A movie for the times
A few nights ago, I went to see the movie, “Pressure.” I like history. I have always found it interesting to compare and contrast the past with the present. I believe there is much to learn there. I have read about the landing of Normandy many times and have seen various movies relating to the subject.
I found “Pressure” to be a timely lesson and reminder of an exhibition of courage and moral fortitude in the face of great odds and evil. I looked at what they were all fighting for and against in that battle. They were fighting fascism, autocracy, oligarchy and totalitarianism.
They were fighting for democracy.
All involved sacrificed their lives, their loved one’s lives, their fortunes their safety for what Eisenhower called “The Great Crusade.” I admit, I cried. I could see how young so many were; how so many put their private lives on hold to fight the evil that would obliterate democracy from the world if given the chance.
I can hardly believe the bravery, and courage required to fight for democracy. I am sure many of us lost relatives in this Crusade. People sacrificing all for democracy. So here we are. I believe we are living in a time in our country where the threat to democracy is now an internal threat. A time when we have leaders who de-value democracy and follow money and power.
I ask of our citizens today, “How are you opposing this march toward democratic destruction? And if you are not, I say, “How Dare You!”
If you are not following these examples of bravery, you may as well be spitting on the graves of all the service members who lost their lives in “ The Great Crusade.”
I will stand with democracy. Where will you stand?
—Vikki Hickmann
Fix Our Forest Act is Fatally Flawed
We, the public, and our elected representatives are stewards of the land, its forests, and the critters that inhabit those precious places. I am writing in opposition to a bill with a very misleading title, the Fix Our Forest Act (H.R.471 /S.1462). FOFA has no limits on the types of trees logged (e.g., old growth, tree diameters). It would also allow logging projects up to 15 square miles in size. This extreme “thinning” practice will resemble clearcutting. Further, the bill proposes to reduce public input and oversight in the management direction for public lands (it also minimizes scientific input). Our Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley have expressed significant concerns with FOFA and should be thanked for their anticipated “NAY” votes. If the bill passes the Senate, it will go back to the House, and we must convince Rep. Janelle Bynum (CD5) and other Oregon congresspersons to vote “NAY.”
The Senate version is fatally flawed on oversight and legal recourse grounds as it severely restricts the ability of environmental groups, citizens, and other stakeholders from holding public lands management agencies accountable in court if they violate the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, or other safeguard measures. The bill will also severely limit judicial review and the ability of the public, organizations, and other stakeholders to file suits.
Egregiously, other plans are afoot to sell public lands. Fortunately, Senators Wyden and Merkley have introduced legislation, The Public Lands Integrity Act (S.4455), to prohibit the sale of these lands. Rep. Bynum and other Oregon congressmembers should be encouraged to submit a companion bill in the House. Rep. Cliff Bentz (CD2) has introduced legislation (H.R.7603, O&C Renewal Act of 2026) that will return clearcutting to public lands in western Oregon. The Administration is also repealing the Roadless Rule via H.R.7695 that will open millions of acres of Oregon roadless forests to the timber industry. The resulting increased access into wild places will promote human-ignited wildfires. Consequently, we ask our legislators to oppose HR.7603 and H.R.7695 and support the Roadless Rule Conservation Act (H.R.3930), a bill that will enshrine the Roadless Rule into law.
The media is distracted by Donald Trump’s insane plans to name buildings and currency after himself, paint the national reflecting pool, construct a victory-style arch on the mall, add a giant ballroom to the White House, promote MMA fights on the White House grounds, and threaten to take over Greenland. These are diversions created by this administration’s political architects to “flood the zone” causing us to lose focus on their plans to deconstruct institutions, disrupt the international system, arrest and deport our neighbors, deny science, and degrade the environment. We must not be fooled, and neither should our representatives. We must maintain our vigilance, engage with our legislators, and be stewards of our valuable institutions and our precious public lands.
—Roger Sabbadini, Ph.D.
Repealing the Roadless Rule won’t protect us from fires
The Roadless Rule protects 45 million acres of our wildest national forestlands, including 2 million acres in Oregon. It safeguards popular public lands like Tumalo Mountain and the headwaters of Tumalo Creek, the forests around Sparks and Hosmer Lakes, vast sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and the old-growth of Lookout Mountain in the Ochocos.
The Trump administration is repealing this popular policy for “wildfire safety and prevention.” But the science shows that removing protections for Roadless Areas would likely lead to more wildfires.
A new study found that less than 1% of U.S. fires since 2010 started in Roadless Areas. Instead, most fires–including the most deadly and costly ones–start near homes and communities, and in heavily roaded, logged and developed forests. Another recent study found that fires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless area. That’s because 85% of fires are human-caused, and more roads mean more humans.
“Wildfire safety” is just a charade. This isn’t about fire; it’s about selling out our public lands to private industries. The Roadless Rule is one of the most important policies we have in keeping our wild forests healthy and our communities safe.
Repealing the Roadless Rule would be devastating for fish and wildlife habitat, clean drinking water sources, outdoor recreation opportunities, local economies and community safety. Instead, we should permanently protect these wild forests through legislation like the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which Senators Wyden and Merkley and Rep. Bynum have all co-sponsored.
—Sami Godlove
Letter of the Week:
Most of us live in Central Oregon because nature is our cathedral. Sami, we stand with you. As Letter of the Week, you can stop by our office at NW Bond & Georgia for a gift card to Palate Coffee. —Managing Editor, Nic Moye
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