In ‘Trump World,’ always a new low the next day

Republican Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue are hardliners on immigration. They were opposed to the moderate proposal being pushed by Dick Durbin and Lindsay Graham, and there is no level they won’t stoop to in order to influence the president. After all, they have their own immigration bill, the RAISE Act, that they are pushing. So at first they “don’t recall” what Trump said at the immigration meeting, then claim he didn’t say “s—hole” at all, maybe it was “s—house” instead, and Durbin totally misrepresented what Trump said. All in an effort to suck up and curry favor with Trump. Well who could blame them? How else are you supposed to get things done in “Trump World?”

This is what we’ve come to, but it’s not rock bottom.

Not when there’s always a new low the next day.

And the next day.

And the day after that.

Ad nauseam.

Pam Berreyesa

Bend

Park district acts like a king

The editorial about the Riley Ranch Park definitely raised my eyebrows about limited parking to keep crowds down. It sounds just like a king talking to his servants — pay your taxes and your SDCs and I will do what I think is best for all of you.

No thanks! They are out of control with all the money they have. You build a park that is huge in size with our tax and SDC dollars and then tell us that you only want a few taxpayers there at a time. Plus no dogs and no bikes!

I have thought for a long time that our park district people were out of control and the Riley Ranch proved that. They are rolling out of anyone’s control, and their agenda is in-house.

The next one to watch is the bridge over the river below Meadow Camp.

The king is doing well!!

Bruce Fox

Bend

Trump Haiti comment deplorable

In the spirit of MLK day and civil rights, I am disturbed by President Trump’s reported deplorable comments regarding Haiti and the Haitian people. Why is he beyond accountability for slurs like s—hole countries? What might happen if your child’s teacher used the same description in the classroom?

Yes, it’s true, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The tragedies and daily conditions they deal with would be impossible for most. It’s a tough place to live. My wife and I were fortunate to have lived and worked there for three years. The majority of people we met came from families that suffered death and destruction from the 2010 earthquake, yet their attitudes, efforts and character reflected remarkable strength and determination.

Haitians are very proud of their history and culture, defeating the French to achieve independence in 1804. We are very proud of the Haitian flag given to us signed by hundreds of our Haitian friends now displayed in our Bend home. The first time we landed in Haiti we were the only nonHaitians on the plane. As the wheels touched down all 200-plus passengers broke into loud applause. They were so happy to be back on their home soil. It was a memorable lesson in pride and love for one’s country! The Haitian people’s strength and courage is to be admired and respected. To insinuate they are inferior is cruel, divisive and racist.

Mark Tichenor

Bend

Abortion should not be made illegal

As I am listening to the news this morning, I am compelled to write about the illegal abortion I chose to have in 1969, prior to the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal.

I was divorced with two children whom I supported on my own, working full time at a union job for 12 years.

I later planned to remarry (abortion was still not legal). I was using birth control when I was surprised to learn that I had become pregnant. My future mother-in-law was able to locate a licensed M.D. in California who performed my abortion, for which he charged $750 cash.

I had to go to work the next day but was still able to care for my children. This was a very difficult time for me, but I do not regret my decision. I knew I could not afford to have another child. My children and I would have suffered had I not make the choice I made.

Abortion is the law in the United States and should not be overturned as many citizens would like. If abortion rights are made illegal, many women could be faced with having unwanted children or be faced with getting abortions that are potentially far more dangerous than my experience almost 50 years ago.

Sally Maxwell Bradshaw

Bend