U.S. military spreads, protects freedom

The men and women in military service who are the heart and soul of America liberated the people of a foreign country from the tyranny of a brutal dictator.

The American mission to sow the seeds of democracy in this world is a noble but dangerous undertaking.

Those people who oppose freedom, justice and equality will not relinquish their power and privilege without a struggle. They will trample underfoot the seeds of democracy at every opportunity.

However, with the passage of time, freedom, justice and equality when nurtured in the sacrificial soil of courage and hope will take root in the hearts and minds of the people. The seeds of democracy will flower and bear fruit when the time is ripe for change. Humanity worldwide will reap the blessings of freedom, justice and equality in peace. God bless America.

Riley King, Corvallis

Yes, there will be ‘Obama Bashers’

As I read Larry Daley’s letter of Nov. 5, “What abuses will Obama bring?” my first response was outrage that he could disrupt my euphoria by saying the things that he said about MY candidate the day after the election.

However, after some reflection, I came to realize that his letter is an excellent reminder that “change” is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

In American politics, there will never be unanimous agreement on anything, and this is the beauty of the American political system. No political ideology lasts forever, and with each change, the country adjusts its course on the journey towards achieving the ideals that we as Americans strive for.

We have seen some of the worst extremism and negativity on both sides during the recent campaign, not only in the presidential election but at state and local levels as well. This letter reminds us that there will continue to be differences among us in the future.

There will surely be “Obama Bashers” just as there have been “Bush Bashers,” and in the long run, there will always be those on either side who will think that their side could have done better.

We are presently coming out of a period during which American politics has polarized people more than we have seen since the 1960’s. I hope that one of the “changes” that we see during the next presidential term will be a realization that we are all collectively responsible for the success of the “American dream.”

Steve Simon, Corvallis

Nuisance property ordinance overdue

As a resident and landlord of an area that feels the impact of short-term renters, I am thrilled that the city is working on legislation that will hold landlords accountable for their properties. At this point, there were 25 locations with 20 or more violations of city code in the first six months of 2008. This is a huge waste of time and money for the city!

The proposal is clear: Landlords who do not maintain their properties may be fined. This in no way impacts the majority of landlords, who do maintain their investments, as all owners of property have total control over the condition of said property. It is, instead, one more small piece in a puzzle designed to control houses that have wet couches, broken bottles and red cups, firepits and cars in the front yard, tagged recycling bins, overflowing trash piles, peeling paint, broken windows, cracked foundations and large loud parties that often accompany property that has little to lose.

The proposal kicks in after the city has warned and fined the tenants several times, thus targeting houses that are constant problems.

I applaud the city’s efforts in this matter and believe that it is a good start to addressing the problems that my neighborhood is facing.

Charlyn Ellis, Corvallis

Take care with use of that word, ‘slave’

Gordon Shadle’s Nov. 7 letter is incorrect in arguing, “the essence of slavery is forcing a person to serve the purpose of another.”

Reducing the impact of the term slavery — a word with a clear definition — by speaking of its “essence” allows Mr. Shadle to treat a very different and equally clear concept, taxation, as partaking of that same essence.

To be a slave is to be chattel: a piece of personal property. Slaves have no rights to any part of their labor. Slaves have no parental rights. Slaves can be bought, sold and inherited.

Taxation is the requirement for citizens to relinquish property for use by a state. Through taxes states enact policies with which (democracy being what it is) citizens may at one time or another and to greater or lesser degrees disagree.

But democracy being what it is, policies change and taxes vary. If a person claims citizenship, then she or he pays taxes.

If citizens do not like the tax rates or the services they provide, then they work to change policy through their rights as citizens. Slaves do not have those rights.

President Thomas Jefferson, who penned the words “All men are created equal,” owned slaves. That is a tragic irony. Contrary to Mr. Shadle’s position, that President-elect Barack Obama seeks to fund social policy through taxation is no tragic irony. Citizens who disagree with his initiatives should work to change them. An inflamed, incorrect comparison of taxation to slavery won’t get that job done.

Robert Iltis, Philomath

RFK Jr. would make great chief of EPA

As an environmental science teacher of 28 years, I pray and hope that President-elect Obama selects Robert Kennedy Jr. as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. This would clearly send the message that his new administration is serious about solving the major environmental problems of our nation. We have suffered through the environmental malaise of Presidents Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II. Many promises were made, with few results.

President-elect Obama will be barraged by calls to be a “centrist” or don’t move to the “left.” He must redraw the “center” on environmental issues, doing what is right, not what is pragmatic or politically expedient.

He must not repeat the strategic move by President Clinton to move far to the right on environmental issues. (If anyone took a position to the left of Clinton, they were “environmental radicals.”) Climate change, species loss, water/soil contamination all need to be addressed by serious people, and Robert Kennedy Jr. is the right person to head the EPA!

John F. Borowski, Philomath