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Letters to the Editor: 'Be Happy! Don't Worry!' The Friday, March 7th Ashland Daily Tidings ran my fiscal commentary, "Hold big spenders in Congress accountable." In this commentary I addressed our national debt, spending, and the key to holding members of Congress accountable to voters. TRIM (Tax Reform Immediately) at www.TRIMonline.org is the key to restoring fiscal sanity to overburdened taxpayers. Be that as it may, some think the tax cuts proposed by the Bush Administration will restore tax reform and is enough. I'm afraid this is a fallacy. I therefore urge readers of The Tidings to read Jim Clymer's article, "Be Happy! Don't Worry!" at www.constitutionparty.org . Jim Clymer is national chairman of the Constituiton Party and reveals some real insights in his commentary. James A. Farmer, Ashland Time for peace support to rise As war in Iraq (hopefully) closes, now (more than ever) is the time for peace activists to step forward. The real work of peace is about to begin. Anyone interested in the long term security of Iraq and the Middle East should know that a major battle is looming over who decides the shape of the next Iraq government. Pentagon leaders propose a government which will have (at least for some start up period) Americans at the head of all major governmental departments. This is a recipe for further disaster, one that will fuel the worst fears of Iraq's Arab neighbors and fan the flames of anti-American sentiment around the world. Contrasted to this narrow approach, is the proposal of Tony Blair and others that the UN play a strong leadership role in the next Iraq government. If you really want to work for peace, there is urgent work to be done. Now is the time to lobby congress to thank the Pentagon for the amazing military work completed, and require the military now to restrict their role to the appropriate one of maintaining security in post war Iraq. The US, and particularly the pentagon, has no business in governing post-war Iraq. If we can take this opportunity to let go, there is just a chance that this horrible war will actually improve the stability of the Middle East. If not, I fear that it will soon be clear that our military victory lead to decreased security at home and abroad, increased terrorism, growing anti-Americanism, and further distrust from the Islamic world. We are at a pivotal crossroads. Shall we play bully or peacemaker? Peter Gibb, Ashland Guest Forum: Domestic controversy deserves notice By Stacy Haddorff Ashland As news about the war monopolizes the media, domestic issues are being addressed out of the public's eye. It is understandable why our heated international climate has become the center of attention. However, I believe, that at this crucial time, we as citizens should also be aware of the national controversies being addressed by the Bush Administration. The "Healthy Forest Initiative" was launched in the hopes of preventing future forest fire tragedy. But hidden behind an earth-friendly label is a dangerous agenda that will perpetuate the problem it wishes to pacify. Maintaining forest health has been a rising concern since last summer's abundant fires. The scale of these burns was not only caused by drought, in places such as Oregon, but was also the result of long-term fire suppression. In most cases, reestablishing the health of our remaining forests requires that we allow nature to restore itself. Since the beginning of time, fire has cleansed and rejuvenated wilderness areas; it is a part of the natural cycle of forests. Today, scientific research shows that backcountry forest fires burn in a mosaic pattern that proves fires still serves a beneficial purpose in remote areas. Fire only becomes a threat when it occurs near communities. In stating this, our problem becomes clear: How do we protect people living in forested areas? Aid should be given to these communities so that they can fireproof their homes and also controlled burns may take place. Current research has shown that the only effective way to protect homes from fire is to reduce vegetation within 100 feet of structures. In more remote areas, cutting old fire-resistant trees dries out the forest floor and escalates the risk of fire. Cutting old trees encourages brush and young tree growth. Without older trees, this younger life also dries in direct sunlight and as a result, becomes kindling; if someone were to "flick their bic" in these areas, fire would instantly ignite. Old growth is a natural safeguard against fire because it doesn't burn as fast as younger tree growth. Keeping old growth trees allows the forest to work with us instead of against us. The "Healthy Forest Initiative" endorses the clear cutting of old growth forest. The initiative states that commercially clear cutting forests will prevent fires when it often will increase this threat. Furthermore, tax payer's money will be used to log in the back country instead of near communities where it will be beneficial. The initiative will also omit the public's right to comment on proposed timber sales. Sound scary? It is. What's scarier is this initiative will affect the forests around Ashland. I urge our Ashland community to learn more about the Healthy Forest Initiative and ecologically sound forest management. I urge us not to let international events consume our entire attention so that we become distracted from our equally important domestic issues. Controversies at home can still be reconciled in a democratic manner; only citizens can confront policies that do not reflect public opinion or the science of fire hazard reduction. For more info: www.kswild.org (Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center) www.fire-ecology.org www.tws.org (the wilderness society) www.fs.fed.us/projects.HFI.s html (forest service) LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -