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Letters 10/21-10/28



I think anyone who lives here long sees the truth. We're not centrist, we're actually just so polarized that when a second-tier lifestyle website does some second-tier stats analysis on us, we APPEAR to be right in the middle, because all the extremes average each other out. I can also only imagine they fell into the old trap of using data from the Census' Bend MSA to represent the city, when in fact that definition includes the whole county, making things trend right compared to the city itself. I mean, yeah, we've got a lot of bicycles and a lot of lifted pickup-trucks, but they don't work together to meet in the middle, instead they try and run each other off the road!


Rednecks and hippies, that's what makes Oregon great!



It becomes a big deal only when people act like it isn't. So it's possible [Casey Roats] didn't realize there was a problem. That calls into question his ability to serve Bend because this seems like pretty basic stuff. Then there is the possibility he did realize. If so, it looks like him getting his mail for 10 months at a house under construction was a game he was playing. Doesn't it make more sense to get your mail where you're living? Sounds like he thinks he can get away with things if he's sneaky enough. So then what happens when people find out? To me, that's the most interesting thing. Wittingly or unwittingly, he caused a problem for everyone running and for the city itself. I haven't heard him feeling bad about any of that. Instead he's acting like a victim and making excuses. It may be asking too much these days, but we've got to get back to an attitude of "the buck stops here." This problem is no one's fault except that of Casey Roats. Stand up, admit that it happened, show some genuine concern for the problems you caused, and let the law figure out what happens. Take it seriously and then maybe it turns out not to be a big deal. Acting like other people are causing the problems helps no one. And, I might ad, the same goes for the people saying this is all political and doesn't amount to much. That doesn't help. It is a real issue that doesn't go away with discourse. A legal decision will be made eventually. My sincere hope is the law is written well enough that this becomes a non-issue. I personally don't believe it's a big enough issue to disqualify him. But my opinion doesn't matter. The law is what matters. If he violated the law, he has problems and Bend has problems because the ballots are out and some may have wasted a vote if they voted for Roats. In other words, there are problems that can't really be solved and the fault lies with Roats either through intention or mistake.

—Ken Nordine


The audience was solicited to submit written questions to the candidates. But the forum was ended before even one question from the audience was presented—the given excuse was being that they had run out of time. LWV always strictly enforces the allowed time limits for each candidate. LWV therefore had to realize that there would not be sufficient time for questions from the audience.

Accordingly, it was an insult to the dozens who submitted questions that were never asked of the candidates. A major reason why many people attend such a forum is for the opportunity to question candidates and to hear the candidates' answers to questions from the audience.

LWV, shame on you.

—Earl Williams


I was dismayed to find the current edition of the Cascade Business News engaging in what I consider distasteful editorializing. Before I continue I want to stress that I have a very high regard for CBN and I think their reporting on the local business community is outstanding, valuable, interesting, thorough, and informative. I read it religiously and wish them well. However, on the second page of their four-page endorsements article, with the same pretty "Election-Vote" banner coloring the top of each page, I found a full page ad, paid for by the "No on 92 Coalition" made very much to blend in with the paper's personal endorsements and full of the usual lies and misleading rhetoric opposing this very important ballot measure.  

Personally, I find it distasteful for any news organization to make political recommendations. That being said, the reason I'm picking on CBN instead of the myriad news organizations engaging in the same practice is the way that CBN choose to make an ad look like an editorial pushing the envelope of ways in which the media can fool the public into voting to suit the tastes of its editors and owners.  

For those still confused by the GMO issue, here are some things to consider before you vote. If you now buy natural instead of organic because of cost, you may be eating GMO foods without even being aware of it. Your only option to stay GMO free is to go to the more expensive organic selections instead. A yes vote will give you the option of eating natural instead of organic while still eating GMO-free, lowering your overall food bill. And this doesn't even touch on the dangerous and immoral issue of allowing food seeds to be legally owned by large corporations. Eat well forever, be smart, and vote yes on 92.

—Ken Czepelka


Hey "Scrambles"... don't know who you are or where you are or how long you have lived in Oregon, but obviously you don't know much about Senator Merkley. First, when he was elected he made a vow that he would hold at least one town hall meeting in every county each year. He has done that. Many of them are so overcrowded they are standing room only. And even some round table discussions for specific topics. One of which I attended in August regarding Social Security and Medicare that he works incredibly hard to protect. Second, do you know who he interned for back when politicians actually spoke to each other and compromised and made decisions that were good for everyone? Jeff is a hard-working senator who actually does care for all of Oregon. Do some research. We are blessed with him. Truly Oregon's 8th Wonder. Oh yes, the answer is Mark Hatfield.  Do you know who that was? —BJ Thomas

Speaking of Bend City Council, Politics

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