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SATURDAY January 24, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels December 29, 2003 ACLU attacking that which gives it life Recently, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore was suspended for refusing to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the Alabama State Justice Building. This was the result of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on Oct. 30, 2001, saying the Ten Commandments monument was an unconstitutional establishment of religion in a government building. Justice Moore's argument was: "We are following U.S. Supreme Court law as to its definition of religion, which recognizes a Creator in higher law. So we have every right as a state to acknowledge God." If you visit the ACLU website, these are the first words you see: "The ACLU site is dedicated to the principle of free speech." The Encyclopedia Britannica states the three main foci for the ACLU are: "freedom of expression, conscience, and association; due process of law; and equality under the law." Let's now visit our National Parks website about the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C - the rock-solid symbol of American Law.: "Directly above the Bench are two central figures, depicting Majesty of the Law and Power of Government. Between them is a tableau of the Ten Commandments. The group at the far left represents Safeguard of the Rights of the People, and Genii of Wisdom and Statecraft. At the far right is the Defense of Human Rights." Now, it seems to me that the very concept for the ACLU is inherent in this construction above our U.S. Supreme Court Bench, where the Ten Commandments are chiseled in marble. The ACLU couldn't even exist if it weren't for the freedoms of this country, its government and its laws. In effect, the ACLU has become a house divided against itself over this issue. What're they going to do - send in a sandblaster? While they're at the cornerstone, maybe they can just tear down the whole foundation. After they've paved the way for China's takeover with our rubble, the ACLU will be the first institution to hit the chopping block. Patti Morey Ashland Alaskan logging decision will ruin rainforst By recently eliminating protections for 9.6 million pristine acres in Alaska's Tongass Rainforest - the world's largest intact temperate rainforest - President Bush is sending another holiday gift to his campaign contributors in the timber, mining, and oil industries at the expense of the American people and the environment. These are some of the last places in the U.S. that have pure water and healthy wildlife populations, including grizzly bears, whales, rare sitka deer, wolves and bald eagles. Humans will be hurt too; commercial fishermen, and recreational businesses rely on forests free from the pollution, soil erosion, and increased fire risk that clearcut logging brings. Bush's decision is an affront to the wishes of the American people, who submitted a record 2.5 million public comments in support of protecting the Tongass and roadless areas across the country. Unfortunately, taxpayers will now be footing a multi-million dollar bill for logging roads into these pristine areas. As if this isn't enough, President Bush is considering weakening protections for roadless areas in the Lower 48 next year, including those here in Oregon. Instead of lavishing another gift on the timber industry, the Bush administration should give a lasting gift to future generations by protecting our last wild forests. Jennifer O'Brien Organizer, Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) Ashland What Doyle says is not funny Not only did Doyle Hirsh's comments in Dec. 24th's weather column lack humor, I personally found them offensive. Mexicans on burros and Japanese samurais? Jihad Santa with plastique? My question here is where was the editorial staff, on vacation? Doug MacDonell Ashland New Year's Resolution: register to vote The year 2004 brings the opportunity to participate in our democracy by voting in several important elections. The first election date for those of us in Oregon will be Feb. 3 when we vote to affirm or to oppose the budget proposed by the state legislature. Ballots will be mailed Jan. 16. If you are not already registered, you must do so by Jan. 13. This is easily accomplished by completing the registration form in the local telephone book. You will find it on the last page of the blue-edged government pages. Instructions are on the opposite page. Mail your completed form to the address of the county office listed, or save a stamp and take it in to that office. Registration forms can not be dropped into ballot drop-off boxes which are for ballots only. This is an easy New Year's resolution; do it today. Ruth Walsh, Voter Service Chair, League of Women Voters of Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams