Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

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To the Editor

"There's nothing else we can do with a cougar that gets into livestock-killing." -- Steve George, ODFW biologist said (The Nugget, January 26, 2000).

Who are we to make the decision to kill another species? We have taken over the land of the cougar and others.

We have told it to live somewhere else. I live on this land with all animals. If the animals fight back, then I accept what I get; $700 is nothing compared to the enjoyment of living here. If one can't make a living without accepting this, then move on...

I challenge all of you to answer with some sort of educated response.

John Asbury

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To the Editor:

I was deeply saddened to read (once again) about the recent killing of a local cougar. I wonder at our lack of respect for wildness.

Our answer continues to be one of obliteration, as opposed to working out coexistence with all spirits. Where is our connection; is not one of the reasons we have chosen to live here its proximity to wilderness?

When do we as human beings honor the role of all flora and fauna, not only in terms of ecosystem balance (upon which our own species depends), but also in terms of spiritual balance for nature itself?

"If you know wilderness in the way that you know love, you would be unwilling to let it go. We are talking about the body of the beloved, not real estate." -- Terry Tempest Williams.

Sincerely questioning,

Justyn Livingston

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To the Editor:

Central Oregon is a wonderful place to live. However, I can't believe that our society has gone downhill so far that we even had to have the debate regarding filtering pornography at the libraries.

It should have been cut and dried that the tax payers would pay for NO PORNOGAPHY for anyone.

Now we have X-rated movies available in the area. Of course, they don't call them X-rated anymore, they are now called NC17, which sounds better. Like a women's choice sounds better than killing your unborn child.

Pornography corrupts the human mind. Garbage in, garbage out. James Dobson's interview with Ted Bundy, the serial killer, said that Bundy's gruesome behavior all began with looking at pornography.

I'm sure the argument will be we have freedom of speech because of the First Amendment. Our forefathers never intended to include pornography under this freedom, just like you don't have the freedom to cause a panic by yelling "fire" in a crowded place.

It is sad that some people fill their minds with garbage instead of thinking about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Let us guard our hearts and minds.

Pat Farr

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To the Editor:

The Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store has lost a valued friend and volunteer in Marlene Vaughn. Our deepest sympathy to her family.

Volunteers make up the engine that makes Sisters Habitat for Humanity go. Come sign up for work day at the construction kick-off meeting, 1 p.m., February 13, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. You will meet supervisors, families and receive Habitat orientation.

Interested folks are invited to the ground-breaking ceremony for Habitat homes 13 and 14 for the Morrison and Sproat families at 2:30 p.m., February 13, on Cowboy Street.

This year, Habitat built three homes; bought Locust Street property; selected three new partner families; held successful work days with the local high school and hosted three collegiate challenge work teams; signed covenant agreements with five Sisters-area churches (St. Edward's, Chapel of the Pines, Three Sisters Fellowship, Shepherd of the Hills, Cavalry Chapel).

The organization also hosted thrift store shopping for low-income children; raised funds to cover land and building costs for two families; tithed 10 percent to Habitat International, which provided modest housing for seven families abroad.

Joan Quigley, Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store

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