Trump broke his oath of office

On the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, I am stirred to write. President George Washington in his farewell address reminded us that our strength and continued freedom lies in our union as one people, Americans, and that “internal and external enemies” will attempt to divide us. By leaving the office of the presidency 127 years ago, he initiated a record of peaceful transfer of power unparalleled in world history.

Former President Trump seriously threatened that sacred tradition. His speech inciting his followers and directing them to the Capitol was televised, and we all saw what they did there. He is now engaged in numerous legal battles over his many attempts to subvert and overturn the 2020 election results. He broke his oath of office and is a traitor to the U.S. Constitution and the United States.

I fail to see how any patriotic American can support putting him in a position of political power, let alone the presidency of the United States.

Dave Felley

La Grande

A true patriotic candidate supports and defends the Constitution

In the Jan. 2 Observer a letter to the editor titled “Bring patriotic flair to 2024” made many positive points about voting but misses the GOP elephant in the room: Donald Trump.

The former president stands accused of felonies in two jurisdictions for trying to retain power in an election he lost. If you’ve been paying attention to credible news sources you should know that he most likely violated his oath of office by pressuring his vice president to stop the electoral count and for the scheme to create false slates of electors.

If you truly support the flag and the U.S. Constitution and you do your research as the letter recommends, is it possible to support a candidate that promises to use the Justice Department to seek revenge on his enemies? Or one who has violated his oath to the Constitution in multiple ways? Or one who has promised to be a dictator on day one?

If you want to “celebrate your American freedoms and think about how you can secure them for the next generatiom,” it’s time to look for a true patriotic candidate that supports and defends the Constitution.

Dan White

La Grande

Bentz’s values are clear

On the front page of the Jan. 13 Observer, we read about the additional trauma inflicted on sexual assault victims by the shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) in Eastern Oregon. This shortage results in victims sometimes having to travel for hours in the hopes of finding a qualified nurse examiner at a hospital in a distant city — as far away as Bend, if you happen to live in John Day. The exams must be completed within 48 hours and the victim may not eat, drink or shower until they are completed. Even after arriving at these hospitals, victims may have to wait for hours until the examiner can arrive, and the exam itself may take up to six hours.

In the same issue, we read of Rep. Cliff Bentz, who represents these same counties in Congressional District 2, endorsing Donald Trump for president. Trump, who has bragged about grabbing women by the genitals, is currently the defendant in a defamation case brought by E. Jane Carroll. A previous jury has already determined that Trump sexually assaulted Carroll in the dressing room of a New York department store, and then defamed her by calling her a liar. The jury in the current case, which is determining the amount of punitive damages, has been instructed by the judge that they must take it as a fact that Trump assaulted Carroll.

It’s more than a little ironic that Rep. Bentz is endorsing a candidate for president of the United States who not only brags about sexual assault, but who has been found in court to have committed it. Meanwhile, his constituents in rural District 2 who may be SA victims have limited access to the care they need — care that may also gather evidence to help convict the perpetrators.

Sadly, I fear this irony is lost on Rep. Bentz, but I hope Bentz’s values are clear to every voter who has a mother, daughter or sister.

Matt Cooper

La Grande

MERA again a shooting range for county’s foot

If you’re as flummoxed as I am at the decision to close most Mount Emily Recreation Area trails and the Owlsley trailhead for the remainder of the winter season, you might trudge up there for a peak. Through the quiet stillness (rare logging trucks, mind you), you may spy a county commissioner take wavering aim at their boot.

Meanwhile the spectrum of users (families of skiers, hikers, snowshoers, fat bikers) have to endure yet another permanent winter closure to allow logging and clearing at the most popular recreational site in the county. Of course weather is unpredictable and affects logging/clearing operations, but that’s a “known unknown” when planning this work.

We appreciate the closure communication on signboards and the website. We would appreciate even more a small compromise that allows a small (any) window use, like weekends? Saturdays? Sundays?. When will the county realize the important year-round recreational outlet this area provides its residents (immeasurable, since you can’t load it onto a truck), and the economic value it pulls from visitors to the area. [Wince, BANG!]

Will Anderson

La Grande