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Op Ed: `The Band Plays On`
But Do We Hear The Real Music?

Democracy dies without citizen attention and action.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - "...And the band played on"... That familiar phrase --from “the Titanic-disaster when the band played while the ship sank”-- very precisely pronounces our current status re patriotism true to American principles, on July 4th 2008 --well into the 21st Century.

We hear the music --meant to reassure us-- and we seek out any possible lifeboat, as the ship sinks; with similar results for far too many passengers.

We are very chary about DOING what proves up our real and true devotion to the nation AND its Founding Principles: Making sure the ship does NOT sink --and that our captain knows an iceberg when it towers over us.

Fighting Back Against the Costly Methods Used by Police (VIDEO)

New technology from one Oregon company aids drivers against photo red light cameras and speed traps.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - A war of emerging technologies has been fought on our nation's highways for years. After police began using radar guns to catch speed limit violators, companies answered the call by offering radar detectors and "Fuzz Busters." New radar bands and types are greeted by new and improved devices that utilize new ways to warn drivers and keep them from that inevitable, expensive ticket written on the side of the road.

Police used to always drive marked police vehicles, today they drive non marked cars for traffic enforcement in many cases, blurring the lines between real police and potential police impersonators. Police used to have to keep their vehicle's lights on when parked on the side of the road at night. Today all over Oregon, police sit hidden in the dark waiting for potential violators.

Fires Flare as Smoke Spreads From California Wildfires to Oregon and Nevada

The National Weather Service reports that wildland fire activity was reported with six new large fires nationally, but California remains the most active state with 27 large fires and 409,046 acres burned.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that over 1,450 fires in California have scorched more than 416,200 acres as of early this morning. AccuWeather.com forecasters say smoky conditions will continue to affect central and northern California as well as western Nevada and southern Oregon.

Parental Rights Organizations Across the Nation Will Encroach on U.S. Capitol for Civil Rights Event

A similar event is being held in Salem, Oregon on July 26th.

(OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich.) - Children’s and Parent’s Rights organizations from across the nation are scheduled to encroach on Washington DC this August 15th & 16th at the Upper Senate Park. They say they are doing it because government policies do not reflect what is truly best for children and good parents.

Letter to Editor Addresses Environmental Concerns Among Students

Changing light bulbs, driving less, and using energy efficient appliances are steps in the right direction.

(SALEM, Ore.) - I am a local student who is concerned about global warming and its potential devastating impacts. More and more science is showing us that human action is causing climate change and we must act now to protect our future. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tells us that by acting now, the worst impacts of global warming can still be avoided.

As the Earth’s largest polluter, the U.S. has an obligation to reduce the amount of global warming emissions we dump into the atmosphere. It is our responsibility to preserve a sustainable way of life and secure a livable future for many generations to come. Our children and grandchildren do not deserve to inherit environmental despair that threatens their livelihood because of our negligence.

Heat, Fires and Storms in the Forecast for California (VIDEO)

Several daily temperature records were broken Sunday in the Northwest, in Oregon new all time highs were set in The Dalles, Pendleton and Redmond, Oregon.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Weather forecasters say a disturbance pushing through the Northwest will break the heat in the north, but will also allow thunderstorms to form into Tuesday. Meanwhile, remaining heat to the south over much of California will continue to fuel fires and the smoke given off, Accuweather.com weather experts reported.

An influx of Pacific air from an approaching disturbance brought relief from the heat Monday to coastal areas from northern California to Washington state, while the the Intermountain West remained hot.

Plains States Will See Returning Storms (VIDEO)

Storms moving into the northern Plains late Tuesday will reach the flood-weary Midwest by Wednesday.

(OMAHA, Neb.) - Forecasters at Accuweather.com, say high pressure building in the Midwest region out of the West Tuesday, will bring a blast of heat to the northern Plains. They predict temperatures through Tuesday to be in the 90s across the Intermountain West and the northern Plains.

As that heat gives way late Tuesday to a cold front droping out of Canada's Prairie Provinces, a quick-hitting, dynamic storm system will follow the front onto the northern Plains. By Wednesday, storms will move into the upper Mississippi Valley, Accuweather experts say.

Benefits of New G.I. Bill Announced in Oregon Today

President Bush opposed the improvement in veteran education opportunities until recently.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Jim Willis announced today the signing of the new GI Bill for Oregon veterans. The bill significantly expands education benefits for veterans and was praised by Governor Ted Kulongoski.

“In Oregon, we’ve done a lot to help our veterans with education benefits,” the Governor said. “This new GI Bill keeps the faith with those who serve our country and will make an invaluable investment in our future.” The new GI Bill has been likened to that of the GI Bill offered to World War II veterans in that it provides for nearly all the costs of attending school.

Oregon Woman Survives Black Bear Attack

Because of the recent increase of bear and human encounters, fish and wildlife officials remind residents to not feed bears or any other wildlife.

(SANDY, Ore.) - State Police officials say a Sandy-area woman received non-life threatening injuries late Sunday night when she encountered a black bear at her home. Rick Hargrave with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, says around 11:00 PM Sunday, the 58-year old woman who lives about five miles northeast of Sandy, heard noises coming from her back porch.

Marijuana Vs. Migraines: Modern Medical Miracle

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Toxicologist and Pharmacologist. He is an expert in medical marijuana treatment.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Migraine headaches are possibly one of the most misunderstood maladies of man. The Merck Manual states “The cause is unknown and the pathophysiology (mechanism) is not fully understood.” Except that it has something to do with brain blood vessel dilation/constriction; nobody seems to know what is going on here. If I’m wrong about this I’m sure I will hear plenty.