Tom Peterson Tom Peterson

Not-so-clever version of censorship: Goldendale Library "study"

An “anonymous resident” made a study of how infrequently “objectionable” LGBTQ content is checked out, and claimed they contain “explicit content not fit for children to be reading,” which appears to refer to any relationship that isn’t heterosexual. The argument seemingly is that lack of demand should result in lack of availability. This simply is a not-so-clever version of censorship and book-banning.

In the United States and other Western democracies, LGBTQ acceptance and equality has grown enormously over the past 30 years. In response, resistance to LGBTQ rights has greatly intensified in conservative religious communities. In the US, this homophobic minority is found primarily in the MAGA Republican Party, and the anti-LGBTQ agenda is prominent in Trump supporter’s Project 2025.

In a recent Goldendale Sentinel news article, it’s stated the Goldendale homeschooling community objects to and wants to regulate books it deems inappropriate for young children at the Goldendale Library. An “anonymous resident” made a study of how infrequently “objectionable” LGBTQ content is checked out, and claimed they contain “explicit content not fit for children to be reading,” which appears to refer to any relationship that isn’t heterosexual. The argument seemingly is that lack of demand should result in lack of availability.

This simply is a not-so-clever version of censorship and book-banning.

As a former parochial school graduate who actually believes in human rights, I too have concerns about books with content not fit for children to be reading.

The most prominent of these books is the Bible. It contains countless atrocities, including fratricide, infanticide, child abuse, child marriage, murder by stoning, torture, the rape of women, promoting slavery, dismemberment, mass murder and genocide – all sanctioned by God. In the great flood an angry God killed every single human being – including countless unborn fetuses – save one family and a few land-based animals. I guess sea creatures were OK.

But while it is deeply disturbing, I do not object to children knowing the reality of such morally and ethically bankrupt religious perspectives, and also demonstrating where conservative religious cults want to cherry-pick the stories and morals they wish to promote.

Will religious conservatives advocate removing the Bible from public library access for children, and unsuspecting motel guests?

Only when a non-existent hell freezes over.

Bob Yoesle, Goldendale, WA

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Tom Peterson Tom Peterson

Equinox burns, cow dies on Hwy. 197 near Dufur

A Chevrolet Equinox burned to its frame on Highway 197 Near Tygh Ridge Road south of Dufur at around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday night, according to Oregon State Police.  The cow died. 

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 26. 2024 — A Chevrolet Equinox burned to its frame on Highway 197 Near Tygh Ridge Road south of Dufur at around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday night, according to Oregon State Police. 

The cow died. 

“Wasco County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a cow in the roadway near the above location,” according to the police report.

The Sheriff’s log states the complaint about the cow in the road was made at 11:04 p.m.

“A 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound, struck the cow, and caught fire. The Chevrolet burned down to the frame.”

“The cow was found deceased upon law enforcement's arrival. The three adult occupants received minor injuries and were transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital. 

The Chevrolet was towed due to damage by Barnett’s Towing. The driver was provided contact information for the cow owner and landowner where the cow came from. OSP was assisted by Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Dufur Fire & EMS.

The report lists Nathan C Filbin, 45, as the property owner.  

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Columbia Community Connection Columbia Community Connection

Fatal Crash on Hwy. 197 in Wasco County Claims One Life, Injures Two

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 6:58 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 197 near milepost 9 in Wasco County. 

From Oregon State Police:

Wasco County, Ore. 23 August 2024 — On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 6:58 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 197 near milepost 9 in Wasco County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a maroon Dodge Ram, operated by Randall Donn Marshall (77) or Wamic, was traveling southbound on Hwy. 197 when it left its travel lane for an unknown reason and struck a white Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Joshua Merle Thompson (45) of Tygh Valley, head-on. 

The operator of the Chevrolet (Thompson) was declared deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the Dodge (Marshall) was transported by LifeFlight for serious injuries. The passenger of the Dodge was transported by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. 

The highway was impacted for four hours. The investigation is ongoing. 

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Dufur Volunteer Fire Department, LifeFlight, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. 

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Hood River County, Police log Columbia Community Connection Hood River County, Police log Columbia Community Connection

Cascade Man seriously injured in I-5 fatal near Woodburn on Thursday

A Cascade Locks man was seriously injured in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Woodburn that resulted in one fatality on  Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 5:26 a.m., according to  Oregon State Police.

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 23, 2024 — A Cascade Locks man was seriously injured in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Woodburn that resulted in one fatality on  Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 5:26 a.m., according to  Oregon State Police.

The wreck occurred near milepost 277. 

“The preliminary investigation indicated a black Volkswagen Golf, operated by Christopher Lee Connely, 35, of Cascade Locks, was traveling northbound on I-5 behind a maroon Dodge Ram operated by Robert Allen Morton, 59, of Salem, according to the press release. 

“For an unknown reason, the Volkswagen rear-ended the Dodge pickup truck at highway speeds, causing the Dodge to lose control and spin across the travel lanes. A silver Nissan Altima, operated by Julia Cesar Garcia, 30, of Albany, traveling behind the Volkswagen and Dodge, could not avoid the crash and collided with the Dodge. 

Both the Dodge and Volkswagen continued across the cable barrier into the southbound lanes of I-5. A silver Ford Ranger, operated by Kenneth Lee Whelchel, 31, of Dallas, traveling southbound, was struck. The Ranger's operator lost control, crashed into the barrier, and came to a stop about one-quarter mile down the highway. 

The operator of the Ford Ranger (Whelchel) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the Volkswagen (Connely) was transported to an area hospital by LifeFlight with serious injuries. 

The Dodge (Morton) and Nissan (Garcia) operators sustained minor injuries and were not transported by medics. 

The highway was impacted for six hours for the on-scene investigation.

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