WIND ENERGY IS WORTH IT
The “Mighty Wind” article [March 11, 2009] seemed to imply that our state’s support for renewable energy has somehow not advantaged Oregonians. All the evidence points to the contrary.
The tax credits for renewable energy development have resulted in a 3:1 return on the state’s investment in 2007 and 2008, according to a study by ECONorthwest. And in addition to providing jobs and critical investments in rural communities, renewable energy projects provide low-cost, stable, and secure energy in an increasingly unstable energy environment. In fact, wind energy in particular is often the lowest-cost alternative compared to fossil fuel plant costs, especially when the cost of greenhouse gas emissions is factored into the equation. Oregonians do want green energy. And they are finally getting it. At a good price for everyone concerned.
Suzanne Leta Liou
Senior policy advocate
Renewable Northwest Project
WHAT ABOUT PARENTS’ RIGHTS?
[Re: Rogue of the Week, March 18, 2008:] The whole bill (SB767) is a denial of parents’ right to direct the education of their children. It is a power trip, plain and simple. It also flies in the face of a Supreme Court decision regarding education that sprang from an Oregon law that was passed in 1921 and tossed out by the Court in 1925, the case is Pierce v. Society of Sisters.
For the record, I am the father of 2 ORCA (not OCA) students, I can say without hesitation that this is the best school program I have found yet. We tried public schools—they failed us miserably. We went the homeschool/unschool route for a few years, but when our kids reached middle-school age, it became apparent that we needed something else. That’s when ORCA debuted. The results for our kids have been nothing short of amazing. If, God forbid, this bill should pass, then my kids are going to be put out and parental rights will be further trampled. Educate yourselves, people. Please help us stop this insidious bill. Thanks.
Mark Stevens, Woodburn
via wweek.com
CORRECTION: Last week’s story “The Big Dippers” incorrectly reported how many actively employed members are in the Public Employee Retirement System. The correct number is 170,000. WW regrets the error.
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Wild animals kept as "pets" are often de-clawed, have their teeth ripped out and are kept confined in small cages...all because of the dangers they pose. The Willamette Week may treat this issue as a joke, but there is nothing funny about the exotic pet trade. If a misguided person brings a tiger or chimpanzee into their own home, they also put other members of the community at risk. There is no humane or safe way to keep wild animals as pets. Aside from the immense cruelty to the animals, one child injured or one person disfigured by an exotic