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SATURDAY April 3 , 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels April 2, 2004 Support Buckley in 5th District I am writing to encourage Democrats in the 5th District to vote for Peter Buckley for State Representative. I first heard Peter speak a few years ago at one of those wonderful neighborhood gatherings that Democrats are so good at. Peter's breadth of knowledge, his openness, his incredible intellect, and his respect for all people gave me hope for the future of Oregon. Peter's strong mind and generous spirit would be an incredible asset to our legislature. Please consider voting for Peter Buckley in the May primary. Barbara Blasyak Ashland Physician supports Peter Buckley I've been an actively practicing physician in the Rogue Valley for twenty years, working in the emergency room at Ashland Community Hospital, the Medford and Ashland Community Health Centers, a Family Practice Clinic in Shady Cove, as well as private practice. I have seen first hand the need in our valley for truly affordable and accessible health care for all. The Oregon Health Plan has done much to help low-income people obtain needed care for several years, but with declining tax receipts, funding has become a problem. Peter Buckley believes in OHP and what it does for everyone. At the same time that it provides preventive care and basic procedures that promote good health, it reduces inappropriate and more costly uses of the system, such as emergency room visits. This saves us all money. Morally, it is right. Peter Buckley believes health care is a "basic human right" and he is determined to find a way to restore funding for OHP. Please join me in helping elect Peter Buckley to the Oregon House of Representatives. Together we can find a way to provide for everyone. Steven C. Thomas, D.O. Ashland Support Bates in senate race As the director of a non-profit agency, I am frequently in Salem during the legislative sessions. I feel such a sense of pride when citizens and legislators of both parties talk about the intelligence and ethics with which Representative Bates conducts himself. I receive many calls during the session from people who know that I live in Representative Bates' district, asking me to speak with him to get a truthful and realistic understanding of particular issues. How many legislators have been able to maintain such respect from members of both parties, even from individuals who do not always agree with their views? Please cast your vote for Alan Bates for state senator. Rita Sullivan Medford In support of gay marriage This letter is in regards to the issues being brought up concerning gay marriage. I don't understand the big deal. It should be my decision. It's my life, not anyone else's. I am a legal resident of legal age, I pay my taxes, so why can't I make this decision for myself? I thought this was supposed to be a free country, but this and many other things tell me it is not. Where does anyone think they have the right to tell me, or anyone else, who I can or cannot marry?! It's none of your business! Especially in a world that creates and promotes such a mockery of marriage like the prime time shows "Joe Millionaire," or "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fianc�." This seems like more of a disgrace than anything. People who are against this happy marriage of two souls, should try looking at themselves, and finding out where instead they could express a more positive energy into this world instead of a negative one. They use "tradition" as they're excuse for fear and misunderstanding. I believe in tradition, in the sense that we should remember and respect who we are and where we came from. I do not believe tradition, of that which we hold so sacred, should cause harm, and prevent growth and healing. It used to be customary for old men to marry 12-year-old girls, or some royal families liked to "keep it in the family." I'm glad we've finally evolved from that or we'd still be marrying our cousins! Growth is good. But even our president claims gay marriage is a big problem. How can people in love be so bad? I think is sounds like just what this world needs more of. It is issues like this, feeding the hate, that keep us in the minority. So shut your mouth and open your mind! Stand up for your rights! Chari and Kari Weatherford (with 4+ happy years!) Ashland A cautious return Thank you for printing the article on "the U.S. soldier who refused to return to Iraq after he was shaken by a gunfight that killed innocent civilians." (Tuesday, March 16) The content and placement of the piece were heartening in face of so many unconscious choices being made in and about Iraq. I felt proud of our small paper for selecting this news item. Last year I cancelled my subscription in protest and disgust over the news choices and incomprehensibly arrogant editorials of the then-new staff. Only recently did I resubscribe. . . and I'm watching closely. So far, the tone and editorial policy seem much more sensitively attuned to not only the Ashland but also the world community. Shoshana Alexander 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: The new search is here! Click here for more information. .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams