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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Failed ideology After the disastrous November National elections, it should have been obvious the American people were ready for a significant change after watching a failed Obama ideology and resultant circus for six years, particularly when applied to the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA). Although Michael Steely was quick to reply (Letters, Nov. 26) with his characteristic jabs at Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, Republicans, and anyone else who does not share his ideology, it was not surprising that Mr. Steely recommended that “If Republicans would work with Democrats on needed improvements or offer an alternative, it would be laudable.” Evidently Mr. Steely has political amnesia, as the November elections underscored the American people’s lack of faith in the Democrats, particularly when Jonathan Gruber, the chief architect of the ACA, admitted that it was passed into law as a result of the “stupidity of the American voter" and misinformation from Obama. From a practical perspective, it is doubtful that any political party would want to partner with the failed policies and proud deceit of the current Democrats. John Mittendorf, Medford God's words, not Cochran's Since when does a letter to the editor wind up on the front page of the MT? There’s plenty I disagree with in the letters, but I don’t call the sheriff or the commissioners! Besides, those words were not Dace Cochran’s words, they were God's words! What else would you like to disagree with the Bible about: “Thou shalt not steal?” or maybe, “Do not commit adultery?” or, “Do not bear false witness against your neighbor”? Peggy Nye, Medford Drops in bucket could flood earth “It’s just a drop in the bucket!” We hear that often when, for example, a pipe is leaking and there is just one little drop every now and then. But if there are many such leaks, pretty soon the house is flooded and destroyed. When we are measuring our greenhouse gas emissions, and can see that closing one emissions source here and another one there will not bring global atmospheric greenhouse gases emissions to a halt, we should remember this example. Certainly stopping Keystone XL will not solve climate chaos; equally certainly, the Jordan Cove LNG terminal and Pacific Connector methane pipeline are just two of many sources of emissions. But if we are serious about protecting this planet for future generations, we have to make the correct choice every time — not just once in a while. Whenever we are confronted with options, and one leads to increased or continued greenhouse gas emissions, we should stop and think: should we really sacrifice our children’s and grandchildren’s future for such a purpose? Is the short term benefit, we must ask ourselves, really worth compromising humanity’s future? For our collective future, we should not export fossil fuels and promote greenhouse gas emissions. Alan Journet, co-facilitator, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now A new holiday? Well, it has happened — the heretofore "the day after Thanksgiving" is now an entity in itself: Black Friday. A day when every red-blooded American must buy, buy, buy to ransom merchants who have gone out of their way to cram stores with extra goods at low prices to lure customers away from their fellow merchants. Will there be Black Friday greeting cards? Maybe carols? Notice the ads' graphics? Very bold and — black! John Graham, Medford Do we care? Global warming can be controlled. Do we care? Enough to sacrifice short-term profits for a long-term livable planet? Can we, like our Native American brothers and sisters, think ahead to the seventh generation? Or even to the second and third generation? We have a choice: ignore the climate chaos we are witnessing, or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If we choose to reduce emissions, we will change our lifestyle. We will carpool more. We’ll check our homes for energy leaks. We will educate ourselves regarding forces that promote fossil fuel consumption. The Jordan Cove Pipeline is a proposal which would transport across Oregon five times the amount of natural gas that The Ex-cel pipeline would. Meaning, Oregon would assist Asia in adding many gigatons of carbon and methane to the blanket of global pollution already warming our Earth. Again, we have a choice: silence (consent), or join our voices with those of the Riverkeepers and SOCAN (Southern Oregon Climate Action Now) against short-term profits at humanity’s expense. The benefits claimed for the LNG pipeline are mostly untrue: A pipeline would further fossil fuel dependence, not independence. Wind and solar energies will create non-destructive jobs for local folk in far greater numbers than a pipeline. Elizabeth Hallett, Ashland   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 4, 2014 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. 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