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October 24. 2014 2:00AM Letters to the Editor, Oct. 24 Measure makes us safer Recent reports of terrorists crossing the southern border shouldn't surprise anyone. Thousands of illegals cross the border each day and President Obama seems pleased to see them. But when jihadists first enter the country from Mexico, only a handful of states will grant them driving privileges. Governor Kitzhaber would like for Oregon to be one of those states, but Oregonians For Immigration Reform (OFIR) has stopped him. OFIR put a referendum on the November ballot to stop the implementation of a law enacted in 2013 to extend driving privileges to illegals in Oregon. Governor Kitzhaber must be fuming and gnashing his teeth at the thought of not being able to issue driving cards to terrorists, but his efforts will be thwarted if Oregonians vote no on Ballot Measure 88 in November. It's something the average citizen can do to make Oregon a safer place to live. Bob Messinger, Grants Pass The cost of a GMO label? Let’s think about this. Labeling GMO products will cost consumers an extra $2.30 per year. What is it worth to ensure our families eat healthy foods? Answer: $2.30 per year! Vote Yes on 92! Robin E. Sparks, Medford Phoenix facing changes Phoenix is in the midst of change with ODOT and Urban Renewal spearheading this movement. We have intense competition for mayor and City Council positions. No matter which candidates win, the challenge for Phoenix is to make sensible progress. We have watched the battles in our City Council and the mistakes that have been costly and have slowed essential changes. Remember delay only means higher costs. Let's expedite Urban Renewal projects, save historic homes, stop the hemorrhage of businesses closing or not starting or barely succeeding and increase relevant communication and civility in meetings and other discourse. Phoenix citizens need to see more governing transparency, better preparation for meetings, specific assignments to various officials with goals and a timeline for attaining the goals. Frankly, I think that the sign wars are insufficient to truly inform our citizens. Let's demand more of our candidates and attend the candidate forums. Annie Drager, Phoenix These are good kids? Why are "they" always "good" kids? Meaning the ones that are involved in horrible crimes against other people and their property? Apparently parents and neighbors have no idea what these "good" kids are up to when they are out of sight. I guess we’re supposed to feel sorry and badly that Joseph Hermosillo was injured in his latest prank, that of destroying mailboxes belonging to other people. Perhaps if this "good" kid were out doing something constructive and was this badly injured the sympathy would most certainly be there. Was he hog-tied and forced to ride in that motor home while his buddies played mailbox baseball? No, I didn’t think so. It was a fun thing to do. ‘Let’s see how many mailboxes we can destroy.’ Of course, the owners of those mailboxes now have the task of repair/replacing them. No, that’s not a huge task, but it’s something that they are now left to take care of because of a juvenile delinquent’s desire to "have fun." Yes, I do feel sorry that he's so badly hurt but I have little to no sympathy. P. Moran, Medford Wehby could handle it Watching the Dr. Monica Wehby and Sen. Jeff Merkley debate, I couldn’t help but notice the striking difference in their presentations. The incumbent used trite, stodgy, old slick politician type arguments while the challenger presented a fresh, new, if slightly nervous answer on the issues. Couldn’t believe when Merkley used the “Karl Rove” and the “Koch brothers” off the “Obama” political lemonade stand. Must be a sycophant of his. Dr. Wehby stuck to issues of importance, and while not having a slick answer to every question, brought a fresh, bright approach to that answer. She would be a great addition to the United States Senate representing the people of the state of Oregon in a sharp new way. Political science isn’t brain surgery, but Dr. Wehby could handle that, too! She should get your vote. Bruce Wood, Eagle Point Miller Paint steps up Due to some recent graffiti having been painted on our flag storage building, a new coat of paint is needed. Flags subscribed to by businesses and others are placed throughout Ashland on federal Holidays. The flags are stored in this building when they are not being used. Thanks to the generosity of the Miller Paint Company, and in particular Chris Muck, they have provided, at a very nominal cost, enough paint for us to complete the painting . A big thank you goes to Chris and everyone at Miller Paint. Ron Parker, Kiwanis Club, Ashland Equity for whom? Reading the “Around Oregon" this morning (Oct. 14), there was an article that our fearless leader, Governor Kitzhaber, endorsed Measure 88 to allow those who cannot prove legal residence in the United States to be able to get drivers licenses. He said it’s “part of our commitment to equity.” Equity for whom? I have an employee who got married, got her name changed on her Social Security card, but cannot renew her driver’s license with name change because she isn’t able to produce a birth certificate. She has her current license with her picture on it, a Social Security card with her new name and a marriage license, but no go. Where’s the equity in this scenario? Lela Larkin, Medford There's another choice Many Americans remain disgusted with the corrupt two-party system! And this includes anti-gun politicians in both Salem, Ore., and Washington, D.C. Not to mention the immoral homosexual agenda, threats against American sovereignty, surrender to the United Nations, the Federal Reserve system, etc. Fortunately the Constitution Party of Oregon at www.constitutionpartyoregon.net is an honest, moral alternative to the socialist status quo. "State Legislators: Wake The Hell Up" by columnist Devvy Kidd for Sept. 29 at www.newswithviews.com reminds us of our "outlaw" criminal Congress! Socialism, treason and sell-out must likewise be exposed for its danger and subversion against our republic. "Is America Embracing Socialism?," Aug. 14, 2014, remains archived at www.thetrumpet.com. We must take back America while there is still time. The Bible states: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." — Hosea 4:6 James A. Farmer, Ashland Forum addressed climate Creating jobs, reducing long-term energy costs, protecting our rural quality of life, and addressing climate change by making use of cleaner energy sources and increasing energy efficiency was a major focus of a nonpartisan forum this month in Medford. All candidates for county commissioner positions 1 and 3 and Oregon State Senate District 3, regardless of party affiliation, were invited to participate. Candidates who attended included Tonia Moro, county commissioner 1; Kevin Talbert, county commissioner 3; and Sen. Alan Bates, Senate District 3. More than 125 Rogue Valley residents heard each candidate voice their commitment to help speed our local transition to cleaner energy like solar and to greater energy efficiency. We hope candidates who did not attend will also do what they can. Rogue Climate is a youth-led organization that believes that the future of our local economy and quality of life should not be a partisan issue. Stuart Warren, Medford Don't fall for media blitz Let’s show the biotech industry that Oregonians are wise to their misleading, multi-million-dollar media blitz against Measure 92. We know that if companies are selling their food products containing GMOs in 64 other countries they are already required to label them. Measure 92 simply requires all labeled raw and packaged food produced with genetic engineering to state that by 2016. Slick corporate PR is deliberately deceiving and confusing voters and spending millions to defeat labeling. This industry, that told us DDT, Agent Orange, etc., were safe, is protecting corporate profits, while we and our families are again the guinea pigs — with legitimate concerns about GMO’s, which contain foreign DNA, require huge and increasing quantities and combinations of herbicides and insecticides due to resistant weeds and pests, while requiring no independent health studies. We have a right to know if it contains GMO, and Yes on Measure 92 assures that. Gaylene Hurley, Medford http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141024/OPINION/141029845 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->