Obama’s picks thrill hawk conservatives

I felt this thrill go up my leg upon reading reports that President-elect Obama will keep Bush’s Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. I haven’t experienced that thrill too often in the past six months.

Combine this choice with the nominations of a pro-Israel, Iran-obliterating Secretary of State, a John McCain-supporting National Security Adviser, and an Iraq war-advocating Director of Homeland Security. One has to ask: Is this what the pacifists voted for? Evidently the Peacenik Palooza some of us expected has been cancelled due to lack of interest.

So tell me: Did Obama lie to the leftists in his constituency? I don’t think so. They were deceived by their own fantasies. They tilted at windmills. They blinkered themselves from the reality of a calculating establishment politician who has center-right leanings on national defense.

But I do wish Obama would have made his hawkish intentions clearer during the 2008 campaign. I would have voted for him. His 2012 re-election is in the bag if he keeps this up.

Gordon L. Shadle, Albany

Valet parking would help disabled people

Oregon Health & Science University, the Department of Human Services and The Arc hosted meetings to discuss fixable barriers frustrating people with disabilities trying to access health care in Corvallis. Transportation and parking were among the prioritized issues.

Many in the room were greatly appreciative customers of Corvallis’ kneeling public buses and Benton County’s Dial-A-Bus door-to-door service. Senior citizens and those with disabilities declare the demand for Dial-A-Bus is greater than the availability of rides. Dial-a-Bus uses volunteer drivers, so it may be you who solves this problem. Volunteer! Being a driver opens doors to healthier lives.

Without a mobility-limiting disability it may be hard to relate to the concerns of those who may legally park in the “Handicapped Parking” spaces. If you are the type who wants to do things right, not just “better than it once was,” then, you will listen carefully to the feedback and make changes.

Good Samaritan Health Services is doing just that! Signage and parking options are beginning to improve among their sprawling buildings. The use of valet parking is being explored. That reduces a myriad of safety and physical challenges with one brilliant idea. All of us coming for medical treatment have the potential for temporary disability and challenges created by parking at a distance, on a hill.

Thank Good Sam and let them know you like the valet idea; it may serve each of us at one time or another.

Karin Frederick, The Arc of Benton County, Corvallis

Gitmo ruling further exposes ‘charade’

Slowly but surely the War on Terror charade is being exposed for the fraud that it is. Five more labeled terrorists were released from the prison at Guantanimo Bay, Cuba, recently after a federal judge found no credible evidence of crimes against this country.

In another example of terrorism flops, the men charged with conspiracy to blow up airliners with liquid bombs were cleared as well. (The same liquid bomb plot that ushered in absurd airport restrictions on liquids and other liberty-robbing requirements.)

Why, then, are we still subjected to the fall out of “plots” which later turn out to be groundless and in some cases fabricated? These are not the only examples, but just the latest in a series of events which throw into question the agenda behind the “terror war.” The sentinel event, of course, was 9/11 and the conspirators are still at large. The U.S. has all but given up on (finding Osama) bin Laden, the CIA-backed boogey man blamed for 9/11. The CIA unit to catch bin Laden was shut down and the FBI does not list him as wanted for the crime of 9/11 because they have no evidence.

My guess: As long as the wolf still prowls, the sheep will still be scared and willing to voluntarily give up their rights and civil liberties. Just like the “war on drugs,” our government has managed once again to dupe the masses and push forward with their unconstitutional agendas. Reality is created to keep alive the dream.

Doug Huntley, Corvallis

What was up with the green in the G-T?

You just had to rub our noses in it, didn’t you? As disappointed as Beaver fans are in Corvallis, and throughout Beaver Nation, following the loss to the Ducks, our local paper has chosen to add insult to that injury by running a sports page header in GREEN!

Come on, people; this is Corvallis, home of the Beavers. Sure, there are many Duck fans around here (including a few in my immediate and extended family), but this is CORVALLIS, HOME OF THE BEAVERS!

I hope Beaver fans in Albany and Lebanon and Sweet Home, Philomath and other towns that the G-T serves are as miffed with you as I am. Really, was this necessary? We feel bad enough without your painting our hometown paper green. Dump the green paint, G-T. We’re suffering enough.

Dan Dunham, Corvallis

Editor’s note: We’re sorry. In hindsight, maybe bluish gray would have been a better choice.