Demanding Accountability
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To the Editor:
Hi, I enjoyed many of your articles in the Vol #1, Number 2 US Observer. I want to make one comment about your article on yoga. The writer said that there is, "...yoga for Christians." While I agree that some Christians are participating in yoga, I believe this is because of their ignorance of its content. They do not know that yoga and Eastern meditation, and Eastern religions are inseparable. I did a study of yoga and found that it is not something that a Christian should participate in. For although the Bible does mention meditation, its description is very different than that of yoga. Eastern/yoga meditation tries to get a person to completely empty the mind of all thoughts and to become "one with the One". Christian / Biblical meditation is a clearing away of all distracting thoughts in a person's mind and filling the mind with the thoughts of God. And there is a clear description of what God, the Bible, is talking about. It is NOT at all similar to the "All", or the "One" of Hinduism or Buddhism, etc. So, my main point is that people understand that yoga is Not for Christians. Of course, Christians should exercise and keep their bodies and minds pure and healthy, but that does not include yoga.
Sincerely,Rick DeVos
Central Point, OregonEdward Snook’s Note: Excellent exposure of truth, Rick. The Bible clearly teaches we are to keep control of our minds and not empty them…Thank you for reminding our Editor of that fact.
To the Editor,
Re: SS Charges
Social Security (SS) is a very good program even if 70 years old. One of the fantastic benefits, Poor Farms in America are history.
But some constructive changes are way past due:
How about preventing Congressional politicians from spending every last dime American workers pay into SS? There is no Trust fund, only I.O.U.’s. The money is often spent on home state projects such as studying tattoos in California which, should be paid for by Californians, not all American taxpayers.
How about having CEOs with multi-million pay checks pay fully into Medicare?
And how about taxing Trust Funds with billions in virtually tax exempt income?
How about stopping unsafe employers from evading their responsibility for on the job injured workers by passing the Disability payments on to the SS program?
How about permitting beneficiaries for your money? At present if you die before retirement, you lose every cent of your payments.
There could be many economic benefits from permitting ownership in your funds. For example, perhaps workers would want to pay in and refuse “under the table” payments where nothing is withheld.
We’re told Medicare is riddled with fraud. Good accounting controls are way past due.
Let’s work for constructive change and stop the fear mongering. Think positive.
Helen Solem
Vernonia, Oregon
Josephine County Sheriff
To the Editor
Let’s listen in on Ma and Pa during dinner.
Pa says, “Guess what the sheriff is gone and done, Ma?”
“He couldn’t do anything that would surprise me, Pa.”
“He’s gone and sued the county commissioners with our own money, that’s what.”
“What in carnation did he do that for, Pa?”
“Well, he wants to promote a deputy and give him a raise, and the commissioners are trying to save the taxpayers’ money. Now he wants another $1,200,000 for more pay raises and benefits, Ma.”
“I’m not surprised. When the sheriff ran for office he promised he would investigate all them burglaries, what the other sheriff weren’t doin’ cause he said he were broke. And he was gonna have a live person on the phone in off hours to take public calls, and he said he could do the job without an undersheriff. That was all a crock o’ pickle juice, Pa.”
“And, Ma, don’t forget, about the $23,000 the sheriff paid a feller to teach him to be an administrator, and the undersheriff he hired costs $80,000. Then the sheriff lost a $330, 000 lawsuit paid with county tax dollars and insurance funds. It all makes a person wonder what he’s gonna do next. Folks are gettin’ plenty riled up about the burglaries that aren’t being investigated, and the speedin’ on Redwood Highway.”
“Mercy me, Pa, and these are just the things we know about!”
“Pass the dog food, Ma, it’s time to make another property tax payment.”
John Taft
Josephine County, OR
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your recent article about the child taken by DHS, but placed in a dangerous situation anyway. My family is currently confronting a different sort of DHS nightmare, in which our daughter was removed from us because of some confusing allegations she made in some notes at school. Without any proof, documentation, evidence, etc., DHS concluded that my daughter had serious mental and emotional difficulties and that my wife and I were unable or unwilling to meet her needs. As of this time, we have not been allowed to see our daughter for three weeks! It seems like everything we say is being turned around.
I'll be happy to give you the full story if you think it will be useful. In the meantime, can you recommend any books or articles that might document other instances of DHS abuse? Thank you very much.
Editor’s Note: We will contact you via email within the next two weeks. We don’t have any recommendations apart from getting the facts out to the public.
It’s sad when a family is so afraid of a state agency that they are too afraid to sign their name to a letter. It’s worse when a state agency is allowed to steal children. We haven’t investigated this case yet, but will report in our next edition on the outcome of one…
The Club 71 Issue
Dear Editor,
Behavior proves point at unavoidable obscenity.
Along with many others who don’t want to see their neighborhood degraded, there are a lot of seniors, mothers and fathers protesting outside Club 71 for the best of reasons. The treatment of all these people (protestors) proves their point. Countless obscenities, indecencies, and foulness have been endured by these very decent people. These acts have been perpetrated by some of the patrons, some of the employees, and the owners of Club 71, Larry Lacey, et al.Club 71 is the unavoidable obscenity and it dominates the landscape in this small community. Its effect can only be detrimental to every other business and residence in the area. The community stopped patronizing Lacey’s tavern due to his mis-management and mistreatment of patrons and employees. In retaliation, he opened Club 71.
The dark, secluded area behind the building, including Lacey’s ex-KOA campground, (Soon to be nudist/sex resort? Why not?) are perfect for the common, illicit activities associated with these businesses. Questionable activities have already been observed.
Talk to the protestors. Hear what they are enduring in their neighborhood. Help end the absurdity. If you like this business (expensive porn/cheap sex) invite them to your neighborhood. I’m sure they’ll come.
Don Barret
Sunny Valley, OR
Dear US~Observer
Thank you so very much for your internet article on police officers Sean Valdez and Jeff Gaunt.
My husband and I have known for quite some time about Jeff Gaunt. You hit the nail right on the head when you inform the public how a few bad officers ruin the reputation of them all. Hopefully the good ones will see that the Observer is working for the good of the community and assist you when ever possible.
You have been magnificent regarding your coverage of the waste and abuses of Sheriff Dave Daniel. John Taft’s articles are a must read in our household.
To all who work so tenaciously at the Observer to produce so much truth and much needed information, you are in our prayers and thoughts often.
Carol and Bob Miller
Josephine County, Oregon
To the Editor:
Thank you for your stand against Club 71, the strip joint located at the entrance to our beautiful community. The articles by Ron Lee have been extremely in-depth about this vulgar, un-Godly hang out.
Our elected officials would be wise to do something about getting rid of this community eyesore and cancer. If they find themselves unable to after all that has been exposed about the club then I for one will get involved and find a way to get people into office that will.
Having closely followed this issue, both in the Observer and the Courier, I am curious as to why the churches in our county haven’t rose to the occasion. I sure remember when they rose up to protect a local judge who had deprived a person of a fair trial a few years back. The judge was wrong and the person is now in prison. The judge suffered a recall because of his corrupted actions and left office early. What’s this tell you about modern “churches?”
Again Observer, you are a true asset to our community. Thanks!
Jerry Ramirez
Grants Pass, Oregon
"Purple Heart" Responses:
To the Editor,
I never could figure out why, if Kerry was such a hero, he wanted to high tail it out of there in less than 2 months? Why not stand side by side and fight with the other troops who were risking their lives? That's what I envision a hero would do. Just imagine how many Purple Hearts he would have had if he'd stayed 6 months! OH MY! they couldn't produce them fast enough....
I wrote the White House and asked for the statistics regarding all other military personnel who had received 3 purple hearts in less than 2 months but they didn't reply.......oh well, I guess I'll just make up my own mind......
Bless your hearts for doing the story!
Carolyn Johnson
Los Angeles
To the Editor,I know what it is like to be in his position with the governments and being accused. They, local government and federal, took all we worked for.....hit with a $20 million lawsuit in 1978 for a sewer collapse we did not do.....were not even on the job (we are underground excavators) and the lies and threats ... However, back in August, I think of 2004, this same sewer and same section collapsed again, but we are down in Florida, 1200 Miles away......but no word of that in the Detroit News.
So, do all you can for Ted Peck.....all these politicians are about as necessary as lipstick on a hog.
Pat Claerhout
Florida
Dear Editor,Thank you for your report and your assistance to Tedd Peck. I trust that you certainly will give the opposition more "exposure than they are prepared for."
Tanya Peterson
Fresno, CA
To the Editor,Mr. Peck has the biggest reason for doing away with the IRS. No congressman should ever have power to put the IRS on anybody. Do away with the IRS and that will do away with the “Social Tierney” in our government. The IRS is the only agency that can hold-up the law. It’s the same as the definition for the German “SS” society.
Lawrence McLeroy
To the Editor,
Why has there not been an investigation into John Kerry's medals? He seemingly has made a mockery of two of our country's most prestigious medals: the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Many time the Purple Heart is awarded posthumously. Most often the recipient is incapacitated or has lost a limb! Why hasn't an investigation been mounted?
Ken Zwick
Ocala, Florida
A Real Purple Heart?
What goes around comes around! If this fellow is innocent of the crimes he is charged with he has nothing to fear, right, crybaby? Sources tell me this is another attempt to thwart justice by the Republicans, who will lie, cheat steal and slander to get what they want! Boo on ya!
Paul B.
Response to Paul B.:
Dear Paul:
What goes around does not always come around. Your right-on statement about Republicans lying stealing and cheating proves my point. Most of them never get caught.
As for Peck having nothing to fear if he is innocent, I would say he has everything to fear. 1,000 cases to date wherein the US~Observer (formerly US~Oregon Observer) has rescued innocent, but charged people proves this point.
It's reassuring that you see through the Republican facade, now you need to see through the Democrat facade and on and on. In self defense, I don't believe a crybaby would attack a crooked prosecutor and the corrupt people who set his actions in motion.
Thanks for the response and for your obvious awareness of at least part of the corruption surrounding us...
Best Regards
Edward Snook