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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Don't take the bait ... Artist leads 'Hike & Learn' ... Rogue Valley's air quality worsens as wildfires burn north and south ... Our View: Don't take the bait ... Artist leads 'Hike & Learn' ... Rogue Valley's air quality worsens as wildfires burn north and south ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Jan. 22 Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jan. 22, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 22, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Services benefit non-users A recent letter writer cited services he felt unfairly required to support, since he doesn’t “use” them: the library and the Rogue Valley Transportation District. Non-use isn’t the same as not benefiting. The library (my employer) is a partner in education. It offers instruction and access to the Internet, provides free use of many resources for study, promotes early literacy for preschoolers and provides secondary resources for elementary and high school students. RVTD helps both students and workers by providing transportation to jobs and schools. Why should the writer’s taxes pay for such services for others? Because an educated workforce is good for business. Because every gainfully employed worker is one person who doesn’t need public assistance. Because low unemployment correlates positively to a low crime rate. Because, as studies have demonstrated, it costs less to support services up front than to pay for the consequences of non-support. Because fewer cars and cleaner air improve everyone’s quality of life. I’m retiring from the library soon. Even so, I’ll happily continue paying taxes for any services that benefit the health of my community because they benefit me. That just makes sense. Patt Colwell, Ashland Facts are not anti-Muslim Thanks to Gary Acheatel for answering Herb Rothschild's continuing and malicious accusations about Jews, Israel and Zionism. Mr. Rothschild has since published a column (Jan. 10) accusing Mr. Acheatel of making "virulently anti-Muslim remarks." Not true! Acheatel listed actual crimes perpetrated against gays, Christians, Yazidis, and anyone not considered to be the "right sort" of Muslim. The slaughter of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists, the execution of the Muslim French policeman — who had obviously integrated into French society to bravely serve his nation, and the murder of Jewish shoppers in the specifically targeted kosher market all happened since Mr. Rothschild's last column. The perpetrators of these murders clearly stated their motivation was to "avenge the Prophet" Mohammed. Covering these newsworthy events is called journalism, not "making virulently anti-Muslim remarks." It didn't take long for the leaders of Turkey and other Islamists to claim that "the Zionists" or "the Mossad" were responsible for the attacks in France "just to make Islam look bad." Unfortunately, that's just how it is with some people: blame Zionism rather than the actual perpetrators. Naturally, former president Jimmy Carter blamed Israel. Our leaders would do well to listen to and publicly support Egyptian President Sisi's remarkably brave speech at Al Azar University in Cairo. He had the courage to question the "thinking" behind the insanity that the world's 1.7 billion Muslims should threaten the rest of the world. Google it. Stan Shulster, Ashland Biomass plant not welcome The biomass burner proposed at Southern Oregon University is not a welcome neighbor here. Although SOU has been very forthcoming and welcoming of discussion about the issue, it seems that public opinion has not been really respected. I am grateful for the guest opinion by Dr. Palzer and Dr. Fouch (Daily Tidings Jan. 14, Mail Tribune Jan. 16), as it gives scientific fact backing common sense. Burning biomass would pollute in myriad ways while burning natural gas would put out less contamination. Running 5 truckloads of biomass into the center of Ashland would hurt us in so many ways including noise, traffic, exhaust, etc. Yes, as noted, natural gas would possibly be more costly in terms of dollars, but costs are always shifting, including costs for biomass. Again, I appreciate SOU being willing to listen to us, having offered discussions, forums, email contacts and surveys. Still, I hope that Dr. Palzer and Dr. Fouch, along with those of us who live near SOU, will be better heard. Zuna Johnson, Ashland DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jan. 22, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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