Would you kill someone to get a bargain?
Apparently a bunch of Wal-Mart shoppers in Long Island were willing to do just that. They trampled a 34-year-old temp as he unlocked the doors to let in a ravening horde of bargain-hunters who had lined up the night before for a wee-hours opening.
They didn't do it with intent, but they sure didn't seem to care what got in their way. And, after the death was announced and the store was closed down, they basically said, "Screw you. We came to shop." And kept right on going.
A guy died so that people could get a few bucks off on Christmas presents? Wow. That's in keeping with the spirit of the season.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Giving thanks in troubled times
There is something about troubled times — especially troubled times in the economy — that focuses the mind.
Somehow, it’s easier to appreciate what you’ve got when getting more is a little harder. There are signs of this all over Sisters. People seem to be taking a little more time to appreciate how rich we really are.
It’s hard to be thankful when you’ve just lost your job and I’m not waxing sentimental about poverty, which is rearing its ugly, diminishing head in Sisters as the crunch comes down.
There are some hurting people in our community.
But we can all be thankful that there are some who take on the difficult task of helping these folks, from the dedicated advocates at Sisters Family Access Network to the volunteers at the Sister Kiwanis Food Bank to the many churches whose congregations have stepped up to help the indigent with purchases of hygiene products, wood cutting and other assistance.
We have a community that works, where neighbors take care of each other. That is riches beyond price.
Folks in Sisters are rallying to support their local businesses, the businesses that sponsor events, contribute to schools and add to the vibrancy of the community. Individual holiday “shop local” vows are catching on — and it makes a difference.
Most everybody I know is cutting back this holiday season — but not in ways that cheap out on their friends and loved ones. People are simply being a little more thoughtful, seeking to give in ways that have lasting value, both materially and spiritually.
That notion seems to be gaining traction around the country.
I would never wish hard times upon my countrymen. There is no inherent nobility in want; I prefer prosperity. But it is gratifying to see that our community and our country seems to respond to hard times with a return to more substantial values.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
Somehow, it’s easier to appreciate what you’ve got when getting more is a little harder. There are signs of this all over Sisters. People seem to be taking a little more time to appreciate how rich we really are.
It’s hard to be thankful when you’ve just lost your job and I’m not waxing sentimental about poverty, which is rearing its ugly, diminishing head in Sisters as the crunch comes down.
There are some hurting people in our community.
But we can all be thankful that there are some who take on the difficult task of helping these folks, from the dedicated advocates at Sisters Family Access Network to the volunteers at the Sister Kiwanis Food Bank to the many churches whose congregations have stepped up to help the indigent with purchases of hygiene products, wood cutting and other assistance.
We have a community that works, where neighbors take care of each other. That is riches beyond price.
Folks in Sisters are rallying to support their local businesses, the businesses that sponsor events, contribute to schools and add to the vibrancy of the community. Individual holiday “shop local” vows are catching on — and it makes a difference.
Most everybody I know is cutting back this holiday season — but not in ways that cheap out on their friends and loved ones. People are simply being a little more thoughtful, seeking to give in ways that have lasting value, both materially and spiritually.
That notion seems to be gaining traction around the country.
I would never wish hard times upon my countrymen. There is no inherent nobility in want; I prefer prosperity. But it is gratifying to see that our community and our country seems to respond to hard times with a return to more substantial values.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Beaver’s bound to rise...
When I was a young feller I was fascinated by the Mountain Men. Obsessed is probably more accurate.
A life of buckskins, beaver trapping and black powder seemed to my 12 or 13-year-old mind to be the real life for a man. I felt a powerful nostalgia for things I’d never see. I didn’t even like to read about the decline of the Fur Trade. I wanted it to be forever 1832.
But of course, that’s not the way life works. The heyday of the Mountain Men lasted 20 years or so. The market for beaver fur crashed as fashion switched from beaver top hats to silk top hats. The voracious trappers had pretty well trapped out the great fur country by then anyway.
Something akin to my youthful nostalgia is at work in the halls of power right now. There’s a movement afoot to bail out the Big Three automakers. As David Brooks says, it may make sense to keep them afloat as a jobs program and then let them go bankrupt, but bailing them out just props up decrepit companies.
The beaver hat has been supplanted by the silk topper. That started decades ago. And the Big Three have “trapped out” the country with low-mileage SUVs and trucks (yes, I own one). Their “brigades” are bloated with ridiculous union-backed legacy programs that pay people for not working.
But the idea of letting the Big Three go — to innovate or die — tears at the very fabric of America. I submit that it’s not just about the jobs, though that is obviously a big deal. It’s the same sense that made me want it to be 1832 again and forever.
We want it to be forever ’55 when we were makin’ Thunderbirds (apologies to Mr. Seger).
Last night I saw Chris Matthews get downright weepy about the idea of American carmakers who could build such a cool car that it meant everything to have one. He can’t believe that those days are gone, never to return.
The Mountain Men couldn’t believe their way of life was ending either. They gathered at a rendezvous on Green River in 1839 — the last of its kind — to bemoan the low price of beaver and its scarcity.
Never mind, they told each other. There’s beaver country yet to be discovered. Beaver’s bound to rise.
But it would never be 1832 again. 1955 and the Thunderbird are gone, too. No bailout is ever gonna bring ’ em back.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
A life of buckskins, beaver trapping and black powder seemed to my 12 or 13-year-old mind to be the real life for a man. I felt a powerful nostalgia for things I’d never see. I didn’t even like to read about the decline of the Fur Trade. I wanted it to be forever 1832.
But of course, that’s not the way life works. The heyday of the Mountain Men lasted 20 years or so. The market for beaver fur crashed as fashion switched from beaver top hats to silk top hats. The voracious trappers had pretty well trapped out the great fur country by then anyway.
Something akin to my youthful nostalgia is at work in the halls of power right now. There’s a movement afoot to bail out the Big Three automakers. As David Brooks says, it may make sense to keep them afloat as a jobs program and then let them go bankrupt, but bailing them out just props up decrepit companies.
The beaver hat has been supplanted by the silk topper. That started decades ago. And the Big Three have “trapped out” the country with low-mileage SUVs and trucks (yes, I own one). Their “brigades” are bloated with ridiculous union-backed legacy programs that pay people for not working.
But the idea of letting the Big Three go — to innovate or die — tears at the very fabric of America. I submit that it’s not just about the jobs, though that is obviously a big deal. It’s the same sense that made me want it to be 1832 again and forever.
We want it to be forever ’55 when we were makin’ Thunderbirds (apologies to Mr. Seger).
Last night I saw Chris Matthews get downright weepy about the idea of American carmakers who could build such a cool car that it meant everything to have one. He can’t believe that those days are gone, never to return.
The Mountain Men couldn’t believe their way of life was ending either. They gathered at a rendezvous on Green River in 1839 — the last of its kind — to bemoan the low price of beaver and its scarcity.
Never mind, they told each other. There’s beaver country yet to be discovered. Beaver’s bound to rise.
But it would never be 1832 again. 1955 and the Thunderbird are gone, too. No bailout is ever gonna bring ’ em back.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A victory for the "Economic Developers"
Lon Kellstrom, Pat Thompson and Jerry Bogart are in on the Sisters City Council. Mayor Brad Boyd is out.
Too bad about Boyd. He had his negatives, mostly involving style, but he had a strong grasp of the job and was diligent in doing the work. Some good things happened in the City of Sisters under his impetus and I think the citizens who voted him out will miss his efforts, whether they realize it or not.
It's always hard to put a finger on what exactly sways the electorate, but let's assume that the Kellstrom, Thompson, Bogart argument that Sisters needed a change in leadership and attitude, especially in the area of economic development, resonated with voters.
There's some merit to the idea that attitude alone is important; certainly it can be argued that Sisters has over the years (before as well as during Boyd's tenure) alienated some players who could have an impact on economic development. Perhaps that can be fixed to our benefit. Perhaps the idea of creating a position of Economic Development Director is a good one and perhaps a new council can deliver on it (I'm still not sold on that, but I'm willing to be convinced).
Regardless, I think the "economic development slate" is going to find it hard going; that the gap between desire and achievability on their ideas for economic development is wider than they realize.
All three are good men and have the best interests of the whole community at heart. The idea that they represent "Californication" is misplaced. Sisters has not sold its soul to "The Developers." Quality economic development, filling the industrial park with clean, innovative enterprises with good-paying jobs would be a very good thing for Sisters. Hopefully, the new council can preside over that very scenario.
But ask the owners of industrial park properties; that's easier said than done.
I hope the new councilors and the re-elected Kellstrom recognize that they have created expectations in the community that are going to be hard to meet.
They've signed on for a big job.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
Too bad about Boyd. He had his negatives, mostly involving style, but he had a strong grasp of the job and was diligent in doing the work. Some good things happened in the City of Sisters under his impetus and I think the citizens who voted him out will miss his efforts, whether they realize it or not.
It's always hard to put a finger on what exactly sways the electorate, but let's assume that the Kellstrom, Thompson, Bogart argument that Sisters needed a change in leadership and attitude, especially in the area of economic development, resonated with voters.
There's some merit to the idea that attitude alone is important; certainly it can be argued that Sisters has over the years (before as well as during Boyd's tenure) alienated some players who could have an impact on economic development. Perhaps that can be fixed to our benefit. Perhaps the idea of creating a position of Economic Development Director is a good one and perhaps a new council can deliver on it (I'm still not sold on that, but I'm willing to be convinced).
Regardless, I think the "economic development slate" is going to find it hard going; that the gap between desire and achievability on their ideas for economic development is wider than they realize.
All three are good men and have the best interests of the whole community at heart. The idea that they represent "Californication" is misplaced. Sisters has not sold its soul to "The Developers." Quality economic development, filling the industrial park with clean, innovative enterprises with good-paying jobs would be a very good thing for Sisters. Hopefully, the new council can preside over that very scenario.
But ask the owners of industrial park properties; that's easier said than done.
I hope the new councilors and the re-elected Kellstrom recognize that they have created expectations in the community that are going to be hard to meet.
They've signed on for a big job.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Local option gets hammered
Sisters' Local Option levy for schools got hammered at the polls yesterday, going down by a 52-48 margin. (UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 12:30 P.M.: Not hammered exactly. The numbers posted by the county clerk after midnight last night were not final; the margin narrowed down to 26 votes. TWENTY-SIX).
It's not a disaster for the school district — yet. The school board can go out again next spring, but they'll have to do a better job of convincing voters like this one:
"I will be voting NO on the local option tax. No more money being thrown towards the system that blantantly and consistantly mishandled and mismanaged money. Education is moving towards the internet.Why are we being asked to buy more books ? The current hi-school is poorly designed and heat bills soaring..we live on a limited income and need that money for our fuel costs." (blog comment received 11/3 re: "Off to the races," September 16).
There you have it — the two major problems facing the district. They've lost taxpayers' trust with the $1.2 million debacle of the payback to ODE and with administrative turmoil over the past several years.
And people are so nervous about the economy that they are willing to see severe cuts to education in order to hold on to what they've got. Some feel they've got no choice.
UPDATE: If the district has to shift only a couple of dozen votes, that economic argument can be overcome. The trust problem will still require some work.
Both of those problems will not go away by spring and the board is going to have to fight to overcome them. And they must overcome them. Local Option funds make the difference between quality and mediocrity.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
It's not a disaster for the school district — yet. The school board can go out again next spring, but they'll have to do a better job of convincing voters like this one:
"I will be voting NO on the local option tax. No more money being thrown towards the system that blantantly and consistantly mishandled and mismanaged money. Education is moving towards the internet.Why are we being asked to buy more books ? The current hi-school is poorly designed and heat bills soaring..we live on a limited income and need that money for our fuel costs." (blog comment received 11/3 re: "Off to the races," September 16).
There you have it — the two major problems facing the district. They've lost taxpayers' trust with the $1.2 million debacle of the payback to ODE and with administrative turmoil over the past several years.
And people are so nervous about the economy that they are willing to see severe cuts to education in order to hold on to what they've got. Some feel they've got no choice.
UPDATE: If the district has to shift only a couple of dozen votes, that economic argument can be overcome. The trust problem will still require some work.
Both of those problems will not go away by spring and the board is going to have to fight to overcome them. And they must overcome them. Local Option funds make the difference between quality and mediocrity.
Jim Cornelius, Editor
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