Headline was demeaning

On July 7, The Bulletin ran an article with a headline “Boddie claims groping accuser had substance abuse problems.” This sleazy title demeans Moey Newbold, a well-respected woman in our community who had the courage to go public about highly inappropriate behavior by Nathan Boddie, and once again blames the victim. It also suggests because of this statement, that it did in fact happen, but that she deserved it because she was under the influence. Really? Despite all that has been accomplished from the “Me Too” movement, we have a lot of work to do. I believe her, and she deserves an apology from The Bulletin and from Nathan Boddie.

Rene Smith

Bend

Who is racist?

Who thinks of themselves as a racist? A recent letter to the editor was questioning the validity of linking anti-immigration with racism. It is an interesting question. Who among us wants to admit to being a racist, even to ourselves? Some of us may cover up those feelings by cloaking our racism in the name of law and order.

We humans may be biologically hard-wired to distrust others, anyone who does not look like our own clan or maybe it is behavior we learned in our youth. Either way, we need to question its existence in our subconscious minds.

It has been shown that the migrants from south of our border are filling jobs that are unwanted by American citizens and much appreciated by American farmers. It has also been shown statistically that they do not commit more crimes than American born citizens, in fact they commit less. So, why are some of us behaving so hostilely toward people who are running from oppression and trying to protect their families, just like we hope we would have the courage to do if we were in their situations.

Fortunately, I believe, most humans can learn empathy for the circumstances of others and learn to be fair and just to others, no matter what their skin tone, religion or nationality. We each need to look within ourselves and try to understand our own deep seated feelings.

Gail Sabbadini

Bend

Guilty until proven innocent?

The Bulletin violated the most basic principles of justice and journalism in a July 10 editorial. The editors wrote, “Did Boddie do anything wrong? We don’t know.” They then demanded that Nathan Boddie drop out of the race for the Oregon House and resign his City Council seat. Innocent until proven guilty? Apparently not for this bastion of liberty and justice.

I don’t know Nathan Boddie. I don’t know what he actually did. I do know that many many women have been victims of sexual harassment by powerful public figures. To cite just one example, consider our President, who famously said on-camera that he could grab women by the private parts. Yet he is still in office. Why is The Bulletin not demanding his resignation? Could it be because Boddie is a Democrat and Trump is a Republican?

I think we are entering an era where the mere accusation of improper behavior is enough to ruin a career. I think we are entering an era where sexual harassment is being weaponized against political figures with whom we do not agree on both the right and the left. In the long run this will not serve the interests of anyone, women included. We need to find some middle ground between the old way where a woman’s word alone was never enough and the emerging new way where a woman’s word alone is always enough. The Bulletin’s editorial does not help us to find that middle ground.

John Cushing

Bend

Lost driving privilege

I am not poor but I’ve recently had my license taken away by the DMV. My wife who is very sensitive, mentioned some minor driving incident to her doctor. The doctor then reported it to the DMV. “I had to” she told me.

I have been driving my current car for 10 years, the car is almost in showroom condition after more than 50,000 miles, and has been driven mostly between Sisters and Portland. It has never been in an accident and I have had no traffic citations. I have been advised that there is little point in trying to get my license reinstated. No driving test, no interview, no appeal without paying high lawyer fees. I am no more likely to be in an accident than I was 20 or 40 years ago. Apparently, the DMV is judge, jury and god. It’s a terrible system.

Derek Cornforth, Ph.D.

Sisters