Dams to truth

We live in a unique community, one where we can choose how to take the dam of traditional ignorance down. The Condit Dam situation mirrors a deeper human reality. The dam staying in place or coming out is irrelevant; what is important is our relationships through the process.

If we choose to take the dam down, should we blast a huge hole in it, walk away and call it good? Or should we take it down carefully, examining each chunk of concrete as if it were another facet of the relationships that put the dam in place to begin with? It is our own history.

The newly formed Hood River delta would probably not be there if the Columbia River were still a free-flowing river. In last winter’s flood event, the silt entering the Columbia would have been washed downstream and dispersed naturally. There is talk of dredging the delta. Would we choose to be so short-sighted that we remove a dam on one river to return it to a natural state and dredge away what is naturally placed on another river? (Naturally placed, that is, because of other dams we have built downriver.) Will we ever stop trying to bend the laws of nature for our own short-lived pleasures?

We here in the Gorge live in paradise and we know it. More are coming every day. Should we build a shelter for the homeless and tired yet to come? Should we start by extending a helping hand, rather than waiting for the hand in need to reach out? What could we use a homeless shelter for if there were no homeless? Children’s games? Community events? We could eliminate the very idea of homelessness from people’s minds.

We have in our power to create a new cultural reality. Consider the life-defining challenges we are presented with right now in our own communities — the influx of people, Condit Dam, the Hood River delta. Truth seekers and salmon will come; do we choose to enjoy the flow or build a wall to keep it out?

Holding our seeking selves back is like building a dam on the river of life, and eventually all dams fail of their own making. Sediment builds at the foot of the dam, and like truth, one day overcomes it. Many dams are already in place, though, and like a blocked artery, we should use care and respect in removing them.

Waterways are our own veins; a healthy flow and the occasional flood washes away debris and cleanses our bodies. A dam would restrain the free flow of our own hearts.

We have green trees, salmon, and wealth here; how do we choose to express who we are?

Take a slow drive

Perhaps we would all do well to take a slow drive past our local middle school and observe the wonderful energy and aliveness of our young students. Then recall that many of the Americans killing and dying in Iraq were in middle school when we chose to initiate that war.

Do we really want to continue this occupation and eventually send our present middle school children off to a war that they did not choose and that the majority of Americans do not agree with? Let’s not surrender our youth to the mistakes of their elders. Honor the dead; heal the wounded; end the war.

Learn, respect law

L. Torres Guzman, presuming that you are an adult and know the difference between citizenship and legal residency, you are either ignorant of citizenship law or deliberately had misinformation printed in the Hood River News on May 18, 2007. It is not possible under U.S. law and Mexican law to hold dual citizenship after adulthood. The age of election differs but must be declared.

I, too, wander about Mexico and the U.S. freely speaking both Spanish and English. I am respected in Mexican circles as a “Gavacho” who speaks Spanish, knows and respects the Mexican culture.

Perhaps you should not brag too loudly while in certain company about having abandoned your Mexican citizenship and heritage in favor of that of the U.S. Mexicans can be sensitive about this and especially so after having eaten the Sotol worm.

Support Classic

The 2007 Mt. Hood Cycling Classic is nearly upon us and once again I want to thank the wonderful community of Hood River for sharing their roads and patience, and in some cases even opening their homes. We have over 500 riders coming in from 37 states and eight countries plus hundreds of support staff, friends and families.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of this exciting event that has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy and raised Hood River’s profile on the national cycling scene. We couldn’t do it without the cooperation of countless businesses and agencies, and of course the support of the people of Hood River County and our many, many volunteers.

We have two events this year to which I would like to extend a special invitation: First, the Embarq Kids’ Race, held this year at Hood River Valley High School on Friday, June 1, at 5:30 p.m., and second, the Cramer Mortgage Downtown Criterium, this year to be held on Sunday, June 3. Category racing begins at 10 a.m. with the Pro Men hitting the street (not literally, I hope!) at 2 p.m.

Those of you who have seen this fast, NASCAR-style event know how exciting it is. If you haven’t seen 150 lycra-clad speed demons screaming around the corners around Full Sail Brewing, you’ve missed some truly amazing athletic feats. Last year we had nearly 2,000 spectators and we’d love to have you join us and give the racers a thunderous Hood River experience as they drag up the front straight.

Thanks again for all of your support through the past five years and we look forward to seeing you this year!

Press helps claim

I want to thank you for publishing my previous letter regarding my father-in-law, Lyle Dillenbeck. The VA is reconsidering his claim and we are reasonably assured it will be approved this time. The federal government does not like the negative press it has been receiving regarding mistreatment of veterans. I believe your publication of my letter has been instrumental in expediting his well-deserved assisted living subsidy and I am grateful.

Railroad fence ugly

Planning a scenic drive this summer along the beautiful Gorge? You may be shocked to see a seriously ugly, shiny metal chain link fence the railroad has erected next to Highway 14 west of the White Salmon River along the Underwood riverfront. This new fence is located in a key viewing area of the National Scenic Area.

Who approved this new fence? Where is the Columbia River Gorge Commission and Friends of the Gorge when you need them? Why are homeowners held to such high standards (screening trees, limited house colors, nothing that reflects light, minimum impact on Gorge views) while in the most visible viewing area an ugly, shiny fence is erected?

The railroad should be forced to remove the fence. If a fence is required for safety then it too should be visibly pleasing and held to the same high standards as Gorge-area homeowners.