r/oregon • u/BACKCUT-DOWNHILL • 1d ago
Article/News Dozens evacuated in Burns flood, sewer system down: ‘I think I’m out of tears’
https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2025/04/dozens-evacuated-in-burns-flood-sewer-system-down-i-think-im-out-of-tears.html81
u/refusemouth 1d ago
This is how the Oregon-Eastern railroad branch was destroyed in 1984. Malheur Lake used to drain into the Malheur River until the end of the Pleistocene or maybe a little later. It's pretty interesting that you really don't have to get too much more snowpack than historical averages to fill these basin lakes up again. I forget the name of the hydrologic principle, but for every time snowpack doubles, the runoff more than doubles. I expect the fires might also have decreased the ability of the ground to absorb meltwater. Sorry, Burns. I guess I won't be taking Highway 20 for a while.
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u/warm_sweater 23h ago
Snow water equivalent! There is a formula used to predict how much water will result from the snowpack fully melting.
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u/refusemouth 22h ago
I remembered the proposed hydrological principle I was thinking about. It's called the Budyoko Curve. I came across it while doing research on the Holocene transition climate in the Great Basin. It was in reference to what kind of climate was required to maintain Lake Bonneville. Apparently, the subsurface hydrology that maintained the lake and the formation of the lake itself wasn't reliant on glacial melt and was more a result of a wetter climate. The article speculates that the difference between 15 inches annual precipitation and 30 inches would be enough to fill central Utah in a relatively short time span. It's down in the climate section of this High Country News article. https://www.hcn.org/issues/43-18/utahs-ancient-lake-bonneville-holds-clues-to-the-wests-changing-climate/
and here's a more scientific explanation for the Budyoko Curve, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022169420305497
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u/Head_Mycologist3917 1d ago
Being all leopards/faces will just make the people there defensive. Being human to them might help the Trump voters among them in realizing their mistake.
Also only a little over half the population (3400 out of 7400) in Harney Co voted for Trump.
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u/Qubeye 1d ago
I think the reason people say the mean things about red counties is because these people have demonstrated over and over that they will not learn unless it happens to them. Their hateful, bigoted views only change when it personally affects them.
And all those people who DIDN'T vote are just as responsible in my mind. They made a decision, too. If anything. Sure, it was 3300 Trump - 800 Harris, but that other 1400 registered voters knew what was at stake. So in my mind, 4700 people just got exactly what they asked for.
The (what I assume are) remaining ~1700 kids I have sympathy for, but this also lets them see the world that their parents built for them. Maybe they will learn something from it.
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u/Polluted_Shmuch 31m ago
"I only have sympathy for those that agree with me"
There fixed it for you.
This line of thinking, is how we got to where we are.
And eye for an eye, leaves the whole world blind. If you can't show empathy to your enemies, you are no better than them.
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u/PNW35 1d ago
Thank you for saying this. Compassion and kindness are great teachers!
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u/eburnside 1d ago edited 1d ago
You'd think - but you're applying a second (or third?) dimension of thought to people that can only think in one dimension
I would expect no magical changes of thought process
But! I'd also still second the thought of compassion and kindness
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u/BACKCUT-DOWNHILL 1d ago
Have you spent time in Burns? Met some really wonderful people in my time there
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u/tbrumleve 1d ago
Yes, hence the second part of my statement. There are wonderful people all over.
We also live amongst some really cruel ones that voted for folks to enact their cruelty.
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u/oregon-ModTeam 1d ago
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u/j_deth191 1d ago
For those who don't understand election numbers the 3400/7400 is misleading AF. Of the total votes 77% voted for Trump( https://gov.oregonlive.com/election/2024/general/president click for by county ) I mean really, have some compassion for people because they're fucking people, but 77% of the county voted for the orange menace. NOT less than half (3400/7400 is 45.9% the simple way to know this is twice 3400 is 6800 which is less than 7400)
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u/Breadloafs 1d ago
Also, regardless of how someone voted. They don't deserve to have their homes and livelihoods destroyed.
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u/PersnickityPenguin 22h ago
When the same people say they want certain people to suffer and die, then compassion is out of the picture.
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u/CompletelyBedWasted 1d ago
Where was their compassion? Humanism? Sense? 👎
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u/Jedimaster996 1d ago
I think they're saying that you can't tell how someone voted, so it's best to err on the side of caution and just be a human being with a little empathy.
Do most deserve it? Maybe not. But at the end of the day does it cost you anything to simply be kind for a tragic moment? Not like this scenario is self-inflicted due to their voting record or anything. Not only that, there's a lot of children who are about to suffer as a result of this situation; should we also rub their noses in it?
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u/annie_yeah_Im_Ok 1d ago
If we act like them then we’re no better than they are.
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u/tbrumleve 1d ago
Because the high road has worked in our favor. 🙄
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u/TrueConservative001 1d ago
Which high road is that? Providing handouts instead of ensuring meaningful work and social services? How big of you!
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u/mrGeaRbOx 1d ago
You might be too young but they're literally referencing Michelle Obama's quote from the Obama era.
"When they go low we go high"
Dems have been operating this way for at least 20 years at this point.
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u/TrueConservative001 1d ago
Nope. I'm probably older than you are. Dems have been "operating" by saying they support working class people when in fact the Party really works for the same oligarchs the Republicans do, except Dems are willing to support a minimal social safety net. Dems have abandoned the road and they're stuck in a ditch.
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u/mrGeaRbOx 1d ago
I agree they should go back to only taking campaign donations from individuals and unions. My comments are only in reference to their unwillingness to play politics in return and wrestle in the mud with Republicans.
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u/refusemouth 1d ago
Plus, Burns isn't just MAGA people. There are actually a lot of non-Republicans there. Even my little eastern Oregon ghost town is around 40% non-Republican. You don't get acknowledged as existing if you don't have over 50%, and that's a shame.
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u/BACKCUT-DOWNHILL 1d ago
You act like you know everyone effected by the flood personally
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u/Wookiee1981 1d ago
You all might not, but I sure as hell do. See, I live in Burns, and this is my community and my people. And for those of you running your shit dispensers and saying we brought this upon ourselves or we deserve any of this, well you can just fuck right off. First off, most of you don't have a fucking clue on what the hell you're talking about and especially when it comes to anything on this side of the state. Know your facts before you start flapping your fucking gums. Secondly, I love how a post on a natural disaster that happens the in an area of the state that the majority of you could give two shits about in the first place, becomes a soap box to release your TDS and turn it into a political mudslinging. Love how a political party that preaches such tolerance and acceptance, can breed so much deranged hate. 👍 Lastly, and I'll leave you with some facts here from ground zero. 1)This flooding happens every year, though generally not to this magnitude. 2) The reason for the severity was that we received an above average snowfall year. As did most of Oregon and Washington. 3) The levees designed to hold back the water that comes every spring thaw, have been need of repair and or upkeep since 2011 (well before the mean orange man took to politics) 4) Our septic treatment ponds have needed upgraded for just as long as the levees. When the levees failed, the added water overtook the septic and sewage systems. 5) Our fearless left leader Kotex, did not bother to declare a state of emergency until almost a week after this all started. 6) Cliff Bentz has had several in person appearances and meetings with city officials and agencies trying to clear this up. Far more than the governor has or will. 7) Left or right, Democrat or Republican, none of that bullshit has mattered here where it counts. It hasn't mattered who the fuck voted for who here. We've all banded together and helped each other out in our time of need. We take care of our own regardless of race, creed, color, political affiliation, etc. in our times of need. That's the beautiful thing about the small town on this side of the state that really set us apart. Sincerely thank you to those with thoughts and prayers 🫡. To those who continue to run your cock holsters and spew hate rhetoric, don't let our problems hold you up or inconvenience you from your next "mostly peaceful" protest or next tesla dealership firebombing. 🖕
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u/zevb3k 22h ago
As someone who has a piece of land in Burns because I love the area and I do try to see the positive in people, I was ALMOST agreeing with you until you said "TDS". That one little thing made the rest of what you said hypocritical. You can say it doesn't matter, but it does. When you say things like TDS, as if it's some kind of diagnosis, instead of recognizing the very real fears Trump's agenda and actions have put on the American people, you are literally just as bad as those you are arguing against.
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u/Wookiee1981 20h ago
Yep. We're the problem. I knew saying anything was futile on this thread, especially on this platform. I knew anything I posted, would hold about as much water as the failed levees. So rather than argue, which I refuse to do with the likes of any of you, I'm going to go back to what's important and in helping my community in whatever ways it may need right now. Good day, and I wish you all the best in your times of need. 🫡🖕
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u/zevb3k 20h ago
Because what you said was hypocritical. How do you expect people to listen or to empathize when you are literally saying the kind of things you are shitting on others for? Saying something isn't futile,the way you said it is. That is a YOU problem. Learn to communicate with empathy and you may get that in return. It's very silly to expect sympathy when you are shitting all over the people you are asking for sympathy from. Screaming TDS is a fallacy for MAGAs who want to feel superior. It also says you're happy with your vote, which part of that vote for him was to not receive any government help. Thoughts and prayers are all we can offer because as the Republicans said, we all need to go through pain and suffering to make things better. Other people who are in pain and suffering only have thoughts and prayers to offer. Again, you voted to get thoughts and prayers, not help, you got exactly that and now you're giving the middle finger to those who offer thoughts and prayers. You can't have it both ways.
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u/Wookiee1981 19h ago
No, I said thank you to those with the thoughts and prayers. To those shitting on my community and stating this is something we deserve and we asked for this, they're the one's I give the single digit salute. It's okay for the people to shit upon and bash this community and it's people, but not okay for me to try and stand up for or defend them?.... Yet I'm the hypocrite. If you read through the majority of comments, if those are what one would consider thoughts and prayers, than we're better off on our own.
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u/zevb3k 19h ago
I will agree that in times of suffering, it is best to stand united and that many of the comments were lacking in empathy and that's a shame. I also understand where it's coming from. It's frustrating to see people suffer while those same people who are suffering are actively voting to keep people suffering. Though I do understand it, I can't totally defend it and say it's right. I may have gotten you mixed up with someone else as far as "thoughts and prayers" go, but I did not mix up the TDS comment. You should absolutely defend your community and it should involve all people in your community. When you write things like TDS, you are denying that same defense to those in your community who are not politically aligned with you and that alone drops much of your arguments as you have ostracized some of your community by saying that. Trump is doing things that have absolutely wreaked havoc on communities, individuals, businesses, etc in an unconstitutional way that goes against law and order. Thousands upon thousands of people are suffering as a direct result of Trump. People from both political sides. When you say TDS, you are denying that same defense to people who are undeniably suffering as a direct result from Trump, in other words, you delegitimize others very real suffering by using a term meant to demonize anyone who is against Trump, legitimate or not. That is not the way.
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u/RevolutionaryBox2865 1d ago
Stopped reading after tds😂 hope burns gets the FEMA help they voted for
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u/Wookiee1981 23h ago
Probably the most sensible thing a person of your mentality and caliber could do....
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u/RevolutionaryBox2865 23h ago
This is the real world, people need to own the consequences of their decisions. If you voted for a collapsing economy and no social services, then just be fucking happy that that's what you're getting 🤷 you're not special, everyone else has to deal with the same fucking shit now because you watched too much fox news
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u/azelll 1d ago
I get that it's a very red county, but this is an horrible situation and the comments are just sad and mean
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u/BACKCUT-DOWNHILL 1d ago
People who’s only experience with the dry side is looking at election maps online have a really weird habit of writing that side of the state off that are all shit heads even when people are losing everything, it’s pretty off putting to see
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u/Christ_on_a_Crakker 23h ago
I lived in Umatilla and went to Umatilla high school when I was a sophomore then we moved. I agree there are decent folks all over the state but last year I attended a HS reunion and one morning I had breakfast in Hermiston where I listened to 5 or 6 old boomers berating Mexicans while their Mexican hostess served them. Fuckin disgraceful. Fuck people like that.
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u/PersnickityPenguin 22h ago
They wanted to dismantle the US government and all social services. Well, let's see how this plays out and what kind of assistance they may get.
I'll help - I've got my popcorn! 🍿🍿
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u/CBTprovider 23h ago
I don’t care who the residents of Burns voted for. They’re Oregonians (and fellow Americans) in need.
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u/Allan0n 1d ago
Has the world already devolved into every man for himself and "you get what you vote for"? Who wins once that happens? I can think of some people that would love to see a working class divided and leaving each other to rot.
Look at USAID. Do you think that every program targeted countries that were in perfect alignment with American ideals? Nope. It was about soft power. Sure it's unlikely you'd reach the typical Burns Trump voter in a reddit thread (more likely facebook) but it doesn't cost anything to show compassion.
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u/PersnickityPenguin 22h ago
USAID was a huge supporter of American farmers. As part of their function, they provided subsidies by purchasing food products for distribution overseas. These extra farm subsidies generally helped rural farmers.
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u/clovismouse 1d ago
Apologies for the pessimistic response, but that area voted, by a wide margin, for this administration. In turn, this administration killed fema, and has been firing federal workers left and right. Fed jobs are a huge part of the economy out there. Now, a large part of their population is unemployed, and federal disaster relief is almost nonexistent. I hope they enjoy what they voted for. But, I’m sure they’ll spin this to be Obama’s fault.
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u/Nasgren 1d ago
The leopards are EATING this year.
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u/Frozen-K 1d ago
It's only been a few months and the leopards are going to die of overeating. Sure feels like victory though, right?
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u/MountScottRumpot Oregon 1d ago
Not that wide a margin, really. There are a lot of federal employees in Burns.
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u/PersnickityPenguin 22h ago
Don't forget they want farmers to go out of business and whacked USAID.
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u/BACKCUT-DOWNHILL 1d ago
Trump made it rain? Pretty gross comment there’s a lot of good people in Burns
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u/mrGeaRbOx 1d ago
Trump didn't make it rain. But those people follow an ideology that doesn't believe in helping your fellow man it believes in individualism it believes in pulling up your bootstraps.
How old are you do you not know what Republican rhetoric has been like for the past 40 years??
Government services like emergency response is communism and socialism don't you know????
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u/Logical_Strike_1520 1d ago
Imagine being a democrat in Burns who just lost your house and coming to Reddit to see fellow Democrats laughing at you because your neighbors voted wrong. Smh
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u/EnvironmentalBuy244 1d ago
Trump wins by making his opponents go completely bonkers. It has been his strategy his whole life.
The way to beat Trump would have been to be honest. Instead, his opposition goes every bit as low and dirty and seems crazed as they do it.
This is just his method working on people. As you state, many here have no compassion for anyone because of the way the neighbors voted.
Just extended that to the country though. Those being nasty do not deserve any compassion if they experience misfortune, after all, they're from a country that voted for trump.
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u/clovismouse 1d ago
Trump took away the resources to help the good people in burns recover. They overwhelmingly voted for the policies trump has put in place. They voted for what is coming. Leopards are feasting on faces right now. The only help they will get is from those damn liberals in western Oregon. And somehow, they’ll blame It on Obama. Your comment lacks insight and is actually gross. It’s almost as bad as Jewish sky lasers…
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1d ago
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u/tbrumleve 1d ago
Wrong. Trump has frozen federal disbursements including FEMA funds. Oregon is currently waiting on $129M in frozen emergency dollars. Trump has been ignoring the latest judgement, like other judgements against him. Law and order party my ass. Party of “I got mine, screw you”.
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/02/nx-s1-5345777/trump-states-fema-funds
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1d ago edited 1d ago
[deleted]
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u/tbrumleve 1d ago
“But I’m. It wrong”
Correct.
You said “fed dollars are still flowing”. They’re demonstrably NOT. Hawaii? So you’re cherry picking from the articles. Let’s see what the first says:
“Still, officials from states including Oregon, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona and Illinois say they are still waiting on those FEMA payments”
The second article is entirely Oregon specific. The ENTIRE state is not getting FEMA funds. Since Burns is in Oregon, it’s 💯relevant.
So, you are wrong. You can’t use your Orange daddy’s method of just lying until you believe it.
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u/annie_yeah_Im_Ok 1d ago
While I’m sure the majority (probably not all) of the people of Burns voted for him, Trump has said twice on national tv that the election was stolen for him. Blaming the people of Burns for FEMA being defunded is kinda dumb when trump didn’t even legally win.
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u/clovismouse 1d ago
Trump defunded fema… he did that… last month. I’m failing to understand what your argument is…. And the people of burns voted overwhelmingly for it… help me understand… explain it to me like I’m five
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u/tbrumleve 1d ago
Until we have actual proof, let’s not start conspiracies like they do. It doesn’t help things. Notice how the 2020 “fraud” mostly went away (except for Trump and that weird pillow dude). Trump is a moron. He barely knows English. Trump legally won until we can prove otherwise. Unfortunately.
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u/Ichthius 1d ago
I wonder how well their infrastructure will work with out federal funding? We’re all a few paychecks and doged federal funds from living in a third world country.
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u/Th3Godless 18h ago
What can we do for you all affected by this situation ? We are all Oregonians and we leave nobody behind . Maybe one of the community could start a subreddit where we can provide assistance in whatever capacity we can . Burns is such a beautiful town and my few experiences there the people are wonderful . Let’s drop the politics BS and help our brothers and sisters .
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u/Fit-Produce420 1d ago
County voted for Trump?
I'm sending my thoughts, AND my prayers.
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u/purple_lantern_lite 1d ago
There's that progressive "compassion" you shitlibs are always talking about.
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u/zevb3k 21h ago
By using the word "shit libs", you are not any better. At least they said they're sending thoughts and prayers. What else do you want? Government help? Maga voted against that. As a "shitlib", I don't want anyone from either end to suffer, but y'all literally voted AGAINST government help. Drain the swamp right? You realize that there are HUMANS ILLEGALLY being sent to the world's worst prison right? And that Nazis had more due process then them. These people didn't just lose their land, home and money, they lost everything including their dignity and their life. Where is your compassion? Because it seems to me that you're upset if things affect you personally or (maybe) within your community, I hope everyone in Burns gets through this without suffering, but I hope y'all realize that there is a great amount of suffering happening all over the country to thousands of people and that suffering was a direct result of Republicans, not supposed "shitlibs".
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u/Fizzy-Odd-Cod 19h ago
Drove through there earlier this week on my way down to Phoenix. It’s absolutely wild the amount of flooding.
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u/Yourtoosensitive 2h ago edited 2h ago
Not surprising. The flooding yes, the ridiculous comments blaming and saying they got what they deserve for being “conservative” or whatever retarded reasoning you think is clever. No one, liberal or conservative, deserves this.
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u/slowfromregressive 23h ago
I feel bad for them. I hope Kotek will help and only ask for them to sign a pledge of allegiance to her in return.
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u/dcpratt1601 19h ago
So many of you turning this into a political post to spread hatred. You are not the spirit of Oregon. This is Oregon and all are welcome here or are they not. Shame be upon you. Stay strong Burns!
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