ANDREW CUTLER
Publisher/Editor
KATHRYN B. BROWN
Owner
ERICK PETERSON
Hermiston Editor/Senior Reporter
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021
A4
Founded October 16, 1875
OUR VIEW
Looking
forward,
moving
ahead
he past year was a difficult one on
many levels — mostly because of
the coronavirus pandemic — but
as 2022 beckons, we will grasp an oppor-
tunity to build on the already obvious
successes of the region.
For some, success may be hard to
discern, especially with the cloud of
COVID-19 lingering, but the region has
much to be proud of.
The clearest indicator of triumph is
the low jobless rate across all Eastern
Oregon. Everyone, it seems, who can
work is. That bodes will for our region’s
economy — now and into the future.
New Year’s resolutions are part of
the popular culture arena we all live in
but there is nothing wrong with setting
specific goals for the next 12 months. One
goal should be to focus on what is work-
ing and vow to fix what isn’t.
One of our regional strengths is a
determination to overcome challenges.
The bedrock of our culture is a pioneer
resolve to scratch out success wherever it
can be found. We also can rely on a rich
legacy passed on from Native American
culture, an almost sacred birthright, that
existed long before the first wagon train
emerged from the Blue Mountains.
In short, we are a diverse group and
that means we carry a deep reservoir of
strength, a tradition of surmounting prob-
lems. Our inheritance was bestowed by
our Native American and pioneer ances-
tors, and it is more than a historical relic
to admire. The residue of our determina-
tion can be found in the small towns that
dot Eastern Oregon.
We must translate that determination
and dedication to success in the next year.
The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t going
to go away but there are lessons to be
learned from the past year that can be
used in 2022. One of the biggest lessons
is we, as a regional community, can
overcome just about any challenge if we
address it quickly and with courage.
While it is difficult to predict the
future, we can chart a course that rests on
unity and a determination to adapt and
overcome obstacles.
The new year brings opportunity for
all of us. We should not fail to clutch
those opportunities and to resolve to face
our challenges with courage and grace.
Happy New Year from the East Orego-
nian.
T
EDITORIALS
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.
LETTERS
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
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The phone number will not be published.
Unsigned letters will not be published.
SEND LETTERS TO:
editor@eastoregonian.com,
or via mail to Andrew Cutler,
211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801
YOUR VIEWS
Tip your gas station
attendant, please
I have always thought that tipping, in
many ways, is a curious thing. Who we
tip and why we tip has always seemed
very inconsistent and arbitrary.
If we go to a restaurant and the server
provides good service, it is the norm
to give that person a 15-20% tip. The
logic has been that they don’t get paid
a lot per hour, so tips supplement their
income and it gives us the opportu-
nity to acknowledge their good service.
Seems reasonable.
If you go to a coffee shop or a bar, if
the person provides some friendly small
talk along with your beverage, it’s pretty
common to give that person a dollar or
two.
You might tip the person that cuts
your hair, maintains your yard or deliv-
ers your newspaper, especially during
the holiday season.
Why not the person that pumps your
gas? Many people pull up, barely open
the window to slide a debit card out,
while sitting on heated seats, comfort-
ably out of the elements. The gas atten-
dant is on their feet all day, standing in
freezing weather, maybe with the wind
blowing, with little thanks or acknowl-
edgment. Rarely a tip. In the summer
they stand out in sweltering heat but
the results are typically the same. How
did we leave them out of customary
tipping? In Oregon we have the luxury
of staying in our vehicles while some-
one fuels our vehicles. I think it’s time
we acknowledge what they do, espe-
cially in a time when it’s difficult to find
employees.
I am sure there are many other
types of jobs I could use as an exam-
ple, but it’s time to recognize others
for the work they do. I would encour-
age all of you to tip when some-
one does a job you value, especially
workers that are paid at the lower
end of the pay scale. Some employ-
ers don’t allow tipping, but I think the
employee working hard would appre-
ciate the fact that you tried to recog-
nize their hard work. Just a thought.
Have a happy and prosperous 2022.
Scott Erwin
Redmond
Rudeness is a weak
imitation of strength
Sometimes someone thinks some-
thing is funny but it is down right rude.
For instance: If you take the chew-
ing gum out of your mouth and stick it
behind your ear before a meal, pick your
teeth blatantly with a straw in public or
talk with your mouth full.
George Washington said, “Every
action done in company, ought to be
with some sign of respect to those that
are present.”
Manners refers to behavior in social
interaction — the way we handle the
encounter between yourself and others.
We have good manners when we use
our hands well, when we handle others
with care. Depending on our will and
sensitivity, you can strike or lift up, hurt
or soothe, destroy or heal. We under-
stand the importance for children to
be taught and adults whatever politi-
cal party to demonstrate the having of
good manners. Something is not a joke
when used to emphasize that a situa-
tion is serious and that someone means
what they say. Even a joke that didn’t get
a laugh still leaves you better off if it’s
seen as appropriate. Bullies always say
they didn’t mean it, it was only a joke.
Remember Supreme Court Justice
Clarence Thomas spoke to eighth grad-
ers after his inappropriate work jokes
almost lost him a Supreme Court posi-
tion: “Good manners will open doors
that even the best education will not
and cannot. Even though you might
have strong feelings about a matter ...
that does not give you a license to have
bad manners.”
Please use this opportunity as we
return in our schools to focus on good
manners. “Choosing Civility” by P.
M. Forni is a great book choice for all
schools that teaches how we ought to
treat each other. And what could be
more important than that?
Rudeness is the weak person’s imita-
tion of strength. Let’s make our schools
strong in good manners. Don’t curse the
darkness. Let’s light a candle of kind-
ness together.
Sally Sundin
Walla Walla
Green energy or
greenbacks?
I found the article concerning test
drilling for Lithium in Oregon very
interesting (“Test drilling OK’d for
proposed lithium mine,” Dec. 23
edition). Especially given the number
of green new deal proposals before
Congress. It made me wonder if all
these proposals were designed to protect
the earth or were there alternative moti-
vating factors.
The Biden administration signed
an executive order to strengthen the
domestic lithium supply. Oregon
Department of Geology and Miner-
als granted Australian-based company
Jindalee Resources a permit to dig 39
test holes. The executive director of
Jindalee estimated there could be more
than 10 million tons of lithium. At
$15,000 a ton that works out to around
$150 billion from just one mine.
In light of what happened in the
Ukraine concerning family members
of politicians enriching themselves, I
would like to know what politicians
own stock in companies dealing in lith-
ium. It appears to be a huge conflict of
interest to vote for electric vehicles or
renewable energy storage facilities if
you own stock in the production and
mining of lithium.
Since domestic production of lithium
in the United States makes up only 1%
of the world supply of lithium, this mine
could be a cash cow for the investor. It
just seems the push for green energy
may be motivated by a push for green-
backs. I think all politicians should
declare if they own any lithium stock in
advance of any vote concerning green
energy proposals. Just my thoughts.
Joe Mesteth
Hermiston