Category Archives: Letters to the Editor

The Commuter encourages readers to use its “Opinion” pages to express their views on campus, community, regional, and national issues. The Commuter attempts to print all submissions received, but reserves the right to edit for grammar, length, libel, privacy concerns, and taste. Opinions expressed by letter submitters do not represent the views of the Commuter staff or the college. Submit letters with the form here, deliver them to the Commuter office (Forum 222), email them, or send them to Linn-Benton Community College C/O The Commuter, 6500 SW Pacific Blvd, Albany, OR, 97321.

Letter to the Editor: eSmoking Claims Unconfirmed

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In response to the November 1 article “Smoking Goes Electronic,” the author only shares part of the electronic cigarette story. Because e-cigarettes are currently unregulated, manufacturers and retailers are free to make unproven health claims about their products – asserting that they are safe or safer than traditional cigarettes. Companies also claim that e-cigarettes can help people to quit smoking. The Oregon Attorney General has tried to keep unapproved nicotine delivery devices off the market in Oregon by banning several e-cigarette companies from making these types of unconfirmed claims. Continue reading →

Letter to the Editor: Are We There Yet?

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It has been a couple of months since many photographs were taken of the Tucson Shootings. Have we moved so fast as to forget these images so soon? Are we at the point where the lessons learned have already been forgotten? Are we there yet? One photograph is of two men separated by a yellow tape. Stoicism at the forefront of their self-imposed façade. Behind these men is the reflection of simple bystanders viewing the effects of another’s hatred. Below the refection on the pavement are bodies surrounded by the still chaos of paper, clothing, and other belongings rendered unimportant. These bodies are still as a result of one man’s hatred. The day is bright, but will forever be darkened by the tragic event that occurred only hours prior. Continue reading →

Letter to the Editor: The Beautiful People of Poverty

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It has been through the experience of poverty that I learned not to notice what clothes someone was wearing, or whether or not they were neatly groomed. I learned to value the beautiful moments of conversation and the times that are spent together sharing what food we had. I learned that food can (and does) multiply sometimes when I really need it too … like when my extra friend comes over to visit. I learned that in the midst of a hectic and demanding world, when everything stops and nothing has gone right, and you find yourself completely without. Continue reading →