Let's all pause to consider vantage point of turkeys

I commend D.J. Freeman for his courageous exposition of the truth about the Philomath turkeys. He did not attempt to sugarcoat this pivotal issue.

Freeman asks a thoughtful question: "If the turkeys had the power, would they have us trapped and relocated us?" It is rightly implied that they would never do such a barbaric thing. Turkeys are kind-hearted, thoughtful animals. They would likely just ask us to leave. I know I would, if I were a turkey.

The fact of the matter is, folks, we have invaded the turkeys' homeland and country with our sprawling cities, destroying a mighty culture and way of life. It was one in which liberty and justice were dispensed freely, not only to every creed and race, but to every species; one where the deer could eat rosebuds without fear of humans and the turkeys could do whatever turkeys do, and they could do it freely.

For those of you who are unhappy with this so-called "turkey invasion," allow me to offer an alternative:

Next time you awake to find turkeys holding a peaceful assembly on your lawn, stop and think about what it's like to be a turkey. How does it feel? You'll likely find that it feels something like being a carrot, or a turnip. Invite a few of them in and sit down with them. Explain how you feel, and then listen as they talk about their feelings. Seek to understand. You'll be surprised at the results.

Reid Demarest, Corvallis

History of Corvallis financial institutions not quite right

I enjoyed the article "Fire, finance burned into history of Corvallis," in the Saturday paper.

However, there was a point of history made that was slightly incorrect. The article stated that OSUFCU was the largest and oldest financial institution in Corvallis. I can not attest to whether or not they are the largest, but I do know that they are not the oldest.

Benton County Schools Credit Union was formed in 1952 and chartered in 1953 by local area school teachers to be their financial cooperative. The Credit Union has made the choice to remain true to this original charge by not opening its field of membership.

Benton County Schools Credit Union is a very successful financial institution that continues to proudly serve educational and public employees and their families, as it has for more than 55 years.

Joe Tofte, Corvallis

Bailout II: U.S. manufacturers of gas-guzzling vehicles

It's been overlooked, what with bank failures and all, but Congress just voted to bail out U.S. automakers with a $25 billion loan guarantee.

Bear in mind that these same automakers have for years been spending billions of dollars in advertising to convince Americans that big, gas-guzzling cars were cool, sexy, necessary and our birthright, while smaller fuel-efficient cars were effete, weak and hazardous to your health.

Remember the ad for Dodge Ram on Highway 99, heading into downtown? "A Big, Juicy, Cheeseburger In The Land Of Tofu"?

Vast amounts of money were also spent by the automakers for successful lobbying to prevent increases in fleet fuel efficiency standards, to prevent mandates for developing alternative fuel vehicles (technology that was - and is - available and being used by other countries, and even to kill more stringent emission standards for combating pollution and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

In short, U.S. automakers spent a pile of money to get exactly where they are - uncompetitive, saddled with unmovable inventory, behind the innovation curve and unprepared to change their business model. Now they insist taxpayers help them out.

The irony is that if members of Congress had found the courage to face down the industry's tantrums and threats and had implemented the above policies anyway, there might be no need for a bailout now. Remember this little story when you vote.

Prudent regulation can save both businesses and taxpayers a lot of money.

Ann Megowan, Corvallis

Wall Street deserves no sympathy for current woes

In his contribution to the "Bailout fails" article of Sept. 30, Gordon Charlop shows that the "disconnect" of which he speaks is not in Washington but on Wall Street.

His understanding of the actual role of government is skewed by his hubris.

Government is supposed to be the regulator of the market, not its savior. His comment that "Congress isn't willing to do its part" is a blatant example of the sense of privilege that has developed in the financial industry.

It is not the duty of the government to make good the loses from risky investments. He and his ilk have gotten away with market manipulations for far too long.

The people of this country are appalled at his sense of entitlement and the obscene amounts of money that they dispensed to themselves.

The Bush administration certainly deserves some of the blame for its lack of oversight (the laissez faire policies of the Republican Party), but that does not make the citizens of the U.S. liable for Charlop's mistakes.

The most efficient and fair way out of this morass of his making is probably the example set by Sweden in 1992, when they faced a similar situation.

Perhaps Charlop would like to review the New York Times article of Sept. 23, which outlined that plan.

Martin R. Mulford, Corvallis

Editor's note: Gordon Charlop, to whom the writer refers, is managing director with Rosenblatt Securities Inc., which describes itself as an agency-only institutional brokerage firm based in New York City. Charlop was quoted in a Sept. 30 front-page article, "Bailout fails; stocks drop."