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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 1 Wednesday Feb 1, 2017 at 2:00 AM Feb 2, 2017 at 2:47 PM America's science muzzled As advertised, President Trump began his presidency by issuing a stream of executive edicts on a variety of topics. As a scientist, I found a few of these orders particular alarming. These are the ones putting restrictions ("gag orders”) on researchers employed at federal agencies like the USDA, NOAA, EPA, the CDC and others — prohibiting them from writing or even talking about the research they are currently working on. Much of the work in question has broad implications for public health and well being, such as research on the potential health impacts of environmental toxins, or data on climate change. Since these units are funded by tax dollars, they have to be viewed as agencies working on behalf of all of us — the American public. There is no reason that the results of their research efforts should be blocked from public release; such public agencies are answerable to all citizens in the country, and not to President Trump and his new administrative appointees. These executive branch figures are overstepping their authority in a haughty and extremely damaging fashion. The outlook on transparency within our tax-funded institutions is bleak, to say the least. We must expect and demand better. John Kloetzel Ashland Our prayers answered On Jan. 25 Nancy Pilosi said she had prayed for Donald Trump. Others prayed for him, too, and look! Our prayers have been answered. Judie Bunch Talent Misleading statistics On Friday, Jan. 20, you ran a front page story titled “Oregon jobless rate at low set in 1995” and again, on Wednesday, Jan. 25, Greg Stiles bylined an article touting today’s low rate. If you expect to retain any credibility and loyal readership, you need to report facts, not fiction. Comparing today’s unemployment rate to 1995 is like comparing the proverbial apples to oranges! It is not structurally the same measurement, since in 2010 then President Obama’s Bureau of Labor Statistics radically changed the way that the rate is calculated and reported. It now no longer counts as unemployed people who have not found work for more than two years (which was pretty common in the recession), as well as eliminating other important previously “unemployed” categories in order to make the unemployment rate look artificially lower — as if the economy is doing much better than it really is doing. Yes, we are slowly getting back to work as a society, but if we were really under 5 percent unemployed using the pre-2010 calculation methods, we’d would be in a heckuva lot more robust economy. If we can’t trust you to report the facts to us, why subscribe? Bob Seldon Medford Walden's mystery vote Before the ACA, I went to Rep. Greg Walden’s office to find out why he was going to vote against it. Four others were there to tell him their specific examples of health insurance abuse: premiums tripling in two years and being dropped for developing cancer, for relocating, and for being fired weeks before retirement. All had paid their premiums for years. Their lives were not merely inconvenienced, but devastated. The office manager refused to tell us all why Walden would vote against the ACA; none of us left there with any assurance that health insurance abuse would stop. Right now he is probably shaking the hand of a lobbyist who works for people who now, instead of making 10 times their workers, will make 1,000 times their workers, with the premiums we will all pay. The real message for Greg Walden should be: You are out. Myrl Bishop Ashland Government rat's nest The article in today's paper regarding charging fees for nonmotorized boats is an eye-opener. This program will be another government program that will likely keep expanding once implemented. Will there be guards at all boat ramps on all waterways? Will there be similar regulations and fees for nonmotorized bicycles on all public bike paths and roads? I can only imagine what a rat's nest this will create. Rafting, kayaking and inflatables is one pleasure that families, who can't afford a guided trip, can enjoy together. N. Shaw Central Point Will Walden speak up? Within 24 hours of taking office, President Trump demonstrated his commitment to the fossil fuels industry. In a page that could have been written by the Koch brothers, the WhiteHouse.gov website‘s “America First Energy Plan” clearly describes the strategy: Eliminate the Climate Action Plan and open up federal lands for an unregulated frenzy of fossil-fuel exploration. Just after NOAA and other international climate experts announced that the past three years set global temperature records, our new administration promises to reject science and race for some billionaire’s massive new profits in fossil fuels. This leaves Congressman Greg Walden in a tough place. He can work within his party to face the impossibility of protecting clean air and clean water (goals that President Trump claims as a high priority) while denying science and increasing our consumption of cheap, subsidized, intolerably polluting fossil fuels. Rivers and air masses cross state lines, making it physically impossible to regulate state by state (the Scott Pruitt plan for environmental protection.) Will Rep. Walden represent us and speak up? It will take leadership and effort, but it will represent the needs of his constituents and his grandchildren. Marie Reeder Rogue River Would torture work? Perhaps now is the time to check the effectiveness of torture to find out what is in Mr. Trump’s tax returns. Lynn Sjolund Medford Words do matter I recall reading an article about a conference, chaired by Dick Cheney and attended by oil executives in London. As reported, the topic centered on a division of oil rights in Iraqi soil. Shortly after this meeting, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq and removed the Iraqi government. During this invasion, oil wells were set ablaze, pumping stations and refineries destroyed, consequently oil had to be imported from other countries at great cost for several years. Fast forward to January 2017, when the Iraqi minister during a press conference thanked U. S. soldiers for their help with driving ISIL out of Mosul, their last stronghold in that country. Questions by the press however centered on statements made by the current U.S. president, who while making derogatory statements about the Iraqi government, feels that the U. S. is entitled to all the oil in Iraqi soil. These statements along with his views on waterboarding are sure to open old wounds and cannot be helpful in protecting our soldiers, diplomats and support personnel, who are currently helping a sovereign Iraq to rid itself of the ISIL threat on their soil. David van de Velde Phoenix Schools earn thanks Both of my children graduated from Medford schools many years ago, so I have a particular interest in what is happening in these schools today. I just read about the commitment from Superintendent Brian Shumate on keeping our schools safe and in particular, because of this past election, in helping all students cope with acts of discrimination (from both sides) and in particular with bullying, harassment and intimidation. I thank Superintendent Shumate for taking these steps in allowing all of our children a safe and welcoming environment. Also, congratulations on the second year of graduation-rate gain. Good job all around. Keep up the good work. Susan Howard Medford