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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW UPDATED: Standoff ends with two arrests in Wilson Elementary neighborhood ... Hermiston homeless face winter with fewer sleeping options ... Two women sought in Rogue River robbery ... UPDATED: Standoff ends with two arrests in Wilson Elementary neighborhood ... Hermiston homeless face winter with fewer sleeping options ... Two women sought in Rogue River robbery ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Jan. 10 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Constitutional malice Giving congressional inaction as his motivation, our president has just intentionally ignored the constitutional separation of powers, creating law through executive order, to advance his anti-gun agenda. Although other presidents have written executive orders on a variety of topics, I am aware of no other president who specifically stated that his purpose for making an executive order was to bypass the duly elected Congress. Fully versed in constitutional law, President Obama has violated his sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. At least King George III had the authority to oppress his subjects. Our president has neither authority nor ignorance of the law on which to lean. It’s no wonder the anti-government sentiment in our nation is reaching the breaking point. Although any executive order designed to bypass Congress is unconstitutional, choosing gun control as his final focus is strangely appropriate, because an armed society will never give up its freedom. Our government is currently doing its best to reverse our nation’s 240-year legacy of liberty. And it’s doing it with a surprising number of ignorant supporters. Read your Declaration of Independence and your Constitution; the president has, but he’s counting on our ignorance. Jon L. Hornbeck Central Point Don't buy it This year’s election is giving the world a chilling look at America’s dark side. Trump has spread malicious lies about Mexicans (“rapists” and “criminals”), Muslims (“thousands and thousands” in New Jersey celebrated the 9/11 attacks) and African-Americans (“Whites killed by blacks approximately 81 percent”). He doesn’t even believe in climate change. It says a lot about the Republican Party that its front-runner is a belligerent bigot who makes up his own “facts.” Is this what conservatism has degenerated into? The runner-up, Ted Cruz, is no less inflammatory and willfully ignorant, but lacks The Donald’s shock jock flair. It’s not for lack of trying: Trump advocated slaughtering the families of terrorists, so Cruz called for carpet bombing them — never mind that we’re talking about cities full of civilians. Between them they have over half the primary vote, so they set the agenda and Republicans are carpet bombing us with tirades against Muslims, refugees and “political correctness.” If trash talk could make America great and B.S. beat ISIS, they’d be all the army we need. Having nothing positive to offer, Republicans are peddling fear, anger and hatred. Don’t buy it. Hate-mongers bring only grief and have never solved any nation’s problems. Michael Steely Medford Pass climate bill The Paris Agreement on Climate Change was heartening news. A total of 195 nations accept climate science. Unfortunately, the terms of the agreement are inadequate to achieve the goals. Now individuals, cities, counties and states must step in with effective efforts to reduce emissions. In Oregon, we have an opportunity to be leaders. Our Legislature can pass the 2016 Heathy Climate Bill being introduced this month. It would limit emissions statewide by the largest polluters currently producing 85 percent of our climate pollution. Modeled on the California approach in effect for several years, it will ensure the state achieves emissions reductions established by the Legislature and governor as long ago as 2007. Like the California bill, and the program in nine eastern states called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, this bill offers a program that will reduce our emissions and maintain economic growth. It also incentivizes renewable energy, providing thousands of clean Oregon jobs, and accommodates rural and economically less advantaged Oregonians. You can find out more at an open public information session: Monday, Jan. 11 at the Medford Public Library, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Gold Hill Public Library 6-7 p.m. Bonnie Johnson Ashland MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 10, 2016 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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