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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Family needs new memories to replace terror of last Christmas St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament Public meetings for Dec. 15-19, 2014 Vigil planned for Ashland girl who's been missing since Nov. 29 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital Emergency services Jail lobby commotion sends man back to cell 30 minutes after release Medford police cite 25 in illegal camping enforcement sweep Politics and Elections Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Education St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Environment No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River State News Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Congress keeps Coast Guard helicopter flying Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Steven Luke Duncan Death Notices Cory Davis Donna Marie Pitblado Lyle Walther Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Phoenix’s Rubio wins title at Coast Classic Mariota takes Heisman in landslide Brooks, Oregon beat Illinois Navy makes it 13 in a row over Army Oregon State downs Mississippi State Varsity 541 College Sports Mariota takes Heisman in landslide Brooks, Oregon beat Illinois Navy makes it 13 in a row over Army Oregon State downs Mississippi State Fifteen things to consider about the NAIA championship Pro Sports Day, Tringale win Franklin Templeton Shootout Pistons snap 13-game losing streak Knicks’ Anthony says he won’t drop no-trade clause Tringale, Day open three-shot advantage Manziel confident he’ll remain poised in start Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate Blog: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks State lags on grocery inspections Blog: Bear Creek Plaza next up on the market Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Granlund cartoon: Flu shots less effective this year Editorials Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Our View: Find middle ground on timber policy Our View: Making sense of Medford crime numbers Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 8 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? 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Our View: ... Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future ... Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances ... Our View: ... Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future ... Jim Brock: Protesters have power By Jim Brock More Content Now MailTribune.com By Jim Brock More Content Now Posted Dec. 3, 2014 @ 12:12 pm By Jim Brock More Content Now Posted Dec. 3, 2014 @ 12:12 pm » Social News There are few things more exciting than seeing youngsters exercise their constitutional rights. That was the case in Hamburg, Iowa, on Wednesday morning, when students left school to protest the voters' decision not to allow consolidation of their two school systems, a measure many agree is the last hope in preventing dissolution of the districts. The students rallied outside a local business carrying signs and chanting in support of their schools. At one point, they blocked the southbound lane of Main Street. Even with the temperature below freezing, they were determined to show their disdain for the actions of those old enough to vote. While talking to some of these students, I was inspired. However, I could tell by the snide comments and eye-rolling of passersby that the protesters were not welcome. One motorist refused to go around the crowd, but the youngsters didn't budge. The driver eventually drove around, but her countenance showed she was not happy about it. The sad reality is that their alacrity will avail them little, if anything at all. Their actions will be remembered by most as a nuisance. Peaceful protests usually are. But protests are usually the actions of the powerless and the downtrodden — those whose voices are ignored by a society that espouses the core beliefs of the dominant culture. We learned a lot from the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, in the days, weeks and months following the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. We are a culture that spends more time focused on the differences rather than the similarities, so you are probably wondering, “How can you compare Hamburg to Ferguson?” They are similar because the students in Hamburg refused to accept the decision rendered by the powers that be. They wanted everyone who would lend an ear to know that they would not go quietly. How can you not respect that? That same goes with the peaceful protesters in Ferguson. Regardless of what we have seen on TV and read about in the papers, there were men, women and children who were unfairly categorized as hostile for their participation in group protests. While some incited violence in Ferguson — and appeared to be looking for a fight — that wasn't the case with the majority of participants. Powerful people hate protests, which is why it is so important. While influence is for sale in America, justice should not be. I am grateful to live in a nation where I can write a weekly column that, among other things, criticizes the status quo. The most I have to worry about is receiving emails and phone calls from readers who are offended by my candor. I am sorry they are offended, but I am not sorry for offending them. There are quite a few Brocks in my bloodline — and yours, I’m sure — who fought to preserve our rights. Furthermore, I have more respect for a man, woman or child who stands in the freezing cold holding a sign than the Monday-morning quarterbacks who see them as rebellious and disrespectful. And while protests might seem like an exercise in futility, it all depends on your perspective. My father sometimes tells me, “Eighty percent of life is showing up.” I would rather show up and fail than not even try. Ponder that! Jim Brock is managing editor of the Nebraska City News-Press. He can be reached at [email protected]. By Jim Brock More Content Now MailTribune.com By Jim Brock More Content Now Posted Dec. 3, 2014 @ 12:12 pm » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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