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Letters to the Editor, Jan. 12 Thursday Jan 12, 2017 at 12:01 AM Thanks for openness Regardless of who is chosen by the Jackson County commissioners, I would like to thank them for their openness and transparency in their search of the new sheriff. With the backing of the majority of the Jackson County commissioners, a community panel was formed. When calls were made to have a minority representative inserted, the request was granted. Also two members of the panel were from outlying areas in Jackson County. The failure of the state Legislature to enact real reform has led Oregon to regularly be given failing grades in openness and transparency. It is nice to see some sunshine in government once in awhile. I wish the Medford City Council was as transparent in their search for the city manager last year. Kevin Stine, City Council member Medford Uncharted waters In a letter for a local paper, I cautioned, since no one knew where Donald Trump stood on issues, we shouldn’t elect him president only to find out too late what he would actually do. Hoping for change, voters cast their ballots for the showman. We now find ourselves afloat in uncharted and ominous waters. Judging by his cabinet picks of billionaires and retired military, those who voted for Trump won’t get the change they wanted. Tax breaks will go to corporations and top earners, and with defense budget increases, little will be left for the working classes except the bills. Many of the cabinet candidates were chosen for their opposition to environmental regulations. At this point in climate change, this is totally insane. Trump’s private dealings with Putin resulted in his stealing the election from the more popular Hillary while his stalling on revealing his taxes and placing his holdings in a blind trust raises honesty and conflict-of-interest issues. His use of racism, misogyny and hatred as political strategy is now commonly considered acceptable behavior. For these reasons and because he cannot be controlled even by his own political party, Trump should never have been elected president. Kathy Svendsen Grants Pass Two sides to the story It was great to see Jeff Rense, a largely unknown local activist, featured so prominently in Saturday's Mail Tribune article on hate groups and websites in America. Sadly, but predictably, Rense is depicted as a loose cannon, a purveyor of bigotry, hatred and half-baked conspiracy theories, when, in fact, the opposite is closer to the truth! Rense does not hate Jews or blacks or anyone. He only seeks to find the truth hidden behind the manifold deceptions that constantly assail us. I honor and appreciate Rense's courage and dedication in speaking about ideas and issues most Americans are uncomfortable speaking about. Issues and ideas that need to be examined honestly and without preconceptions — a monumental task for any of us. Listening to Rense's message, instead of only listening to what others say about him, I, for one, have come to see that peace, love and understanding for everyone is truly his one great aim. I only hope your readers will have the insight, curiosity and wherewithal to hear Rense for themselves, and not simply rely on the same old company line. His website, rense.com, may indeed open your mind to hitherto unknown possibilities. Randy Dolinger Ashland