Letters to the Editor 04/16/2008

To the Editor:

I am disappointed that The Nugget Newspaper printed the editorial "Driving Green."

This opinion piece quite obviously is based on a report put out last year by Art Spinella from Bandon, Oregon, for his company CNW Marketing Research. This report was praised by Rush Limbaugh. That alone should make you stop and think. 

The Pacific Institute, an Oakland-based environmental think-tank came out with a counter-report alleging that the CNW report is based on "faulty methods of analysis, untenable assumptions, selective use and presentation of data and a complete lack of peer review." 

Among the report's most flawed assumptions is the assertion that the average Hummer is assumed to last 35 years and travel 379,000 miles, while the average Prius is assumed to last only 109,000 miles over 12 years.

CNW also claims that in those 100,000 miles, the consumer will need 3 batteries, although Toyota's battery warranty is for 100,000 miles and in some states 150,000 miles.

CNW also implies the plant in Sudbury, Canada, where Toyota gets the nickel for its batteries is an environmental nightmare. In fact any damage occurred more than 30 years ago, long before the Prius was made. Since then, Inco has reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by more than 90 percent. The company has won praise from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and environmental groups.  Check out this article from Slate online for the complete CNW "Dust to Dust" report and more: http://www.slate.com/id/2186786.

Really, Sisters Nugget, I expect better of you. Opinion pieces like this just give ill-informed people more fire power to delay making the right decisions and prolong solving major worldwide problems our children will have to deal with.

Sincerely,

Terry Weygandt

•••

To the Editor:

Residents of the Plainview area, horseback riders, bikers and those with children and pets: Be vigilant when out and about.

Somewhere in our area, steel jaw leghold traps are being set. In the past week I have seen a coyote with half his front leg chewed off (they do that to free themselves from the trap) and a raccoon with its rear paw chewed off.

They were at my dove/quail bird ground feeder eating the bird seed in order to survive.

These non-discriminating, inhumane and barbaric devices have no place in a civilized society and are a danger to all living beings. It's outrageous that their use is still condoned.

K.L. Miller

•••

To the Editor:

A story in the Bend Bulletin last week called attention to the four-year dropout rates of all Central Oregon High Schools. Sisters High School has a dropout rate of .7 percent, far better than any other school in the area and 20 times better than the state average.

Now some of us may have disagreements with school board decisions from time to time, and we can be pretty vocal about our opinions. But whether or not we agree with school board actions, we all need to say a big thank you to teachers, staff, administrators and the school board for keeping "their eye on the ball."

Carey Tosello

•••

To the Editor:

I believe that the controversy surrounding the issue of placing an American flag in the Village Green has gotten too out of hand. There are very few people left who can see the matter objectively anymore.

From what I have read, it seems that the supporters of the new flag pole are viewing it more as a symbol rather than remembering the emotional values that it encompasses within every thread. Placing the flag in the middle of town for everyone to see - when there is already a memorial for the veterans - to me, feels redundant.

Now, you may call me unpatriotic, un-American or too young to understand what the flag stands for. If you must say that, then I must refute your statements. Being away at college has given me a new perspective on many aspects of life - especially politics. I studied the Vietnam War for 10 weeks in school, and it gave me new (sometimes terrifying) insight into the horrors of war and fighting.

The United States has fought in several wars. Some were necessary and victorious; others were pointless and harmful to the well-being of this nation. But despite all of that, the actions of the soldiers (who are now today's veterans) were heroic nonetheless and should not be forgotten.

I am in no way against the flag being flown; however, I do not see the sense in desiring another memorial when one is already open to the public. Instead, I think that the veterans should make their voices heard in more constructive ways; there are other ways to show one's patriotism than flying the flag.

Veterans: keep the freedoms you fought for alive by telling the stories of your roles in past wars to the children and teens at the schools. Fly the flag proudly in your homes or places of business, but also use the power of words to make your voices be heard and rise higher than any flag could.

Rebecca Hanford

•••

To the Editor:

The people of Central Oregon have a rare opportunity coming up later this month.

On Saturday, April 26, legendary Nashville singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell is performing a benefit concert at Sisters High School for the Sisters Schools Foundation's Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series.

Not only will this be a great evening of entertainment with Rodney and his guests - acclaimed singer-songwriters Will Kimbrough and Chely Wright - but I want to remind our community that Rodney Crowell is traveling across the country and donating his time to support our Sisters schools! Is Sisters going to join Rodney in this effort by coming out to see the show?

I write this letter because while many folks know his music some may not recognize his name. Rodney Crowell is one of the few songwriters performing today who has penned hit records in every decade since the 1970s. That's why, in his case, the term "legendary" is not hype but truth. His many honors include a Grammy, induction into the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame and the Country Music Walk of Fame.

I first saw Rodney with Emmylou Harris in the 1970s performing in her famous Hot Band. To this day, Harris has enjoyed a string of hits by Crowell including "Leavin' Louisiana," "Ain't Living Long Like This," "Bluebird Wine" and "Til' I Gain Control Again." In 2006, Crowell and Harris were honored with a Grammy nomination for Best Country Collaboration for their duet "Shelter From the Storm."

Most music fans know his music through the hits he penned for other popular artists like Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ("Voila, An American Dream"), Bob Seger ("Shame on the Moon"), Tim McGraw ("Please Remember Me") and Keith Urban ("Making Memories of Us"), as well as his years producing hits and albums for Rosanne Cash.

In the last 10 years, through the generosity of artists like Rodney, local sponsors and concert goers and, with the efforts of many volunteers, Starry Nights has netted more than $750,000 for the Sisters Schools Foundation and supported programs facing budget cuts at Sisters elementary, middle and high schools.

I urge you not to miss this chance to see a live performance by one of the truly great singer-songwriters of our day and support educational programs for the Sisters schools. Stop by Leavitt's this week and get your tickets!

Gary M. Bowne