Owl strategy is mismanagement
The federal Fish and Wildlife agency has reached a new low by now recommending they start shooting the barred owl for fear of losing the more-dependent spotted owl species.
As a retired forest supervisor for Gifford Pinchot National Forest and having worked closely with this issue for some 25 years, I believe it has never been as much about forest management as it was about natural evolution. Yet through the years, renowned biologists and professors jumped to the conclusion that logging was to blame for the ever-decreasing population of spotted owls.
But today they have determined that in order to save one species, they must kill the other. What a breakthrough in scientific knowledge and wisdom. Should we call this “species discrimination”? Where does a strategy such as this ever end?
This is a prime example why the Endangered Species Act and National Forest Management Act must be modified to bring some sanity back to resource management.
Ted Stubblefield
Ridgefield
Get creative: sell bridge sponsorship
I’m wondering why nobody has thought of naming the Interstate 5 Bridge after some huge benefactor.
We have Qwest Field, Deady Hall and Villard Hall at the University of Oregon, Gillette Stadium, Invesco Field, Samuel Elmore Cannery, Pearson Air Museum, Tanner Armstong House … the list goes on and on.
Why not Oracle Bridge, Intel Bridge, Warren Buffett Bridge, or Bill and Melinda Gates Bridge? All it would take is a big sign on either end of the bridge and a few billion dollars or so in contributions.
Let’s get out of the box and build an impressive bridge. This is the gateway to Washington and Oregon.
Victor Dobyns
Vancouver
Much ado about little white flakes
Snow! How is it that one word can evoke so much anxiety and apprehension? The mere mention of the word commands news time and front page recognition.
What happened to our sense of adventure and courage? Did it drown in the Atlantic, freeze over the Rockies, or maybe dissolve into cyber space? Come on, get a grip. Certainly there are more important things that require our attention.
Nancy Gifford
Vancouver
More pressing issues than casino
The Columbian newspaper considers the Cowlitz Tribe’s casino one of the top stories. Congresswomen Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., wants to re-examine the Cowlitz Tribe’s building a casino on Interstate 5, even after Bureau of Indian Affairs approval. She didn’t make this issue a priority during her campaign; I suspect because this issue would cost her votes.
There are issues concerning our Social Security money that has been in the government’s general account, which our politicians have been dipping into since we started paying into it. Herrera Beutler should work on removing our money for Social Security out of that account. Our politicians like to give out our money, such as up to $1.5 billion to aid Egypt, and for what?
Secondly, look into the land trust fund for Native Americans; the Native Americans are entitled to this money, but there are serious problems with the accounting of these funds.
Herrera Beutler should remember “Liberty and justice for all,” and that she represents all the people in her district, even those in favor of this casino and the jobs it will bring.
Marlin G. Dunlap
Vancouver
Cut cost; move to unicameral system
I recommend introducing a statewide initiative to the voters for the Legislature to produce a referendum calling for a constitutional convention for an amendment with the sole purpose of changing from a bicameral (two house) to a unicameral (one house) system of the Legislature, much like what’s been proven to work for the state of Nebraska. Nebraska has 93 counties, as compared to 39 counties in Washington state. Nebraska has 49 members in its Legislature, as compared to 147 members in our Legislature.
The new Legislature would consist of two senators from the current 49 districts (98), or two senators from the 39 counties (78). The latter choice would allow each county equal say in all matters. Each senator would serve a six-year term, with one-third of its members up for election/re-election every two years to maintain continuity of business.
Under this system, better laws will be written and passed due to the fact that the voters would have greater understanding for whom they are electing to govern us. The two-house system allows its member to cast votes on bills they dislike, knowing the other house will negate their vote.
John A. Nyberg
VANCOUVER
Abortion is not a ‘right’
In a Feb. 5 letter, “Attitude narrow-minded,” Dan Andruss wrote “most educated, intelligent human beings on our planet agree that a woman’s right to choose is sacrosanct” regarding abortion. Would any intelligent person say abortion is “sacred?” No.
Many intelligent people know abortion is wrong by investigating the facts. Abortion is intentionally ending the life of a person, a baby — murder, in my opinion. In fact, about 75 percent of Americans support restrictions on abortion.
Other equally intelligent people have convinced themselves that it is OK to kill their own children or to encourage others to do the same. Some go on to “empower” women to kill their kids by calling it “a right.” Pro-abortion folks gloss over the truth of abortion with untrue, anti-science statements to rally ignorant individuals to their side. Besides ignorance, why else would anyone see sacrificing babies as a right?
For the sake of the 3,000 babies killed every day in the U.S. by abortion, I hope every intelligent person will become more than educated, and become civilized, and stop encouraging legalized murder, otherwise known as abortion.
Ruth Schilling
Vancouver
New approach to investing
The Feb. 16 Columbian story reported “Obama budget includes cash for I-5 bridge.” This generous commitment so impressed me that I feel its my patriotic duty to contribute to the new prosperity.
I see a new bank is opening across town that advertises free checking. Now I always wanted one of those like the politicians have. So I will get one of those from the Boondoggle Federal Savings Bank and join the generous crowd.
When I think of all the shovel-ready jobs that I can create, I am thrilled. Future generations will endear me. I would even be willing to donate my grandfather’s old shovel that he kept handy in the cow barn. One never knew when that old cow might feel the pangs of inspiration to spread the wealth around.
