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!"