I have very mixed feelings about reporting news from inside Afghanistan. Can't you see that the Taliban are using the American media? There should be a total blackout of any information coming out of Afghanistan. The U.S. military should even consider ending the ability of Al Jazeera to broadcast.

If the media has reported out of Japan during World War II, they would have been put on trial for treason after the war ended. 

- Bob Williamson, Jacksonville

I have returned to Southern Oregon after a 35-year stint in the aerospace industry to enjoy the great lifestyle that the Rogue Valley offers. I find it curious that one of the biggest issues Medford is contending with is where our city fathers put Interstate 5 40 years ago, right through town. It seems moot whether that was the correct decision; the fact is I-5 cuts north right above Bear Creek.

I have heard many bypass alternatives, and each is about as ugly as what we presently have. Drawing on the proverb "when you have lemons, make lemonade," I see many opportunities in enhancing what Medford already has. It seems that if I-5 was widened to the appropriate number of elevated lanes adjacent to Bear Creek the city could sport a magnet attraction similar to all the facilities under Seattle's Alaskan Way.

Medford's Rogue Community College campus is impacting downtown parking. As in Seattle, our "Medford Way" could alleviate that growing problem. The Medford Farmer's Market could become a year-round attraction nestled under part of the expanded viaduct.

Concurrently, Bear Creek can be enhanced in the way the city of San Luis Obispo dealt with the inconvenience of a creek winding through the middle of their city. A lovely park-like setting now enhances that quiet college town.

Rather than subject more of the Medford area to another bypass that may also be an eyesore 40 years hence, we should explore opportunities for Medford as it is. 

- Mike McDermott, Medford

Unfortunately I missed the recent letter regarding the discontinuance of "our beautiful radio station, KMED." However, I did see what another writer had to say on Oct. 17, and couldn't agree with him more.

I too have lived in Medford for 10 years. I too no longer turn on my radio. Going one step further, I put it away! 

- Shirley Miraldi, Medford

On Oct. 10 I went deer hunting on the south slope of Mount McLoughlin. Around 8:30 a.m. a red and white helicopter came from the east. I was harassed by these people for nearly an hour.

Why can't people like myself enjoy themselves once per year? When I got home, I called Fish & Wildlife. They had no chopper. The Oregon State Police, the same story.

I got in touch with the airport authority; the lady told me she wasn't allowed to give out that type of information, and in the next breath denied any such helicopter existed.

I was talking to a gentleman shortly after this incident who worked for the U.S. Forest Service that told me it was the Fish & Wildlife Service scattering elk herds prior to elk season. I don't know how many elk they scattered, but they sure ruined my day. 

- William Perkins, White City

This is in response to the Sunday, Oct. 21 article, "Secret's out: Sailors were subjected to biowar tests."

Now we find out that for a decade the military sprayed U.S. warships with biological weapons and nerve gas. Our own country spraying our own servicemen!

I am a four-year Korean War Navy veteran and spent two years in Korea, one during the war and one after. This entitles me to ask a few questions.

1. Who was responsible for making these decisions? When are they going to be presented?

2. What other "dark entity" pranks have we done since then and what are we doing now? Who is watching the store?

3. How about an investigation of all the illnesses of our Gulf War vets? Did they get sick from vaccinations by our government?

4. When are we going to get accountability from our government?

5. When will we realize that throwing more money at all our problems doesn't work?

Finally, where is the outrage in this country when our own government uses human beings as guinea pigs? 

- Willie Sherill, Gold Hill

Click here to contact your elected representatives

To participate in National polls & discussions, or to start a petition or contact elected officials, go to "e-thepeople interactive town hall"

The Mail Tribune welcomes letters on any topic of general public relevance and interest.

Please include a daytime phone number and address for verification. We cannot print letters, even e--mail letters, without verification.

We're interested in the comments of all our on--line readers, but we can only publish letters from residents within our Southern Oregon and Northern California circulation area. Sorry, we cannot publish poetry.

Writers are limited to one letter every 30 days.

Address your letters of 250 word or less (150 words for thank you or election letters) to:

Letters to the editor
Box 1108
Medford, OR 97501
Fax (541) 776--4376

Or send your e--mail letter to:
letters@mailtribune.com. Send comments of 75 words or less to e-vent@mailtribune.com to be considered for immediate publication.

Budget Website Hosting
Search Rogue Valley
Medford Cars for Sale
Cheap Website Templates

Online Classifieds
Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations
Ashland Daily Tidings