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While waiting with my 5-year-old daughter for the Pear Blossom Parade to begin, we were approached by a couple who tried to get me to sign a petition. They claimed the petition had to do with family values but I could see right through the forest and the trees and I knew it was Oregon Citizens Alliance. The parade theme was favorite things and this intrusion was not one of mine.

Others around me showed their disgust as well, as they tried to get rid of the pests. Favorite things might well describe the OCA's obsession with trying to legislate hate and discrimination. How can it be family values or of any value, when it (the initiative) discriminates against many Oregonian families, including single-parent families and those with grandparents, aunts, uncles or any adult head of household who may not be the biological parent, yet are raising children as a family unit.

I cringed each time I watched people sign, knowing that they hadn't bothered to read what they signed. Instead they listened and believed the lies. The petitioners led people to believe that it was something good and worthy to sign. Not once did I hear them say OCA, or tell the people about the new groups of citizens they are trying to add to their lists of people whom they want to discriminate against.

The worst part was not listening to the OCA nor the disappointment I felt at knowing they are at it again. No, the hard part was trying to explain the truth to a 5-year-old after she's heard the lies repeated over and over around us.

Why the cover-up? What is the reason for the deceit? Could it be that pure evil knows no truths?

-- Linda Hooper, Medford

A great government must insist on health guidance in the curriculum of every public school. This applies to drugs, venereal disease and all forms of physical abuse. The brain functions much better in an unpolluted body.

If the price of tobacco goes out of sight, an addict can plant his own crop, and roll his own cigarettes. The best way to stop teenagers from smoking is to set good examples; teach them about the health hazards; the danger of fire and that people who pollute the air are not very welcomed.

Tobacco farms should be encouraged to grow health foods, to never brag like parrots about profit from the gutter, to make cigars out of carrots and cigarettes out of peanut butter. Our government must subsidize this healthful transformation very soon: Sing together "America forever" and keep in tune.

Teachers must make it clear how to substitute harmful temptations with healthful amusements and constructive projects. When people prove that they have something important to offer and are not a threat to other people's welfare, they will be more welcome in the best places for social contact.

If this solution for health care meets with your approval, please mail a copy to your favorite government official, where it will get the proper action and do the most good in America forever.

-- Charles Tracey, Ashland

I would like to direct this letter to all the young people who are seeking to determine a field of endeavor in which to devote their years of employment.

At the ripe old age of 58 years I suddenly awoke, as though I were Rip Van Winkle, to discover that since the moment of my birth, I have been a really intensely stupid ass. As one who has set records in his chosen field that may stand forever, I feel qualified to speak with authority on the subject.

What I have discovered is that the field is totally saturated. The demand is light, remuneration average, peer pressure heavy, competition large, stress above average, future insecure. Personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment vary according to level of application.

The facts of the case are that most of us who are in the stupid ass class live pretty good, but the bottom line is you can do better. Take my advice: Try to avoid being a stupid ass.

-- Warren Kathary, Jacksonville

The manager of a local Loaves & Fishes lunch service said she desperately needed volunteers to work only two hours one day a week delivering meals to the home-bound in Phoenix and Talent. Also, she is in need of volunteers to help in the kitchen when meals are served. Call Sandee at 535-8422, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It has always meant a lot to me, and to the many others who have attended these lunches, not only for the good food, but for the support and encouragement in our daily lives when we meet with friends we have known for a lot of years. Any help that any of the residents of the community can give I'm sure will be appreciated.