Letters to the Editor: COVID-19, emergency powers and Proud Boys – Statesman Journal

What kind of world are we leaving for future generations?

Children need all the love, guidance, protection and education from their families and community as we navigate our changing world.

Children are dependent on adults to responsibly make decisions safeguarding their health and safety. That meansholding leaders accountable for their actions and making sure our children grow up in a healthy, non-toxic environment, with breathable air, clean drinking water and safe schools with resources available to promote their well-being as they develop.

Todays children witness violence, see and experience Earth ravaged by extreme weather and are enduring a virulent pandemic. Children have become pawns in political division as they watch adults verbally and physically attack each other with every passing day.

Are these the images and messages we want our children to witness? Are we adults doing everything we possibly can to give our children security and safekeeping for their future?

For so many children, their pure joy and innocence has been thwarted during this pandemic, and they bravely wear their badges of courage wherever they are. They have become the mature, forward-thinking adults in our society.

Sadly, their sweet bodies are now filling hospital beds. We have failed our children. They have become the victims of our self-righteous, uncivil selfishness. I hope someday they forgive us.

Debra Randolph, Salem

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Stop signs and traffic lights protectme and other drivers, pedestrians of all ages and our pets.Stop signs and lights are for all drivers and pedestrians alike, no exceptions.We developed them to help ensure the safety of all.

Ignoring traffic signs and lights is an option.But why would you choose to risk your own safety and the safety of others?

That question comes to mind when thinking about people who chose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine.We have enough data to know the vaccine protects the vast majority of recipients from hospitalizations and death.The vaccine curtails the development of new variants; that is so important because these variants fuel the pandemic, killing or rendering unvaccinated folks seriously ill.

Most of us obey traffic lights because they keep us safe, and hopefully because we care about the safety of others.

Why not take advantage of the green light in the vaccine line? Help yourself and others stay healthy, do your part to put an end to this pandemic so we can return to the activities we have missed the last 18 months, so our businesses can again provide us with services we all want, and so our schools become safer for students and teachers.

Kathleen Hynes, Salem

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I want to thank all who wrote in the Aug. 29 letters about encouraging everyone to get immunized for the good of all. This virus has nothing to do with politics, it will kill Republicans, Democrats, Independents and anyone of any religion.

I hope none of youthat refuse to get vaccinatedand wear a maskwill ever experience the nightmare of losing a loved one.

I agree with Kathleen Kercheskiand want to go a step further:What is proud about the Proud Boys? You areboys, bad boys. To intimidatewomen and children and to ignore the laws of the countryshould make your parents and you ashamed. If you want to be something to be proud of, enlist in the military and defend the Constitution instead of trashing it.

You have no ideawhat women who seek help at Planned Parenthood endure. If a woman has to make the terrible choice of abortion, this is between her and her doctor and her religion. By the way, where are the menwho got them pregnant?

Also to the Salem Police, you had every right to arrest theseanarchistsbut you chose to wait untilsomeone was injured. This does not inspire trust in the police.

Sylvia Scantlin, Salem

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Gov. KateBrown has crossed the line. The vaccine mandate will cause too many healthcare workers to quit and our medical system will collapse.

Her No. 1 agenda in February will be to push for permanent legislation requiring vaccinations for all medical staff. Meanwhile, thousands of healthcare employees will have their livelihoods threatened in a misguided attempt at safety.

The real issue, though, is the governor's emergency powers. We would not be in this situation if she didnt have the ability to indefinitely extend her emergency powers. The real agenda for our Legislature needs to be emergency power reform.

No governor, under any circumstances,should ever be allowed emergency powers for longer than a month or two without consent from the peoples representatives in the Legislature. Oregon law needs to be changed.

Michael Robinson, Salem

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Some of the older generation (like me) will remember thenewspaper columnist named Ann Landers. She often used the phrase "wake up and smell the coffee."

That phrase is so appropriate today, an age when many seem so unaware of things that are happening here and around the world.

Many in America are unaware of how much of the world's population lives in poverty, often starving with no way to get food, shelter or even a cup of clean water. Others are persecuted for their faith, living each day in fear of dying for their beliefs.

We have so much to be thankful for, yet so many seem to have little appreciation for the great freedom and blessings we enjoy each day, the privilege of being born and raised in America.

It's time to remember the principles our nation was founded upon, to quit our bellyaching,be grateful for all we have and be there for our needy brothers and sisters around the world.

Dixie L. Truax, Salem

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On recent trips to Fred Meyer, Safeway, and WinCo, I have noticed there are well over 30 brands of bottled or canned water and seltzer products available.

Where do all these companies get their water? And, have any drought-stricken municipalities or their government officials considered the possibility of partnering or outright purchasing water from the identified sources available to these bottlers?

It seems to me that, especially the bottlers located in drought-affected areas, some companies might have already pursued this idea out of community concern? I'm just offering this as "water for thought"

Mike Whalen, Salem

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Letters to the Editor: COVID-19, emergency powers and Proud Boys - Statesman Journal