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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 Smoke blankets Rogue Valley as Stouts fire grows to 8,500 acres ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Missing Jon Stewart ... Ticket Availability ... Smoke blankets Rogue Valley as Stouts fire grows to 8,500 acres ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Missing Jon Stewart ... Ticket Availability ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, May 29 Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 29, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Columnist is wrong In a column by Andrew Bacevich of the Los Angeles Times (May 16) Bacevich applauds Obama for befriending Iran and defriending Saudi Arabia and Israel. He sees that as a coup for Obama that will resolve all of the problems in the Middle East. He belittles Israel's fear of existential threats and says they no longer exist. Has he been living in a separate universe? Doesn't he know that Obama's friend, Iran, has threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the earth? Is he deaf to the shouts of Iran's leaders, "Death to America;" "Death to Israel"? How can he ignore the fact that this agreement boasted of by Obama frees Iran to become an atomic power? Doesn't he know that Iran is the largest contributor to Islamic terrorism in the world today? Bacevich doesn't say one rational word about how Obama's policy changes benefit America or the world. He complains that America gets very little from Israel in exchange for America's assistance. That's an outrageous assertion. Israel has made greater contributions to America and to the world in terms of scientific, technical and medical advancements than any other nation on earth. To list Israel's achievements would take more space than this paper would allow. Israel is a democracy. It's the only country in the Middle East where Arabs have freedom of speech, freedom to be gay and where Arab women are treated as equals. Arab living standards in Israel are higher than in any Middle East Muslim country. In fact, they are higher than for Muslims living in any Muslim country on earth. If Obama wants to dump America's friends and make love to America's enemies, he should add North Korea, Venezuela, China and Russia to his list of lovers. Gary Acheatel Ashland Profits or people? If I were the federal judge chosen to rule on whether Jackson County’s GMO ban can take effect, I would rule in favor of the voters of Jackson County. This is a clear-cut case of long-term public health and well-being of the entire community outweighing the short-term profit of a few. It is unfortunate that one or two farmers may suffer a loss from the GMO ban on “Roundup ready” alfalfa. However, scientists are pointing to the far greater public health risk of releasing glyphosate chemical in the environment. Use of glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup contaminates food, the environment and water supplies with chemicals that scientist are now finding are endocrine disrupters and the cause of ever-increasing numbers of human diseases. (Search "Why glyphosates should be banned”) John Darling’s Tidings article on the “Lab rat rebellion” protest on the Plaza reminded me of the Occupy movement. Let’s remember these activists are standing up for the strong majority of voters in all walks, across Jackson County. The voters understood that the wisdom of the GMO ban they voted for concerns our health and the health of our children. The voters' wishes must be upheld; they spoke for all of us who wish to continue enjoying healthy lives here, in a healthy environment. Let’s keep it that way. John Fisher-Smith Ashland What is the beef? It is a cottonwood tree, magnificent. Let it alone! Find another site for building. Simple. It surely does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Then again, some people in Ashland need way more than a rocket scientist.  Jeffrey L. Kassman Ashland DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 29, 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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