Sometimes 'balancing' reporting yields distortion of climate crisis

Andreas Schmittner's Jan. 16 letter, "Global warming is real, and a matter of concern," wouldn't be necessary but not for the pernicious practice of the media, especially the electronic media, of "fairness." When there are two sides to an issue, they are treated as equals to be "fair." But if 99.9 percent are on one side and .1 percent on the other, equal is anything but fair, and is editorializing if not censorship.

Not all people in white coats are scientists. The only real objection to the finding of global warming is from industries that don't want to clean up. Their press releases are delivered by people in "white coats." Minorities have a right to be represented. However, the public needs to know the ratios, especially when global warming, for example, is supported by overwhelming evidence.

P.M. deLaubenfels, Corvallis

Put a camera at each intersection to raise revenue from tickets

Full funding for Oregon highways and free health coverage for all Oregonians paid in full. Here's how: Forget all of the hand-wringing over highway maintenance and health care in Oregon. Here is how to fully fund both by tomorrow:

Install those vehicle motion sensors at every stop sign in Oregon. Yep, every stop sign. The 50 or so in Philomath. The hundreds in Corvallis. The thousands in Portland. Every stop sign. Yep, even the one out there in Kings Valley, the one in Hoskins, the one in Heppner, and that one at Fort Rock; every stop sign.

As each stop sign is run (even a California "rolling" stop run), a picture of the driver and the car is transmitted to GPS satellites, along with all pertinent information about weather, time of day, speed, etc. that one sees on a traffic ticket.

A court is assigned, an invitation to attend is sent to the perpetrator, and the money just keeps on coming in. ORS revised statutes set the fine for running a stop sign at around $280. That times 12 hours a day. Well, you get the picture. And so does the traffic judge because it's the law. The money just keeps on coming in. If we put up the stop sign, then we should enforce it. It isn't a complicated directive. The sign has just one four-letter word on it. Enforce the law, or take the sign down. Collect the fine from the driver who runs the sign. Fix the roads and pay the hospital bills for everyone.

Don Vosberg, Philomath

Get it right about church and state and gay marriage debate

Regarding Robert Gourley's letter about a high wall between church and state, and Tom Johnston's letter about the term "marriage," I'd like to add a few facts only - not criticism.

First, there has never been a "wall" between church and state because Congress never has the power to legislate (establish) a religion.

Churches are private enterprises, like stores, clubs, etc., free to deal with or not without government interference. President Jefferson's words only scolded about throwing a "proverbial" wall between one church/state duo bent on keeping other churches away! The ensuing judges' endless hypotheses never changed the basic logic!

"Marriage" was referred to 55 times in the Bible from Genesis 19:14 (first book/earliest man, approximately 7000 BC) to Revelations 19:9 (last of 68 books, circa 95 AD). In all languages marriage means "the legal union of a man and woman," religious or not, liberal or conservative. Pagan ceremonies are hardly two-person legal unions.

The Bible was taken to Europe by the last disciples beginning around 47 AD and the Roman Catholic Church didn't come into existence until around 1462 AD. Archeology agrees with all of this history.

This, after all, is a free country that allows us to be individuals within the bounds of a free, safe and well-ordered society.

Just a thought: Why doesn't someone create a new special word for gay couples that will carry the same legal significance that marriage does?

Joan Wheeler, Corvallis

What we should do to celebrate Oregon's 150th birthday

I think that for Oregon's 150th birthday, there should be an environment day at school. Kids would have the opportunity to learn about the waters, forests and animals of Oregon. Each kid would receive a picture having related with Oregon's environment.

First, some kids haven't seen the beach. Oregon is famous for its beach. The inhabitants of Oregon should know about it. Oregon is famous for its rocky formations at its coast. Kids would like learning about them.

Many Oregonians work had to help our environment. Many fundraisers go on because people are trying to raise money to help wildlife. Lots of these fundraisers, people take their time to participate in. They go door to door, asking for donations and getting them, because people are willing to help the environment. Many people have dedicated themselves to studying the wildlife, so that they can find out what others, and themselves, can do to help.

Oregon makes an effort to recycle. In Oregon, the things that are recyclable get picked up at people's homes. In most states, you either drop off your recycling at some place, or don't recycle at all. In Oregon, you can recycle your cans and bottles for five cents. Oregonians pay so that we can recycle. Recycling helps our state's environment, and the world's also. By recycling, dumps fill up slower. We take accountability for taking care of our world. For these reasons, I think Oregon's 150th birthday should be celebrated by having an environment day at school.

Mikayla Crystal, 7th grade, age 12, Corvallis

Thief should bring back stolen old antlers and hunt his own

To the criminal jerk who stole the beautiful, old antlers off my hunting cabin on the Old Peak Road: Go hunt up your own, Wimp. Bring them back!

Richard Wendland, Philomath