Letters to the Editor 08/24/2016

To the Editor:

In response to Bonnie Malone's letter in The Nugget, August 17, pages 18-19: She brought vague, unwarranted criticism of the nation's law enforcement for crimes against minorities, yet did not point to a specific example or provide any evidence to support her claims. She cited cell-phone videos as the supreme authority on an officer's use of force being justified. However, these cell-phone videos are often incomplete, and only represent one piece of evidence.

She still did not refer to any specific video and I am sure that readers would love to hear which cases she was referring to when she accused officers of murder.

Are police no longer allowed to defend themselves against criminals? Are we now referring to these criminals, as she says, "productive and good people?" She claimed, "Black Lives Matter is a just cause." I ask, what is just about burning down the businesses of one's fellow minority citizens, assaulting police officers, and stealing, all because one feels there is some ghostly, racial prejudice out there haunting them?

Is the rule of law so far eroded in this country that we have lost all faith in our justice system, leaving rioting and looting as the only way to redress supposed injustices?

Please show us one example where a police officer targeted a minority individual solely based on the color of their skin. Please show us one case where a police officer murdered a minority individual and went unpunished for the crime.

If there is racism and injustice, let us fight it together. However, yelling "racism" and making vague claims, unsubstantiated by factual evidence, is destroying law and order in our nation. The next time she proceeds to exalt herself as judge and jury, I hope she will at least have the respect to provide some evidence to her claims.

Jensen Newton

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To the Editor:

To the daytime bandit - A couple of weeks ago, I'm not exactly sure of just when, you evidently decided you needed my eight-foot aluminum utility trailer more than I did. You left it alone all winter when no one was here and my house was being repaired. You left it alone when it was parked in front of the house full of weeds and grass. But when I emptied it and parked it on the other side of the carport out of sight, you stole it. And not in the dead of night, but according to the neighbors, in the middle of the afternoon.

They watched you back your white pickup to it, hook it up, and drive off. They didn't get your license number because they thought you had permission. It took me a few days to realize it was gone, and a few more to ask around to my kids and friends to see if they had it before I called the police. And here I am without a trailer.

If you take it to the dump, they have a description; you might get stopped.

In a perfect world, you would bring it back. But my world has been less than perfect for almost a year and you just added to it. So if anyone in Sisters sees an eight-foot aluminum utility trailer with a big cooler bolted to the tongue, and the tailgate held on with bungee cords, call me (I'm in the book). There isn't another one like it around. If anyone you know has "acquired" a "new" trailer in the last few weeks fitting the description, call me.

I guess I learned the best way to steal something is just do it in the middle of the day and act like you have a right to it.

Shirley Lalli

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To the Editor:

In the August 17 "Letters" section Michael Richards seems to chastise The Nugget for allowing the publication of a John Kass op-ed on August 10.

What I'm trying to understand: Is Mr. Richards trying to lecture the editor on his First Amendment rights under the Constitution; or is it that John Kass may have a different perspective than Mr. Richards and shouldn't be allowed to exercise his free

speech?

Or maybe suppressing free speech is all just part of being a loyal Democrat.

Jeff Mackey

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To the Editor:

We see people singing the praises of "Black Lives Matter." I am sure they look lovingly upon "Occupy Wall Street." Both of these George Soros operations are anti-capitalist.

"Black Lives Matter" has the added benefit of attacking the police, thereby bringing about more social chaos (particularly in the black communities) and turning out the black vote for the left's next "historic candidate" who is also heavily financed by the same George Soros.

Larry Benson

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To the Editor:

I have only lived here 36 years, but have a question for the folks objecting to the airplane noise from the Sisters airport. Do you also object to the loud drone of the air tankers carrying retardant to forest fires? I have been evacuated three times. The sound of the air tankers is most welcome and music to my ears. I am proud to be a Sisters resident.

Charlene Cash

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To the Editor:

Over the past couple weeks I have watched friends and family skydive with the wonderful group of people at Skydive Awesome. I think it is terrific that Skydive Awesome has come to Sisters. The people providing this fun-filled service are skilled professionals, full of enthusiasm and a pleasure to interact with. Admittedly, I have only stood at the airport for a few hours, but during that time watched a number of planes take off and land and never felt the sound of the planes was in the least disturbing as they passed overhead.

I think the improvements accomplished at the airport are a great addition to our community and Skydive Awesome is just one of those improvements. I fully intend to partake of their service and want to see this business flourish.

David Hiller

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To the Editor:

It appears the progress to a roundabout on the west side of Sisters is progressing nicely, its location determined, its ability to handle truck traffic tested, and money allocated for art, etc.

What I am curious about is: how will this expenditure alleviate the weekend - and sometimes weekday - traffic gridlock east bound which seems to extend from Locust to Barclay and at times to Rail Way and beyond?

We should all expect that this project will move traffic smoothly and with no delays through Sisters. If not, why are we doing this?

Steve Madsen

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To the Editor:

Ah, the perils of trying to interview someone in a crowded, noisy space! Jodi Schneider McNamee has faithfully covered the Country Fair and Art Show at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration for several years, and we appreciate her very much.

But chatting with Silent Auction Co-Chair Gayle Rodrigues in the happy and very noisy hum of the venue caused her to make a few misquotes we'd like to correct, as they have caused folks some confusion.

To clarify: Gayle has not chaired the Silent Auction for 11 years - it has been eight years, taking over from Lael Cooksley and Sandra McBride. Her husband, Fr. Ted Rodrigues, is not retiring in April 2017, but in January 2017, after serving the congregation for 11 years.

Gayle Rodrigues

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To the Editor:

Thank you for the most interesting article on the Ikhwan and Ibn Saud ("Ikhwan: Meet the new horde, same as the old horde," The Nugget, August 17, page 23).

It certainly added to my understanding of the region to know that the unending horrors committed by some groups have been happening for hundreds of years.

If they could only get their tribalism behind them - but that won't be happening anytime soon, obviously. Education of women would help tremendously, which is, of course, why they oppress that option.

Saying "my understanding" of the area is a joke, actually. Does anybody understand that mentality? The brutality? The lack of compassion seems so contrary to basic humanity. I am speaking of a minority, of course, but what a vicious minority.

Suzi Bradley Sheward

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To the Editor:

Thank you so much for giving the opportunity to the Swifts girls (UK basketball team) to attend this event (SPRD's Hawaiian luau). It was truly the most memorable time and thoroughly enjoyed by all of the

girls.

Anabelle enjoyed her whole experience in Sisters and Bend, enjoying the hospitality of all its residents and experiencing all of those things that are culturally different from the UK.

Alyson Yates