OPINION READER’S FORUM
Founded in 1906
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
A4
OUR VIEW
Banning books is antithetical to our democracy
For September and into Octo-
ber, the path at Umatilla’s Hash
Park has been lined with frames
of pages of a banned book, “The
Story of Ferdinand,” by Mon-
roe Leaf. The display was fi rst
arranged as part of a series of
activities around “Banned Book
Week,” which ran from Sept. 26
to Oct. 2.
The activities were import-
ant for several reasons, not the
least of which is an eff ort to raise
awareness regarding banned
books and the process librar-
ies go through when a book is
challenged.
The word “banned” car-
ries plenty of negative connota-
tions and when a book is “chal-
lenged” it is “banned” by a
library whether it is removed
from the library or if it stays. It is
then added to a banned book list,
where other libraries are warned
they may experience a challenge
from a local resident.
Banning books in a democracy
is simply a bad idea. While every
resident has the right to voice a
concern regarding the topic of
a book, there isn’t much justifi -
cation to force a local library to
remove a book because it hap-
pens to off end the sensibilities of
a few people.
That doesn’t mean residents
should be discouraged from
challenging a book. If they feel
a book’s themes are controver-
sial or inappropriate, they should
voice their concern. Yet in the
end if they believe a book is
inappropriate, they are under no
obligation to read the tome nor
even leaf through it.
If there is a concern that a
book’s perceived objectionable
material will be viewed by chil-
dren, then each parent can ensure
they exercise oversight. To out-
right ban a book, though, doesn’t
hold up when framed against the
principals of our great nation
Books, literature, are, at their
best, pieces of art that push
the boundaries of present-day
norms. Good novels and non-
fi ction allow us an avenue to
think of the world — and its peo-
ple — in diff erent ways than
we did before. The enlightened
goal is for a book to transform
our understanding of people and
to give us insight into our own
humanity. Sometimes achieving
those goals can rub some peo-
ple wrong. That’s fi ne. All of us
have our own opinions, and we
are entitled to them.
But banning books of any
kind in our democracy is just a
bad idea. That’s why the eff orts
of those behind the “Banned
Book Week” deserve praise for
highlighting this important issue.
Erick Peterson/Hermiston Herald
A sign Sept. 16, 2021, in Hash Park,
Umatilla, announces Banned Book
Week.
PETERSON’S POINTS
The deadline that motivates my work as editor
y minutes are numbered, and I
have to work fast.
More than a month
ago, I took a very good job. As
editor and senior reporter of the
Hermiston Herald, I get to meet
people, learn about them and tell
their stories. It is work that has
put me in touch with artists, pol-
iticians and workers of every
Erick
stripe. As COVID-19 remains
Peterson
the biggest story each week, I
have spoken with many affl icted peo-
ple, as well as the medical professionals
who treat them. During this time, I have
also been able to meet athletes, students,
teachers, police offi cers and more.
I have told many stories, and I know
there are many more to tell. One per-
son, just this past week, wrote a letter
off ering one suggestion. She wants me
to write about people’s bad driving. She
has noticed many drivers crossing mul-
tiple lanes when turning onto a street.
Instead, they should be turning into one
M
lane and then transitioning into another
lane.
Her gripe is justifi ed. And I
would write about it if I were not
sometimes guilty of it. Also, there
are restrictions, which I will write
more about in a second.
Another person came into my
offi ce and asked me to cover Herm-
iston school board meetings. It was
a reasonable request, which I fol-
lowed up on by viewing a meeting
this week.
Several people have requested other
stories, by Facebook Messenger, email,
phone and in person. I have written
some of their stories and I have made
plans to write others.
I reject few story ideas, because
everyone is valued and their experiences
are valuable. It pains me to not write a
story once the idea is in front of me, but
there are reasons I do. The reasons are
as follows: space and time (mostly time,
which I personify as “The Clock”).
1) Space. As I am writing this col-
umn, I know the number of pages avail-
able to me in the paper. This paper is 14
pages. Three of the pages are classifi ed
ads, holy and untouchable to me. This
leaves 11 pages, but not even that space
is all for me. Other writers contribute to
this paper. Once I place their work, and
account for the advertisements, I have
even less space for my writing.
I also have a rough idea of the amount
of space I am limited to write this col-
umn. Above, below and to the sides,
there is other work. One editorial pro-
vides a major message of this paper. My
favorite piece here is from award-win-
ning columnist Tammy Malgesini. I look
forward to her column every month.
2) The Clock. This is the one that gets
me — The Clock, which marks my min-
utes. Unheard but felt, in the throbbing
veins at my temples, The Clock spells
the eventual end to my work as the edi-
tor of this paper.
Just as every newspaper has a dead-
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
COLUMN
There’s still time to share your scary tales
f you haven’t already put a pen to
There was another time when I got
paper for the Hermiston Herald’s true
freaked out at Rosemont. After a year, I
scary story contest, I urge you to
was the senior staff on the fi rst fl oor
do so.
dormitory, which meant I was the
There’s something about being
designated person to give the “all
scared that’s exhilarating — whether
clear” if an alarm sounded or during
it’s watching a scary movie, partic-
fi re drills. Everyone else was to
ipating in an extreme sport, riding a
immediately exit the building to the
roller coaster or fi nding yourself in a
courtyard.
dangerous situation. The adrenaline
It was a dark and rainy night the
Tammy
rush is like an endorphin overdose.
fi rst time I had to brave the corri-
Malgesini
And I’ve had my share of intense
dors and stairwells by myself. As
(cue “The Twilight Zone” theme
I fi nished the upper fl oor checks, I
song) moments.
headed back down the stairs and as I turned
Just out of college, I worked at Rose-
the corner on the landing, I just about ran
mont School, a secure treatment facility for into a staff person from the third fl oor.
adolescent girls. Housed in an old Catholic
Fear seems to bring out the four-let-
convent in north Portland, the building was
ter words — and they came out in a stream
on the National Register of Historic Places. that would have made a sailor blush.
When I worked there, it was a bit creaky
It seems in the midst of a frightening
and freaky.
situation, I can muster up just enough cour-
Of Colonial Revival Georgian architec-
age to deal with it — only to collapse into
ture, the sprawling multiple-story struc-
a frenzy of emotions later. Such was the
ture featured Palladian central windows,
case when a knife-wielding dude accosted
a cupola and lots of spider webs. Late
me outside a 7-Eleven in Portland.
at night, the building — and stories the
I had just gotten off work and had a
kitchen staff told — created an opportunity
50-minute drive ahead of me. Hungry
for the imagination to run wild.
and tired, I wanted to eat my snack and
Rather than risking the 40-mile drive
go home.
home during ice storms, I’d bring an over-
As I exited the store and headed to my
night bag and sleep in the old priest’s quar-
rig, I heard him say, “Have you ever been
ters. One night I awoke to loud clang-
hungry?” I was thinking, “Ummmm, yeah
ing and banging. Frozen in fear, my eyes
like right now.” However, I ignored him —
darted around the darkened room — fi nally
hoping he would just go away.
I realized the sound was from the old radi-
But he didn’t. As I got into my car
ator heating system.
and put the box of piping hot Pizza Rolls
I
on the dash, he positioned himself so I
couldn’t close my door and then repeated
his question. I told him I didn’t have any-
thing. With maybe 50 cents in my pocket, I
wasn’t giving up my Pepsi and Pizza Rolls.
I still can visualize the encounter in
slow motion when he pulled a knife out
of his jacket. And at that precise moment,
the store clerk came rushing out yelling —
giving me enough time to close my door
and jet out of the parking lot. After fl ag-
ging down a police offi cer and giving a
report, I needed to call John to let him
know I would be late getting home.
I remained calm throughout the whole
incident until I heard John’s voice when
the operator asked if he would accept a
collect call — and then I lost it. I was a
stuttering, blubbering mess, “This g-g-g-
guy … a m-m-m-man, h-h-h-he w-w-w-
wouldn’t l-l-l-let m-m-m-me g-g-g-go.
H-h-h-he w-w-w-wanted my p-p-p-p-
pizza rolls.”
I guess I’m not always calm under pres-
sure — there was that time I cracked a
bone in my wrist because I thought a spi-
der was crawling up my arm. It turned
out to only be a piece of black thread —
and time to get a new prescription for
my glasses.
———
Tammy Malgesini, the Hermiston Herald
community writer, enjoys spending time
with her husband and two German
shepherds, as well as entertaining herself
with random musings.
CORRECTIONS
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
VOLUME 114 • NUMBER 40
Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@eomediagroup.com • 541-278-2673
Erick Peterson | Editor/Senior Reporter • epeterson@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4536
Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • community@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4532
Andy Nicolais | Page Designer • anicolais@eomediagroup.com
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The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN
8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston
Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838,
(541) 567-6457.
line, my position here too has a conclu-
sion. Someday, I will quit, retire or get
fi red. Maybe, I will die while working at
this job, behind the desk that I am now
standing behind. This may be my last
sentence...
Or not.
My point is, I do not know the time or
the reason for the end, just that it is com-
ing. Every day, it nears. This fear causes
me to work harder to write the things
that matter most to me and the things
that may mean the most to you.
I type this week’s column as a
response to my bosses, who asked me
to write a column about the sort of edi-
tor I wish to be for this area. My answer
to them, and to readers, is I am an edi-
tor and a writer who feels the pain of a
deadline. I hope to write every story at
least once, perhaps more, if The Clock
allows.
———
Erick Peterson is the editor and senior
reporter of the Hermiston Herald.
Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR.
Postmaster, send address changes to
Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St.,
Hermiston, OR 97838.
Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2021
It is the policy of the Hermiston Herald to correct errors as
soon as they are discovered. Incorrect information will be
corrected on Page 2A. Errors commited on the Opinion page
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the online versions of our stories.
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SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters Policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for the
Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local,
state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer
letters should be kept to 250 words.
No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person.
Early detection saves lives
On Oct. 2, my younger brother told
me he has end stage cancer. We do not
know how long he will live. New tech-
nology to improve cancer early detec-
tion and save lives is on our fi ngertips.
Several companies are developing new
blood tests to detect multiple cancers
early that would complement existing
early detection tests.
These tests could be life-chang-
ing, but only if people can access them.
That’s the message I shared with Sen.
Ron Wyden and my members of Con-
gress during a virtual event with the
American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network. I asked them to support legis-
lation to increase cancer screening and
early detection in Medicare.
This bipartisan legislation would
ensure that those on Medicare don’t face
unacceptable delays in accessing these
new tests once they are FDA approved,
which is important since Medicare
already covers early detection tests for
breast, colorectal and prostate cancers.
People on Medicare must have access to
new screening options.
Detecting cancer early could be the
diff erence between life or death. I’m
grateful that Reps. Earl Blumenaurer and
Kurt Schrader support these eff orts, and
I hope that Wyden will support this leg-
islation too. It is time to discover cancer
cures. It will be too late for my brother.
Please make it in time for our loved
ones.
Karen Malcolm
Pendleton
The Hermiston Herald reserves the right to edit letters for
length and for content.
Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers.
Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include
a telephone number so they can be reached for questions.
Only the letter writer’s name and city of residence will be
published.
OBITUARY POLICY
The Hermiston Herald publishes paid obituaries; death
notices and information about services are published at no
charge. Obituaries can include small photos and, for veterans,
a fl ag symbol at no charge.
Obituaries can be submitted via the funeral home, by email
to obits@hermistonherald.com or in person at the Hermiston
Herald or East Oregonian offi ces. For more information, call
541-966-0818.