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Read for community
I want to thank the Hood River News for the fine article on Sharon
Wood Wortman’s and my forthcoming reading at Wy’east Book Shoppe in
Welches on Aug. 4.
The reading is important in being a step toward greater cultural
interaction among persons on “both sides of the mountain” here in the
Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge community/ies. Sharon leads
Portland’s “bridge walks” and works in many other ways — such as this
reading — to create bridges among people.
I would urge anyone who enjoys poetry to come to this reading (if you
like, bring a poem to read after the featured poets).
And again, thanks to the Hood River News for featuring this literary
event.
Best regards,
Paula Friedman
Parkdale
Freedom’s price
I recently saw a lawn sign which said, “2,500 U.S. Soldiers Dead.
For What?”
Our soldiers died so that oppressed people might be set free to
experience the freedom that we enjoy, and that their oppressors
might be brought to trial for their unlawful acts which not only
violate their unalienable rights, but also threaten our freedom.
Our ancestors were in bondage to the British. During the
revolutionary war, they were willing to shed their own blood, and
give their very lives to gain freedom for themselves and their
posterity. Because of their sacrifice, we today have the freedoms
that we enjoy.
There will always be those who would like to strip us of our
freedoms. There will always be those who, if given a chance, will
steal, kill, and destroy for their own personal gain.
Our history books tell of them; our prisons are full of them.
Every time that I hear of a police officer dying in the line of
duty, it reminds me of our need to protect the freedoms that we
enjoy. Our society would be in chaos if we had no police, or if
they were not willing to lay their lives on the line every day.
The very same is true of the military. Our men and women in
uniform often pay the ultimate price so that our freedom is
protected, and so that others whose lives are in chaos through
oppression, might someday be able to experience the freedom that
some of us cherish, and some simply take for granted.
One of those 2,500 dead soldiers was my nephew, Jacob. He now
rests at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. I know the pain
of losing a loved one, yet I am proud of the sacrifice that Jacob
made for his country, and for those who are oppressed. Freedom is
never free.
Even if the Iraqi people never experience the freedoms that we
have, those 2,500 soldiers will not have died in vain. The real
tragedy would be if we were so apathetic, that we never tried to
help them gain their freedom.
I am free today because someone loved me enough to die for me.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends. Our greatest expression of love is when we can see
the oppressed as our friends, and are willing to lay down our
lives for them.
Gary Simpson
Lt. U.S. Navy Retired
Hood River
Time out, Mr. Bush
I think President Bush must reference a different version of the
Bible than the one I have at home and have studied all my life. In
my version, the New Testament heralds a complete paradigm change
in the relationship between God and humanity. The doctrine of
Grace replaces all other forms of ritual sacrifice.
From his prohibitive opinions on stem cell research, to his
current complacency on the events in the Middle East, I’m amazed
by the strength of the blinders the president has on.
It seems like he has chosen the Book of Revelation as a textbook
for his goals in the Middle East.
Is he putting his fingers in his ears, squeezing his eyes shut,
and yelling like a 4-year-old who doesn’t want to hear what the
rest of us are saying?
Shame on you, Mr. Bush, and shame on us for not dealing you the
“time out” you deserve!
Amy Williams
Hood River
Simple goodness
I am a farmer and an organizer of the new Gorge Grown Farmers’
Market.
Here in the Columbia Gorge the majority of our agricultural land
is used for growing commodities, the prices of which are dictated
by global markets. In such a fertile area with such a variety of
terrain and climate, farm ground in the Gorge can grow many, many
things very well.
Shipping commodities around the globe has become more costly due
to higher fuel prices and less profitable because of increased
competition from global markets. Small and mid-sized farms don’t
stand a chance in the commodities market.
Smaller-scale farms have to diversify to make their businesses
pencil out.
One of the essential ingredients in a marketing mix for a small
farmer is selling direct to consumers at prices that reflect the
real cost of production.
When people shop at the new Gorge Grown Farmers’ Market they are
getting the freshest produce, flowers, herbs, bread and natural
beef around. But they are also supporting local farmers, driving
the local economy, saving the fuel farmers would otherwise use to
transport their products to larger urban areas.
Up to 500 people show up on Thursdays to look over the varied
bounty of the region. Buy food direct from a farmer. It’s good for
your health. It’s good for our economy. It’s a chance to bump into
your neighbor.
It’s that simple.
Gorge Grown Farmers’ Markets take farmers a step away from
wholesalers, toward consumers and profitability.
Sue Davis
Underwood, Wash.
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