‘Fort’ belongs in city’s name

‘Fort’ belongs in city’s name

In October 1843, John C. Fremont left Kit Carson in charge of the exploration group at The Dalles. He and a few others traveled down the Columbia River toward the location of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver, where they purchased needed supplies directly from Dr. John McLoughlin. On the way down the river, they were pleasantly surprised. The following is a direct quote from Fremont’s original report: “As we paddled rapidly down the river, we heard the noise of a saw mill at work on the right bank; and, letting our boat float quietly down, we listened with pleasure to the unusual sounds; and before midnight encamped on the bank of the river, about a mile above Fort Vancouver.”

Let’s go back to the truly original name of our region, Fort Vancouver.

John L. Stewart

Vancouver

Formulate new response methods

The Oct. 24 story “Flu cases felt in county’s hospitals,” regarding the H1N1 virus in Clark County, was an interesting read. I work in a health care facility in Oregon and we haven’t yet received our supply of H1N1 vaccines to give to patients. Even so, the CDC and other health departments, are doing a good job in the response to this “pandemic.” The case fatality rate for H1N1 is a little over 1 percent worldwide, while influenza virus H5N1, (avian flu) is 60 percent worldwide.

Although vaccine production hasn’t been as fast as we’d want, our hospitals and clinics are doing a great job on educating patients on how to lower their chances of contracting the seasonal and H1N1 flu. Physicians are doing a wonderful job in treating patients away from the ER and directing them to take care at home.

Our health systems are getting good response and preparation practice during this epidemic, which could help in the future for when something like H5N1 comes along in our part of the globe. I hope that our government and health departments can take what they’ve learned and formulate updated methods for response when another influenza pandemic occurs.

Ashley Grant

Vancouver

Profit motive drives innovation

Marshall Brain’s Oct. 29 column in the Columbian Life section, “Public option aims to lower health costs,” about government health care is short on logic. Among his points: Participation in public insurance would be voluntary; the system would cover everyone; like the U.S. Postal Service it would compete with private suppliers; it would operate at a lower cost and it would eliminate the need for profit.

If it’s voluntary, then why is there a proposed fine for those who don’t participate in any insurance? Participation by everyone will be required in order for the young to cover the costs for the elderly. As to operating at a lower cost or competing with private suppliers, which government-controlled function operates at an efficient or lower cost — Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security? Some project that all of these will be bankrupt. His point that FedEx and UPS are doing just fine alongside the Post Office is ridiculous. You are not required to use the post office instead of the overnight providers, and if you need to get something delivered overnight, you won’t choose the post office.

His final point of not needing to make a profit is the fundamental reason the public option won’t work. Without profit motive, there is no incentive to operate efficiently or be innovative.

E.A. “Gene” Foster

Vancouver

Numbers crunched to add up

A Nov. 1 story read, “Oregon’s $1.8B from stimulus saved 10,000 jobs.” That means U.S. taxpayers spent $180,000 per saved job in Oregon. However, the White House released numbers on Oct. 30 claiming 640,329 jobs nationwide created or saved at a cost of $160,000 per job. Why is Oregon so inept at creating jobs with taxpayer money?

When the White House numbers were questioned, they admitted there were major errors in the calculations in that some jobs were counted 2, 3 or 4 times. Why would Oregon be any different? The White House also labeled the news organization, which did a little (say it ain’t so) investigative reporting, as using “calculator abuse.”

It is now estimated that in fiscal year 2009, 47 percent of U.S. households will pay zero, nada, nothing in federal taxes. This number is growing. I know why they don’t care about the unsustainable spending at all levels of government — 47 percent of households are unaffected. What do you think will happen when over 50 percent of households/voters receive some kind of government assistance? The present small majority should find its voice before it’s too late.

Robert Smith

Vancouver

Obama pushing his agenda on public

Locked doors, closed doors, secret meetings, shutting out the minority party and trying to keep Fox News from participating in a White House media meeting. The game is on. This adolescent president and his foot soldiers are doing their moves one at a time, like a chess game.

What you are not seeing is that this new president’s ideology has a communist-red coating. Remember when Obama while campaigning said we will start from the bottom up? We haven’t reached the bottom yet, but we are headed down that slippery path fast. We are still printing money, and the dollar’s worth is in question.

Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is running the show in the White House while Obama is out campaigning all over the globe.

This president is in your face every day pushing his agenda. It reminds me of Fidel Castro when he took over Cuba. I wouldn’t mind if he was honest and started telling the people of this country what he is really planning. He and his White House comrades must have spent hours setting up this chess game of change and hope.

Freedom as we know it, our children will not experience. Wake up, America, before it’s too late.

Anita Sunde

Washougal

Church’s first priority should be itself

In response to Jerry Ross’ Nov. 3 letter, “Priests should redirect priorities,” Ross should understand that the Roman Catholic Church has covered up its own immoral behavior for years. The welfare of the priests and the collection basket will supersede any moral stance in faith.

Studies show nearly 40 percent of priests are dealing with homosexuality, many struggle to believe in the core doctrine of faith, and the archbishops continue to damage many of their own parishioners for financial gain.

In recent years, the liturgy is converting back to pompous Latin traditions while the Catholic Church is losing more youths than ever. As Catholics, we need to stop focusing so much on pro-life issues; before we can dictate to politicians and pro-choice Catholics, we first need clean out our own closet.

James William

Vancouver