, though ever- The average U.S. tariff then more-costly, Scotch whisky. fell until 1930, when — early ——— in the Great Depression — the Tom Purcell is a nationally Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act hiked the syndicated columnist. average U.S. tariff by about 50%. 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 the editor to editor@eastoregonian.com, or via mail to Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801