Softball field at CHS still not ready to go

Who cares about the girls softball team at Corvallis High School?

That's the question a lot of parents and staff are asking about the girls softball fields.

As we met recently to discuss the season we were informed that the field that they've been "working on" for two years is still not finished and that the district has no urgency to get it finished in time for this season of softball.

The field the varsity will be using is behind the boys baseball field, tucked in a corner with one set of bleachers and a field that is less than desirable.

Take a look at the boys field and you'll notice that it's in tip top shape with plenty of bleachers for everyone.

Whenever the district can get around to "releasing" the new field to our girls would be very much appreciated.

Until then, it feels like we're forgotten and not important.

My daughter who lives and breathes softball has waited all year for this and to be put on the back burner by the school district is frustrating.

Lainey Dyer, Corvallis

Who's really to blame for mortgage crisis?

I think this information buried in the column by Froma Harrop ("Few cheer bail-out of subprime borrowers," March 5) bears repeating.

"Where the Bush administration deserves shame and blame is in its failure to regulate mortgage markets. Worse, it stopped states from using their own laws to stem the abuses.

"To protect aggressive lenders, the administration had an obscure federal agency, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, block predatory lending laws passed by the states. In other words the states were forbidden to protect borrowers."

All 50 state attorneys general and state banking superintendents fought this federal move.

This downturn in the economy from the collapsing mortgage markets reminds me of a similar need for a bailout 20 years ago. That one was caused by a sharp decrease in the federal regulations and oversight on savings and loan institution loans.

Should I blame the greed of those brilliant short-sighted people in high finance or should I blame their cronies in the Republican administration?

Louise Ferrell, Corvallis

Enterprise zone sets sustainability bar

Readers could easily have overlooked the two sentences deep in the Gazette-Times' March 11 report on the enterprise zone being proposed for the city and county.

But the concept mentioned in those sentences signals an innovation of profound importance.

It is not the usual technological innovation but a social innovation - creating sustainability standards that businesses would need to meet in order to get the zone's tax break.

That means businesses would have to contribute to the social and environmental well-being of our community as well as to our economic vitality.

This sustainability perspective also is innovative in purely economic terms. To my knowledge, no other enterprise zone in Oregon (and there are dozens) offers this forward-thinking theme.

It would brand Corvallis and Benton County as hotbeds of sustainable business. (Note that the Oregon Business Plan has identified sustainability as central to the state's economic development.)

The zone's unique approach would help create a cluster of complementary companies - and business experts tout clusters as a key to robust economic development.

A green enterprise zone would be part of the broad movement to build a sustainable economy that will provide prosperity for the long term rather than merely boost stock prices for the next quarter.

On March 10 the City Council gave the thumbs-up to the sustainability concept. I hope the County Commissioners do the same when they meet on March 18. Then we can move ahead with this pioneering effort.

Bob Devine, Corvallis

Another disgruntled Beaver grumbling?

With reference to Martin Mulford's letter ("UO athletic director's gift helps athletics," March 6) … "puulleeease" (as Mr. Mulford wrote) check your facts before you spout off.

Kilkenny's salary is not $1 million - and he and his wife are donating what salary they would have received to academics in order to show their support for the university academic community in addition to their working for athletics.

Please illustrate your literacy by doing research first before writing.

I am thinking that Mr. Mulford is just another disgruntled Beaver.

Patty Vitkus, Corvallis

How often must we pledge allegiance?

Regarding Pat Wray's column ("All should serve, appreciate country," March 7):

I agree with his main point of the value of national service, military or otherwise.

However, regarding the emphasis upon the Pledge of Allegiance, I have some questions. If we assume it is important for every citizen to pledge their allegiance to the flag of this nation, how often must this be done?

If more than once in a lifetime, are we not exhibiting distrust in one another? Personally, I am insulted if someone doubts my word.

Don't we want to raise people who say what they mean and mean what they say? If so, then are we undercutting that process by insisting upon constant repetition? When a witness is sworn in, once seems to be enough.

At what age should this recitation occur? If prior to adulthood, what are the legally binding consequences?

Why is our allegiance pledged to the flag rather than the Constitution? The former is like a uniform, the latter the agreements at the core of our national livelihood - hence like the sinews, if not the entire physiology of a functioning body (politic).

Why is our allegiance to a nation deemed more important than allegiance to divine principle or to the well-being of the planet which sustains our lives here?

James Paul Rodell, Corvallis

Obama not another Washington insider

Oregonians will have a choice to make in the primary election. Please join me in supporting Sen. Barack Obama for several reasons:

He is not a "Washington insider" where good laws go to die and good intentions are drowned by corporate lobbyists. None of his million-plus donors are from corporate lobbyists - this cannot be said for Clinton or McCain (whose campaign is run by and for lobbyists).

Sen. Obama is a unique motivational speaker, a leader. He helps build support for and encourages new thinking and is not content with the status quo. Obama bridges the divisions of the past 10-20 years. He has demonstrated with 27 state victories so far (vs. Clinton's 17) that he can bring in independent and marginalized voters as well as the average Democrat.

Republicans are gleeful to go after Sen. Clinton. Many see her as trying to re-fight the battles of the 1990s. Do we really want to re-live the Monica Lewinsky scandal?

Sen. Clinton has resorted to extremely dirty tactics, wallowing in mud and fear so much that it turns off many a potential Clinton supporter in the general election. Sen. Obama's message of new politics and hope is resonating with people of all stripes across America.

Last thing we need is a repeat of the past: Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton(?). Definition of insanity is when you keep trying the same thing over and over, yet expecting different results each time. It's time to stop this insanity. Let's try something new.

Daryl Monk, Corvallis

Middle East death tally tells stark story

Thanks to the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, for some perspective about the recent tragedies on all sides:

Since the beginning of the year, Israel caused the deaths of at least 238 Palestinians, 37 of them minors. During this same period, Palestinians caused the deaths of 14 Israelis, four of them minors.

In case anyone is curious about 2007, here are the numbers: Palestinians killed by Israelis: 384. Israelis killed by Palestinians: 13.

Valori George, Corvallis