4A |
WEDNESDAY EDITION
| JUNE 20, 2018
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
ned hickson, editor
Opinion
| 541-902-3520 | nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com
C
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Separating families ‘cruel punishment’ under 8th Amendment
(Editor’s Note: Viewpoint submis-
sions on this and other topics are always
welcome as part of our goal to encourage
community discussion and the exchange of
perspectives.)
released pending a court hearing. These
are technically legal immigrants until of-
ficially designated otherwise. That is how
the system works.
This legal policy has been ridiculed
For those who appear continuously
baffled at the anger and disgust expressed
by others at the President, the current im-
migration situation is a good example of
why.
There have long been unaccompanied
minors entering the U.S., which was ad-
dressed by President George Bush in 2008
with a policy of releasing those children
to the “least restrictive environment”.
Then in 2014, President Barack Obama
faced a humanitarian crisis at the border
as an unprecedented number of children
fled increasing violence in Central Amer-
ican countries. There were incidents of
children in cage-like settings. However
they were quickly met with aide from a
variety of U.S. charities.
When the children came with their
families, Obama tried detaining them to-
gether but it was deemed illegal to hold
kids in jail-like settings — another long-
time U.S. policy. In light of these laws
and rulings, families seeking asylum were
Guest Viewpoint
By Sandy Todd
Florence
and denigrated by a number of self-pro-
claimed “patriots,” including the Attor-
ney General Jeff Sessions, with terms like
“catch-and-release,” as if they were talking
about animals rather than people.
Fast forward to 2018: Though there
is no policy that requires families to be
separated, some 2,000 minors have been
placed in custody in the last six weeks.
According to a report by Health and Hu-
man Services, at that pace there will be
8,000 more children separated from their
parents by Aug. 1.
Although some of these families are en-
tering the country illegally, some who do
not go to a legal border crossing can end
up receiving refugee or asylum status in
the end.
Regardless, the oldest legal document
in the country is right there as a reference
point specifically for this kind of situa-
tion. It’s called The Eighth Amendment,
which prohibits the federal government
from “…Imposing cruel and unusual
punishments,” whether a punishment is
deserved or not. I can’t think of anything
much crueler than separating families
and housing children in cages for an in-
definite period.
Though this decision is opposed by 66
percent of Americans, our president fans
the flames by placing the blame solely on
Democrats. There is absolutely nothing
to indicate this decision came from or is
supported by Democrats.
This is just the latest act in the ongoing
immigration battle, and one of the rea-
sons many individuals began advocating
for “sanctuary cities” many months ago.
No decent person should want their local
public officials caught up in this kind of
human rights violation, nor should they
want their tax dollars supporting it.
The only way to end this tyrannical act
is for the 66 percent to call their senators
and representatives, now, and tell them
that separating families at the border vi-
olates The Eighth Amendment and must
be stopped now.
LETTERS
Policy is neither
Christian nor American
As a mother, grandmother and human
being, the treatment of refugees seeking
asylum on our southern border hurts
my heart. As a retired mental health pro-
fessional, I know that the children and
parents will experience life-long trauma
from this horrific experience.
I refer you to just one of the well-
known experts in the treatment of trau-
ma, the psychiatrist, Dr. Bessel Van Der
Kolk, and his book: “The Body Keeps
the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the
Healing of Trauma.”
Although recent comments from the
Trump administration would have us
believe this policy is somehow sanc-
tioned by the Bible, this policy is neither
Christian nor American. We all need to
wake up, open our eyes and hearts, con-
tact our members of Congress, and stop
this cruelty.
We are better than this.
“Those who are without compassion
cannot see what is seen with the eyes of
compassion.” —Thich Nhat Hanh
—Barbara Crumrine
Florence
We are a nation of laws
If you cross our border without the
proper permission, you are illegal.
This is not an opinion; it is a fact.
This has been the law for many years.
When seeking asylum, you apply at the
American Embassy in your country of
origin. As for children being separated
from their parents, this is done to avoid
traumatizing them by going through the
process their parents are subject to for
breaking the law.
It should be noted that none of this
need happen if the parents acted in ac-
cordance with our governing laws.
Using Nazi terminology to enhance
opinion just makes those who do so look
ignorant and reactionary — nor does it
have anything to do in supporting an
opinion.
I believe many of the pictures and re-
ports being shown on TV are from the
previous administration because, like
I said, this has been the law for a long
time. Yes, it still goes on today because
the law has not changed.
Democrats blame Republicans and
Republicans blame Democrats.
Truth is they are both to blame. But to
blame law enforcement for enforcing the
law is just juvenile.
For anyone really feeling despaired,
ask yourself how come we are just now
hearing about this on a daily basis when
the same thing was happening under
President Obama?
Or is that too inconvenient a truth?
—David Eckhardt
Florence
I find no humor in
President’s comments
Concerning Kim Jong-un, the fol-
lowing quote came from our president
during an interview with Fox News on
Friday:
“He’s [Kim] the head of a country,
and I mean he’s the strong head. Don’t
let anyone think anything different. He
speaks and his people sit up at attention.
I want my people to do the same...”
So the President of the United States
praises one of the worst despots on earth
today and indicates he wishes he could
have the same power over his people.
OK, President Trump, just have a few
rivals murdered, build several concen-
tration camps and fill them up with as
many Democrats and disloyal Republi-
cans as you can catch.
While you are at it, take control of all
news media and shut down the Inter-
net. And make a few well-known people
“disappear” and then you will surely have
people sitting up at attention.
Oh but wait! Now he says he was just
joking.
I fail to discern the humor.
—Jimmie Zinn
Florence
Illegal is illegal. Period.
I must to respond to Linda Olsen’s
recent Letter to the Editor, “Define Our
Country Based On Principal of Decen-
cy” (June 16).
First, I do not understand how anyone
can say, “These people are not illegals.”
They entered this country without per-
mission — so they are without question
illegal.
Period.
Secondly, when she asked, “How can
we allow this inhumane practice of sep-
aration of families to continue?” she ob-
viously is not aware, nor did I hear her
complain at that time, when it is a matter
of record that President Obama separat-
ed parent from child during his time in
office.
Nor did she call the ICE agents
Obama’s private Gestapo at that time,
or mention the fact that many of the so-
called “parents” are not the children’s
real parents but are using children as
pawns to gain entry into this wonderful
country.
It is amazing how one can look at
something through rose colored glasses
on one hand, then look at the same thing
as causing black eyes.
—Tony Cavarno
Florence
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Emal letters to:
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WHERE TO WRITE
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
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, Ore. 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line:
503-378-4582
www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
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
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
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@
oregonlegislature.gov
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