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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 2016)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Occupation may end, but issues remain F HGHUDODQGVWDWHRI¿FLDOV effectively altered the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Tuesday, arresting eight protesters and killing a ninth. The protesters had demanded that two Harney County UDQFKHUVVHUYLQJ¿YH\HDU sentences for burning federal land be released, and that federal public lands be turned over to the state, the county and to private ownership. It was a futile endeavor from the start that lacked any legal basis. For better or worse, the occupation did draw some national attention to legitimate issues concerning the U.S. government’s management of its vast holding of public lands. Now what? It will be all too easy for many casual observers east of the Rockies, and even a good many in the liberal urban centers of the West, to dismiss all of this as the machinations of a half-cocked collection of religious zealots, disenfranchised Reubens and anti-government nuts with too many guns and a crazy interpretation of the Constitution. Unfortunately, that would miss the real underlying issues. The standoff is diminished, but the anger and frustration of many farmers, ranchers and lumbermen in Harney County and throughout the West remains unchanged. Their interests must now be pressed in the court of public opinion, and non-Westerners made to understand the real issues. The federal government holds more than half the land in the West. The economic and civic fabric of rural communities depends on trees cut from the forest, livestock grazed on the range and minerals gleaned from the mining claims. The government once encouraged these activities in the service of the country’s growing population and in IXO¿OOPHQWRILWVPDQLIHVW destiny. Now, policies have changed and that same government seems to be draining the lifeblood of the rural West. Many in the rural West don’t think their government listens to them and that their concerns are given short shrift. They believe that their livelihoods, their very way of life, are in the hands of bureaucrats controlled by interests outside their communities. They don’t understand how the government can claim to be a good steward while it lets its forests fill with fuel that feeds ever more terrible wildfires that destroy the very habitat it seeks to protect. They bristle at what they perceive to be the mismanagement of these fires that causes their own property to be damaged or destroyed. They are stymied at every turn by the inertia that attends every decision, every necessary action on a grazing allotment or timber harvest. They are tired of the endless environmental litigation that seems bent on driving even the most conservation-minded producers off public lands. They watch as their government adds to its empire, XVLQJWD[SD\HUPRQH\WR outbid local buyers and take PRUHODQGRIIWKHWD[UROHV and erode private economic opportunities. They want to be good stewards, to do the right thing. But they want a fair shake. Now is the time to tell these stories, to tell America that rural Western lives matter. W HERE TO WRITE GRANT COUNTY Grant County Courthouse — 201 S. Humbolt St., Suite 280, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0059. Fax: 541- 575-2248. Canyon City — P.O. Box 276, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0509. Fax: 541-575-0515. Email: tocc1862@centu- rylink.net. Dayville — P.O. Box 321, Dayville 97825. Phone: 541-987-2188. Fax: 541- 987-2187. Email:dville@ortelco.net John Day — 450 E. Main St, John Day, 97845. Phone: 541-575-0028. Fax: 541- 575-1721. Email: cityjd@centurytel.net. /ong CreeN — P.O. Box 489, Long Creek 97856. Phone: 541-421-3601. Fax: 541-421-3075. Email: info@cityoÀong- creek.com. Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monu- ment 97864. Phone and fax: 541-934- 2025. Email: monument@oregontrail.net. Mt 9ernon — P.O. Box 647, Mt. Vernon 97865. Phone: 541-932-4688. Fax: 541-932-4222. Email: cmtv@ortelco.net. Prairie City — P.O. Box 370, Prairie City 97869. Phone: 541-820-3605. Fax: 820-3566. Email: pchall@ortelco.net. Seneca — P.O. Box 208, Seneca 97873. Phone and fax: 541-542-2161. Email: cityseneca@centurytel.net. SALEM Gov .ate Brown D — 254 State Capitol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-378- 3111. Fax: 503-378-6827. Website: www. governor.state.or.us/governor.html. Oregon Legislature — State Capitol, Salem, 97310. Phone: (503) 986-1180. Website: www. leg.state.or.us (includes Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised Statutes). Blue Mountain EAGLE P UBLISHED EVERY W EDNESDAY BY State Rep CliII Bent] R-Ontario (Dis- trict: 60), Room H-475, State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E., Salem OR 97301. Phone: 503-986-1460. Email: rep.cliffbentz@state. or.us. Website: www.leg.state.or.us/bentz/ home.htm. State Sen Ted )errioli R — (District 30) Room S-223, State Capitol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-986-1950. Email: sen. tedferrioli@state.or.us. Email: TFER2@aol. com. Phone: 541-490-6528. Website: www. leg.state.or.us/ferrioli. Oregon Legislative Information — (For updates on bills, services, capitol or messages for legislators) — 800-332-2313. WASHINGTON, D.C. The :hite +ouse 1600 Pennsylva- nia Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500; Phone-comments: 202-456-1111; Switch- board: 202-456-1414. US Sen Ron :yden D — 516 Hart Senate Of¿ce Building, Washington D.C. 20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Email: wayne_kinney@wyden.senate.gov Website: http://wyden.senate.gov Fax: 202-228-2717. US Sen Jeff MerNley D — 313 Hart Senate Of¿ce Building, Washington D.C. 20510?. Phone: 202-224-3753. Email: senator@merkley.senate.gov. Fax: 202- 228-3997. Oregon of¿ces include One World Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon St., Suite 1250, Portland, OR 97204; and 310 S.E. Second St., Suite 105, Pendleton, OR 97801. Phone: 503-326-3386; 541-278- 1129. Fax: 503-326-2990. US Rep Greg :alden R — (Second District) 1404 Longworth Building, Wash- ington D.C. 20515. Phone: 202-225-6730. No direct email because of spam. Website: www.walden.house.gov Fax: 202-225-5774. Medford of¿ce: 14 North Central, Suite 112, Medford, OR 97501. Phone: 541-776-4646. Fax: 541-779-0204. L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR ‘Buck up and be counted!’ To the Editor: On Saturday, Jan. 23, three of us traveled to the refuge where the land rights group had set up to protest the double jeopardy jailing of the Ham- monds and also discuss the taking of our land by the obtrusive federal government. We wanted to query the participants as to the purpose and intent of the group and, if favor- able, lend our support (even though none of us were ranchers). To say we were impressed is an understatement. We were warm- ly received, and any and all of our questions were politely and com- pletely answered. We then felt we should add our voice and support. This was not an armed, ragtag rebellion, but a peaceful demon- stration against an ever increasing, overbearing government bound and determined to usurp our inalienable and God-given rights. We had a great presentation of the Bill of Rights and the Consti- tution, given by Ammon and Ryan Bundy from Nevada (the organiz- ers). Their points were well present- ed and accurate. It is important to note that the Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17, limits the land that the federal government can own, and that does not include our public lands (BLM, USFS, etc.). Until we take these lands back to be man- aged by the state and the counties, we must rein in the federal land managers and remind them that we the people own the land, and they are just the managers (poor ones at that). It is time we stood up for our rights and stop being “sheeple”! 2XU ¿QDO WKRXJKW DV *HRUJH Washington so aptly stated, “Gov- ernment is not reason: it is not el- RTXHQFH LW LV IRUFH /LNH ¿UH LW LV a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” Buck up and be counted! Herb Brusman John Day Jerry Larkin Canyon City Joseph Irwin Prairie City Constitution is a living document To the Editor: I appreciate that our Constitu- tion is a living document, that it is broad enough to embrace a diverse population and a vast territory. It is a group of ideas and concepts WKDW DUH ÀH[LEOH HQRXJK DQG ODUJH enough to grow and adapt as tech- nology, people and social struc- tures evolve. I respect our Con- stitution as something far greater than a pamphlet to keep in a shirt pocket. I also appreciate that there are people who dedicate their lives to understanding, applying and grow- ing the Constitution; making peace- ful, educated decisions based on our present time, and a history of les- VRQVOHDUQHG,WLVIURPWKHVHH[SHUWV that I would prefer to interpret the rule of our land — over someone with a gun and an agenda. In addition, I appreciate that our country has embraced our respon- sibility to further generations. That we have chosen the long view over short-term economic greed. We em- ploy people who dedicate their lives Editor’s note: Tad Houpt, Can- to ensuring that our natural world can yon City, said he invited the occu- live on in a healthy way, while still piers to a lunch meeting attended by providing us with our necessities. Palmer, who said he was unaware 7KHVHDUHHGXFDWHGDQGH[SHULHQFHG they would be there. Houpt also individuals, who know the balance said he invited refuge occupiers to necessary for continued environmen- a planned meeting Jan. 26, which WDO KHDOWK DQG UHVRXUFH H[WUDFWLRQ Palmer attended until shortly be- Because of this, I can go anywhere in fore it was scheduled to begin when RXUFRXQWU\DQGVWLOO¿QGZLOGSODFHV news broke the occupiers had been that are cared for and preserved. arrested en route. Palmer has not Not only that, but our local for- responded to multiple requests for est service has received national comment. DWWHQWLRQ IRU WKH H[HPSODU\ ZRUN they have done — for their ability to listen to residents and to adopt Crazy times in local concerns into forest and range planning. Eastern Oregon To replace teams of botanists, To the Editor: biologists, hydrologists, geologists, Regarding all the craziness of engineers and others with the anec- Tuesday afternoon and evening (Jan. dotal information of a few vested 26): After looking at different images individuals is foolhardy. on the Internet, I was disturbed to see I appreciate that over the past Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer two and a half centuries, our democ- armed to the teeth and helping run a racy has stood, rewarding peaceful roadblock near Seneca. What struck progression over hostile force, with me is that I believe that Palmer had a system by which all voices can be more loyalty to the Bundy gang than heard. I sincerely hope we can stand KH KDG WR RWKHU ODZ RI¿FHUV DW WKH DVDQH[DPSOHRIZKDWDQHIIHFWLYH scene. GHPRFUDF\SURYLGHVDVDQH[DPSOH I have to wonder how uncomfort- of the power of listening, discussion able that made those Oregon State and understanding over the use of What happened to RI¿FHUV ZKR ZHUH SUHVHQW force, tyranny, terrorism and threats. constitutional rights? 3ROLFH I am certain that I would not have We have come too far. To the Editor: wanted that radical individual behind Mytchell Mead Is it illegal to drive down a public me with a shotgun. John Day Moving to the community meet- road to a public meeting? What hap- pened to our constitutional rights as ing at the John Day Senior Center, Americans? The grassroots move- I want to commend Grant County ‘When is our next Commissioner Chris Labhart for ment people are not the terrorists. Mary Carr having the courage to pack a pro- election?’ Seneca test sign. And I really respect Gor- To the Editor: don Larson for standing up in the What does Sheriff Palmer’s de- meeting to tell some of the Bundy scription of a “patriot” sound like? Sheriff should resign if gang that we’ll take care of our own :KHQLVRXUQH[WHOHFWLRQ" problems in Grant County; we are Mark Murray he cannot enforce laws not intimidated by them, and we do Prairie City not want them here. To the Editor: Terry Steele According to the Grant Coun- See LETTERS, Page A5 Ritter W\ VKHULII¶V RI¿FLDO ZHEVLWH WKH L etters policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for Blue Mountain Eagle readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer letters will be asked to be contained to 350 words. No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person. No thank-you letters. Submissions to this page become property of the Eagle. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters for length and for content. Letters must be original and signed by the writer. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include a telephone number so they can be reached for questions. We must limit all contributors to one letter per person per month. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Send letters to editor@bmeagle.com, or Blue Mountain Eagle, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845; or fax to 541-575-1244. Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper P UBLISHER ............................... M ARISSA W ILLIAMS , MARISSA @ BMEAGLE . COM E DITOR .................................... S EAN H ART , EDITOR @ BMEAGLE . COM A DMINISTRATIVE A SSISTANT ........ K RISTINA K REGER , KRISTINA @ BMEAGLE . COM E DITORIAL A SSISTANT ................ C HERYL H OEFLER , CHERYL @ BMEAGLE . COM C OMMUNITY N EWS .................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM S PORTS ................................... A NGEL C ARPENTER , ANGEL @ BMEAGLE . COM M ARKETING R EP ....................... K IM K ELL , ADS @ BMEAGLE . COM O FFICE M ANAGER ..................... L INDSAY B ULLOCK , OFFICE @ BMEAGLE . COM MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION VKHULII¶V RI¿FH ³WDNHV SULGH LQ WKH delivery of security to its citizenry to maintain a peaceful communi- ty,” and strives for “professional- ism” with the goal of delivering the “highest quality service possible in Grant County.” The actions and af- ¿OLDWLRQVRI6KHULII3DOPHURYHUWKH past few years, however, call these statements into question. His most recent statements and actions with regard to the armed occupation of the Malheur Refuge by domestic WHUURULVWVKRZHYHUÀ\LQWKHIDFHRI those goals. If Sheriff Palmer does not believe that he can enforce the ordinances and laws of Grant County, the state of Oregon and the United States — which he clearly does not, given his support of the heavily armed thugs occupying Malheur (going so far as to invite them to Grant County) — then he should resign immediately. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t, in good conscience, felt compelled to do so already, being, as he asserts, such a strict constitutionalist. The sooner the better, please. Susan Hayes Glorieta, New Mexico 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including online access) Grant County .....................................$40 Everywhere else in U.S. .....................$51 Outside Continental U.S. ....................$60 Subscriptions must be paid prior to delivery Periodicals Postage Paid at John 'a\ and additional Pailing oIÀces POSTMASTER send address changes to: Blue Mountain Eagle 195 N. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845-1187 USPS 226-340 wwwMyEagleNewscoP Copyright © 2016 Blue Mountain Eagle All rights reserved. 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