In Response to, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." (10/26)
In my 82 years, I never thought this nation would tolerate a neo-Nazi-white-supremacist supporter (advocate) to be the leader of our nation. Yes I recognize those types of individuals are unfortunately still present but feel they are uneducated or haven't paid attention.
I was a young kid at the end of World War II but understood, somewhat, and soon learned the awful truths that caused those conflicts. Maybe we have forgotten what happened some 70 years ago when so many gave their life to defeat these ideals?
There are other current issues we are trying to deal with, climate change, human caused environmental degradation, economies and etc., but we must look back and hopefully not make mistakes twice.
Thanks for the article, keep on keepin' on.
— Ted Winchel
In Response to, "You, Too, Can Play a Role in Winter Snow Removal." (10/26)
Many things are improved by the addition of a little salt. This includes frozen streets in Bend.
— Paul Moriarty
Yes! Studs do more damage to roads. Get your car's undercarriage washed after they use salt.
— Susan Precht
As long as the City publishes which roads are salted, daily, so that I can avoid driving on them.
— Aaron Zielinski
Low sodium diet please! Have lived in numerous states where salt is used and cars rust out way before their time.
— Marleen McLennan
Limited salt. Bend has the most dangerous winter streets I have seen. There should be more plowing but also salt in extreme icy conditions.
— Carisa Battin
As The Holiday Season Approaches: To Be Or Not To Be Coerced Into Fundraising?
As the holiday season draws near, we have entered the season of, as I call it, "coercive fundraising." By this I mean, the experience we have all had—of arriving at the supermarket checkout and being asked in a loud voice—if we would like to "round up" for Doernbecher (Children's Hospital) or buy a coupon for holiday meal bucks or to buy a bag of holiday cheer for a local family in need or to add a few bucks to my credit card bill to support hurricane relief, local hunger, etc.
Here I am, surrounded by strangers, being asked to be a good person or, what? Say "no" and everyone else in line thinks I'm a selfish creep? Or cave in and agree to whatever, to avoid looking like a selfish creep to everyone else in line. Now, all of these causes are most likely worthwhile, but I do resent that I am being publicly—and often loudly—pressured to kick in for a cause to which, in many instances, I have already given money.
The problem I have with these programs is that I do not know where, or even if, my few cents gets to the people they benefit. Every year, we are cautioned, by such organizations as Charity Navigator, to be cautious about to whom we give money. There are lots of scams out there. And when I buy a bag of groceries for a local family in need, does the supermarket provide the groceries at wholesale or at retail? If the latter, the "coercive fundraising" to which I have just been subjected is as much to benefit the supermarket as it is to benefit the family in need.
Again, the problem is, I just don't know. There is no discussion that I know of on the effectiveness of these programs and any sort of oversight. It seems to me to be a question that some eager young reporter might pursue, since it is a situation that we all face every time we go to the supermarket. Maybe interview the managers of some supermarkets and talk with the corporations that own them? If anyone out there has concrete information on the above questions, please let us all know.
We all want to help those less fortunate, and at this time of year, even more. But I would like some reassurance that what we are asked to give, and the cumulatively large amount that we all are pressured to give, actually does go to help those who are deserving.
Thank you.
— Jim Mahoney
In Response to, "#Me Too" (10/26)
In the recent article by Annette Benedetti I noticed only one small reference—in parentheses—that acknowledges men as victims of sexual exploitation (and non binary). My hope is that their needs are equally addressed in any movement. I think it more pervasive than is recognized in society.
In my own small life experience, I know personally of a young boy and his three sisters being assaulted by their babysitter, three boys sexually abused by their uncle for years, four children in the place I grew up, two girls and two boys being repeatedly raped by their stepfather for years before any intervention by the law.
I feel encouraged by the growing acknowledgement of the issue of sexual exploitation and hope to see an inclusive approach identified for this ancient cultural issue.
And yes. Me too.
— Pat Homeyer
Letter of
the Week
Pat—Thanks for your courage and for raising a good point. The breadth of this issue continues to be staggering. Come on in for your gift card to Palate!
