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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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.

To the Editor:

In last week's The Nugget there were two letters to the editor addressing completely different topics, but unfortunately both followed a script that occasionally rears its ugly head in this forum.

Why is it that gross stereotyping and character attacks seem to go hand in hand with emotionally charged issues that usually involve taxes, assessments, or foreign cultures?

I for one don't believe last week's rebuttal letters by James Walz on Iran, and John F. Ferguson on the Tollgate pathway, did anything to advance their respective causes.

What meaningful purpose does this kind of banter serve other than to allow people to publicly vent their anger and resentment and perhaps remind the rest of us that free speech of almost any kind is alive and well in our country?

Similarly, the accusations and innuendos earlier in the year directed at the dedicated people on the Sisters School Board and our superintendent were unnecessary, and unproductive.

In an educated and literate society, shouting louder than the other side, using inflammatory language, or making personal attacks on character without solid factual evidence, does not make an argument more logical or effective. Unfortunately, our society is not as well educated or as literate as it could be, and fiction continues to sell rather well.

I would like to believe that the majority of the readers are looking for more enlightening dialogue. For example, there have been letters written on both sides of the Tollgate pathway proposal that managed to respectfully disagree with the other camp by offering thoughtful yet different interpretations of the "facts."

What prevents editorial guidelines from being developed at The Nugget that would allow people to voice their opinions, but in a way that moves a contentious issue beyond schoolyard theatrics?

Politely asking or even requiring contributors to more clearly explain their opinions without throwing mud in their neighbor's face does not strike me as a violation of free speech, any more than speed limits violate our constitutional rights.

But that is only my opinion and you are free to disagree.

Kris Calvin

Editor's response:

Mr. Calvin apparently thinks that guidelines different from those he might choose are no guidelines at all. That is not the case. The difference between a "personal attack" and political opinion is not always clear.

It was Mr. Calvin himself who implied that those opposed to paths in Tollgate favored using children as traffic control devices. Some might believe that this was tantamount to "throwing mud in (a) neighbor's face."

When he suggests the editor does not ask contributors to rewrite letters, or that we don't refuse to publish others, he stakes claim to knowledge he doesn't have.

He has seen letters that appear in the paper, not those which have not.

That said, he makes a very valid point. Shouting louder than the other side does not change opinion. The world today is full of conflict that reflects the dehumanizing of opponents. Locally, advocates seem to assume that if someone disagrees, they are either stupid or corrupt or both.

There is never a surplus of good manners or compassion.

E.D.

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To the Editor:

I'm writing in regards to some recent articles I've read in The Nugget. The stories that really rubbed me the wrong way were the ones about the "recent drug problems" our Sisters youth have been facing.

I'm guessing this recent interest in this is due to the article about Sisters drug use in The Bulletin.

Do you have any idea where they get this kind of information? From surveys taken in schools by students. GUESS WHAT! These tests are seldom accurate. My junior year, I remember growing bored with answering the questions, so I went through and marked any old slot for practically every question. So if I have one test that tells you I'm supposedly a high school junior who has "tried several hard drugs, and smokes pot," think about how many other people could have done the same thing.

Maybe these students didn't really pay attention to what they were marking. On top of this, you have middle schoolers in particular, who think it's cool to mark off that they've tried things, even though they haven't.

When they give you these tests, they let you know its for "statistic reasons" only. Knowing this, most students don't care about what they mark, and then they end up publishing our unformation (sic) in some newspaper.

The teachers never tell us, "These are for statistic reasons only, but we do plan on publishing your results which will embarrass and disgrace your whole district and community."

In my opinion, I think The Nugget desperately needs story ideas, so they write repetitive articles about, "Drug use in Sisters."

This topic does NOT need to be addressed so much. You're going off information that is most likely false, so give it a rest, we don't like hearing about how "terrible" our Sisters youth are.

Thank you,

Malorie Gusick

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To the Editor:

I was recently on a trip with 18 other students that were taken to the inner city of Portland, a trip which Carol Statton spoke of in a recent letter.

I am so thankful that Carol took the opportunity to say something positive about the students in Sisters. I really took pride in the involvement that made this trip happen.

This sort of pride is what Sisters High School is all about. However, I recently read an article in The Nugget describing the huge drug problem at our school. You are reading this letter from a junior who is pretty embarrassed about these accusations, and as a student at Sisters High, I just wanted to tell you the real side of the story on the drug and alcohol issue.

First, I would like to ask you how big of an issue it should really be? Where did these real statistics come from? Seriously, the only "survey" that I ever remember filling out was a joke.

All the kids around me were laughing and putting down answers that made them look cool. We filled out an Oregon Drug survey, true, but I know for a fact that a lot of people who took this survey saw it as simply a joke.

But look who's laughing now. The kids who were just trying to get a rise out the some teachers by a stupid anonymous piece of paper with some questions on it are now causing false alarms within the community. Now as truth reveals, we are getting these horrible statistics from a bogus survey. So what, may I ask, was the point of that whole article?

By reading that story I got the idea that you think my class, the class of 2003, is mostly addicted to drugs. That really dug deep in my heart, as well, I'm sure, as others in the junior class.

It's all right if negative things are said about students at Sisters High, with the hopes, of course, that the light on the problem will bring awareness and action within the community. But make sure these so-called problems are in fact an issue. When, finally, the time is taken to conduct a real test on the issue, then, and only then, will our community have the justification to glare in our direction.

March Sams

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Letter to the Editor,

I was concerned after reading June Forsyth's letter to the editor (The Nugget, March 20) in opposition to Israel and felt a need to respond from a historical and Christian perspective.

God makes a promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:18: "To your descendants, I have given this land from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates..." Abraham is the father of the Jews through his son Isaac and the Arabs through his son Ishmael. In Genesis 17 God says this covenant is everlasting and the covenant is for Isaac (Jews) not Ishmael (Arabs), but God will make Ishmael the father of 12 princes and make him a great nation.

God told Israel He would remove them from the land if they disobeyed His laws (Deuteronomy 28-30). God's final fulfillment was in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman general Titus and all the Jews were dispersed throughout the world. God also promised He would bring them back to their land.

In Jeremiah 30:3 the Lord says, "I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall possess it." God was faithful to His covenant to Abraham and began to fulfill this prophecy in 1948 when Israel became a nation again.

When the United Nations declared Israel a nation May 14, 1948, seven Arab nations (140 million population) attacked Israel (650,000 population). Israel was winning the war and the United Nations called for a truce.

On February 24, 1949, Israel signed an armistice with Egypt, but in 1956 Egypt invaded Israel and Israel defended itself pushing the enemy back and taking the Gaza strip.

In 1967, seven Arab nations invaded Israel. Israel defended itself pushing the enemy back and taking the Golan Heights, West Bank, and old city of Jerusalem. In 1973 Arabs attacked on the Jews' most holy day. Israel defended itself and the United Nations instituted a general cease fire. Israel has survived under incredible odds.

Israel is a democratic nation in the midst of dictatorships. It is not sending suicide bombers. It is not targeting civilians or political leaders only terrorists. Israel has already given 99 percent of what the Arabs have required in negotiations including Jericho, Gaza, West Bank, Bethlehem, Hebron and over 450 villages. Israel is seeking peace at great cost.

God makes a promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse." I am so thankful our government is supporting Israel. I know God is continuing to bless our nation for our just treatment of His people. Please join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

Gail Macauley

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To the Editor:

To the driver of the green Subaru stopped on Cascade Ave. on Wednesday morning March 27 -- no that was not some impatient woman behind you honking as the child was crossing the street in front of you.

I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a black SUV speeding past us on the right with no turn signal on. I was trying to draw attention to the child crossing. It appeared by his speed he was going to pass us on the right and come into the path of the child.

It turns out that at the last minute he turned as he looked at me with strange curiosity.

I wish people would respect the speed limit on Cascade Ave., use turn signals, be less worried about schedules and more respectful of what is going on around them.

Jeannine Smith

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To the Editor:

We would like to thank the Cloverdale Firefighters Association for their continuous support of our annual Easter egg Hunt.

Also, our Easter Bunny, Spurge Cochran, whose participation is greeted joyfully by the children.

The park grounds were covered by 8,000-plus eggs. The weather was outstanding!

The children were enthused and all did quite well in the Easter Egg Hunt.

We received assistance from many businesses and organizations. Thanks to all for joining us in this Easter celebration.

Stephen Fisher

Easter Egg Hunt Chair, Sisters-Camp Sherman Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association

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To the Editor:

I would like to express my extreme happiness and gratitude to Hap Taylor & Sons as well as the City of Sisters for paving Camp Polk Road.

It's been a long journey through dust, bumps, and even more bumps. Even though the people that use that road, now must use the right side of the road, it is truly a great thing.

Thank you again,

Adam M. Perry

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To the Editor:

We, the members of the Three Sisters Lions Club wish to express our appreciation to the business community for their support of the Oregon Mobile Health Screening Unit visit to Sisters on March 22-23.

The merchants at Three Wind Shopping Center graciously allowed us a site for placing the unit and gave valuable assistance.

The Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation volunteer along with 19 volunteers from Lions clubs in Prineville, Bend, Redmond, and Sisters, gave tests on blood pressure, vision, hearing, glaucoma, and diabetes to 63 people.

We provided free testing and results that individuals could take to their own medical providers for follow-up care.

We hope to host this Mobile Health Screening Unit service again in the future.

The Three Sisters Lions Club is working to improve our quality of life in western Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. Three Sisters Charter Membership information is available from me for those wishing to participate in future projects.

Thank you all.

Larry Simonson, President

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To the Editor:

My name is Shelly Greene.

I have just completed my four years of varsity college level women's volleyball at the University of Alabama. Throughout these years, I have excelled in many aspects of the game, including being a four years varsity starter.

I was honored with the roll of team captain, was given All Tournament Team Awards many times. I was ranked fourth in USA Conference for digs, second on the team in kills per game, second in kills overall. I was team captain and played a leadership role.

After college, my aspirations are to continue my volleyball career by playing professional volleyball in Europe.

However, the financial aspect of programs such as these must always be considered. I am in the midst of raising funds to support the different preparations involved in making my dream come true. At the present, the fees being asked of me add up to $2,300.

I am looking for your help, with whatever donation you could make to assist me in achieving my dream. As a proud American, I would love to represent you, the town of Sisters, Oregon, and my country, by getting involved in such a rewarding experience. I would love to hear from you!

So please reach me at any of the follow contacts.

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Shelly Greene

Phone: (205) 290-9324

Mailing address: 510 Palisade Dr., Birmingham, Alabama 35209 apt 301. Home mailing address: 67185 Gist Road, Bend Oregon 97701.