Letters to the Editor
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Of cougars, chickens, dogs and hot lines
From Jim Lombardo
O’Brien
Is there a cougar problem in Josephine County? No child has ever been bothered by a cougar.
I have lived on 200 to 500 acres surrounded by thousands of acres of BLM land for 35 years. Raised six kids. I have lost many chickens to minks and coons, but never been lucky enough to see a cougar.
Most large-livestock attacks are by dogs. People like to say, “It was a cougar.” They patrol their place with a .357 because someone saw a cougar.
Did the cougar, (in the July 28 Courier) come back six times to get six chickens or carry them off all at one time? Why leave chickens where cougars can get them? If a cougar killed any, they would not be left behind. If she found dead chickens it was not a cougar.
A few years back, someone kept a baby goat for people who went on vacation. It “baaad” the first day and into the second night. Then a cougar got it. Fish & Game sent a man with dogs that tracked it 5 miles into the wilderness, then shot it. I feel that’s entrapment.
A hot line keeps bears away from bee hives here. It works to keep animals out or in. It’s cheaper and works 24 hours a day. A .357 magnum doesn’t.
The article said that cougars are eating all the little fawns. I have seen eight dead little fawns this year. All were killed by cars. Should people form a group and get government officials to do something to get rid of cars?
Why is this lady the only one in the state having cougar problems? Just talked to the guy setting bug traps out for the state. He has walked across tens of thousands of acres in Josephine and Jackson counties for years. He has never seen a cougar.
In April, I lost 15 chickens in one night. Set out a Have-A-Hart trap. Got a mink. Took it 5 miles out Lone Mt. Road. The next night it got two more.
The Internet says that mink can go 15 miles a night for food. I put up a hot line. No more problems.
CJ firm announces spray-on firebreak
From James Walmsley, manager, SNUFF-IT, LLC
Cave Junction
This letter is in response to the letter in the Aug. 8 issue of this newspaper in which the letter-writer lamented the fact that she had spent $4,800 for a wildfire defensible space.
One should always ask for a current contractor’s license and verify its validity by phoning the contractor’s license board. Secondly, never pay until the work is finished properly.
Sadly, the Aug. 8 letter-writer knows this from her bitter experience. What many do not know is that for not a whole lot of money they could purchase a spray-on firebreak which covers 2,500-to 5,000 square feet depending on the thickness applied (1/4 inch is recommended).
This liquid polymer fire gel comes in one-gallon plastic containers with a spray nozzle that attaches to a garden hose. You adjust the spray nozzle and apply to most anything that will burn. After the fire threat passes, the product can be washed off with the same garden hose.
This fire gel is non-toxic and is environmentally friendly, but very slippery so walking on it isn’t recommended. Rick’s Copy Express has a video on display, or a video can be downloaded at www.wildfireoptions.com.
Loss of rock structure leaves him dismayed
From Jack Heald
Cave Junction
I am shocked, angered and saddened at the destruction of the Cave Junction rock icon on the parking lot in front of the former Select Market.
There is no doubt that the I.V. Chamber of Commerce and other organizations will miss the billboard signs placed on it to announce various events.
As far as I know, the new property owner, Home Valley Bank, didn’t notify anyone that the rock structure was going to be demolished. It was paid for by Select, I.V. Community Development Organization and HOVA (One-Ninety-Nine Visitor Association).
The structure was made of beautiful and special rocks donated by local citizens. Rocks included black and snowflake obsidian, lava pumice stone, onyx, local rhodonite, and Oregon Caves marble. The structure fit well with similar constructions around town.
Now it is gone, and many likely will miss it.
‘A pompous fool’ insights provided
From Jim Finley
Grants Pass
He thought himself a great leader. He garnered the necessary people to get himself elected to the nation’s highest office under suspicious circumstances.
Once in office, he surrounded himself with
cronies he knew he could trust and that would obey his every command. His way was the only way for the country.
After getting a mandate from the people (he thought), he strutted, boasted and continually told the people what he knew they wanted to hear. Well established as leader of the world’s most powerful nation at the time, he was sure that his every wish would be his government’s command.
Having discredited his opponents and declaring them as unpatriotic, he was given total authority. He knew that his culture was far superior to some of the weaker nations.
At this time, he had his propaganda apparatus prepare reasons to preemptively attack the weaker nations because they were a threat to his superior society.
It so happened that one of these nations had large oil resources which his nation needed. Once the propaganda apparatus convinced the population of the grave threats the inferior nations posed, he launched pre-emptive strikes.
His overwhelming forces with their superior fighting skills and equipment conquered the weaker nations with lighting swiftness, shock and awe. After these initial successes, he strutted and bragged that his superior society would eliminate the unfavorable elements of these others societies and make the world a better place.
Weeks turned into months, and months into years. During these years, his arrogance and pompous attitude alienated a majority of the world. His enemies increased in number and strength; thus his losses, bad decisions and popularity were becoming a serious threat to his nation.
Even with his waning popularity, bad decisions and battle losses, he kept his country on the path to destruction. When his generals tried to inform him of how bad his war efforts were, he would replace them with generals who agreed with his strategy.
If by now you haven’t guessed this pompous fool: It was none other than
Adolph Hitler. The oil resources were Romania’s Ploiesti oil fields destroyed by massive bombing raids during World War II.
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