I read on the front page of the Medford Tribune that "The Big Tent" is being set up as a place for our youth to turn to spirit and gain meaning in their lives. This is done by "teaching the Christian life" and by listening to "Christian bands" among other things.

"Christian" is not defined. What was said in the article was that one young woman was saved from "witchcraft" by attending the Big Tent. "Witchcraft" was also not defined.

I think it wise that examination and definition of these terms be openly discussed and published before claiming one needs to be saved from the other. Remember "the burning times" when witches were burned at the stake. There are many books on Wicca, from which the word witchcraft comes. It is an earth-based practice using plants for healing and giving thanks to our earth. Perhaps there is confusion as to what this young woman was involved in.

The picture of the young man on the front page with eyes tightly closed, arms raised, made me wish his eyes were wide open looking clearly into the injustices in our world so that he can seek, with his brothers and sisters, justice and peacefulness of soul.

It has been amusing to see all of the AOL bashing in recent letters to the editor. Everyone rightfully wants local access lines. My amusement stems from all the finger-pointing at AOL when the root cause and financial beneficiary is US West. Last time I checked, other major Internet providers like MSN and AT&T also failed to provide "local" access lines due to US West's quirky fee structure. A purchaser with any scrutiny notices this and so do the local Internet providers.

When my family moved to Ashland in 1971 we found it odd that calling Medford was a local call, but to dial Central Point and other locations in the Rogue Valley was a "local long distance" call. Having left the Rogue Valley for 19 years, I found upon my return last year that this fee structure chosen by US West is still in place. With the profound advances in technology, it seems that this fee structure is obsolete. I am sure many would join in requesting that US West change this surgical definition by making any Rogue Valley call a local one.

US West's inefficiency has created opportunity and a nice niche market for local Internet companies. In changing to a local company, I have found access that is easily as good. This solves the local Internet access problem, but it's still a long distance phone call to Central Point.

I have come across an article that proves that ex-President George Bush was not only born with a silver foot in his mouth (as the Democrats said) he also has a golden tongue. He was never known as a great speaker, but gets biggest-ever speaking fees in shares of hot stock in lieu of $80,000. He was speaking to customers in Tokyo on behalf of Global Crossing Limited in 1998. He was invited by a buddy, Mr. Cook. Mr. Bush's $80,000 is today valued at $14.4 million (according to The Wall Street Journal in March). This company didn't go public until August 1998. Mr. Cook made $225 million in 18 months with this company. Mr. Bush's spokesman said he had no comment on what he did or didn't receive in payment.

A few years ago Ronald Reagan made a short speech in Japan. I believe that fee was $2 million. (I wonder if there is some reason the Japanese owed these two ex-presidents that kind of speaking honorarium?)

My point is, I wonder how these amounts of money can compare to all the harassment and abuse that Hillary Clinton took from the Republicans about a $1,000 investment that earned her $100,000.

Today the main thrust of forest management on the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management ownership in this vicinity is for biological diversity and ecological structure. Following in priority is grazing, recreation, timber harvesting, etc. This property comprises 52 percent of Jackson County -- 1,500,000 acres.

The timber growth, figured at 200 board feet per acre (a 16-foot log with a top diameter of 20 inches contains 200 board feet), is approximately 300 million board feet per year. This year the agencies propose to harvest 4 million board feet. This leaves a growth increase of 216 million board feet per year. In 10 years this would total over 2 billion board feet.

Timber harvesting provides high-paying jobs and needed revenue to Jackson County. What do the majority of the citizens of the county think about this? Are they satisfied with the status quo, or would they support a timber harvest equal to the annual growth? Let's hear from you.