Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated June 24, 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.
Robots and chains
From Shannon Wilson
IVHS graduate
Eugene (previously Selma)
Valedictorian Sarah Austin’s address during the Illinois Valley High School graduation ceremony on June 4 was impressive.
However, much of the ceremony focused on rewarding those who conform to the rules of the system: the system that wants no one questioning authority or the predetermined class one is subjugated to become. Let’s face it, a worker and consumer slave is what those who follow or blindly rebel are trained to become by the system.
The size of your house or the degree one holds does not change this fact.
That is why I let out a “Whoot!” when Austin stated, “Don’t become a robot.” I equated that to mean avoid becoming an obedient slave to modern civilization, imperialism and consumerism. Sarah and others in her class may not know this yet, but they are being groomed to becoming just that, another cog in the gears of corporate and imperialist power.
Although Sarah’s address was intellectually over the heads of most in the audience, it surely impressed a few. But how quickly will those who spoke these words to their audiences across the land, as well as those who understood the deep meaning of it, conveniently forget?
That next night I hiked down a long mountain road 20 miles from any town with the full moon as my guide. I had a backpack, sleeping gear, and enough food for a day without the assurance of seeing any human being for the next several days. I had no fear of what I might encounter (I did encounter a 300-pound black bear) because I was free and where I wanted to be without the constraints of the system’s chains that bind most.
‘Government Motors’
From Vince Stroginis
Selma
Our so-called “President” Obama has nationalized what used to be General Motors, so now GM has become Government Motors.
The man in office is no friend of the USA. Not only has he put us and our kin into unbelievable debt by having billions of dollars printed to “save” the economy, he calls vicious dictators his friend. He bows to foreign potentates. This man is a loser.
And our “president” obviously is biased in a vindictive way. Just look at the car agencies chosen to lose their franchises. A study I read shows that their owners are Republicans. This is unreal.
Then there’s the plan for an “Obama-nation,” a green country based on the bias of the president and his wife, plus their cohorts. Telling car-makers what cars to make for the U.S. public; is this what the government is for? I have no faith in Mr. Obama.
Nice valley
From Roger Benson
Bend
My family, friends and I enjoyed our outing last week for the annual McGrew Trail event. It was fun, and we had a good time in your valley.
There’s not much in O’Brien, but the Lone Mountain RV Resort is real nice, and an asset to the area.
Your main street in Cave Junction is typical of many small towns. It could stand some cleaning up. We noticed one restaurant with lots of weeds and thought it was closed. We saw some tramps sitting around too, smoking and drinking. Not nice.
Overall, we like your community. We hope to keep coming back for the McGrew Trail outing.
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