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❘
WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ JANUARY 25, 2017
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
In the light of a thousand good deeds
O
that lead us into lively dialogue
which drives a healthy democ-
racy.
No, on this occasion I did
not march to protest any politi-
cal agenda.
I marched because I am con-
cerned about the potential loss
of critical values I believe we
must all embrace in order to
live together successfully and
respectfully in a civil society.
A year ago, I started a non-
profit organization called
Students for a Better World. Its
purpose is to support, recog-
nize and reward children and
teens who find creative new
ways to make the world better,
healthier and safer.
n the chilly, windy and
wet Florence morning
of Jan. 21, I joined
hundreds of my fellow coastal
citizens and millions of others
worldwide for a march through
the streets. I did so not so
much in protest of the Trump
administration’s policies as in
support of the values I believe
we can — and should —
share: respect, kindness, hon-
esty, justice and equality.
Admittedly, there is much
with which I disagree about the
policies of President Trump,
from environmental protection
to health care and immigration
to global citizenship. But those
are the political differences
GUEST VIEWPOINT
B Y R OBERT O RR
D UNES C ITY C OUNCILOR
In so doing, we wish to
instill in youth the importance
of giving to others, with the
hope that children will learn to
make kindness and compassion
priorities throughout their
lives.
We formed Students for a
Better World well in advance
of any indication as to which
candidate might become our
next president, but I now find
that the mission of our organi-
zation has taken on vital new
importance.
On Jan. 21, we saw the
makings of a revolution as mil-
lions of people around the
world gathered peacefully and
with remarkable restraint to
speak out on behalf of justice
and equality for those who do
not always receive it.
It is a revolution that we
desperately need throughout
this country and around the
world in answer to unfortunate
attitudes and behaviors that
could quickly become the
norm in our society in light of
a president whose words and
actions often defy basic tenets
of decency and respectfulness.
It is a revolution that, if suc-
cessful, will allow us all to
turn away from dishonesty and
disrespect, and move even fur-
ther in the direction of a
kinder, gentler, more peaceful
world.
We are blessed to live in
these coastal communities
where volunteering is a way of
life and friendliness can be
found in nearly every daily
interaction.
Let us not forget the impor-
tance of those actions when we
witness contrary approaches by
our leaders.
Practice kindness: help a
friend in need; greet a store
clerk with a smile; open a door
for a stranger; be honest in
your personal and business
dealings; honor and respect the
many differences among us;
give generously of your time,
energy and earnings to the
charity of your choice; and do
your part to ensure that the
darkness of injustice and disre-
spect is forever washed away
by the light of a thousand good
deeds.
LETTERS
W ON ’ T
BE FOOLED
It seems that many people in our country
think their “rights” include the government pro-
viding for their every need from cradle to grave.
That kind thinking is a slow progression from
republic to democracy and, eventually, social-
ism. The media is included in this progression
toward a one-world government.
Nowadays, we need two incomes to “get by”
and children are being raised by the system,
which decides what they eat, learn and don’t
learn. Children are immunized at the time
they’re born yet they seem to be having more
health issues in terms of things like leukemia
and diabetes — because big pharmaceutical is
big business.
We now have a President who has taken the
scrutiny of the whole world to bring back jobs
USPS# 497-660
to this country and put the USA first — made in
America, by Americans.
I won’t be fooled by a system that has
become a political regime. Instead, I will sup-
port President Donald Trump and his efforts to
make America great again.
Guthrie Wilson
Florence
C ORPORATE
I NQUIRING
MINDS
I’d like to see an article regarding the full
explanation of our national debt.
I, as a retired senior citizen living in
Florence, find that myself, my wife and those
acquainted with us really have no idea about the
National Debt.
I constantly read about Trump, Clinton and
their associated parties, but nothing to do with
the real facts of our debt.
Who loans us the money?
What if we, the USA, fail to make payments
in a timely manner to whomever?
How can our Congress so easily extend that
National Debt Limit year after year?
I’m not looking for a political answer favor-
ing either side, just an honest answer.
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Thomas Nieland
Florence
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John Bartlett
Jenna Bartlett
Ned Hickson
Susan Gutierrez
Cathy Dietz
Ron Annis
Jeremy Gentry
POWER
Welcome to the Corporate States of America,
where I feel we are witnessing the culmination
of corporate power where “old money” governs
not for the benefit of the common good but for
its own bottom line.
Welcome to the privatization of everything
that can further enrich the wealthy at the cost of
everyone else.
If we allow it to happen, we may soon be say-
ing goodbye to the protections offered by gov-
erment standards, as well as programs like
Medicare, social security, the Veterans
Administration, public education, healthcare,
environmental regulations for clean air and
water, not to mentions laws guaranteeing racial
justice, equality and even Freedom of the Press.
That’s unless we insist on a fair, sustainable
country with equal justice for all by holding our
elected and appointed officials accountable.
We can and must.
Julie MacFarlaine
Florence
Pres. Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213
www.whitehouse.gov
202-224-5244
541-431-0229
www.wyden.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997
541-465-6750
www.merkley.senate.gov
Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line 503-378-4582
www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416
541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5)
900 Court St. NE - S-417
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
FAX: 503-986-1080
Email:
Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us
State Rep. Caddy McKeown
(Dist. 9)
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1409
Email:
rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us
West Lane County Commissioner
Jay Bozievich
125 E. Eighth St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4203
FAX: 541-682-4616
Email:
Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us