Thompson answers to residents during phone meeting

Eureka Reporter

Embracing emerging technology, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) spoke with district residents Thursday during his first live telephone town hall meeting.

Thompson used the occasion to outline his two main concerns for the nation: the war in and climate change.

People throughout the district called to speak one-on-one with their congressional representative from their own homes. Though the teleconference was limited to one hour, several callers from Humboldt County had a chance to pose questions.

A caller from Eureka asked about the distribution of emergency funds for salmon fishermen.

Thompson said he authored the bill that provided the financial assistance, which was needed after the elimination of last year's commercial salmon season.

Key to the funding, he said, was the secretary of commerce's finding that the collapse of the fishery was a federal disaster. Following the finding, Thompson said, the last Congress failed to pass a measure funding the relief.

The current Congress, elected in 2006, did pass the measure. Thompson said that in Oregon, checks had already been mailed to fishermen, but the relief for California's fishermen was still being processed.

A caller from Ferndale asked for help getting her veteran father vaccinated. Thompson urged her to call his local office in Eureka to rectify the situation.

A second caller from Eureka asked Thompson why congressional approval ratings were at their lowest in history.

“I think the American public is frustrated that there's not enough change taking place,” he said. “I'm as frustrated as they are, believe me.”

Thompson heralded the accomplishments of the current Congress, citing ethics reform, the first minimum-wage hike in 10 years, the pay-as-you-go budget reforms and the largest increase in college aid since 1944 as major accomplishments.

“But we still have a lot more to do,” he said. Thompson said the biggest issue has still not been dealt with, namely the Iraq War.

“I think we need to get out of there as quickly and as safely as we can,” he said. Thompson said diplomacy was the answer to preventing civil war in the region.

Other callers raised issues, including coastal marine sanctuary designation, appropriations bills, secret wire taps, war plans for , health care costs, immigrant farm labor, education and impeaching the vice president.

The final question of the evening came from Arcata, concerning climate change and global warming. The caller asked if an education campaign like Woodsy the Owl â€" “Give a hoot, don't pollute” â€" could be used to raise awareness of the issue nationwide.

Thompson said the 1st District is one of the areas leading the country in the development of alternative energy.

“I think education in this regard is absolutely crucial,” he said. He explained critics of the concept of climate change state that warming is cyclical and the Earth will find balance and survive.

“They're absolutely right. The Earth will survive. It will take care of itself,” he said. “The only problem is, as a species, we won't survive.”

Despite one dropped call and a few lags between questions, Thompson said he was pleased about how the teleconference went.

“I think this is a great new way to discuss issues important to our district,” he said.

Most callers agreed, saying they appreciated the ability to speak directly with their voice in Washington, D.C.