America leads from the front

Regarding Bret Stephen’s Op-Ed on the future of Putin’s adventurism:

Taken together, President Obama’s early “apology tour” decrying American colonialism; his chiding of Romney, the Cold War was over; canceling the east European missile shield; the downsizing of the American Navy; his comment caught on tape; “I’ll have more freedom after the election”; his line in the sand — all has given Putin the confidence he needs.

Obama’s visit to Estonia could only be viewed by all of Russia as nothing more than a laughable, “optical” road show. Time for a reset: America leads from the front.

Wayne Mayo

Scappoose

Cathedral Rock wilderness deserves approval

The Bulletin got one thing right in its Sept. 3 editorial regarding wilderness: We have much to celebrate on the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Here in Oregon, it has protected some of our most treasured places, including the Three Sisters Wilderness, Steens Mountain and, most recently, the beloved Oregon Badlands Wilderness.

When Congress designated the Badlands five years ago, the celebration resembled a who’s who of Central Oregon. Business leaders, conservationists, realtors, ranchers, politicians from both sides of the aisle, and countless ordinary citizens celebrated protection of the Badlands.

The only one missing from the party was The Bulletin, which editorialized several times against protecting the Badlands, even claiming that “limbo works well” for this popular area. Clearly, The Bulletin got it wrong then.

Those familiar with The Bulletin’s stance on conservation weren’t surprised to read the opinion that the proposed Cathedral Rock wilderness on the John Day River needs additional public access. This is where The Bulletin is wrong now.

In fact, land exchanges included in the Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven proposal do give the public access to lands that we can’t currently visit. Recently, with landowner permission, I explored and photographed Cathedral Rock, and I can attest to its merits as wilderness. It is a place that all Oregonians, and all Americans, should have the chance to see, but they won’t unless these creative solutions for Cathedral Rock are passed by Congress.

Jim Davis

Bend

Re-elect DeBone

Being a lifelong Democrat, you might think it strange that I would endorse a Republican candidate, but I have come to know Commissioner Tony DeBone and am so impressed with how passionate he is about what is best for Deschutes County. DeBone is one of the hardest-working persons I’ve ever met. The citizens of Deschutes County are lucky to have a man of DeBone’s caliber representing us.

DeBone has done an amazing job helping get Deschutes County back on track. It’s a no-brainer that we need DeBone back again leading us back to where we need to be. Please re-elect DeBone for another term.

Melvin Emert

La Pine

DeBone’s track record is impressive

Deschutes County needs Tony DeBone. I’ve been privileged to work with DeBone behind the scenes. It is in these settings that you learn about the core and inner character. DeBone has all the right stuff required for leadership: humility, confidence, servant mindset, a desire to confront brutal facts and solve problems in a tangible and logical way.

His track record while in office is unblemished and impressive. He intuitively understands our needs and goes to bat for what is right.

Rich Rudnick

Bend

Food for thought

I was just looking back on a few things about our great government’s culture and their ways of thinking. We are advised by them not to judge others by a few lunatics’ actions, but we are encouraged to judge all gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics.

Food for thought. A few people make the laws and the rest of us suffer from it.

Mel Coffin

La Pine