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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad April 15, 2005 School board has latitude on Lincoln options The Ashland School Board has an amazing opportunity to build community and do what is best for our children. There is enough community support from Briscoe, Lincoln and other community members for the school board to keep Lincoln School open. Our school board has the opportunity to start a new process of community brainstorming, researching and discussing alternatives facilitated by site councils and other community members. We need a district strategic plan with short-, mid- and long-term goals to make effective decisions for all of our schools. The impact and additional stress of a lease or sale of Lincoln on students and staff at all schools is a major concern. As in any family when there is stress for one, everyone feels and shares it. I know what amazing administrators and staff we have, and that they will make it work but not without a great burden and toll on all. Are we thinking how all of this is affecting our children? We did not receive the funds anticipated from the Briscoe closure. Thanks to the decisions and work of the school board and staff, we kept Lincoln School an additional year. Let us allow ourselves to be creative and find other solutions while Lincoln remains open this coming school year so all Ashland schools can start the school year addressing the education and future of our students. I will appreciate your comments. Sue Graham School board candidate Ashland Tidings review of production was too harsh Clearly the rest of the opening night audience at Camelot Theater’s “Enchanted April” was as pleased as I was with the production. So I am disappointed with the lukewarm review in the Tidings. You have to be searching for faults to focus on props in the lobby, or to be confused by the creative use director Gwen Overland made of the spare first act stage, which actually kept the show moving at a crisp pace. The review did not adequately credit the delightful performances of John Lytton and Diana Warner, and especially that of the energetic and winsome Renee Hewitt. I’ve been telling my friends not to miss “Enchanted April,” a wonderful show. Jack Seybold Ashland Boycott JPR for management not hearing listeners The Pacifica network’s award-winning news program “Democracy Now!” is unique in its willingness to ask the hard questions typically absent in journalism these days. The program’s host, Amy Goodman will be speaking at Southern Oregon University on April 23. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this inspiring advocate for free speech. Contact 488-7667 for ticket information. “Democracy Now!” has been intentionally excluded from the Jefferson Public Radio line up. JPR management says, “‘Democracy Now!’ is advocacy journalism.” This bias is predicated on the false notion that the journalism they currently provide is not advocating a particular perspective. Wisdom suggests a 100 percent listener-funded source — not indebted to corporate underwriters and advertisers like JPR/NPR/PRI — is the best place for unbiased, independent news and information. These media sources also receive money from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The CPB board, dominated by Bush administration appointees, is currently pressuring a more conservative slant from the recipients of their government monies. By contrast, “Democracy Now!” is 100 percent listener funded. “Democracy Now!” can be heard in nearby communities on public radio. It is not available on JPR. The public’s ability to make listening choices has been taken away by the upper management at JPR. This arrogant censorship is inappropriate for a university institution like JPR. If you find this disturbing, join with thousands of listeners and underwriters who are withholding their financial support and boycotting future fundraisers, pending policy changes. See dnonjpr.org and www.ashland.net/MediaAction for more information. Todd Cory Mount Shasta, Calif. This Mother’s Day, remember cows with calves Mother’s Day will soon be here, and I wish to request that we think of cow mothers at this time, and to give some deep thought to our fellow animal mothers. May we celebrate our animal mothers of the earth by showing more concern for their feelings which they do indeed have. The subject of dairy cow mothers is of deep concern. When male calves are born to dairy cows they are considered an unwanted product by dairy producers. The babies are taken from their mothers after only a few hours after birth. Many are slaughtered only a few days after birth while others are sent to veal farms where they live short-lived, absolutely miserable lives (18 to 20 weeks) in cramped intense confinement, and are tethered around the neck to prevent movement. Their spaces are so small that they cannot lie down comfortably or even turn around. They are fed a liquid diet deficient in iron and fiber to create anemic flesh sold as milk fed white or “fancy” veal. The calves suffer to the extreme where many become sick and die. Upon being taken to auctions before slaughter, these calves are so weak they can often cannot even walk and are dragged by leg or ear. Mother cows have feelings, just how must they feel, and perhaps they even know the fate awaiting their offspring, who really knows. We must stop these horrific cruelties now. Please oppose veal products wherever sold, if in a market, or if served in a restaurant. Oppose veal products. Nina Council Ashland Would the city lower flags for all church leaders? Probably by Friday the question is moot, but, as you no doubt are aware, the city flags were at half-mast for the pope’s death, the order was rescinded and flags raised, then that second order rescinded and, I was told by a person at the Fire Department yesterday, the flags were to be lowered again. My question for the city administration is: Will the flags be lowered for religious leaders of other faiths when they die? How is the decision to do so made? Is being part of Western religious tradition necessary, or is it purely a matter of the numbers of that particular religion’s faithful? Is the means test 1 million, 10 million, 50 million faithful? Or is there a “holiness” test, and by what standards? Will the city so honor Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, etc. leaders? How about Jerry Falwell? Native American elders? Will the flag ever fly at the top of the pole again, since every day people who are considered holy by somebody will be dying? Susan Hunt Ashland --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.