Monday afternoon as I drove through the light onto Geary from the mall, I saw two young men (actually, girls — ed.) standing at the curb, each holding a large sign “I was caught stealing.” They were wearing sweatshirts with the hood up on their heads, so I’d guess they were a bit embarrassed. Hopefully they will remember that guilty feeling the next time they are tempted to steal/shoplift. Three cheers to the wise judge who sentenced them! (Actually, the father of one of them — ed.)

Marla Hoffman

Albany

It’s negative campaigning

I am sending you this message from a web form found on the Democratic Party of Oregon website; how handy is that!

I find on their website (www.

oregondemocrats.org) a section called “Stop Gordon Smith.” This type of campaign tactic makes me want to leave the party that I have chosen and seek something less partisan (Independent). I think they should promote their candidate, stay away from the negative and, God willing, may the best person win.

As a Democrat, I think Sen. Smith has represented Oregon well in the Senate. He has shown us how to work across party lines with our Democratic senator. That makes me proud!

Mike Woody

Albany

We are the dogs you kick

I am writing an open letter to all the voting public, most of all to our lawmakers. A great big pat on your backs. You have created another minority. A minority of red, yellow, black and white. Of Catholic, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist. We are the minority called “smokers.” We are the third-class citizens you have created. We are the dogs you like to kick while we’re down.

I remember a time when we were the vast majority. When we smoked in all restaurants, hospitals, groceries, etc. I don’t believe this was a good arrangement. People should have the choice whether or not they want to be around cigarette smoke.

Then things started changing for the better. Restaurants had smoking and non-smoking areas. Work places put in smoking and non-smoking break areas. This was a good arrangement. It gave people a choice. It should have been good enough for non-smokers, but of course it was not.

Now we have turned 180 degrees. Now you want to ban smoking, not only in, but around, all public places. This gives us no choice! What about us “smokers”? What happened to our rights? Then you want to place another 85-cent tax per pack of cigarettes. Is this fair or just? No city, county or state placing all the restrictions on smoking, should receive one penny in cigarette tax. What have you done with taxes up to now? Did you spend it on health care?

What about the millions you got from Big Tobacco? That was supposed to be for health care! Is this a form of taxation without fair representation?

Why doesn’t the federal government outlaw the growing, manufacturing, distribution and use of tobacco? We tried prohibition before, remember? The people still got the alcohol. The smugglers and black marketers made millions, while the government just lost those same millions.

Ryan Wibbens

Albany

Get tougher on drunken drivers

On Aug. 9, the Democrat-Herald published a story about a new law that mandates a 20-year sentence on DUII drivers that “kill or severely injure” others a second time. I see two problems with that section right from the start. First, why must we wait for the second time? Secondly, just how many court battles will this create to determine just what a severe injury is? The lawyers are going to love that loophole.

Personally I don’t understand why drunken driving isn’t prosecuted the same way as if a person stood on a city street and randomly shot a pistol up and down the sidewalk. A three-quarter ounce of lead or a 3,500-pound vehicle both seem to me like deadly weapons in the hands of a drunk.

A second section of the article reported the signing of a related bill that requires health care providers to give law enforcement officials quicker notice if it appears a person has been injured while driving drunk. The old law required notification of authorities within five days. Five days? Heaven knows there’s possibly some chance the suspect might, just might, sober up in those five days. The new “feel good” section of the law requires the health care provider to try to notify any law enforcement officer who is at the health care facility investigating the accident; or if that’s not possible to contact a law enforcement agency within 72 hours.

By the way that’s written it appears that if there are nine police officers at the hospital for other reasons, you’re not required to report this incident to them. You’re then on the 72-hour countdown clock. The weak part of that new law is the try section. I always assumed you could call 911 from treatment facilities. Maybe I was wrong.

Now I realize that many health care providers will try to take the shaky “We’re not law enforcement” moral high ground in these situations. Come down off the hill. Drunken driving is a crime. Do your part to get these felons off the street. You can always treat their “disease” when they’re not risking other people’s lives.

Ted Salmons

Lebanon

A professor’s risky science

I see today that an OSU professor, not being paid by an oil company, has reported when it comes to reducing dependence on foreign oil, other methods, such as raising the gas tax or changing the required MPG for vehicles, cost up to 28 times less than using biofuels. And, for every 10 units of corn-based ethanol energy, eight units of energy are used in producing the fuel. He also concluded it is not possible for the state to grow its entire energy needs by using corn or canola.

I hope Professor Jaeger doesn’t have the same problem the (former) state and (still) OSU climatologist had when he came up with a science report that didn’t match the governor’s or the legislature’s political desires. Will Gov. Kulongoski or the legislature now try to take the professor’s title away? Politically incorrect science is not a good thing for an OSU type.

Bill Molloy

Scio

A ride’s sad ending

I am saddened to read about the two young people killed while riding a motorcycle in an accident that appears not to have involved another vehicle. To everyone out there who rides, and I am one, don’t ride intoxicated. If you are enjoying an adult beverage, put the keys away. Your life is not worth risking. Ride well.

Tom Forland

Albany