Repeating the past

He rose to power by demonizing a certain group and convincing enough of his countrymen that they were responsible for all their problems. In the 1930s Hitler blamed the Jews in Germany, today Trump blames immigrants in this country. The philosopher George Santayana said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Will enough of us remember? The upcoming election will provide the answer.

— Rick Neufeld, Bend

Support our schools, teachers, staff

What makes a great education? Is it teaching the basics? Is it field trips to understand the area? Is it bringing in guest speakers, doing special projects, or adding enrichment activities like art, choir, robotics, band, or orchestra?

Is it supporting students through crisis and helping them manage stress? I believe it is all of these things. Yet many of these enrichments will be eliminated due to funding constraints compounded by voters rejecting the learning levy in May.

For the past 36 years, the Bend-La Pine Education Foundation has provided funding to classrooms throughout the District to help expand educational experiences for all students. Since the pandemic, one of the greatest areas of funding request is for social-emotional learning tools, curriculum, and training for teachers and staff to help students. Schools have stepped up to address this challenge with expanded mental health services, yet the need persists.

While the pandemic may be over, kids’ stress has escalated. They are worried about the future and the lack of action being taken to address their greatest concerns. As the mother of a school-aged child, I am worried about not only my child but also his peers as they navigate the new norms of school. As a board member of the Bend-La Pine Education Foundation, I am equally worried about the bigger picture of our school funding and the impacts that future budget constraints will have on an entire generation of kids. The Foundation will continue to support teachers and students by funding enrichment activities and helping to address new needs around social-emotional issues. But we can’t do it alone; we all must continue to support our school, teachers and staff.

— Natalie Hummel, Bend

What I should have said about Bynum

Hello, fellow Bend voter. Thanks for talking with me when I came to your house asking for your vote for Janelle Bynum for Congress.

You said you can’t vote for anyone who hasn’t taken a position on Gaza. I went all inarticulate. I wish I’d said this:

I honor your compassion for the people of Gaza in their struggle with Israel and their own Hamas-led government.

And I ask for your compassion for people in this country, and all over the world, who are suffering from climate warming — including here in smoky Central Oregon.

I ask for your compassion for women in this country who have lost our constitutional right to legal abortion, no matter where we live. Women have died because their Republican-led states threaten their doctors with prosecution for giving them timely medical care. We must all win back our right to life and liberty and to live equal under the law.

You might think that your vote for Congress won’t matter.

Believe me, your vote matters hugely. Our Congress race is a toss-up and could decide which party holds the majority in Washington. It’s the difference between Democratic good government and Republican obstruction. That matters where we are — and around the world.

Janelle Bynum is a true problem-solver working on behalf of all. Elect her as our Congresswoman, then hold her feet to the fire. That’s how to help people here — and in Gaza — make their lives better.

— Dorothy Leman, Bend

Editor’s Note

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