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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2016)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Love your enemies $ s the day of Christ’s resurrection approaches, it can be easy to get lost in the egg hunts, the Easter Bunny and chick-shaped marshmallow treats. It is easy to lose sight of the historical signi¿cance of Jesus and the miracle upon which so many of us base our faith — especially in the overwhelming commercial environment of our age. But, even as we sit in the pews and listen to the Gospels, it can be easy to miss the importance of some of the passages. Jesus was certainly an interesting ¿gure and speaker. Often speaking in parables, his divine wisdom was not always direct and explicit. Yet, at times, he was quite clear. In Matthew 5:44, in what is perhaps one of most important Biblical messages, Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” Loving one’s neighbor is simple. The bene¿t of getting along with those in close proximity is easy to see. But loving for one’s own bene¿t does not live up to the Christian ideal. Loving one’s enemy is far more dif¿cult. $re we, as humans, even capable of loving our enemies? Can we, in this day and age, truly appreciate the depth of this 2,000-year-old message? Life is far easier with a well- de¿ned enemy. Whether in war or politics or even games, the objective is quite simple when the situation can be described as in terms of an enemy, in terms of “us versus them.” However, except in the case of a harmless game, much can be lost by dividing the world into these categories. We are left with little choice except to believe, “We must ¿ght and overcome these enemies.” If we come to that conclusion, we would do well to think about Christ’s important message — if we haven’t completely forgotten it by that point. So this Easter season, think about your “enemies.” Then think about Jesus’ words. Then feel free to indulge in the candy. $fter all, Christ is risen. W HERE TO W RITE 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: (PDLOLQIR#FLW\RÀRQJ- creek.com. • Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monument 97864. Phone and fax: 541-934-2025. Email: cityofmonument@centurytel.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: senecaoregon@gmail.com. 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 6HQDWH2I¿FH%XLOGLQJ:DVKLQJWRQ'& 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 6HQDWH2I¿FH%XLOGLQJ:DVKLQJWRQ'& 20510?. Phone: 202-224-3753. Email: senator@merkley.senate.gov. Fax: 202- 2UHJRQRI¿FHVLQFOXGH2QH 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. 0HGIRUGRI¿FH1RUWK&HQWUDO6XLWH Medford, OR 97501. Phone: 541-776-4646. Fax: 541-779-0204. L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR How will you vote? To the Editor: There’s no denying that voters across this country are disgusted with politics as usual. We elect people ex- pecting results, and after candidates promise voters that electing them will Eene¿t the community in so many ways both socially and economically, we go to the polls and we elect them and then we wait. Well, we’re still waiting for the economic part of their plan to kick in. Socially, I believe Grant County is in a pretty good place. We showed we reject racism, our crime rate is low and we have strong community support for our schools. On the other hand, our economy is a disaster. So my question is why would our local government stand in the way of not one, not two but three times at the op- portunity to bring jobs and revenue to our county? In all three decisions, landowners were told by local government what to do with their land. You can only wonder how the economy would look here with a new state park, a resort for motorcycle tourists, a marijuana pro- duction facility, marijuana dispensary or a hemp processing plant. I don’t know — I’m no economist — but I am pretty sure we would be better off by letting the free market system work. Wouldn’t it be nice, instead of hearing of budget cuts, layoffs and cuts to our school programs, if the news spoke of a balanced budget, jobs and our schools being properly funded? With enough resources to make school fun and interesting for students. We could bring back voca- tional programs like wood shop, metal shop and auto mechanics to the level it should be. Fund sports programs so all athletes can afford to participate and reach their full potential. There is hope on the horizon! We the people of Grant County get to make the decision on option num- ber three whether to legalize mari- juana production in Grant County. On May 17 we vote on initiative 12- 58; we can either choose to move forward or continue down the same prosperous road we’ve been on. I know how I’m voting. Sonny Dryden Mt. Vernon Occupiers are patriots, not militants To the Editor: In regards to the LaVoy Finicum investigation article, the very title of your article doesn’t make sense: shooting justi¿ed but FBI being in- vestigated? How can the shooting be justi¿ed when the FBI lied? How is it that the police investigate them- selves? Do you always regurgitate what is fed to you? Do you do no research to ¿nd out the facts? Have you even looked at the videos both from Shawna Cox and the police? Clearly they were ¿ring at LaVoy’s vehicle, which caused him to speed away from the ¿rst road stop. $nd Forest Partners work together for healthy forest, community To the Editor: In response to Frances (Preston’s letter March 16), speaking for myself, I am continuing a lifelong passion for forestry as well as working to make the economics and opportunities in Grant County better for as many local residents as I can. It is not a big sur- prise some of the same people from each organization are interested in the (Public Forest) Commission, as forestry and local economics is their calling as well. Larry (Blasing) and King (Williams) have been on the Commission, Russ (Young) is not a member of (Blue Mountains Forest Partners), so that leaves Mark (Webb) and I as new BMFP members run- ning. Yes, I am a member of BMFP going on 10 years now. No, I don’t receive any money for my position, and it’s actually a large commitment on my part. Visit BMPF’s website for our mission. GCPFC’s mission of “Committed to a Thriving Community through Healthy Forests” seems to be in line with BMFP’s, although the found- ing documents and process of how we get there are quite different. My intentions are to help both organiza- tions to succeed where I can and see no reason the Commission needs to have any animosity toward BMFP as our successes and bene¿ts to the community are many. I will work to support good policy and decisions no matter who came up with them. There is no one but myself supporting my effort to run. In short, BMFP’s mission is about working together for a healthy for- est and healthy community, so if the Commission is against that principle, I do intend to try to change that for the better. I realistically don’t see a time when the county will take own- ership of all state and federal lands within its boundaries or acquiring federal funding stated in the charter of the commission. This should ei- ther be changed to something much more realistic, constructive and legal, or other options sought. The taking of extreme positions will not make our community a better place to live, while working with all interested par- ties toward our mutual bene¿t most certainly will. Dave Hannibal Mt. Vernon ‘My civil rights have been trampled’ To the Editor: I do not intend this as anyone’s opinion but mine. State your opin- ion loud and clear, I will listen; it is your right. But if you want me to hear what you are saying don’t drown out me with your cries of an- gry indignation. Now it is my opinion that John Day dispatch center coordinator and John Day police chief should tread lightly; if they have not already bro- ken state laws, they are close to it. The use of of¿cial city letterhead to make personal statements public, also public video comments to a news reporter while in uniform, in the wording to have statements give the appearance of being an of¿cial statement made by or with the con- sent of the of¿ce of the city of John Day or the people of this communi- ty and/or of this county without due process. I would also like at this time to mention that when Chris Labhart, our duly elected county commis- sioner, picked up that picket sign and allowed himself to be pho- tographed and incidentally being published publicly was not repre- senting me through due process of his of¿ce. I for one have not authorized any person to speak on my behalf, nor have I been given the oppor- tunity to review any statements to be made public by any county or city of¿cials intending to act on my behalf and as my representa- tive publicly. My civil rights have been trampled on by these persons using their positions to make such statements. The law, in part, ORS 162.415: “Of¿cial misconduct in the ¿rst de- gree (1) $ public servant commits the crime of of¿cial misconduct in the ¿rst degree if with intent to ob- tain a bene¿t or to harm another: ...” (oregonlaws.org/ors/162.415) It is my civic duty to bring this to the attention of the people of this community, and in my opinion, it is each and everyone’s civic duty to see that those that would trample on the people’s civil rights are held account- able. What actions have been taken to rectify this misconduct? Paula Long John Day See LETTERS, Page A5 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 i 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 origina 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 clearly they illegally set up a road block according to (Oregon State Police’s) own set of regulations. It was nothing but a kill stop. They in- tended to murder him, and it is obvi- ous in the video. There is no proof in the video that he went for a gun. He was shot in the back several times. They then proceeded to shoot at the vehicle with unarmed people in it including an innocent, young teen- ager. You call them militants. Have you looked in the dictionary what a militant is? Someone who is ac- tively engaged in a war. These were not militants; they are patriots. The police and the FBI and our govern- ment are the militants. Who ¿red at whom? Who is taking over land from the ranchers? Oregonians need to wake up to the fact that the federal government is overreaching and tak- ing away our liberties and freedom. Gini Gerstner Fox 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. No part of this publication covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping or information storage and retrieval systems — without written permission of the publisher. wwwIaceEooNcoPMyEagleNews @MyEagleNews