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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2019)
A4 East Oregonian Wednesday, October 16, 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 GOP should focus on candidates, not recall efforts T wo efforts to recall Gov. Kate Brown stalled Monday, send- ing the clear message that while many voters are dissatisfied with her performance she isn’t going any- where anytime soon. Both efforts failed by substantial margins. There are a lot of things that make the state’s recall system important — in fact, crucial in some respects — but this latest recall effort was a waste of time. A lot of voters in Oregon don’t like Brown. They don’t like her policies or her political philosophy. Especially east of the Cascades, the governor’s popularity isn’t as high in some areas as she or her supporters would like. In other sections of the state, the governor doesn’t face that problem and her policies are considered sound. Our political system is designed where fractures in public opinion are common and rarely does a politician gain the kind of widespread popularity they seek. The recall system in Oregon is needed, but it should be utilized only in the most serious circumstances. AP Photo, File Gov. Kate Brown speaks to supporters of House Bill 2020 on the steps of the Oregon Capitol earlier this year. A pair of recall efforts against Brown ended on Monday, falling short of col- lecting the minimum number of signatures needed to force a vote. Simply disliking the governor isn’t really sufficient ground to launch a recall effort. We concede anyone can be recalled for any reason, but that should not be a blank check to settle political grudges. The recall tool is a necessary one, but it should be reserved for those who abuse their office, commit crimes or blatant breaches in ethics. If one does not like the current chief executive of the state or the nation there is already a process instilled into our system to change it. It’s called elections. Republican party leaders, especially, should have stepped into the recall effort and squashed it. Not because it was wrong — we’ve already conceded recalls are sometimes necessary — but because it was a waste of time. If Republicans really want to change leadership in Oregon, they should work hard to find a candidate that can beat a Democrat for the governor’s slot. That isn’t as easy as it would seem — just review the last two elections for proof — but it needs to be a priority. There also remains a host of seri- ous political issues impacting our state right now that deserve the undivided attention of GOP leaders. Spending time and effort on a failed recall effort isn’t a viable method for the future. We in Eastern Oregon don’t live in a vacuum. Generally, the region is a conservative stronghold. But other portions of the state lean in a different political direction. We may believe our conservative values are paramount, but we — and the Republican Party — must convince the rest of the state. Wasting time on a recall effort isn’t going to get us there. OTHER VIEWS Matt Lauer’s right to defend himself is an important part of #MeToo I YOUR VIEWS Hermiston in need of more room for students Loss of Kemp a tragedy for Lexington Hermiston is a “can-do” community. Residents know the value of a good edu- cation, and that an investment in schools today will pay off for years to come. Residents have the opportunity this November to again invest in Hermis- ton education by approving Measure 30-130. It’s a fiscally responsible proposal to address overcrowding in elementary schools and at the high school caused by the significant population growth of the area. The school district listened to vot- ers after the last bond vote. It reduced its funding request, paid off additional debt, and selected bond projects that focus on increasing classroom space to help keep class sizes smaller. They are making a request that will not increase residents’ school bond tax rates. This bond will not only address over- crowding but will spur private investment by showing Hermiston is a city that takes its future seriously. We’re proud to support Measure 30-130 and this unique opportu- nity for Hermiston to invest in its students and its future. We encourage voters to vote yes on Measure 30-130. Rep. Greg and Sherri Smith Heppner I was saddened to hear of Marcia Kemp’s resignation from the Lexing- ton City Council. Kemp is one of the most organized employees on the Uma- tilla National Forest and is the “best of the best” in her job. While working there, I counted on her to give me correct infor- mation on administrative issues, and her encyclopedic knowledge made my job much easier. Because of this knowledge base she has always been an excellent problem solver, able to move things for- ward and get things done. Reading between the lines in this saga, it’s clear she was trying to get folks to fol- low correct legal protocol while certain forces wanted to continue to do things the “good ol’ boy way,” which seems so prev- alent in Eastern Oregon. As someone who appreciates smart people who want to do the right thing, I find it tragic that she is the victim of a smear campaign to keep the status quo when those same people could have used her significant skill set to get grants and other positive benefits for their community. Residents lose out when organized peo- ple with executive skills walk away. Wynn Avocette Pendleton 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. “It is alleged that an extramarital, but n the wake of the #MeToo movement, consensual, sexual encounter I have pre- “he said, she said” is quickly becom- viously admitted having, was in fact an ing “she said, he cringed and remained assault. It is categorically false, ignores the silent.” Another variation is, “she said, he facts, and defies common sense.” apologized profusely and then resigned.” In other words, Matt Lauer is speak- This would describe former Sen. Al ing out in his own defense, something that Franken, who did what he thought was many men have been too afraid to do for the honorable thing even though many of fear of being called sexist or misogynistic his former colleagues now regret forcing or other, more indelicate terms that have him out of office (except for former Demo- cratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gilli- entered the lexicon thanks to a certain brand, emphasis on “former”). occupant of the White House. But some men — including, #MeToo has spread the mes- sage that women need to find as of this week, Matt Lauer — their voices and speak out when have decided to change the para- digm and started to speak out after they feel they have been abused. being accused of sexual miscon- As someone who works with duct. There was Brett Kavanaugh, female victims of domestic vio- lence and who grew up with who passionately defended himself women who had been abused by against sexual assault allegations their partners or relatives and lodged on the eve of his Supreme C hristine never dared open their mouths, Court confirmation. There is State F lowers I celebrate any movement that Sen. Daylin Leach, who has filed COMMENT encourages victims to tell their defamation actions against several “truths” — as long as they are parties (including The Inquirer) for indeed truths. Unfortunately, one woman’s making or reporting accusations against vague, long-buried “fact” can be another him (what I call the “she said, he sued” man’s defamatory, life-destroying fiction. dynamic). That is why it is as important to lis- Lauer is the most recent example of an ten to the men who say, “I did not do this, accused male refusing to go gentle into this was not what happened,” as it is not to that good night, ala Dylan Thomas. The shame women into silence or dismiss out former broadcast star, whose meteoric of hand their uncorroborated accounts. We rise included a stint here in Philadelphia have to find that middle point between the and who became a household name as a two pendulum extremes of “excusing all long-running “Today” show anchor, was men” and “believing all women.” fired after accusations of sexual miscon- duct became public two years ago. At the I think that what Matt Lauer is doing is an important step. While his moral code, time, Lauer remained fairly silent, retreat- ing into a family bubble as he tried to save which apparently allows for serial adul- tery, is clearly flawed, that does not mean his marriage and protect his children. The he should wear the label of “rapist” for the marriage ended, and so did Lauer’s run as rest of his natural life, if he indeed did not a public figure. commit rape. That was true until this past week, Whenever people are given an opportu- when accusations of rape exploded in nity to defend themselves against uncon- anticipation of the release of Pulitzer firmed allegations, whether through law- Prize-winner Ronan Farrow’s new book, suits, public interviews, or impassioned “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Con- spiracy to Protect Predators,” which statements in front of the Senate Judi- ciary Committee, we guarantee that our details the reporting that helped launch social and legal systems will be as fair as the #MeToo movement. As dramatic as humanly possible. Guaranteeing that right Lauer’s retreat from the public spotlight for men, in this #MeToo era, is not another seemed in 2017, that was the tone of his way of silencing women. It is the only way reemergence this Wednesday when Lauer to make sure the truth is spoken and heard. categorically denied accusations of rape ——— made by Brooke Nevils, a former col- league at NBC. Lauer came out swinging Christine Flowers is a syndicated free- lance columnist. in a public statement on the matter: 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
