A4
Opinion
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Another farm bill
deadline missed
L
ast month Senate and
House conferees working
on the 2018 Farm Bill
failed to reach an agreement
before the old farm bill expired
and without Congress voting to
extend it.
Congress has once again let
down American farmers and
ranchers who need to know the
extent of farm programs when
making plans for next year’s
crop. It is impossible for those in
agriculture to plan for the next
season without knowing how the
federal government intends to
impact their business.
This has happened all too
often before.
The 2014 Farm Bill was
supposed to be the 2012 Farm
Bill. It took more than three
years to negotiate, despite
original promises in 2011 that it
would be passed before the 2012
presidential primary season. In
reality, constant wrangling over
the cost of nutrition programs
and crop insurance subsidies
mandated that the old 2008 bill
be extended a number of times
before Congress came up with a
bill it could pass.
Each farm bill has many
parts. Some programs, such
as commodity and nutrition
programs, were created under
separate legislation. The farm
bill provides funding for
these programs and provides
governing language that for
the life of the bill supersedes
the “permanent” legislation.
The farm bill also creates new
programs not included in any
other legislation.
So in establishing an
expiration date on the farm bill,
Congress puts a gun to its own
head. Commodity programs
revert to “permanent” law written
in the ’30s and ’40s should it fail
to enact a measure to replace or
extend the expiring farm bill.
Other programs die altogether.
The permanent laws are
so antiquated they have little
relevance to modern agriculture.
Trying to apply them in the
21st century should create
consequences too dire for
Congress to ignore its duty. Or at
least that’s the theory. Congress
has repeatedly failed to yield to
its own extortion.
Senate and House conferees
are confident they will reach
agreement and pass a bill before
the end of the year. We’ll see.
Between now and then there will
be an election. Given the current
divisive politics, that couldn’t
possibly hold things up.
But it also provides an
opportunity.
While we don’t think much of
legislators who can’t meet their
own deadlines, we have to put a
fair amount of the blame on their
employers.
We may not get the
government we deserve, as the
old saw goes, but we do get the
one we vote for.
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.
• Long Creek — P.O. Box 489, Long
Creek 97856. Phone: 541-421-3601. Fax:
541-421-3075. Email: info@cityoflong-
creek.com.
• Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monument
97864. Phone and fax: 541-934-2025.
Email: cityofmonument@centurytel.net.
• Mt. Vernon — 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. Kate 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).
• Oregon Legislative Information —
Blue Mountain
EAGLE
P UBLISHED EVERY
W EDNESDAY BY
(For updates on bills, services, capitol or
messages for legislators) — 800-332-2313.
• Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario – 900
Court St. NE, S-301, Salem 97301. Phone:
503-986-1730. Website: www.oregonlegis-
lature.gov/Bentz. Email: Sen.CliffBentz@
oregonlegislature.gov.
• Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale – 900 Court
St. NE, H-475, Salem 97301. Phone: 503-
986-1460. Website: www.oregonlegislature.
gov/findley. Email: Rep.LynnFindley@
oregonlegislature.gov.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
• The White House, 1600 Pennsylva-
nia Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500;
Phone-comments: 202-456-1111; Switch-
board: 202-456-1414.
• U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D — 516 Hart
Senate Office Building, Washington D.C.
20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Email:
wayne_kinney@wyden.senate.gov Website:
http://wyden.senate.gov Fax: 202-228-2717.
• U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D — 313 Hart
Senate Office Building, Washington D.C.
20510. Phone: 202-224-3753. Email:
senator@merkley.senate.gov. Fax: 202-
228-3997. Oregon offices 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.
• U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, 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 office: 14 North Central, Suite 112,
Medford, OR 97501. Phone: 541-776-4646.
Fax: 541-779-0204.
• Pending Bills: For information on bills in
Congress, Phone: 202-225-1772.
L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR
Hiding from
the public
To the Editor:
Gordon Larson, candidate for
county commissioner, recently ac-
cepted an invitation from the Grant
County Chamber of Commerce, a
neutral organization, to a debate or
public forum with Sam Palmer, also
a candidate. Palmer refused the in-
vitation. Larson has had town halls
in most Grant County communities
and has another one on Oct. 23,
6:30 p.m., at the Canyon City Com-
munity Hall. He has been meeting
and greeting Grant County residents
all over the county. Larson and his
supporters are going door to door
listening to people’s concerns. If
Palmer is making that kind of effort,
I haven’t seen any indication of it. I
don’t think he has.
Jaime McLeod-Skinner, candi-
date for our federal 2nd Congres-
sional District, finally got Greg
Walden, also a candidate for the
same position, to engage in one
debate. Walden refused to have the
public at that debate. When asked
during that debate if he would com-
mit to two more, he refused. Walden
is the current representative but
hasn’t met with the general public
in a town hall setting in over 530
days as of the end of September
2018. McLeod-Skinner has been
in Grant County twice this election
season, holding two town halls and
a meet and greet, and this district is
the fifth largest in geographical area
in the nation!
People who have met and lis-
tened to Larson and McLeod-Skin-
ner know that they have the admin-
istrative experience needed for the
positions they seek and are deeply
committed to responding to their
constituents’ needs.
What do we know about Palmer’s
experience or his positions on issues?
If he won’t submit to a public debate
before he is an elected official, how
responsive to the public will he be if
he is elected?
If Walden refuses to hold town
halls for what is approaching two
years, and gets re-elected, why
would he be willing to meet with us
in the future? Walden has betrayed
the interests of the people in his dis-
trict in various ways, not the least by
threatening their access to affordable
health care. Maybe that’s one of the
reasons he hides from the public.
Nancy Nickel
John Day
Where’s the debate?
To the Editor:
One of the primary skills a
county commissioner must have is
the ability to engage with all con-
stituents including fellow court
members, concerned citizens and
organizations. Grant County Court
meetings are open public forums
where questions and concerns are
discussed and debated.
For voters to make an informed
decision I believe a debate between
the two remaining candidates is es-
sential. I have asked Gordon Lar-
son to challenge Sam Palmer to a
debate. He has attempted to engage
Sam several times, and Sam has re-
fused. If Sam Palmer believes he is
the best person to represent Grant
County as commissioner, why does
he refuse to participate? Is he afraid
to debate about the issues important
to our county’s future? This unwill-
ingness to engage in constructive
debate renders Sam unable to rep-
resent all citizens of Grant County.
Ask yourself what issues you have
that Sam Palmer will not address.
I will cast my vote for a candidate
willing and able to address all issues
that concern all members of Grant
County. Vote Gordon Larson!
Gail Beverlin
Canyon City
Larson listens
and is accessible
To the Editor:
Two qualities we believe to be
most important in our local elected
officials are their accessibility and
their willingness to listen to their
constituents.
Gordon Larson has proven
in both his campaign for Grant
County Court commissioner and
in his career as a public servant
his accessibility and his willing-
ness to listen to the citizens of
Grant County. During his cam-
paign, Gordon has held a number
of meet and greet opportunities
in locations throughout the coun-
ty, and he has maintained both
a website and Facebook page.
Gordon is also approachable on a
daily basis as he moves about the
county, attending numerous “hap-
penings” in and around Grant
County.
If these qualities are also im-
portant to you, please join us in
voting for Gordon Larson for Grant
County commissioner in the No-
vember election.
Kris and Roy Beal
Mt. Vernon
Larson has ‘skills,
influence and
administrative
experience’
To the Editor:
I endorse Gordon Larson for
Grant County commissioner. Gor-
don is passionate about helping
Grant County residents work to-
gether to restore and revitalize our
county.
As a retired police commander,
and with many years of involvement
in the community, he has the skills,
influence and administrative experi-
ence required of an effective county
commissioner.
Please join me in voting for Gor-
don Larson. He will be a hard-work-
ing and positive commissioner.
Pam Minster
John Day
Best for the county
To the Editor:
I strongly support Gordon Lar-
son for county commissioner. I be-
lieve he is clearly the best candidate
due to his time living and working
in the community in many positive
ways, his honesty and integrity and
his unceasing efforts to make a dif-
ference in a healthy way for Grant
County. He is proactive, involved
and cares about all of the citizens’
ideas and opinions. Please vote
and, if possible, please make Gor-
don your choice. Let’s move Grant
County forward!
Vicki Thompson
Mt. Vernon
Save our flag
To the Editor:
First some flash in the pan takes
a knee. Then more and more foot-
ball players take notice and join in.
Where will it end?
Now, before you rant and rave
about black rights, this is not about
black rights, white rights or any color
of your choice. It is about our flag!
The flag known around the world
and even on the moon as the symbol
of the United States of America.
It is a complete and utter disgrace
to insult our flag, our country, our
Americans and most of all our veter-
ans! Check your history. How many
have died for his flag? If the black
players want to protest, fine — have
a rally, have a protest, have a march
or whatever, but don’t drag the coun-
try’s symbol down for racial reasons.
The NFL has backed down on
their stance; ESPN, FOX and Nike
have all decided not to recognize the
National Anthem. No TV coverage!
Enough!
Here’s my idea: Sunday, Nov. 11,
2018, Veterans Day, football Sunday,
why not for one day have all patri-
otic American football fans boycott
all the games. No matter the venue
— TV, radio, in person, whatever
you use to watch football, stop. Let
the NFL know where you stand!
The millions of dollars lost by doing
this has to wake up those in charge.
If this isn’t enough, there is always
playoffs, championships and finally
the Super Bowl.
What better day than Veterans
Day after all. “If you don’t stand for
something you fall for anything.”
What’s next? No anthem, no
president, no government, no laws.
Where will it end? I say Nov. 11,
2018, America will save our flag.
Charles Leiss
Prairie City
‘We endorse Gordon
Larson’
To the Editor:
We endorse Gordon Larson for
county commissioner.
Tom and Cheryl Berry
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
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 ............ ..................... C HRIS R USH , CRUSH @ EOMEDIAGROUP . COM
E DITOR & G ENERAL M ANAGER ... S EAN H ART , EDITOR @ BMEAGLE . COM
R EPORTER ............................... R ICHARD H ANNERS , RICK @ 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
A DMINISTRATIVE A SSISTANT ........ M AKENNA A DAIR , OFFICE @ BMEAGLE . COM
O FFICE A SSISTANT .................... A LIXANDRA H AND , OFFICE @ BMEAGLE . COM
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
MEMBER OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Email: www.MyEagleNews.com Phone: 541-575-0710
Periodicals Postage Paid at John
Day and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER
send address changes to:
Blue Mountain Eagle
195 N. Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845-1187
USPS 226-340
Copyright © 2018 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.
www.facebook.com/MyEagleNews
@MyEagleNews