Document text
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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW East Medford family flees after bathroom fire starts early Sunday ... Guest Opinion: Medford should strive to be more like Bend ... Poison in the well ... East Medford family flees after bathroom fire starts early Sunday ... Guest Opinion: Medford should strive to be more like Bend ... Poison in the well ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Sept. 26 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Sep. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Rauch alienates us I was very offended reading about the diversity conference held at OSF as part of Culturefest. No, I wasn't offended by the goal of inclusivity, but rather the contemptuous way Bill Rauch seems to feel about me, an aging, white-haired, white woman with an aging, white-haired, white husband. Although we have been members of OSF for many years, we will no longer be supporters in the future. We don't want to offend Mr. Rauch any longer with our aging white faces, our white hair or our green money. It's unfortunate Bill Rauch cannot work toward his goals without alienating his core audience. E. McKeon, Ashland Education in jeopardy Governor Kitzhaber took a stand against the former No Child Left Behind education program. He stated, “I welcome President Obama's leadership in providing relief from the punitive provisions of No Child Left Behind. No Child Left Behind has twisted accountability through its single-minded focus on high-stakes standardized testing and labeling schools and students as failures." Are you aware that Governor Kitzhaber allowed the federal government to coerce Oregon into accepting Race To The Top funds, so Common Core would become the mandated program in our schools? Sadly, the governor's statements also apply to Common Core — and even more so. I have noticed that Dennis Richardson is very clear on his position in his candidacy. Check out his position and more at www.whatiscommoncore.wordpress.com. If we care what and how our children are being educated, we must become informed. Our schools and teachers need the freedom to make their own decisions. Neil Clark, Grants Pass Ammo for all Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and John McCain seem determined to entrap our nation into yet another quagmire: Syria. After experiencing bitter outcomes in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan (and paying for them with 100,000 lives and trillions of dollars) Americans should be skeptical of their motives. President Obama’s reluctance to engage our troops in an age-old internecine religious conflict is understandable. The so-called “freedom fighters” in Syria comprise four or five diverse elements who fight each other as frequently as they fight Assad. There is no unified command. The one thing they share in common is a small brain and a hatred of the United States. As in Iraq and Afghanistan, American forces would struggle to determine friend from foe. Because these groups are not unified, should Assad be ousted an acrimonious conflict to install a successor would undoubtedly erupt. While ending Assad’s reign is a desirable goal, the continuing chaos enveloping Libya after the downfall of Kaddafi should caution those optimists who envision an easy victory followed by a quick withdrawal. I would advise President Obama that our only effective option would be to supply plentiful amounts of ammunition to all factions involved. Robert Warren, Medford Not a Christian nation In response to John L. Ogle, Sept. 18: I agree with him that our division is not helping our nation. However, he is incorrect on one major count; this country was not founded on the idea of being a Judeo-Christian nation. Our founding fathers, being secularist, refused to allow any religion to become the national religion so as to allow all forms of practice. This includes religions like Islam, Satanism, Atheism, Buddhism, Daoism, Zoroastrianism, or Christianity. Though Christianity is the most dominant in the nation, that does not make us a Christian nation. Provided that the practice of the religion does not injure or harm another individual or interfere with their rights, all are allowed practice. Note, however, that perceived harm does not make something harmful. Satanism "damning your soul to hell" is not enough evidence to legislate against it. In truth, America has never been a Christian nation. And if we continue to say so, were we to meet our founding fathers in the grave or the afterlife, they would surely chastise us for twisting their words so. Lyra E.S. Sinclaire, Medford Talbert will listen I’m supporting independent candidate Kevin Talbert for county commissioner. I worked with Kevin for several years and have always been impressed by his integrity, practicality and entrepreneurial spirit. Kevin is a nonpartisan, open-minded problem solver, who will come to the job of commissioner with a life-long love of public service and the temperament to get things done for the people of our county. He also has just the right background to tackle today’s policy issues. He worked with youth programs, businesses, educational start ups, and senior learning programs. He has extensive budget and planning experience. And he has served on boards for Rogue Community College, Thrive and the Crater Lake Natural History Association. Having worked with Kevin, I know that he will listen to all the people of Jackson County and put his considerable experience to work for all of us. Ed Battistella, Ashland MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 26, 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501