Posted: Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:00 am
In the April 16 issue of the OSU Barometer, there was an article about a poverty simulation program hosted by OSU Extension Services for several Greek chapters, so they could experience the lifestyles of homelessness. I don't think it took, evidenced by the comments of those who attended.
One complained about the placement of a homeless shelter (too near sororities). The most bothersome comment was by a young man: "However, the situation in Corvallis is different. (Homeless people) have come into our house before, and we've found them going through our Dumpster. It's not acceptable. The characters in the poverty simulation were putting forth effort to change their situation, but we've all seen the local bums, and they aren't doing anything to change their position."
And just what makes the Greek community expert in how people are trying to improve their position? What's is so valuable in those Dumpsters to it make some Greeks think it's OK to fire guns at the homeless, who are trying to get enough bottles to buy some essentials?
If the Greek members are serious about helping the homeless in response to the shooting, maybe they should try fund raising for Circle of Hope. Many homeless people go there to socialize, for help with job searches and transportation to job sites. It might make more of a difference than the simulated homelessness program, which didn't appear to make an impression.
And don't get me started on the sentencing of the young man protecting his garbage Dumpster!
Pauline McGinty
Philomath
School board candidate Schuster best for the job
I strongly endorse Anne Schuster for position 3 on the Corvallis School Board. Anne has a 13-year history of volunteerism in the school district, at the classroom, school and district levels. She has headed parent-teacher groups at three different schools serving all K-12 grades, and she started the district-wide PTA/PTO leadership meetings to facilitate communication among all the schools in the district. She served on the district's equity committee and was appointed to the school board last August.
Anne has been recognized for her commitment and leadership by the school district (the first Stellar Service award given to a parent), the Benton County Commission on Children and Families and also was recognized as one of 100 national school district leaders by the Education Commission of the States.
My family experienced first-hand her commitment to K-12 students when, 25 years ago as a graduate student, she mentored my husband (then a high school student) while he was working in her lab in a science enrichment program.
There are four school board positions up for election on May 15. Each citizen votes for all four positions, and each board member represents the entire Corvallis School District.
I urge everyone to attend the school board candidate forums in the upcoming weeks to learn more about all the candidates. I do not believe you will find another candidate with the breadth and depth of experience - and commitment to our kids and to quality education - as Anne Schuster.
Payton James-Amberg
Corvallis
If roles had been reversed, sentence would be longer
For the sake of discussion, let's reverse the roles of participants in Judge David Connell's Circuit Court this past week. Suppose we have a homeless man with a gun, shooting a fraternity boy for no particular reason except he exists and happened to pass through his line of vision. Do any of us believe that the homeless man would receive only 150 DAYS in jail, community service, and supervised probation as the fraternity boy did? This sentence is frightening and the consequences - or lack thereof - affect the entire community.
In Corvallis we live with several thousand students in late or immediately post-adolescence; most away from parental supervision for the first time in their lives. Many are decent, reasonable people. Unfortunately, we are often exposed to a less savory side of male adolescent behavior, and frequently this occurs with those in the "Greek" system.
The University refuses to exercise any control over these young people, wherever they reside; although by definition that's why students are here. Worryingly, more students are moving into family neighborhoods, bringing all the foibles of unsupervised adolescents, including guns, next door.
Josh Grimes in Corvallis picked up a gun, pointed it at another human being and pulled the trigger. This same week, at Virginia Tech, a young man took a gun and shot dozens of people. It appears that the adults involved abdicated responsibility - which is exactly what the adults at OSU and in Corvallis are doing.
Terry Weiss
Corvallis
Virginia Tech-level violence is commonplace elsewhere
As a longtime advocate of strict gun control, I, too, abhor the senseless events that occurred at Virginia Tech. I would like to remind my fellow readers that people in many parts of the world endure this kind of random violence on a daily basis and are "simply at the wrong place at the wrong time."
Angela Carlson
Corvallis
Where conspiracy over global warming really lies
Joseph West's April 11 letter, "Scientists get paid for scary theories," would be laughable if not for the fact that he appears to be serious.
He exposes his ignorance of how scientific research is funded when he suggests that the overwhelming consensus among scientists about global warming is a bandwagon conspiracy to assure big research grants.
Having written research proposals for nearly 30 years, I can assure Mr. West that nothing could be further from the truth. The proposals that are most successful are the ones that are unique. Any scientist able to do credible research refuting the overwhelming consensus that global warming is real and that humans are the major contributors would have an easy time getting funding.
Those who compete with everyone else for the limited federal funds available for research to produce yet another piece of evidence validating the consensus view get ever-decreasing dollar amounts in their grants.
The overwhelming majority of climate researchers that are providing more evidence every day of the reality of global warming have no ulterior motive. The same cannot be said of the skeptics.
The fact is that the tiny number of researchers who argue against the mainstream point of view have no trouble getting funding. The pseudo-science of their fringe view cannot survive peer review, but they are inundated with funding from the energy industry. That's where the real conspiracy lies.
Dudley Chelton
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
Corrigan would be frugal, smart on school board
I am writing in support of Lisa Corrigan for Corvallis School Board. Lisa is bright, articulate and committed to public education. She will bring boundless energy and commitment to the position. Lisa is also a great listener and problem-solver.
Lisa won't be coming to her friends and supporters asking for money to pay for newspaper advertisements, lawn signs and other costs normally associated with school board elections because she is running uncontested for the sixth position. Instead, she is encouraging voters to make a contribution to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation and to remember to submit their ballots for the May 15 election.
Please join me in contributing to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation and in voting for Lisa Corrigan for Corvallis School Board.
Steve Kunke
Corvallis
Bloodshed in Iraq continues to surge as death toll mounts
While Americans enjoyed the Easter weekend, 10 young U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq, most blown up by improvised explosive devices. Five were killed on Easter Sunday.
In March, 428 soldiers were wounded and 81 killed. As of April 17, 65 U.S. soldiers have been killed. For further statistics, see the Web sites defenselink.mil/releases/ and icausualties.org.
Ann Gaidos-Morgan
Corvallis
Let cartoonist's death signal the end of 'B.C.' comic strip
The death of Johnny Hart would be a good time to get rid of that so-called comic strip, "B.C".
The content has varied between obnoxious and downright offensive, and if you keep it, it should be moved to the religion page. Apparently the family plans to recycle old strips. Once around is more than enough.
Irving E. Dayton
Corvallis