Letters to the Editor 09/26/2018

To the Editor:

My wife and I have been attending the Folk Festival for 15 years. In that time we have become Sisters fans. We have told many friends and relatives of the welcoming and friendly nature of your community. I am writing this letter, not in a way to complain, but in a way to let you know that this year we could feel an underlying change.

From the outside looking in, it felt as though there may be two factions developing. It seems as if there may be a group who would prefer to close the doors to outsiders. My analogy would be that of two parents bickering. They think the children, (visitors,) don't feel the tension. But we can and did.

I'm not writing to support one side or the other. You as a community need to set your own direction. I simply want you to know that, for the first time in fifteen years, we had experiences that left us wondering if we were welcome.

As a 50-year resident of Oregon, I have experienced a lot of growth. It can be difficult. It appears to me, the communities in which the residents support the events and retailers are far more successful. However, as I said, it's up to you as a community. I think there are two choices. Reduce festivities and retail growth, or support them.

John Doran

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To the Editor:

The numbers coming out in the news recently about how many immigrant children are being taken from their parents and put into detention in this, the United States of America, are both alarming and appalling.

It's not just the numbers; not ONE child should be taken.

What have we become in yet again our darkest hour? This is not about border control, this is about humanity, and if we allow this to continue it will define us as a country and a people in the harsh eyes of history.

We all know how sweet and shy and unsure and vulnerable children can be in their element. For these children, not knowing what is happening and what is to come must be unfathomably frightening.

This administration acts without transparency and without accountability. We don't even know how many children there are, how they are being cared for and what on earth the "plan" is for reuniting them with their parents.

Republican? Democrat? It doesn't matter. We are all human beings. We know what is right and what is wrong. This is a heartless act against families and children. It is wrong. Our silence against it is complicity.

Jeannee McCaulou

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To the Editor:

In the September 19 Nugget Carolyn Hammond's letter brings up the Kaepernick kneeling incident and somehow Trump has "blown it out of proportion." (Much like the recent hurricanes must have been caused by Trump?).

Personally I totally disagree with Nike's ad implying that Kaepernick sacrificed everything. He doesn't even know what sacrifice is. Pat Tillman demonstrated real sacrifice. After the 911 attacks Pat gave up a lucrative job as a professional football player with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army; and was killed on April 26, 2004 serving in Afghanistan. Pat actually sacrificed everything.

343 firefighters died during the 911 attacks. They rushed to the danger while others fled for their safety; and actually sacrificed everything. Kaepernick is alive and well; probably drawing a fat paycheck from Nike.

Men and women in our military have selflessly served here and throughout the world; thousands have actually sacrificed everything.

This is not overblown and it's not because of Trump. It's because millions of Americans understand what our National Anthem stands for while the American flag proudly waves during athletic events. Maybe Kaepernick should witness actual sacrifice by putting on a police uniform and patrolling the streets of Chicago.

As for Nike, I find it extremely hypocritical to feign self-righteousness with their Kaepernick ad while using sweat-shop labor in China, India and elsewhere to make their expensive shoes, clothes, and athletic gear.

Jeff Mackey