Until it was revealed on national television, we haven’t had a number for it. It’s 30!

In an attempt for show how concerned with possible civilian causalities it is when conducting air strikes against Al-Qaeda, the Army just recently revealed its method of determining whether a proposed air strike is “go” or “no-go.” After studying the situation from aerial photos and on-the-ground intelligence, sometimes weeks in advance, it is determined that the air strike is authorized.

Now some, I imagine, will regard this information as evidence of extreme care we take with every proposed air strike. We even have a rule, in this case a ratio 30:1, to keep civilian causalities to a minimum.

But I’m interested in how the army came up with the number 30. Only once before, I recall, we have as a people rendered a person’s value numerically. I’m thinking of Article 1, Sect 2, Par. 3 of the U.S. constitution, which states that for the purposed taxation and representation, each negro slave was worth exactly “three-fifths of other persons.” And this was nullified by the 13th and 14th Amendments. Yet we have a situation on Iraq today where each “good” Iraqi civilian is worth one-thirtieth of a “bad” terrorist, or 30:1

If I read my Bible correctly, the ratio there is 1:1. In the very first chapter of the very first book, it says that all of us were created in God’s own image and likeness (Gen. 1:26). I was taught that this means that each of us is loved equally by God, and in God’s eyes we all have equal value — whether we are we are the “good” guys or the “bad” guys.

But evidently the army has decided differently. Does this tell us something about where we find ourselves in the world today?

Avoiding ‘agricide’

Every once in a while I pass signs in farm fields that say something along the lines of “When the American farmer is gone, who will feed you?”

For a long time I thought these were just self-pitying pleas for more commerce and that the underlying message was to buy more local fruit. The same farms’ recent postings of Stop 49 signs made it clear that these are in fact warnings that meant the farmer with the sign is about to commit “agricide,“ or farm suicide, by forever removing from the land its ability to produce food.

I thank the farmers who intend to reduce the agricultural resource lands of our nation for their warnings. It is these warnings and others that gave Oregonians the wake-up call they needed to pass much needed land use reform legislation. Even people against the measure will now find that by coupling development “rights” with the land instead of with the owner, banks will lend to them and their smaller developments will be able to happen.

These smaller developments will provide enough money that farmers who feel economically trapped will be able to sell out or retire or pay back debts or just have more families live on their land without forcing the nation to buy (lower priced) imported fruit (which is possible thanks to NAFTA, big oil subsidies, migrant labor limits, and countless other far right wing programs). Thank you, voters, for protecting Oregon from agricide.

‘Eden’ is excellent

The HRVHS Performing Arts Department opened its production of Children of Eden this weekend, it was fabulous.

This two-act musical, loosely based on the Book of Genesis, is inspirational and beautifully directed by Mark Steighner.

It was so easy to relate to the conflict of the parent/child relationship and the complexity of giving them love as well as free will. Support our high school performing arts program AND have a great time! The leads and ensemble give fabulous, heart-felt performances. (Performances continue this weekend at the high school, 7 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 16, 17 with matinee performances at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17). Tickets are available at Waucoma Bookstore and at the door.

Tsuruta says thanks

This is a thank you letter for the host families who hosted students from Tsuruta High School during their four-day visit to Hood River. We came back to Tsuruta safe and sound on Nov. 3.

The students are still excited about their good memories they shared with their host families, talking and showing pictures to each other. They really had a good experience in Hood River since this was the first visit to the States for all of them.

I especially thank the host families for their warm hospitality and patience to the students who could not express themselves well in English. I myself had a good time in Hood River as people I met there were all kind and its nature is very beautiful. I left my heart in Hood River.

Thanks for the bus

Thank you, Columbia Area Transit (CAT), for expanding transportation services to and from The Dalles (and soon to Portland). This is a great step in the direction of community, individual and auto independence. It’s a win-win for all. Now, let’s get out there and ride the bus.