I applaud our state legislators who stand for what is right and openly expose that which is wrong. State Sen. Doug Whitsett and state representatives George Gilman and Bill Garrard have continuously shown that they know the opinions of those they represent. These elected individuals voice not just their personal opinions, but their continuants opinions as well.
    The so-called Republican Party “split” does not exist. The only so-called “split” is a small group supporting dam removal and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement as written. They are not supported by the people of     Klamath County or the majority of the citizens in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as evidenced by the polls conducted in Klamath County and the three states, concerning the whole dam removal issue.

    The Republican Central Committee vote against dam removal and the restoration agreement as written has been characterized as “a majority opinion of the people who were at that particular meeting when the restoration agreement was discussed, no more no less.”

    The agenda for this meeting was well known in advance, so with this illogical thought process, one would conclude every vote in our democracy should be invalid as it would only be the opinion of those who happened to vote on that specific day. I believe this “vote of the people is the voice of the people.” If you don’t show up to vote, you can’t really expect to be taken seriously when complaining about the out come.

    I agree that generally one issue should not determine whether an elected official is fit or unfit to fulfill the job they were elected to. But this one basic issue has many far-reaching facets that will affect the entire Klamath Basin forever.

    It is truly a slap in the face to call dam removal and the restoration agreement one issue. This is far more than a one-issue scenario.

    When some of our elected representatives continually attempt to ride the fence forever, this shows lack of leadership and decision-making ability.

    True leaders such as Whitsett, Garrard, and Gilman have made their decision based on facts, as well as listening to their constituents, and then remain solid on their position. I will always greatly admire them for their undying service to the Klamath Basin.

    As far as being threatened, manipulated or coerced into voting or agreeing in a certain way on dam removal and the restoration agreement endorsement: I truly believe that this is what is happening before our very eyes by those forcing this agenda down our throats. Those groups being some federal and state agencies, environmental groups, tribal groups and those irrigators who have thrown in the towel and given up on the principles that our founding fathers believed in when this great nation was formed.

    Our nation is suffering because of the liberal forces pushing political correctness and over-compromising on our values and beliefs in the notion that these same liberal forces will not continue to expect and demand more compromises in the immediate future. We have to continue to stand up and say enough is enough and put a stop to this insanity.

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