Letter: Who are the outsiders?

Several LNG supporters, including some county commissioners, label opponents of liquefied natural gas as anarchists, bullies, paid extremists and outsiders. They have it backwards. LNG supporters are the people extremely willing to welcome the actual outsiders, the out-of-state corporations promoting the proposed LNG terminals and pipelines. As is documented on the state's OreStar Web site, the same supporters have given extremely generous campaign contributions, including in the recall campaigns.

Here's a reality check. The opponents of LNG are us, the people of Oregon and Washington who realize that LNG terminals threaten the entire state. In fact, many mainstream organizations and public commissions have passed resolutions or written statements opposing the proposed LNG terminals and pipelines, including: Douglas and Clackamas county commissions, Carlton, Gaston, Yamhill, Molalla, Shady Cove, Canyonville and Forest Grove city councils, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Nez Perce Tribe, National Grange Association, Pomona Grange, Washington and Oregon state granges, Joint Water Commission (Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin Valley Water Districts), Palmer Creek Water District Improvement Company, Clackamas, Yamhill and Washington county Farm Bureaus, Clackamas and Yamhill county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Yamhill District Improvement Company Number 1, Washington County Small Woodlands Association, Marion County Farm Bureau, Clatsop County, Oregon and Washington state Democratic Party, Cowlitz County, Wash., and Columbia County Democratic Central Committees, Clackamas County Democratic Party, Oregon Trail Democrats, Cowlitz County (Wash.) Realtors, Forest Grove Rural Fire Board, Washington Audubon (and its 26 local chapters), 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Oregon Wine Board.

Just like children do when they don't get their way, some LNG backers resort to name-calling. Perhaps they've checked out LNG operations elsewhere, and don't want to admit there'd be fewer jobs here than promised by the LNG companies. Perhaps they've read the thousands of pages of county, state and federal testimony and don't want to admit that an LNG terminal and pipeline would likely be more disruptive and destructive than we can begin to imagine. No wonder they're frustrated.

County Commissioner Patricia Roberts refuses to admit that LNG does not belong on the Columbia River. She has done nothing to back up her boast about holding the LNG companies accountable and has, in my opinion, worked hard to make them less accountable. It's time for District 2 voters to declare that the people of Clatsop County deserve better and to recall Roberts. Ballots are due Dec. 8 by 8 p.m.

LAURIE CAPLAN
Astoria