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* * *Talk betrayed vet, fellow comrades
From John Granville, former USMC Lance Cpl.
SelmaOn Memorial Day I attended the Hillcrest Cemetery memorial service in Grants Pass.
As I sat in my wheelchair, I felt betrayed, being called by name without my permission. That put me in a bad light -- not just me -- but all who served their country the best way we could during the Vietnam War. I lost both legs there.
I am sick and tired of hearing that it was a worthless war. One has to examine the reasoning for going to war, which I did at the time.
We, as troops, didn’t just decide we were going there to kill people. We did some good there also.
The speaker on Memorial Day (who gave an antiwar speech) needs to know that the refugees were coming down from the north to the south, not the other way around.
We honor the fallen; not the John Kerryies or the politicians. By the way, those of us who were in combat know who was not.
I also remember a man named Pol Pot, who executed more than a million people after we left.
Yes, it cost something to do the right thing, just like in Iraq. I’m proud to have served, and would do it again. Semper Fi.Howling at the moon, and walking funny
From Wally Hardie
SelmaThe hue and cry of small-town mentality.
Under no circumstances do the good citizens want a strip club in the community, as it will bring in riff-raff from out of town to ogle the topless girls. Not to mention the local riff-raff.
And God knows what seeing a bare breast can lead riff-raff to contemplate. I have heard said that some even howl at the moon, while others walk funny. This, of course, leads down the road to moral degradation.
Nudity should in all circumstances be outlawed, along with all alcoholic beverages. Nudity mixed with alcohol not only leads to moral decay, but wife beating, swearing at children and, in some circumstances, kicking small dogs.
The solution here is a more moral community. We must outlaw all alcohol and all bare breasts. Those caught partaking of drink, and slipping a glance at a boob, must be incarcerated. People who drink alcohol, smoke pot and ogle will be put in jail and fined one thousand dollars a day while doing jail time.
But let’s not stop there: jay walkers and other chronic criminals must do community work for one year, and all will be required by law to attend the church of their choice seven days a week. Speeders will be fined $500. Out-of-town speeders $1,000.
We should close all swimming pools and turn them into vegetable gardens. All libraries should be closed. Public schools only through the third grade. After all, that’s all great-grandpa had. And if it was good ‘nough for grandpa it’s good enough for you.
Lastly, all grandparents must be liable and pay for raising not only the grandchildren, but the great-grandchildren as well. Up to age 40. We will of course change the name of this country to “I Wacky,” and make President Bush president for life.Sugars not planned as ‘in-your-face’ place
From Ron Clinton
Cave JunctionLike many in I.V., I’ve known Sugars owner Larry Goynes for many years. I know him to be the nicest, most honest, upright, smartest person I’ve ever met.
I have immense respect for him. I’m ashamed of those who have abandoned their friendship with him because of Sugars. Those who have done so probably never were real friends.
Concerned I.V. citizens could do much worse than Larry. He doesn’t want Sugars to be an “in-your-face” kind of place. He truly respects the people of this valley. Sugars will fill a needed niche for the people here and in surrounding areas.
Many people may not realize that Larry doesn’t need an OLCC license to open. Many such places serve no alcohol, just juice and soda, etc. If you build it, they will come.
The real issues are morality and censorship. Some people think it’s not OK for adults to view other adults nude for the purpose of sexual stimulation, even though it’s legal to do so. I disagree.
The performers at Sugars will be professionals. That’s what they do for a living. Whether they are putting themselves through college or taking care of their families, it’s their choice. Those who think that Sugars will be some kind of den for fornication are wrong. It will be a legitimate business.
In retrospect, I suppose that the folks who oppose Sugars should have looked ahead to the eventuality of this issue. Did they really think that it was never going to happen here?
I look forward to having Sugars in our community.She’s pleased at delay for ‘Sugars’ application
From Marilyn Arnold
O’BrienI sent the Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s Shirley Hassberger in Medford an email about my concerns of the coming liquor license approval for “Sugars.”
Here is the reply, and I think the best news is that the decision (see the last sentence) isn't going to
made for a few months. I think that’s good news. Hassberger wrote:
“I’ll forward your comments to our investigator for Josephine County. I understand there is a great deal of concern in Cave Junction about this liquor license application.
“Please understand we must have a legal basis before we can refuse to issue a liquor license. There is no precedent for refusing a liquor license because a certain number already exist within a town. There is also no requirement that an applicant have prior experience running an establishment that sells alcohol.
“We have new business owners on a constant basis. We don’t have any ability to control why a person decides to open a specific type of business whether that business is a pizza parlor or a nude dancing establishment.
“The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that nude dancing is allowed under the Constitution, and within the past few months greatly broadened what the dancers can do in the form of entertainment.
“Any licensee can choose to add entertainment at any time without any type of approval from OLCC. We would get involved if that entertainment led to law violations.
“Because of the opposition to this license, the report will be referred to headquarters and ultimately to our administrator for a final decision once the investigator completes her report. The administrator may make a decision regarding this license, or he may choose to send it to our board of commissioners for a decision.
“Whether the commissioners or the administrator makes the decision, that decision must be based on
legal criteria. I don't expect a decision on this application for several months.”BLM taken to task for logging stance
From Dorothea Hover-Kramer
Cave JunctionAs a participant in the Summit meeting May 20 in Medford to look at the realities of the Bureau of Land Management’s plan revisions, I was struck with the economic considerations for
Illinois Valley if BLM’s proposed massive logging plans go into action.The economy of Josephine County has changed considerably while some of our leaders, including the county commissioners, still hope for the massive profits from logging received in the 1960s.
Only a small percentage of the county economy, $14 million, is related to timbering and wood products, while major contributors to the economy are services, new industries, and jobs created by the presence of retirees collecting pensions and telecommuters providing a 43 percent increase in income transfers (figures courtesy of economist Chuck Willer: chuckw@coastrange.org
The old-growth forests that provided a bonanza 40 years ago have not regrown to former profitable dimensions, and automation has brought a decrease in jobs affiliated with the timber industry. Our highest attraction for new residents, tourists, and recreational use consists of our magnificent forested mountainsides.
A study of 410 non-metropolitan communities in the past 30 years shows the highest economic growth to be in areas that designated Nature reserves and protected wildland.
The very lands that are currently resources for our economy are the ones that BLM feels determined to log via an out-of-date 1937 ruling that is being misrepresented.
Let us ask BLM to work with us to generate income for our communities by preserving precious forestlands -- not by extracting timber and leaving us impoverished financially and spiritually.
The ‘DaVinci Code’ shows Satan, he feels
From John Bazen
Cave JunctionMy take of the “financial success,” of both the book and movie, is that people must really be thirsting, for Christ. But, it is proof positive, that Satan rules this Earth, and has many followers.
Now I ask what is there, in these two “fictional mud puddles,” that have so many rushing to them to ease their thirst?
Why drink from either of those muddy waters, when God’s own word, the Holy Bible, is a cool, clear running spring of truth and wisdom? When in fact, there is not, nor ever shall be, anything that may as well, have been written by Satan himself, to be as a substitute, for God’s Word.
Should we all refuse to eat from the garbage bin behind the restaurant, but go and eat inside, instead? No, there’s no telling you, “Do not read, nor see this stuff,” for it’s but garbage all dressed up in church clothing. Even though you are starving and thirsty, rather eat and drink directly from God’s own Word, and not from pure fiction, and lies of men, via a tasteless and hateful method.
Christ is the older brother of us all, so why drag our Savior through the mud, and spend good money, only to be lied to?
God is great; helping in medical adversity
From Rasha Smith
Cave JunctionI appreciate everyone for their love, concern, yummy meals, love offerings and prayers. I also thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for carrying me through this trial and having his graceful, merciful hand upon me at all times.
I guess you go through life never thinking that it will happen to you, but three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. At that point I knew I had to walk by faith because God is in control, as He is in all situations. The brain tumor was removed, and everything went better than expected.
Coming out of surgery, the neurosurgeon was confident that because of the abnormality of the tumor it probably couldn't be classified as cancerous. So we all sighed in relief knowing that God’s hand was in it.
On May 26 I received the pathologist’s report that was much different than what we expected. He told me that the tumor was a rare, aggressive type called Anaplastic Ependymoma that was a grade 3 on a scale of 1 to 4. This particular type of tumor doesn’t react to radiation, and tends to what is called a “drop matastasis” which goes to the spine.
Because of the rare form of this tumor, I am being sent to UCSF in San Francisco to go before the tumor board in the next couple of weeks. Now, still knowing that God is in control, I continue to walk by faith, knowing that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Through this trial, I have come to the realization even more so, that God’s plan is always perfect. Although in my humanness, I have struggled at times with what is before me.
In those times of wondering, my Lord has met me and given me the peace that passes all understanding and the strength to walk through this trial boldly just as his Holy Word promises. I will continue to walk by faith, even though I can’t see what is before me, because I know this is His will for me.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, In Everything Give Thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Evergreen fourth-grade play called inspiring
From Deborah Newell
Cave JunctionThe Evergreen Elementary School fourth-grade classes put on an inspired performance Wednesday, May 31.
The fourth-grade teachers -- Lori Shinerock, Art Linnemeyer and Kelly Becker -- deserve congratulations. I am thankful that my grandchildren attend such a creative, caring school. The teachers of Evergreen Elementary are dedicated, progressive and wonderful.
People Power urged regarding liquor ap
From Ann Reser
Cave JunctionOregon Liquor Control Commission will decide in two months on the liquor license for a proposed “business” in our town that I and many others find offensive, so there’s still time to send protests.
We should bury the OLCC office in protests, jam the computers with email, and ring their phones nonstop.
The state has imposed a law that prevents communities from using their power to keep towns free of what and others say is an “immoral business.” But they can’t outlaw People Power.
An ancient truism is that “Evil will always exist where good people do nothing.” We need to do something. OLCC can be contacted at 15 Crater Lake Ave., Medford OR 97504. The telephone number is 776-6191.
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