Duck killing was a serious matter

Kudos to the Benton County District Attorney's Office for considering felony charges and psychiatric evaluations for five young men accused of torturing and killing a duck in Starker Arts Park ("Charges Weighed in Death of Corvalis Duck," Oct. 14). Animal abuse is a terrible crime, not only for the animal victims, but also because of the implications it holds for community safety.

It is well-established that people who abuse animals are more likely to engage in other criminal behavior, including violence against people. A recent study by the Chicago Police Department of animal abuse arrestees found "a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims."

The Chicago study found that of those arrested for animal cruelty, 86 percent had two or more past arrests; 70 percent had been arrested and charged with felonies; 70 percent had past narcotics arrests and 65 percent had been arrested and charged with battery crimes.

Additionally, 35 percent of the search warrants executed on suspicion of animal abuse resulted in the seizure of either narcotics or guns.

For these reasons, it is crucial that animal abuse be treated as the violent crime that it is, and duly punished. The safety of the animals and people in our communities depends on it.

Scott Beckstead, Oregon director, The Humane Society of the United States

Thompson a better choice for HD23

As I campaigned last spring for state representative, I received a solid message from Oregon voters: "Put an end to runaway spending, improve our infrastructure and require the same accountability of government in Oregon as we have in our private sector jobs."

Jim Thompson is the caliber of individual needed in the House to accomplish those directives. Jim has a "no-nonsense" attitude about legislative responsibility regarding budgets and the requirements to make all levels of state government transparent. Please join me in supporting Jim for House District 23 on Nov. 4.

Craig Pope, Monmouth

Senior Center rehab a boon to Corvallis

Corvallis is a small city widely known for its livability. A major part of that characteristic comes from services provided for all citizens of the town. Now we have the responsibility and need to improve and renovate three major areas that serve our senior citizens, our young people, and our amateur softball players at a minimal cost to each taxpayer, Bond Measure 02-65.

The Corvallis Senior Center provides an essential set of services for elderly citizens, and it is currently stretched beyond practical limits. All of us know someone who uses the Dial-A-Bus service, or who can live at home because Meals on Wheels makes sure they are adequately fed. The center provides exercise classes and social gatherings and international meetings for this segment of our population. More space is badly needed.

The city parks and playgrounds are all needing repair and renovation. Safety is a major concern. Repair of existing equipment and replacement of unsafe areas would make the playgrounds more attractive to young people. In this day and age, when we are bombarded with dire warnings about our children becoming obese and risking their lives for lack of exercise, we must provide them with safe areas to expend energy and build healthy lifestyles.

Vote yes for bond measure 02-65 for the health, safety and future of our city.

Lita J. Verts, Corvallis

Brown would do a good job for HD23

Jason Brown is running for the Oregon House of Representatives from District 23. He has excellent qualities to recommend him for the job. Jason is a fiscally responsible person, placing emphasis on making every dollar count. Whether it's for health care, independent businesses, job training or education for our children, Jason Brown will be there pushing for efficiency and accountability.

One of Jason's passions is fairness, and health care for all of us is a priority. For example we can save money in the long run and improve our quality of life by providing good preventative health care for everyone. Furthermore, he believes that health care should not be limited to crisis situations or to those fortunate enough to have health insurance, but should be available to all. Jason's opponent lobbied against the Oregon prescription drug plan that includes all Oregonians.

You can learn more about Jason at his Web site, www.brownforhouse.com.

We need Jason Brown in the Oregon House to help improve our area and state.

Nancy Orcutt, Corvallis

Westlund the best for state treasurer

During the next several weeks, Oregonians will elect a new treasurer. Our choice will send Oregon in one of two very different directions. The Democratic candidate, Ben Westlund, a senator from central Oregon, has a long record of fighting for investment in education, greater access to health care and fiscal responsibility. The Republican candidate, Allen Alley, has never held elected office, which makes it more difficult to ascertain his priorities.

However, Alley has said that the treasurer need not concern himself with state policy matters other than Oregon's investment strategy. A treasurer who ignores state policy might be acceptable if Oregon already had well-funded education, affordable health care, stable finances and broad-based prosperity. But given the current state of Oregon's financial affairs, we need leaders who will work on these problems rather than ignore them. Based upon Ben Westlund's experience and track record, I believe that he will fight to make absolutely certain that our state government has the right priorities.

Please join me in supporting Ben Westlund for Oregon State Treasurer.

Greg Lief, Corvallis

Rich like socialism when it's a bailout

For the last 25 years or so, many were duped by unscrupulous politicians and economic "experts" that wealth could be generated by keeping the government's hands off the market and that a high living standard could also be achieved through uncontrolled borrowing.

This doomed "economic philosophy" was introduced by Reagan and his cohorts and later, to some extent, adopted by Bill Clinton's Washington Consensus.

This flawed and foolish economic vision was designed to benefit the wealthy few who designed it and their corporate sponsors whose only aim was to maximize short-term profits at the expense of society as a whole.

The few of us who found this approach objectionable were unkindly labeled and our efforts to publicly express our views in the media were stifled. The irony of it all is that now that the bottom has fallen off, the champions of unfettered capitalism are crying for government intervention to save them from their own demise. Of course, they label the government bailout a "market stabilization measure"! Hello! Weren't these people the same who said "let the market forces decide"! In plain English, the Bush government "rescue package" is called nationalization!

To add insult to injury, Bush and company now want to handsomely reward bank executives by giving them $750 billion with practically no strings attached!

These same people also turned human health into a commodity. We all know now this shameful commercialization has produced an unaffordable health care system and contributed to the economy's sickness.

Mario E. Magaña, Corvallis