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Jimmy Fallon takes over as host, A7
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014
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Guard gets new top man BY EMILY THORNTON The World
There’s a new face at the armory. First Lt. Matthew Branstetter, a Bronze Star recipient, took the reins at the local National Guard unit, Company B, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry. The unit is part of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas. Branstetter arrives as the unit’s gearing up for possible deployment to Afghanistan in mid-2014. The 41st might send up to 1,800 troops for a tour
By Lou Sennick, The World
First Lt. Matthew Branstetter has taken over the reigns as commander of B Co., 1-186 of the Oregon Army National Guard group based in Coos Bay.
that could last 400 days. It’ll be Branstetter’s third tour to the Middle East — he went to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2009. He said he’s looking forward to it, especially with his comrades. “It’s a unique group of people in Coos Bay,” he said. “I enjoy working with them.” He was assigned to the unit earlier in his career and was glad to return. “It’s like deja vu,” he said. He said he’s put plans on hold for a master’s in electrical engineering because of his pending deployment. He
received his Bachelor of Science in computer engineering and a minor in physics from Portland State University. He’s also been a real estate broker at his dad’s business in Silverton, where he currently lives, since 1998. He has to put that on hold, too. But, he’s ready for it. “We’re all pretty excited, pretty comfortable with it,” he said. Branstetter enlisted in the National Guard in 1996 with the 82nd Cavalry in Woodburn. SEE GUARD | A8
House bill aims at tech failures
Figure skating’s brightest stars
BY JONATHAN J. COOPER The Associated Press
Unsavory as they may appear, fights like these are not unique, and are exacerbated by the moral heft of the leaders’ life work, and the fact that their belongings could be worth millions. With each court battle, civil rights historians worry about the negative impact such infighting might have on the legacy of the civil rights movement. Neither Malcolm X nor King, killed in 1965 and 1968, respectively, left wills, so there are no specifics about what they wanted done with
SALEM — The Oregon House voted Monday to approve a measure that Democrats said would help prevent future technology debacles like the troubled rollout of Cover Oregon. The bill would require an independent quality assurance contractor to be involved with some large technology projects. Republicans objected, saying Cover Oregon had a quality assurance contractor that issued warnings that were ignored. Some questioned why reports from the outside quality experts wouldn’t have to be provided to the Legislature. The measure passed in a 40-18 vote, with seven Republicans joining all 33 Democrats in favor. The bill is a message to the people who run state technology projects, said Rep. Nancy Nathanson, DEugene, and a chief sponsor: “We are watching,and we’re making sure there are more eyes watching you than there were in the past.” Cover Oregon’s online enrollment system wasn’t ready to launch on schedule in October, making Oregon the only state that still doesn’t have a way for people to sign up online for health insurance in one sitting. The state has hundreds of workers reviewing applications to determine whether applicants are eligible for tax credits or the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s version of Medicaid for people with low incomes.
SEE LEGACY | A8
SEE FAILURES | A8
The Associated Press
Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States celebrate their victory following the flower ceremony in the ice dance free dance figure skating finals at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics on Monday. See story on Page B4. Keep up with the latest Olympic news and medal counts at theworldlink.com/sports.
Civil rights leaders — Whose legacy is it? BY JESSE J. HOLLAND The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter recently walked up to the pulpit of the Atlanta church where her father preached and, in a painful public display, dissociated herself from her brothers. She accused them of plotting to sell their father’s personal Bible and his Nobel Peace Prize — items she declared “sacred” and worth more than money. When it comes to fights like this, the Kings
are not alone. Malcolm X’s daughters are suing to block a book deal, signed by one sister, to publish their father’s diary. Rosa Parks’ valuable mementos, including her Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, have sat in a New York City warehouse for years because of a protracted battle over her estate. America’s greatest civil rights leaders may belong to the ages, but the fights among family, friends and outsiders over control of their earthly possessions seem never-ending.
Democrats try to force votes on wage, immigration
INSIDE
WASHINGTON — House Democrats are determined to cast an election-year spotlight on Republican opposition to raising the minimum wage and overhauling immigration laws. To try to accomplish that in the GOP-controlled House, Democrats are planning to rely on an infre-
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quently used, rarely successful tactic known as a “discharge petition.” It requires the minority party — in this case, Democrats, who are unable to dictate the House agenda — to persuade some two dozen Republicans to defy their leadership, join Democrats and force a vote on setting the federal minimum wage at $10.10 an hour. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California said Democrats
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will push the wage issue when Congress returns from its break Feb. 24. Forcing a vote on a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws could occur in a few months. Democratic leaders argue that a majority of Americans favor both steps, which are priorities for President Barack Obama, and say the House GOP is the obstacle. Republicans say Democrats are
Betty Worthen, Coos Bay Bruce Ashton, Lakeside Robert Eagle, Coos Bay Betty Lewis, North Bend
embarking on an approach that they know has little chance of success in an attempt to circumvent the will of the GOP-led House. The odds are daunting for Democrats in what clearly is political maneuvering ahead of the elections this fall. Some questions and answers on how it works. Q: What does a discharge petition do?
Jean Haugen, North Bend Willard Kauffman, Coos Bay
Obituaries | A5
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FORECAST
The Associated Press
DEATHS
BY DONNA CASSATA
A: It allows the minority or opposition party to bypass the House speaker and get a vote. First, 217 members — one more than half the House’s current membership of 432 — have to sign a petition. A motion to consider the wage issue would then be placed on the legislative calendar, but it can’t be acted on for at least seven days. SEE DEMOCRATS | A8
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