OPINION
Wallowa.com
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
A5
Mandates: A suddenly tricky topic to discuss
MAIN STREET
Rich Wandschneider
“ M
andates” has become such a
toxic subject that it is hard to
talk about it. So, I decided to
think about it first. Can you follow me?
There are, in a general sense, two
kinds of mandates: the first we most often
refer to as laws — or regulations — promul-
gated by a local, state or national govern-
ment. Laws against murder and theft, laws
protecting freedom of religion and speech;
and marriage, abortion, alcohol, tobacco and
traffic laws are all governed by government
mandates.
The second kind of mandates are cul-
tural: horse meat, and for that matter, calf
brains or Rocky Mountain oysters, are not
generally approved of in our culture, and
hard to find on a restaurant menu. Churches
establish their own requirements — man-
dates — for leadership, which might be
years at a seminary or anointment by an
existing leader. There are still, in many
places and families, strong cultural prohi-
bitions against crossing color and religious
lines in marriage. Laws that were gained
with broad but narrow public support abol-
ished legal mandates, and as the American
stew has mixed, public acceptance is chang-
ing cultural norms.
Laws lead and followed culture in regard
to women’s rights; the 19th Amendment and
Title IX transformed American society by
giving women the right to vote and to have
every advantage provided by federal fund-
ing for men available to women. Although
there was significant societal opposition to
both measures in their times, they are now
the cultural as well as legal norms. Witness
the number of women doctors and lawyers
in Wallowa County today.
We make laws to allow society to oper-
ate smoothly, and to protect us as individu-
als from bad actors and to promote societal
health. We want the water we drink and air
we breathe to not kill us or make us sick. We
want — a huge majority of us want — free
education for all.
There is always a line between individual
human actions and freedom to act and the
larger society’s interest — sometimes what
is seen as the “state’s interest.” In authori-
tarian states, the leader’s or leading group’s
interest overwhelms individual interests.
But even authoritarian states have mushy
lines between individual and larger commu-
nity interests and freedoms of thought and
action. Being an entrepreneur in China is
easier now than it was under Mao, and much
easier than it is today in North Korea.
In “free” societies like ours — and New
Zealand’s, Norway’s, Germany’s and Sin-
gapore’s — the lines fall in different places,
are often vague, but always exist. Most
European countries think public and private
interests are best served by drinking laws
and standards much looser than ours. But
drunk driving is another matter, and might
immediately mean jail-time or loss of driv-
ing privileges forever. MADD — Mothers
Against Drunk Driving — upended Ameri-
can cultural norms, and although we are not
yet Norway, or Saudi Arabia, where public
flogging is the law — stricter standards are
now enshrined in law and in public attitudes.
In most countries — although not always
in the most authoritarian ones — 12-year-
olds are not allowed to marry. It took some
time to get where we are in these United
States, but my guess is that a return to 14
or 16 as the age of consent would not be
well-received.
In every case, the state or its leaders
speak in the name of a broader public inter-
est of protecting other citizens and the gen-
eral public; we don’t want drunk drivers
on the road risking the lives of others. And
even though my “tradition” might say that I
can marry my daughter off prepuberty, the
state steps in to provide protection for my
daughter. And an overwhelming number of
my neighbors agree with the state.
Smallpox, brought to America by Euro-
peans and traveling tribe to tribe, killed
millions of the original Americans. Crude
vaccinations, using pustule matter from dis-
eased people, was known for centuries, and
was used by General Washington at Valley
Forge. In 1796, Edward Jenner became the
father of vaccination when he developed a
smallpox vaccine from the milder cowpox
disease. I had my last smallpox booster at
22, in 1965. Smallpox is now gone from the
world; vaccinations are no longer given.
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccina-
tion mandates have been widely accepted
— until recently. Ironically, as the anti-vax
movement has grown around very shaky
claims that vaccinations led to autism in
children, measles has reappeared in Oregon.
The coronavirus will get universal vac-
cine treatment like smallpox and polio did
when the current outbreak becomes more
deadly than it currently is and people clam-
mer for it—as they did for a polio vaccine.
Or with successful government mandates
and control of the diseases.
Meanwhile, the governor of Missis-
sippi might explain why a coronavirus vac-
cine mandate is tyranny and his state’s strict
mandates about childhood diseases are not.
Mandates are a tricky business.
———
Rich Wandschneider is the director
of the Josephy Library of Western His-
tory and Culture.
Rat Race turnout is highest in tournament history
TEE TIME
Rochelle Danielson
lpine Meadows Golf Course
swarmed with golfers over the
Labor Day weekend — a weekend
that proved “perfect weather friendly” to
Rat Race couples.
The turnout of 94 golfers was the larg-
est participation in the tournament’s history.
On a nine-hole golf course, that’s a lot of
people, but with an experienced committee,
AMGC personnel, JD Hagan and greens
crew and many on-the-spot volunteers, the
A
tourney was a huge success.
The 2021 First Low Gross Coveted
Awards in the three flights went to: Cats
— Chris/Carla Greenough of La Grande,
with a score of 148 for the two-day tour-
nament. Rats — Lloyd/Nita Baker, also of
La Grande, 168. Cheese — Tristen Beck/
Desiree Nash of Enterprise, 179.
First Low Net Awards in three flights
went to: Cats — Larry and Kathy Mauer,
132. Rats — Craig and Terri Smith, 142.
Cheese — Terry Hughes and Kim Hulse,
144.
The tournament paid three places in each
category.
Sole Survivor Winner, a five-hole com-
petition: First, Craig and Terri Smith. Sec-
ond, Gary and Karen Graybeal. Third, Scott
and Carol Franks. This was a good golf
match to observe. On the No. 5 green, and
deciding hole, Smiths and Graybeals tied,
but because this was a “net player” year the
Smiths had a one stroke advantage.
Saturday Best Ball: First Place Team:
Chris/Carla Greenough, Emmitt/Shir-
ley Cornford and Matthew/Paige Twomey.
2nd Place Team: Albin/Chris Presley, Don/
Peggy Westfall and Carey Lewis/Lesa
Bunten.
Saturday’s Fairway Games Winner:
Mens’ Long Drive: Cats — Alan Ste-
phens. Rats — Randy Spear. Cheese —
Kevin McCarthy. Womens’ Long Drive:
Cats — Cally Goss. Rats — Wendi
Schuening. Cheese —–Cami Renteria.
Closest to the pin (Saturday): Carla Gree-
nough and Don Westfall. Closest to the
pin (Sunday): Ann Smestead and Kari
Carter. Accuracy: Men — Mark Herman.
Women — Cally Goss. Putting contest:
Men — Warren Wilson. Women — Cally
Goss. Mini-tournament (Friday, nine-
Get grains into your breakfast
IT’S ABOUT
HEALTH AND
WELLNESS
Ann Bloom
eptember is National Better Breakfast and
Whole Grains Month, and breakfast is the
perfect opportunity to incorporate whole
grains into one’s daily meal plan.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, people should strive to get 50% of
their daily grain intake through whole grains.
For most adults, this means five to six ounces of
grains a day. For example, a slice of bread, a cup
of cereal or a half-cup of pasta or rice counts as a
1-ounce equivalent, or portion of grains. To make
half of the daily intake whole grains, the sources
of these amounts would come from whole-grain
bread, whole-grain pasta or whole-grain cereal
(i.e., oatmeal). Thus, three slices of whole-grain
bread (3 ounces) would not only count for half of
a person’s daily grain intake, but also their 50%
recommendation of whole-grain intake.
A whole grain, such as a kernel of wheat, has
all the parts of the grain — the bran (the outer
part of the grain), the endosperm (the next layer
of the grain, after the bran, essentially most of the
grain) and the germ (the very inside, or smallest
portion of the grain). Refined grains eliminate the
bran and germ, which contains most of the fiber
and nutrients of the grain.
According to the Whole Grain Council, the
definition of a whole grain is 100% of the orig-
inal kernel containing the bran, germ and endo-
sperm. If the kernel has been processed (i.e.,
cracked, crushed, rolled, etc.), the end food prod-
uct should deliver the same balance of nutrients
as are found in the original grain seed.
Examples of whole grains include brown rice,
rye, oats, wheat and farro. Some lesser-known
grains include kamut (a type of wheat), teff, mil-
let and buckwheat. Many grains, such as oats,
rice and wheat can be eaten for breakfast in the
form of hot or cold cereals. Other examples of
whole grains include wild rice (rice is part of the
grass family), corn and barley.
Whole grains are high in fiber, which aids
in digestion, and contains complex carbohy-
drates which the body uses for energy. Grains
also provide B vitamins, trace minerals such as
iron and zinc, and are a source of protein. High
fiber does not always mean whole grain. Stud-
ies have shown that whole grains are also high in
antioxidants.
Some people are not able to process the pro-
tein in certain grains. This protein is called glu-
ten. The term for this inability to process gluten is
called celiac disease and people with celiac dis-
ease must avoid foods containing gluten. Celiac
disease, according to the Celiac Disease Foun-
dation, is an autoimmune disease that causes
inflammation and, over time, damage to the small
S
intestine. Celiac disease is not curable, and the
treatment is to avoid products containing gluten.
Not all grains contain gluten. Some grains
such as rice, sorghum, millet and corn do not
contain gluten. People with celiac disease may be
able to eat these grains. Oats are also a possibil-
ity, along with other gluten free grains, if they are
processed in a certified gluten free facility. Peo-
ple with celiac disease should always check with
their care provider or a dietician if they are con-
cerned, or have questions, about which grains are
right for them.
When looking for whole grain products it is
important to look at the list of ingredients. The
words “whole grain” should be listed first in
the ingredient label, or the package should say,
“made from 100% whole grains.” A loaf of bread
might say, “stone ground” or “organic.” These
words may sound healthy, but do not mean the
product necessarily is healthy or meets the whole
grain requirement. The words on the label should
be, “whole grain” (made from whole grain-corn,
whole wheat, etc.).
Also, just because the bread is brown does not
mean it is made from whole wheat; manufactur-
ers sometimes use molasses or caramel color-
ing to color the bread brown to fool consumers
into thinking they are buying 100% whole-wheat
bread when they are not.
However, a bread can be white, or light col-
ored, and still be made from whole wheat.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, white-
whole wheat bread is made from whole-grain
wheat. It is just made from a different type of
wheat than other wheat breads. It is made from
white wheat which lacks the color found in bran,
is milder in flavor and has a softer texture. Regu-
lar white-flour bread is made with refined grains.
Refined grains have been stripped of the bran and
germ parts of the grain which contain the fiber
and nutrients of the grain. The package won’t say
whole grain.
Incorporating whole-grain foods into your
daily diet can be simple, easy and tasty. If you
are new to whole grains, try mixing white rice
with brown rice until you get used to the nutty
taste of brown rice. Snack on air-popped pop-
corn. Mix whole-wheat pasta with regular pasta
(the whole-wheat pasta lightens as it cools).
Experiment with using whole-wheat flour in
your muffin and cookie recipes in place of all or
part of regular white flour. If you are not able to
use regular wheat flour, gluten-free flour can be
used for many baking recipes (i.e., muffins and
cornbread).
The world of whole grains is wide and full of
interesting and exciting possibilities for incor-
porating whole grains into your diet and that of
your family. Start today and see where the road to
whole grain usage takes you. For more informa-
tion and recipes using whole grains, go to www.
foodhero.org.
———
Ann Bloom lives in Enterprise and has worked
for the OSU Extension Service for 15 years as a
nutrition educator. She studied journalism and
education at Washington State University.
hole): Cats — Alan and Carol Stephens.
Rats — Cedric and Kathy Shanks. Cheese
— Tristen and Desiree.
Winner for free entry 2022 — Andy and
Nancy Muncy.
“A big thanks to Cindy Parks and Bob
Williams who solicited gifts from home-
town merchants, and were able to get a
hold of some golf pros to donate prizes
for our raffle, such as a left-hand put-
ter from Phil Mickelson — just kidding,”
said Carol Marr. “Also we want to thank
Bill Williams, Chuck Haines, Mike/Kathy
Reynolds, Rochelle Danielson and sev-
eral volunteer golfers who helped make the
tournament so successful.”
———
Rochelle Danielson of Enterprise
loves the game of golf and has golfed
for many years at Alpine Meadows.
Not including wildlife
map in moraine plan
is a major mistake
OTHER
VIEWS
Mildred Ocallaghan
did not see the notice for this spe-
cial meeting Sept. 1 about the
Moraine Management Plan in the
any newspapers — Observer or Wal-
lowa County Chieftain, but it was
on the Chieftain website. This pub-
lic meeting at the Cloverleaf Hall
was canceled at the last minute and
replaced by a Zoom meeting in the
courthouse. A bit difficult for people
to attend without a computer?
It is my concern that the Wallowa
Lake Moraine Management Plan
and Baseline Documentation Report,
which are approved by the county but
not adopted, are incomplete and vio-
late state law.
The county retained Goal 5 zon-
ing maps adopted in 1995 depicting
other resources — a scenic resource
map, Indian Cultural Resource map,
geologic resource map, but during
the process of digitizing the maps the
critical wildlife map was lost.
The text of the WCLUP states
and the conservation easement in the
BDR addresses:
“CONFLICTING USES: The
majority of private land within the
inventoried wildlife habitat area of
the Wallowa Lake moraines is zoned
EFU or TG. With the exception of the
grazing of livestock — specifically
cattle and sheep — all permitted and
conditional uses in these zones may
change or alter the natural quality
of the area and constitute a potential
conflicting use ... examples of poten-
tial conflicting uses:
01. SINGLE-FAMILY DWELL-
ING: Dwellings on the moraines
definitely alter the wildlife habitat
resource. The increased presence of
humans in this resource area will only
hasten wildlife demise...”
02. NON RESIDENTIAL
STRUCTURES
03. “ROADS, DRIVEWAYS,
AND OTHER MEANS OF
I
ACCESS: Roads which are located
on the moraines would definitely
alter the wildlife habitat resource and
constitute a conflicting use. Other
items which fall under this category
include, but are not limited to, are
bicycle paths, pedestrian paths, drive-
ways, etc. Uses of this type serve to
increase the level of human density
and activity in the inventoried area
and are considered to have negative
effects on wildlife habitat.” (WCLUP
Goal 5, Appendix 5-5 and Appendix
5-8.)
The management plan does not
contain any of the wildlife inventory
maps outlined in the WCLUP. The
management plan version is a digi-
tized map and the county maps are
typed and hand drawn. The county
commissioners have not involved
ODFW in the preceding hearings, nor
in the prior planning directors meet-
ings with the Wallowa Land Trust on
Wildlife issues. Some ODFW persons
were involved initially in 2018-19 but
have since retired and Pat Mathews
is out of state in Colorado. The new
wildlife biologist has just started.
It is a great mistake that the man-
agement plan does not include the
Critical Wildlife Habitat Map adopted
into the the Wallowa County Land
Use Plan in 1980 and 1995. The
management plan does not iden-
tify this area at all with respect to the
text of the WCLUP outlined above.
By avoiding the application of land
use law 3C limit conflicting uses,
the county is violating Goal 5 and
amending the WCLUP itself. The
WCLUP must be amended before
the county can allow the increase in
human density on the moraines.
If the human interaction caused by
one house per 160 acres is considered
to be in conflict with the resource
because it increases human density
in the underlying zone, then how can
we lose the wildlife map and rezone
the property? This rezone will allow
upgraded trails and permit-based
four-wheelers to access and debase
the moraine and the wildlife habitat.
———
Mildred Fraser Ocallaghan
lives in Joseph, and is a land-use
planning advocate.