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Letters to the editor: We've been duped
I took notes during this year's State of the Union address. Bush condemned Saddam Hussein's "utter contempt for the United Nations," and recited a menacing menu of weapons in Iraq's possession. According to Bush, "intelligence" showed Iraq had "30 thousand liters of botchulism toxin," as well as sarin, mustard and VX gasses. Iraqi attempts to buy uranium for nukes "proved" an imminent threat to America that justified pre-emptive invasion. Two months after invasion, after dozens of American deaths and countless thousands of Iraqi fatalities, Donald Rumsfeld says, "it doesn't really matter" whether weapons are ever found. Actually, it does. Weapons were the reason for going to war, not "liberating" Iraqis. We've been duped. The intelligence was reliable and weapons obviously were there, right? If so, American soldiers would have produced them by now. At least the oil wells are safe.
Jay Lininger, Ashland
Guest forum:
Ashland businesses help homeless pets
By Robert Casserly
On the last Saturday of each month, DJ's Video invites volunteers from Friends of the Animal Shelter to set up in the storefront and show the public some of the wonderful dogs and cats from the animal shelter. This is the one-year anniversary of their generosity, and it's been very successful: 24 cats and dogs have been adopted at DJ's in just this past year. Friends of the Animal Shelter has a dedicated corps of over 100 volunteers working to support one of the best animal shelters in Oregon. (If you haven't been to the Jackson County Animal Shelter in the last few years, you should come and see how much it has improved!) But without local businesses like DJ's Video to support us, we would never be able to save the 1,000-plus homeless cats and dogs our shelter finds good homes for each year. There are dozens of Ashland businesses who support the animal shelter, either through adopting a shop cat, a donation of goods or services, posting adoption photos on their bulletin boards, sponsoring pet ads in the Daily Tidings, being a sponsor of the annual Puss 'n' Boots costume ball and silent auction each October, and much more. The entire business community should be proud of their civic and humane service to our community. As you shop, please thank the managers of pet-friendly businesses for their support of the animal shelter. And any business owners out there who want to join the ranks of supporters can call anytime and learn more about how they can help. We can repay you in some small ways, like tax write-offs and such, but the real return on your investment will be the incredible feeling of helping save the lives of homeless cats and dogs. Please call 774-6646 for more information.
Editor's note: Robert Casserly is program manager of Friends of the Animal Shelter.
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