Thieves ruined OSU homecoming game

I am an alumni of Oregon State University and having been participating in tailgating for more than nine years. We were able to leave coolers filled with food and drinks, games, barbecues and other items unattended while enjoying the game returning at halftime with our stuff left the way we left it.

Now you can’t even leave out anything without it being vandalized or stolen. Over the last few games this year we have had coolers stolen, but this last game against Arizona somebody went to far.

We had decided to attempt to protect our stuff from thieves by chaining our coolers, barbecue, propane tank and storage box together. Well not only did these “individuals” take all three coolers filled with over six cases of beer, but they took our propane tank and storage box filled with a tailgating game, lantern and other items, and they also had the nerve to take all of our food (chips, dip, tortillas, paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware). Why? I have no idea, but with our slowing economy we all know that money is tight and for an individual to steal all of those items has put us out over $600.

I hope this letter sends at a warning for all of you who tailgate to prevent this random act from happening to you, but also to send a warning out to those individuals who think that this is “funny,” guarantee we are watching for you and karma will seek you out.

Go Beavs and safe tailgating to all. Sign me a true “Beaver Believer.”

Katie Wetherford, Scio

Landlords have no control over tenants

Re: the article, “City targets owners to tame trouble tenants:”

The way I read this article is that the city is either not able or not willing to enforce the rules controlling unruly tenants and is directing property owners to do the job or be put out of business. The owners have no enforcement authority to cite, fine or imprison unruly people.

The only enforcement action they can take is eviction, complying all the while with the tenant’s rights regulations. Maybe a litigation-minded tenant will file a suit alleging that actions off the premises are not legitimate cause for eviction. Even if not, a 30-day notice to move out leaves plenty of time for an unruly person to make lots of mess, both on the property and off. Enforcing the law is not a property owner’s function. That responsibility lies with the police and courts. If they can’t do their job, how is an owner supposed to do it?

Cliff Heselton, Philomath

Nuclear power unavoidable answer

Is there a Gazette-Times reader who can explain to me how the USA will be supplied within all its energy needs without the massive use of clean, safe nuclear power plants?

By the way, there is no such thing as “clean coal.” It’s a lie, myth, falsehood, etc.

Hank Herdt, Corvallis

‘Bailout’ could have been better spent

The U.S. Congress recently granted George Bush $800 billion dollars to “bail out” the economy and many think this amount will end up being closer to $1 trillion dollars.

The first $250 billion was just given to some banks, in the hopes that this would restore “liquidity” to the market (that the banks would feel secure enough to resume loaning out their money for small businesses, home mortgages, auto purchases, etc.)

Instead, it turns out that the banks are using this money not to make loans, but to buy up other banks.

Henry Paulson, Bush’s Secretary of the Treasury, is supposedly “pleading” with the banks to make these desperately-needed loans — but because no mandates were in place when the money was given — only “hopes,” the banks are ignoring the “pleading” and just doing what makes them the most money.

Instead of giving it to the banks, this money could have been used to improve our country’s crumbling infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) creating thousands of jobs at the same time.

It could have been used to provide health care to millions of Americans — thereby preventing many Americans from losing their homes due to illness. It could have been used to invest in our future by helping young people to go to college.

How did it happen that right before our eyes, right under our noses, so much of our money was given away to the very same folks who caused our financial crises — with no rules in place to force them to use it for our benefit?

Jo-Ann Taylor, Corvallis

Wars were shorter when kings fought

In the Olde Tymes, the king led the army into war. These wars didn’t last so long.

Nowadays, our Fearless Leader, George W. Bush, has sat in the nice warm White House, or his private helicopter or plane, and let others do his dirty work, while the war goes on for years. This is progress?

Jane Sivetz, Corvallis

Why believe ugly rumors so easily?

Regarding the rumor that Barack Obama had organized riots for the day after the election, regardless of the outcome:

I just love it when people like Republican volunteer Jean Nelson say things like, “If the rumors are false, it has to be someone from the Democrats trying to harass.” (Oct. 30). What a great example of how rumors start and thoughtless people keep them going!

Why on earth would the Democrats benefit from starting a riot rumor? If there was a Guardsman, why hasn’t he been identified? Did he give his name, have a name tag, did anyone challenge his statements? No, I guess it was just easier to blame it on the Democrats. Baloney!

Rebecca Stillwell, Corvallis