Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 1973)
HEPTNE1 (ORE.) GAZETTE TIMES. Tmn4h Smf t, ItTJ Horse sense nKCiTV.jniKcm I consider myself n environmentalist. There will now be long pause while the ecological lunatic (rage divests itself of loud guffaw of disbelief. Consider this. I have never lulled a bird or animal in the name of sport ; but I respect the right of others to do so. I have never caged a bird, penned a dog. bowled a fish or taken any living creature from its native habitat to gratify my desire for a pet. But I respect the right of others to do so. 1 have never left an untended fire in the forest, polluted a stream or littered a highway; and I oppose those who do. I have never opposed a reasonable and workable solution to water, air and land pollution. But I do oppose any and all proposals that would, in the process of cleaning up the environment, result in the energy and production shortages that now exist; that would create consumer goods shortages and invite social, economic and political chaos in our society. Man is the only animal that blames himself for the existence of evil. Self-flagellation, the desire to whip and punish to achieve atonement, is as old as mankind. Some relieions are built upon such a concept. Today self -flagellation is being used to exorcise the evil of pollution. Some believe that whipping and punishing ourselves will cause the evil to disappear. They even believe that Nature itself can be persuaded to be kinder, if only we punish ourselves enough. The radical environmentalists have seized control of the government, and they are going to whip the evil of pollution out of us if it kills us. There is a shortage of everything, from the newsprint vou are reading from to the winter long-handled underwear vou cant buy. Why shortages? Environmentalists havent permitted the building of a single major oil refinery in the United States in six years. They stalled the Alaska pipeline for five years. They refuse to permit conventional or nuclear-fueled electric generating plants in their vicinity, although they'll vote for them in somebody else's back yard. They have made anti-pollution requirements that have shut down some factories and slowed down production in others. At best, the added billions of dollars industry is spending to meet pollution standards has resulted in mounting costs of even-thing we buy. All shortages and all high prices are the shared responsibility of environmentalists and government. Nobody else can be blamed. Too much of the environmentalists' demands are counter-productive. Dr. Frank Schaumburg. head of Oregon State's civil engineering department and a self-styled environmentalist, told an audience m Portland recently that waste treatment plants as required by the federal Water Pollution Control Act consume so much energy and chemicals that trying to meet an "impossible" goal means that "as we add technology we will be adding contamination to other points in the environment." In short, we cure one problem and create two or more other problems. The impossibility of curing sewage and water problems overnight, as the radicals demand, is illustrated by the Environmental Protection Agency's own conclusion-that it LU take $36 billion worth of spending for the nation to meet federal clean water requirements '"already in effect." While our ecology nuts are busily engaged in damning humanity for its sorry ways, they should be reminded that Nature, not man. is the most polluting and destructive force on earth. Billions of dollars worth of timber are destroyed each year by lightning-set fires, and millions of animals perish in Nature's plan to clear the way for new forests and new animals. In 1970, 1.825 million acres of forest went up in smoke in 16 southeastern states. Lightning started it. Remember the Tillamook burns of 1933. 1939 and 1945? Lightning. The list is long, the Miramichi wild fire, in Maine. Vaquina burn in Oregon, Peshtigo wildfire in Wisconsin, Bitterroot fire in Idaho and Montana. Nature continues to exact a heavy toll in timber. But man has learned how to intelligently harvest the forest before trees become over-age and fall prey to disease, rot, insects, lightning and wind (all of which are Nature's destructive helpers). Animals are unharmed by modern timber practices. The timber companies, not our hysterical ecologists. have learned to work with the process of Nature. Nature is also the most callous, most powerful, most brutal and most polluting element. No combination of H-bombss can equal the devastating forces of wind, earthquake and unharnassed waters. She has no conscience and shows no mercy. She has caused civilizations and worlds to disappear-akmg with species of men and animals and every living thing. It was not man who caused the dinosaur to become extinct. It was Nature. Mountains, rivers, forests, oceans, plants and all living things have this in common-they will live, flourish and die. No man or combination of men can compare with Nature's capacity to pollute and destroy all that the environmentalist now declares is the "sole responsibility of man." Ironically, the environmentalist thus becomes the foe of Nature! And the industrial world, which has learn to work with Nature in an orderly way to prune, cut and weed the fields and forests, has become Nature's friend and ally. True environmentalists have made valuable contri butions to better the world. Tbey hired scientists, made studies and induced business and industry to become aware of problems that threaten us all. It is also a fact that business and industry, not government or instant ecologists, have made incredibly fast conversion to new standards of production, consistent with sound business practice. To illustrate It may take a steel mill five costly years to meet certain pollution standards. The ecology nuts want it done todav. which the mill can't do and survive. If the mill has its way.' production wifl continue. Improvements will be spaced over five years. If the ecology nut has his way. the mill will be closed and 100.000 workers thrown into the streets, creating a different pollution problem. Mv fight isn 't with the true environmenuiists. It lies with what I call the ecology nut who takes delight in saddling this country with demands beyond its ability to meet without economic and social disaster. Anybody who advocates environmental measures" beyond our country's ability to produce it is an ecology nut He is also my enemy. The man who would cut my paycheck, rase my taxes, deprive me of energy, raise the cost of manufactured products or drive me from my business is my enemy. True environmenuiists wiD recognize that the knowledge and technical skills of business, industry, science and people are all needed to make the earth a better place for both roan and wildlife. But it takes time, hard work, study, money and research. Business and industry are using these tools now. and tf the environment it improved it will be because business and industry took the lead and paid the price. Jp Ml xxX (it. "iMtasni mv. fran f 1 1 "Friend! The mail pouch EDITOR: I'd like to discuss the coming bond election for an improved water system in Heppner. This system is needed to keep Heppner alive, isn't it? Sam McDaniel stated in his recent interview by the Ruralite that the drop in the water table meant a drop in population of Hardman. Could this happen in Heppner? Kinzua added $3,878,380 value to the tax roll for the year 1973-74. They are eligible for an exemption under ORS 307 :340 on the part of the mill that's under construction for 1974-75, but will add greatly to the future years. With the water shut off from new hook-ups in both Lexington and Heppner. and Kinzua planning to add 120 new employees in the near future, what can be done about housing? I understand Kinzua s minimum pay will be $3.95 per hour for 120 new employees. Itf they worked 160 hours a month they would put $75,840. plus the present earning each month, into the community and help keep our stores open, build homes and pay taxes. - An application by a mill employ for a permit to build a $40,000 home was recently denied Had it been approved the house and land would have been appraised at approximately $45,000 and the owner would pay a tax of $1,237.05 plus a water hook-up. Yes. our taxes will raise if the bond issue is passed; they will raise because the Blue Mt. issue was approved. These comments are not made to sway your decision of how to vote, only to generate some thinking and point out how important it is that you do vote. Your vote is the control for the future of Heppner, as well, as your tax bill. JOYCE BERGSTROM. Heppner. I suppose our ecology nuts would prefer the 250.000 acres of desert land around Boardman stay that way. because Nature made it that way. Nature, they believe, should not be disturbed. But enterprising people like Howard Kartchner of Desert Magic. Inc.. is transforming 8,000 acres of wasteland into Oregon's greatest agricultural area. Should the barren, unproductive area between Cecil and Arlington remain in its natural state? Here, too, is an area slated to have an atomic energv plant to generate electricity. It's by-product is an abundance of water that will turn perhaps 20.000 acres into a fairy land of agricultural production. It won't be done with the cooperation of the pseudo-environmentalists, but is spite of them. Mr. Kartchner reminds me of the man who bought a worthless piece of barren ground on the outskirts of town. It grew nothing. It was a dump. But day after day. month after month, he labored with that sorry piece of land. Finally, it burst into bloom. It was covered with lush grass, flowers of rare beauty, fruits and vegetables. It had become such a paradise that it attracted many visitors. One day a minister came and marveled at the beauty of the place, and he complimented the owner, saying. "It's a miracle what God and you have done to this land." "Yeah," replied the owner. "But you should have seen it when He had it all to Himself.'' Many times the machinery and technological know-how of man and industry can right the damage of Nature. In Back Bay, Virginia, hurricanes over the years caused shifting of sand bars and channels at the mouth of the bay. The salt content lowered, and crab, fish, ducks and geese disappeared. Residents of nearby Virginia Beach tried pumping ocean water into the bay, raising the content. Wildlife is back in even greater numbers than before. The fellow who believes that Nature can do no wrong has no business calling a medical doctor when he breaks a leg, contracts pneumonia or gets his throat cut. Just leave it to Nature! COW POXES By Ace Reid I Jill Girl may face life in Turkish prison Kathy Zenz. niece of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hemrichs of Heppner, may face life im prisonment in Turkey on Dec. 7. She needs help. Here is her dilemma, in her own words : "I wonder if I could call on you to make our call for freedom more known, as our judges have told us that our next trial on Dec. 7 will be our last, and it is most apparent that we will not be granted bail, but most likely sen tenced. "I am not a radical, yet here I am. a victim of circum stance, awaiting Turkish jus tice. We have been in prison a year waiting for our innocence to be recognized Where is this justice we have been counting on? Congressmen and sena tors have been notified months ago, yet we believe that added pressure on the State Depart ment in Washington. DC, might help. "We understand the other four girls were released in August because of the direct action brought on by people against the State Department. I have been told a great in justice would have to take place before any intervention by the State Department, well, a great injustice is continuing to exist. Why haven't they continued to aid the two remaining innocent persons? If it could be brought to their attention, via letters, that all the necessary evi dence to prove Jo Ann's and my innocence has been pre sented in the courts of Antakya. and there is no evidence in our files to prove our guilt, yet we face the possibility of sentencing. "We have been patient long enough, and we do not want to be lost or forgotten in some Turkish prison, spending fu ture years behind bars. Any help you may be able to render will be most appreciated and must be done immediately." The remainder of the letter is personal, and signed Kathy. Mr. and Mrs. Heinrichs, received this letter from their niece. Kathy Zenz. who has spent the past year in a Turkish prison with her com panion. Jo Ann McDaniel of Coos Bay, Ore. The charge against them, smuggling 225 pounds of hashish across the Turkish-Syrian border. Dec. 10, 1972. Kathy and Jo Ann, both 28, are part of the Antioch Seven, who were featured in News week Magazine, Aug. 13, 1973. Six girls, traveling through Europe, were asked by a young man if they would drive two mini-buses into Turkey. He was Robert Hubbard, also in a Turkish jail. He rented three Volkswagen buses and got two of the girls to help him drive through Syria to Turkey. Border guards became 4 n (!; suspicious and pried through the upholstry and found hash ish in all three vehicles. All seven Americans were charged with smuggling and accused of being part of an international dope smuggling ring, an indictment that can lead to a life sentence in Turkey. The other four women for whom bail has been approved had no travel restrictions and were expected to appear in Antioch. Turkey, on charges of international dope smug gling; otherwise, each will foreftt bail of 50.000 Turkish lira, approximately $3,517. and be free to return to the United States Upon their arrest. Hubbard confessed that he alone knew of the drug in the vehicles and that the women were innocent. However. Turkish officials were not sure, and all seven were taken to Antioch to begin a long ordeal, not at all uncommon in many foreign countries. "What can we do to save these two young women from possible life imprisonment in Turkey, and who can we contact at the State Depart ment in Washington. DC. for help? The Heinrichs asked the Gazette-Times. Frankly, we don't know , but perhaps some reader may. There was a time when the United States would have gone to war to free an American citizen falsely imprisoned abroad. No longer. Any Amer ican citizen traveling abroad today does so without the protection of his government. He is "on his own." The erosion of American rights abroad began with President Eisenhower, who ordered that American sol diers stationed in Spain and accused of Spanish crime must stand trial in Spanish courts and be subject to Spanish justice. At that time, execution for capital crime in Spain was garroting (stran gulation). What is needed is the name of an official in the State Department to whom letters can be directed for prompt action, before the Dec. 7 trial. Kathy s letter was received last Saturday, and the Hein richs have cabled state offi cials and are awaiting their reply. Meanwhile, time is running out on Kathy and Jo Ann. The Gazette-Times joins in the appeal, and asks any person having any informa tion to contact this newspaper. Box 337, Heppner, Ore., or by phoning 676-9228. If anyone would care to write directly to Kathy to let her know she has not been forgotten, her address is: Kathy Zenz. Meikez Ceza EVI, Kadm Kogusu. Antakya, Turkey. 4 1 "TKi$ reminds me reckon we shut off the wind 1 -, , - Ol2 Mayor of Hardman DEAR MISTER EDITOR: Zeke Crubb's preacher dropped by the country store Saturday night to pick up P'Pf u wH likV been trying to quit the pipe, but he found it wWM vounsun'i pacifier. When he started worrying, he started ffg on thlfold pipe, and It looked like he was doing more worrying than usual. The Mien a. teasing the Pc educated. Me said he alius had heard that Um more ignorant feller is the less he worries. The preach ot him rTghl back. He Mid Zeke ought to rest easy, cause he heard when Zeke got promoted from the second grade to the third he excited he couldn't J" Zeke said that was unfounded fact, cause ht VT4 The preacher said worrying about things that need worry ng abouVi. . sign of good mental health. And he out what needs worrying about was one of h pet worms. Fer instant, he said, a feller come by the church one morning last week and ask how many folks would te dmt sleep in case of a emergency. The preacher said he thought Civil Defense went out with the draft, so he got to orrymg about what the church could do in case of attack. The preacher said he sudden relized that the church was sleeping a heap of folks ever Sunday morning now. so he didn't see no reason a few more couldnl find room. Actual, the preacher said, there is a difference tn worrving about somepun and worrying with somepun. He said fer years he's been worrying with folks that won t come to church. He said he saw where jest about ever one of the professional football games was sold out solid fer opening day last month, and most of em is sold out ever game. Then he started worrving that maybe the church ought to charge $6 a seat so folks would think they was gitting what they was paving fer. And if you sold season tickets, the preacher allowed, you probable could figger on a full house more often than Easter and Christmas. Mister Editor, the fellers couldn't tell if Zeke s preacher was serious about his worries, but they was full agreed that amongst country folks there's more discussion about their churches than any other subject. If the folks at church don't worry one another enurf, they alius can worry about the backsliders that took off to the football game. Personal. I think worrying is like a blotter. ou can soak up a problem, but you git it backwards. Yours truly, MAYOR ROY. Yale's powerful Chaplain BY LESTER KINSOLVING One of the Rev. William Sloan Coffin's hens appeared to have come home to roost during the Watergate hearings. For the civil disobedience advocated by this outspoken Chaplain of Yale University was cited as a moral justification for the illegal conduct of one of Coffin's former students (at Williams College), named Jeb Stuart Magruder. When asked about this reference, Chaplain Coffin protested that "there is a world of difference" in their illegal activities. For Coffin (according to himself) was protesting against the illegal use of power. "What Magruder did," contended Coffin, "he did to secure that power." As a matter of fact, the Rev. Mr. Coffin's advocacy of illegal disobedience against the federal establishment (although not, reportedly, against the Yale establishment) has hardly left him powerless. For the Yale Corporation (trustees) recently rewarded Coffin with an indefinite contract, rather than one for the customary five years. And if his Yale salary and allowances have been more modest than Magruder's government remuneration, the Rev. Mr. Coffin is infinitely better known along the very lucrative Ivy League lecture circuit. Hence he can hardly be regarded as powerless. Coffin's fellow university official, S.I. Hayakawa of San Francisco State University has. however, (and perhaps too harshly) described the Yale Chaplain as: "Self-righteous, arrogant and above all, anti-democratic." Referring to Coffin's statement that "We must recognize that justice is a higher goal than law and order ... for reasons of conscience," Hayakawa asked: "Whose conscience? That of a vocal minority? What if my conscience comes to conclusions different than Dr. Coffin?" Hayakawa went on to criticize an elitism in which civil disobeyers are often outraged because: (A) They are often arrested right along with other law breakers such as the Klan, and B) Because the government, rather than attempting the impossible adherence to 200 million very individual consciences, is guided by the majority - and not always by the Yale intelligentsia. Coffin's public stands are usually unusual and sometimes downright bizarre. For example, he recently called for amnesty not only for deserters, draft evaders and all those less-than-honorably discharged, but amnesty for Lt. William Calley ("Because he isn't going to kill anyone else") and the late Adolf Eichmann as well. The Nixon administration might do well to note Coffin's generous redemptive spirit, and work to have him replace Senator Sam Ervin's entire Watergate committee. For if the Yale Chaplain were consistent he could end the Watergate hearings with the jovial pronouncement: "Boys will be boys!" while Mitchell. Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Dean and Magruder are amnestied right back into the White House. "Let us remember that Lincoln prosecuted no one for armed rebellion against the United States," reminds Coffin. (True. But the Rev. O A. Kinsolving, of Middleburg, Va., was one of hundreds of civilian hostages, taken without trial and put in Union prisons, while Gen. Philip Sheridan carried out the Presidential order to bum the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia so that even the birds would starve. As for deserters, in 1865 Lincoln did offer amnesty, conitional amnesty, provided that each man reported to his unit and served out his period of enlistment.) Coffin and the various religious denominations who are currently asking for unconditional amnesty are thus urging not forgiveness but condonation. They are asking the government to condone the idea that . all that any youth owes to his country is unilateral determination of what he or she deems is moral and effective foreign policy, which no government can tolerate and still survive. They are also asking the government to condone the idea that all deserters and draft evaders were motivated solely by pacifism or opposition to the w ar. rather than cowardice, and. that these people should be as fully entitled to U S citizenship as the conscientious objectors who risked their lives as combat medics, making the best of a terrible war. mill in the middle pasture!"
