Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated March 18, 2009
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.)
Typed, double-spaced letters are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. “Thank you” submissions are not accepted as letters
A cure for bullies
From Ellyn Coley
Cave Junction
I am disturbed by the fact that bullying takes place in our schools, and the teachers do nothing about it.
Certain children tease or taunt younger or smaller ones until they are in tears. The teachers just say “Words won’t hurt.” We all know that words do hurt, and that hurt can last a lifetime.
A little girl is told that she is ugly, a boy that he is stupid, and they believe it, and are damaged by it, forever.
The law recognizes self defense. So do most major religions, yet if a child defends himself or a smaller one, he is punished and degraded.
But it is common knowledge that if a bully is sent home with a black eye or a bloody nose, he is usually cured of this behavior without any permanent damage.
We must insist that the school stop this behavior, or teach our kids to defend themselves, at whatever cost.
Error acknowledged
From Jimmy MacLeod, executive director,
Rogue Advocates
Williams
I would like to acknowledge an information error about Rogue Advocates in a recent article by Scott Jorgensen (“17-year land-use struggle continues for Merlin resident,” Illinois Valley News, Feb. 18, 2009).
In that article he wrote that Rogue Advocates is partnered with three organizations: 1000 Friends of Oregon, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, and Siskiyou Field Institute. This was accurate reporting on Jorgensen’s part since this information was on our Website.
The fact is that we are not in a partnership arrangement with these organizations, but it was on our Website due to a clerical error. We have since corrected this error. I apologize for that inaccurate information.
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Rogue Advocates claim
SFI in error, apologize
From Arnie Green, executive director,
Siskiyou Field Institute (SFI)
Selma
A recent Illinois Valley News article concerning a land-use issue in another part of Josephine County discussed the role of a group called Rogue Advocates. Included was a mention that, on its Website, Rogue Advocates included the Siskiyou Field Institute as one of its partners.
The Siskiyou Field Institute has not been involved with Rogue Advocates in any way. In fact, most of the staff and board had never heard of the group before the article appeared. After an inquiry, a spokesman for Rogue Advocates apologized and acknowledged that the Website reference was in error and has since removed the Siskiyou Field Institute from its site.
The Siskiyou Field Institute does not get involved in land-use issues, or, for that matter, any type of advocacy. Rather, it promotes education, research, tourism, and appreciation for the wonders of the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion in which we are so fortunate to reside. The SFI mission statement is to deepen people's understanding and intimate connection to the Klamath Siskiyou bioregion by providing educational programs and dynamic outdoor experiences to a broad spectrum of the public.
A better appreciation for what the institute does can be found in the 2009 catalog, now available in a number of locations around Illinois Valley, or at thesfi.org.
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