Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 4, 2025 -- THREE
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Free Palestine
I will probably never
be an expert on the Middle
East, but I had questions.
So I’ve done some research.
What I found is pretty con-
trary to the popular opinion
of those holding signs on
the street and yelling “free
Palestine.”
So here’s the truth: The
Jews are not “occupiers.”
They are the indigenous
people. God deeded that
land to them thousands
of years ago. If you don’t
believe the Bible (Genesis
15:18), ask an archeolo-
gist. He has proof. So yes,
they were there first. But
everybody and their dog
has tried to boot them off.
The Babylonians, Persians,
Romans, Greeks, Ottoman
Turks, Brits, etc., have all
had a go at it. But God had
other plans.
Since then, they’ve
been picked on, dispersed
and persecuted world-
wide…had their borders
disputed and their land
carved up…the last piece
by Winston Churchill, who
got tired of listening to an
Arab leader complain that
the “Jews have too much
land.” So he drew a line
on a map and carved off
another chunk.
So why all the fuss over
a teeny country? It started
with a promise…one con-
cerning Isaac, the son of
Abraham and Sarah. But
Abraham blew it and lis-
tened to his wife, resulting
in Ishmael, an illegitimate
son who was not part of the
promise.
Abraham’s indiscretion
caused years of jealousy
and battles between the
descendants of Ishmael
(Arabs) and Isaac (Jews).
But there’s more to it than
that. It was through the de-
scendants of Isaac that God
brought about His redemp-
tive plan to bring salvation
to the world through Jesus.
Satan has been trying to
wreak havoc on God’s plan
ever since, and is currently
using Hamas, an offshoot of
the Muslim Brotherhood, as
a vehicle for evil.
For more informa-
tion on Muslim plans for
non-Muslims, you can read
the Quran. For more infor-
mation on God’s plans for
Israel and the rest of the
world, you can read the
Bible.
So, how did the Jews
become the bad guys? Did
3,000 of them rape, tor-
ture and murder 1,200 in-
nocent civilians, taking
250 hostages? Did they
behead children and burn
babies alive? Did they use
their own people as hu-
man shields, placing rocket
launchers under schools,
hospitals, and apartment
buildings? Did they refuse
to let their people (170,000
of them) leave the city of
Gaza, even as “the enemy”
dropped leaflets warning
them where they would
be bombing, giving them
escape routes?
No…That would be
Hamas…the ones whose
own 1988 charter calls for
the obliteration of Israel.
While Israel was providing
food, water and electricity
to people who hate them,
Hamas was planning their
attack.
They’ve never wanted
peace. They just want dead
Jews. And when you hear
of the “two-state solution,”
please ask yourself if you’d
like to share an apartment
with someone who wants
you dead.
Pray for those who are
suffering, yes, but if you
want to blame someone
for the starvation and suf-
fering of little children,
and the condition of the
Palestinians, blame Hamas.
Free Palestine, yes…from
Hamas. And do your re-
search before you paint
your signs.
“I will make you into a
great nation, and I will bless
you; I will make your name
great, so that you will be a
blessing. I will bless those
who bless you and curse
those who curse you; and all
the families of the earth will
be blessed through you”
(Genesis 12:2-3).
Susie Crosby
Prineville, OR
Greenup heads to junior
high finals rodeo
Ride into summer freedom
Morrow County Public Transit
kicks off ‘A Summer of
Independence’
This summer, leave the
car keys at home and hop
aboard for a season full of
fun, freedom and fare-free
travel. Morrow County
Public Transit (MCPT)
has officially launched its
highly anticipated seasonal
campaign, “A Summer of
Independence.”
Whether you’re head-
ing to the pool with the kids,
browsing a local market,
stocking up on groceries or
simply enjoying some sun-
shine by the water, MCPT is
making it easier—and more
affordable—than ever to get
where you need to go.
“This campaign is
about more than just get-
ting from point A to point
B,” said Morrow County
Transit Manager Steven
Davis. “It’s about creat-
ing freedom—freedom
for teens to hang out with
friends at the skate park,
for seniors to shop and so-
cialize, and for families to
connect with the resources
that make Morrow County
such a special place. We’re
building a stronger, more
connected community, one
ride at a time.”
Wi t h c o m f o r t a b l e ,
air-conditioned buses,
w h e e l c h a i r- a c c e s s i b l e
ramps, and friendly, trained
staff, MCPT is prioritizing
safe, reliable, and inclusive
transportation all summer
long. And this summer, the
list of destinations is more
exciting than ever:
For youth and others
looking for summer fun,
stops will include Don Dax-
ter Skate Park in Irrigon,
splash pads in Boardman
and Hermiston, the Board-
man Pool and Recreation
Center, Funland Park /
Hermiston Aquatic Center
and the Heppner pool.
For those who need to
shop or run a few errands,
stops will give access to
Harvest Foods (Board-
man), Columbia Harvest
Foods (Umatilla), Heppner
Market Fresh, Hermiston
Walmart, Oregon Trail Li-
brary branches, post offices,
community food pantries,
senior centers, local shop-
ping and eateries, Good
Shepherd and Pioneer Me-
morial hospitals, and local
pharmacies and health care
providers.
Riders can travel to the
great outdoors or experi-
ence natural beauty with
stops at the Boardman Ma-
rina and Recreation Area,
fishing spots along the Co-
lumbia River in Irrigon and
Boardman, Willow Creek
Reservoir in Heppner, and
even the Morrow County
Museum.
“Public transportation
should be simple, safe and
stress-free—and that’s ex-
actly what we’re offer-
ing,” said Morrow County
Transit Supervisor Patrick
Keely. “We want people to
explore their county, recon-
nect with their neighbors,
and reclaim their summer
without worrying about the
cost of gas or having access
to a vehicle.”
Better yet, MCPT of-
fers free ride training to
help residents navigate the
system.
“If someone needs
help learning the routes
or planning a trip, we will
send someone out to their
home and show them how it
works,” said Keely. “We’re
serious about helping peo-
ple find independence
through transit.”
“We want people to
feel confident using pub-
lic transit, not just to get
somewhere but to expand
their independence,” added
Davis.
To schedule a training
or get help with planning
your route, contact MCPT
at 541-676-5667 or email
mcpt@morrowcountyor.
gov.
Buschke obtains
MBA, steps into
marketing field
Amanda Buschke. –Contrib-
uted photo by Mario Gallucci
Amanda Buschke, the
granddaughter of long-
time Heppner residents
Delmer and Judy Buschke,
is continuing a proud fam-
ily legacy of hard work
and achievement. A 2023
graduate of Willamette Uni-
versity and a member of the
MBA Class of 2025, Aman-
da has recently accepted
a position as a marketing
coordinator at the Oregon
Restoration Company.
Amanda is the daughter
of Scott and Lori Buschke
of Estacada, both born and
raised in Heppner and grad-
uates of Heppner High
School. As a first-genera-
tion college student, Aman-
da’s accomplishments mark
a significant milestone for
her family.
While at Willamette,
Amanda earned her bach-
elor’s degree in economics
before continuing into the
university’s MBA program,
where she gained hands-on
experience in marketing,
leadership and project man-
agement. She also served as
a project manager in Hood
River through a consulting
program focused on afford-
able housing initiatives.
Sunday Men’s Play
Eighteen participated in
men’s play on Sunday, June
1, at Willow Creek Coun-
try Club. Results are as
follows:
KP #4-13: Quinn Peck,
15’8”.
Net—1 st , Scott Dougherty,
55; 2 nd , Rick Britt, 58; 3 rd ,
Dennis Peck, 59.
Gross—1 st , Jerry Gentry,
65; 2 nd ,/3 rd , Dave Prang-
er-Charlie Ferguson, 66.
The next organized play
will be June 8. It will be
hosted by Rick Johnston,
Jerry Gentry and Willy
Gentry.
Local, Experienced Mortgage Specialists
READY TO BUILD YOUR
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Heppner eighth-grader Savanna Greenup is headed to Des
Moines, IA to the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. This
is the third year she has qualified for this event but the first
time she has been able to go. She is competing in barrel racing,
breakaway roping, goat tying, and ribbon roping with partner
Wyatt Risken. To qualify for the NJHFR, competitors must be
the top four in their events and be in the fifth through eighth
grades. -Contributed photo
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May 27 - BBQ Beef Sandwich, Jojo
potatoes, Coleslaw and Dessert
June 17 - Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo,
Garden Salad Dessert
June 24 - Sloppy Joes, Chips, Pickle Spears,
Dessert
Ad sponsored by Bank of Eastern Oregon
Owner Builders Welcome!
Seniors Matter May/June Menu
June 3 - Chicken Pot Pie, Garden Salad,
Dessert
June 10 - Breakfast Casserole, Coffee
Cake, Peaches
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