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Anxious rumors in the hallways say that we'll see a $50 million shortfall in the March forecast for the state economy. This would exacerbate an already bad budget; $27 million in holes in the AFS budget alone 4 cutting welfare cash grants, eliminating some child care help for mothers getting off welfare, huge increases in day care co-pays to the working poor. You've already heard about the proposed cuts to senior and disabled services. It's nobody's fault, right? Not the governor, not the co-chairs of Ways and Means 4 now officially called the Lennie and Bennie Show? Our state economy is just slowing down, and we're now very dependent on state income tax for funding education and everything else. And income tax is always a more volatile tax than property tax. You have Sizemore and McIntire to thank for this mess. Maybe we can start naming closed schools after them. We may be facing the ugliest budget decisions since 1983, Oregon's last big recession. As Homer Simpson might say: "Doh!" Here they expect me to go into a room with Cedric Hayden, my opponent in 1998, and mutually agree on a plan. As they said in their memo: "Legislative leaders expect the redistricting process to be cooperative, where members can have healthy discussions with each other about change." Yeah, right 4 just like we did during the last bitter campaign. Oregon law only requires that each district be: contiguous, of equal population, utilize existing geographic and political boundaries, transportation links, not divide communities of common interest, not be drawn to favor a political party, incumbent legislator, or other person (come on, isn't someone going to be favored?), and not dilute the voting strength of any ethnic minority group (like the Nordehoovians in Junction City?). Oh, yeah, should be no problem for Cedric and I to knock this one out. One expected ruling never came, but an unexpected opinion did arrive. We expected a ruling on the constitutionality of the measure by a Marion circuit judge, but it never came. We did get an opinion from the attorney general which answered questions raised by the governor. The complete opinion is at: www.doj.state.or.us/releases/re1021301.htm A major question dealt with the retroactivity of Measure 7. The AG interprets Measure 7 to say: a person who still owned land when a regulation limiting the use of the land passed may have a claim for reduced value, even thought the regulation was passed before Measure 7 became effective. If the courts uphold the AG's interpretation, it would narrow the application of Measure 7. But all this discussion is a bit premature because it does not answer the fundamental question before the courts right now: Is Measure 7 constitutional?
Tony Corcoran of Cottage Grove is minority whip in the Senate and represents portions of Lane and Douglas counties in Senate District 22. He can be reached in Salem at (503) 986-1722 or e-mail corcoran.sen@state.or.us Back to Top  Ranch Hand Trudy was everything I wanted to be Momma cow glowered at me. Her new calf was on his side, spindly legs pedaling for traction. While Trudy held the lasso taut, I was supposed to brand him. I'd seen her perform this chore many times before, and I was eager to prove myself. But Momma cow was impatient with my novice fumbling. She drew back her wrecking ball of a head and sent me flying. Trudy was a patient teacher. She shook her head and laughed, extended a work-roughened hand and helped me up. She freed the squirming calf from the lasso and patted his rump. Momma cow took over, and nosed her son out of harm's way. Trudy was my first lesbian mentor. She was strong and independent and could rope cattle like a real rancher, which she was. A straw cowboy hat anchored down her fine, gray-blond hair. Her green eyes were gentle, softer than the rest of her weathered face. She'd fire up her old brier pipe to commemorate special moments, the end of a long day, a job well done. Trudy was in the life years before the Stonewall riots brought gay liberation to America. She served in the U.S. Navy during the World War II. Nylon was rationed then so, to keep up with the dress code, the women painted stocking seams on their bare legs with eye make-up. Trudy's steady hand drew the little line up the backs of her bunkmates' legs. She was careful to conceal her pleasure. Trudy told me how sometimes she'd arrange access to a Jeep. Six like-minded women would pile in and head off base to the countryside. They'd park, and stroll away two by two. After the designated time, the three couples would meet at the Jeep and drive back to the base. They never talked about it. When the war was over they all returned to civilian life and got married to men. Thirty years and four husbands later, Trudy came out for good. Our paths crossed when I was only 25, newly out and still shaking off my heterosexual upbringing. Trudy was everything I wanted to be; a bold, independent woman who didn't need a man. "Ode to a Gym Teacher" was big on the women's music scene at the time. I'd ride my bike across town singing "She was a big tough woman, the first to come along, to show me being female meant you still could be strong." I pumped those pedals and glowed with hot love for my sure-talking, cowboy-booted, pipe-smoking Trudy. Still tender from a recent break-up, Trudy had no interest in romance, especially with an overly eager youngster like me. But I was persistent and got myself hired on as a ranch hand. She needed the help and I worked hard to earn my keep. After a few months, her resistance to my affections softened and she welcomed me into her bedroom. During the two years I lived with Trudy on her ranch, I developed a lot of self-confidence. She taught me how to use a chainsaw, drive a tractor and string barbed wire. I strutted around with my heavy leather gloves and big wire cutters in the back pocket of my ranch overalls. I was invincible. Trudy taught me not to be afraid of challenges, not to give up. My second try at branding succeeded. I seared the ranch emblem onto the hindquarters of that calf and set him loose before Momma cow arrived to investigate the commotion. Trudy tipped back the frayed brim of her hat, reached into her suede jacket and pulled out her tobacco pouch. She took her time packing and lighting her pipe. Puffs of gray smoke floated skyward and disappeared over the hayfield. Trudy click-closed her Zippo lighter, tapped out the pipe on her boot heel and we got back to work.
Sally Sheklow has been a part of the Eugene community since 1972 and is a member of the WYMPROV! comedy troupe. Her column, which began at EW, also runs in several other newspapers around the country.
The UO thinks it is competing for a Bend campus. It has put a lot of money into this. I am not the only one who sees the UO as the University of California at Eugene. I don't seem to be the only one who understands that what they are trying to set up is the University of California at Bend. The UO does not see the rest of Central Oregon. It only sees the growing tourist mecca of Bend3Sun River-Mt. Bachelor. I doubt anyone at the UO outside the Geology and Geography departments is even aware there is anything else on the other side of the Cascades. The UO is contemptuous of OSU's offering of science, engineering, agriculture, and forestry programs to Central Oregon. The UO thinks what "Bend" needs is programs that will teach them to service the tourists from Eugene and the UO and California. The UO claims it can offer a cheaper program. It sure can. After all, science classes are expensive. They require laboratories and lots of expensive equipment. Students in science programs definitely get a good deal for their tuition dollars. Students in social sciences get four walls and a chair. OSU has a record of commitment to serving students from Oregon. Unlike the UO, they haven't let the glitter of high tuition payments from out-of-state students blind them to their obligation to serve Oregonians. OSU has served students from central Oregon and the rest of the state very well. OSU deserves to be chosen to create a branch campus in central Oregon, and central Oregon deserves an OSU campus. Ann Tattersall Question USDA USDA assures us that no cases of BSE or CJD have been recorded here. But the only way we could record such cases is by examining the brain tissues of thousands of people who die each year of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia with CJD-like symptoms. USDA assures us that the BSE won't happen here because we have banned imports of British beef and beef products in 1989 and all European beef and beef products in 1997. And, because, a couple of months ago, the Food and Drug Administration finally banned the use of animal body parts in cattle feed. But the FDA admits that hundreds of feed manufacturers violate the ban. Yes, it's getting harder to trust the judgment of USDA officials and to tell fact from fiction. But, I do know what my family won't be eating. Fred Arbenz Support Womenspace Womenspace provides a safe place for abused women in a society where women have few, if any, avenues to support them against oppression. They also provide education to both men and women that helps prevent domestic violence. We all benefit from that! I am surprised at the recent letters from men that seemed to demand that Womenspace, run by all women, provide even more services to men. Isn't it about time that we men took responsibility for helping and healing our brothers? Justus Grose Student Opportunity This was not a trashing of the profession as much as it was an alert to undergrads to avoid the pitfalls of "easy" (handout) reporting, and to dig for the full story. Among us, my two sons and I have had 13 years of college journalism education, and never has one of us heard a classroom presentation as valuable as Cohen's talk. Class schedules are important, not to be changed without reason. But cancellation of Monday afternoon journalism classes for an Allen Hall convocation exposing all students to his insights (he was available) would have been of greater value than a week of classes. It would not have had to involve all students. Those majoring in advertising and public relations could have been excused. This talk had no relevance for them. George Beres Don't Dump Diesel What, exactly, is your friend Ban's problem with diesel engines? That they are noisy? Maybe this person has a problem with the way that they smell? Perhaps the visible particulate matter (smoke) offends their aesthetic sensibilities? Get used to it, the fact is that diesel engines pollute far less than their gasoline counterparts, and they do it using fewer resources. Also consider that there is an emerging interest in biodiesel, which is diesel motor fuel made from waste vegetable oil. Presto! Away goes the bad smell, the smoke and much of the noise. Also gone would be the net gain in global CO2, dependence on foreign oil, and virtually all of the harmful pollutants. This important energy resource can be made through a simple process by anyone who has basic kitchen skills, taking motor fuel production out of the hands of big oil and putting it where it belongs, back into the public domain. Yes, Tony, I do appreciate (and read with growing dismay) your columns about the antics up in Salem, but I think you need to research those bills you submit a little better, if this one is any indication. It might also behoove EW to send out one of their crack investigative reporters to send back a full report on the biodiesel story as well. R. Sparks Scott Unring the Bell Pele Smith (2/15) chose not to identify herself as an employee of Womenspace and the administration was quick to distance themselves from her comments for obvious reasons. They are defamatory and require apology and retraction. Her rabid attack on me personally casts ill on Womenspace, especially when she speaks on their behalf and deceives by not acknowledging her employment there. She didn't take time to learn the facts before she attacked. She made assumptions and statements meant solely to enflame and impugn without evidence, and her recklessness evidences the point I make about the bankrupt state of our court system and family services when fear and threats rule policy and decision making. Restraining orders are often based on nothing more than "expressed fear," rational or irrational. The Legislature would do well to assure that they are based on facts, and the penalties for false accusation are severe. Why isn't more emphasis placed on counseling and mediation as means to help families in crisis? Why aren't fathers' needs given the same considerations as mothers' when it comes to the long-term well being of the child ? How will Ms. Smith unring the bell now and when will she apologize for her lack of professionalism, compassion and self restraint? Jim Evangelista EDITOR'S NOTE: EW regrets the publication of the statement by Pele Smith in her letter last week. EW has seen no evidence to support her assumption that Jim Evangelista is a "batterer." Teachers, Not
Tax Cuts In reading about Helen Keller's life, I'm learning she was considered brilliant, able to transcend the "handicaps" of deafness and blindness. How much time was spent on her education? Annie Sullivan was with Keller nearly 24 hours a day from the time Keller was 7. Sullivan spelled into Keller's hand everything that she would have heard or seen. That's a lot of individual attention. Don't you think if students in our public schools received even one-10th of that level of attention, their own brilliance would come out? What kind of society would we have if the intelligence of all our citizens was encouraged and actively developed? If we've got extra money, why not use it to give kids more one-on-one time with teachers? Say, for example, class sizes of 10, instead of 30? Teachers would teach better, if focused on fewer students. Had Keller's father been poor, Helen Keller's name would not be well-known. Instead, her privilege allowed her to have a full-time teacher and Keller's innate intelligence blossomed. What blossoming can happen in the lives of the rest of our children if given more teachers? Tax cuts should be the last thing on our minds. And for the most selfish reasons 4 that we don't want to pay for the prisons that abound when our citizens become desperate because they lack choices the privileged enjoy. Hope Marston If It Ain't
Broke... My guess is that a bunch of guys who already have way more money than they know what to do with hit upon deregulation as a scheme to make even more. All that was needed then was to come up with a master plan of such complexity that most folks would give up trying to understand it, a few bought-and-paid-for politicians to smile and tout it, and an electorate gullible enough to believe that the noble rich really do have the public's best interests at heart. Voila: Oct. 1, 2001, when the admonition to stay cool will take on a new meaning. Bill Smee Tolerance is
Priceless The price tag of $295 per person excludes the greater community. The community has paid to attend with the $10,000 that helped underwrite this conference and the city (us) have also volunteered two employees to help coordinate the event. Perhaps a hate crime conference that would be affordable to the majority of us in Eugene would be more beneficial, informative and would get much more community involvement. At such a high price, it is hard to help prevent hate crimes, it creates tolerance of hate groups due to lack knowledge, and the ENTIRE community is not involved with dealing with this issue. The rest of us have been left out. I am sure that I could have been sponsored to go to this event, however if it is closed to the general public (because of the cost), I do not want to attend. Perhaps a conference that is affordable is our next response. Scott Britt Change-O-the-Green Perhaps it's now time for a new alliance. One that could be very positive for them and their ideals. I wonder if the Republicans would reach out? They just might! Could be a very mutually beneficial thing. The Dems failed. Start working with the Reps now and not have to wait four years to start over again. Dan O'Gorman True Talent
Lives As I see it, I think it says a lot about Sir Elton to perform with someone whose lyrics are extremely homophobic (and definitely bitter) and not take it personally. I'd check this out just out of curiosity, unlike the Aerosmith/NStynk/Brittany Smears embarrassment of the Super Bowl. At least you know Elton's not in it for a big paycheck. Secondly, with another fucking Bush in office, I think we (gays, lesbians, trans-everything, pre-op, post-op, and every color and individual in general), have more important things to worry about 4 like losing all the ground we gays and lesbians have gained under (no pun intended) Clinton (sure, we didn't get everything we wanted, but we got more than with most administrations). The Grammies needs all this publicity to prove that they're "hip" and "with it, daddy-o." Hubba Hubba for them. Let's not give this story any more attention. Eminem could end up being another Vanilla Ice 4 he'll hang himself eventually with his own words. True artists like Elton John remain. That's the thing about true talent. Try not to forget that. Edward D. Pond Double Standard When rapper Ice Cube joined the Nation of Islam, he said in an interview that, "all white people are snakes, but not all of them are poisonous." His album "Lethal Injection" begins with a "Mr. White" having a gun placed in his mouth and the first beat of the song is a gunshot. The next song, "Cave Bitch," proclaims the inferiority of white women compared to black women. His last movie "Next Friday" debuted as the number one movie in the country and stayed there for two weeks. He also starred with George Clooney in the critically acclaimed movie "Three Kings." I am writing this to denounce the anti-hate zealots who consider white racists criminals and make black racists movie stars. John Oelke Material World Terry Heintz Protect Refuge You are probably aware that oil lobbyists are pushing to open up the coastal plain of the refuge for drilling. But you may not be aware that the U.S. Geological Service has estimated there is only about six months worth of oil to be obtained from this area. This oil will not be ready for consumption for another 10 years, so it will do nothing to assuage the current energy crisis. Simply put, it would be shortsighted and foolhardy to destroy an entire ecosystem for six months worth of oil. The oil lobby has tried to deceive the public by saying that environmental damage will be minimal, but the nearby Prudhoe Bay oil fields prove otherwise. Current research has shown that 80 percent of the American public think the area should be protected. Smart consumers know that the answer to the current energy crisis lies not in drilling more land, but in finding ways to use less energy and produce fuel-efficient cars. Prices will go down if we stop selling oil to Japan and re-regulate the power industry. Higher fuel efficiency, regulation, and lower prices are the last thing the oil magnates want, but they are too blind sighted by immediate profits to care about the long-term effects on the environment. They should care. If you think that the extinction of an animal species has no negative effect on human life, think again. Humans are at the top of the food chain, so you can see how it is not a good idea to eliminate links. It will take an act of Congress to open up the refuge for drilling, so please ensure the protection of animal and human life by writing your congressmen and encouraging them to continue protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Jennifer Bernham However the tactic is not only unfair and thus illegitimate when applied to large groups, but it is likely to be ineffective. This tactic is based on the incorrect assumption that all the property-respecting students are the "peers" of the vandals in some social sense that would enable them to bring pressure to bear. I doubt whether it is true that the majority of the students even know of, much less know personally, the culprits. It is indeed analogous to penalizing all blacks in a community for the crime of one black person, on the "reasonable" assumption that all the other blacks would then band together to collectively sanction offenders in their midst, instead of banding together to oppose discrimination and stereotyping. But the illogic of the strategy is not the fundamental point. Even if it were to work perfectly, it is a form of discrimination that should not be tolerated. The paternalistic tone of Candace's letter suggests that an adult-owned business in the community is analogous to a parent in a household, and the youth in the community analogous to that parent's children. In fact, young people are citizens who should be treated with the same respect and accorded the same rights as adults in the community. How else can we legitimately expect young people to uphold the responsibilities of adults, which are increasingly required of them without any corresponding increase in political voice or respect from society? Humble Bagel's actions are a blatant example of this double standard. I will stand by students in opposing such discrimination by joining their boycott and encouraging my friends to do the same. Charli Carpenter Rights Ignored On Jan. 25th of this year, I was sentenced to a year term for having violated the conditions of my probation, having been found in the possession of street drugs. Because of this year sentence, I am now considered a convict and will be paying for post-prison supervision, which includes constant urinalysis, well into this decade. At this point, I will be one toke away from spending more time in jail. I hold myself accountable for my misdeeds, whether I believe the punishment fits the crime or not. I write to you because I feel an even greater injustice is being dealt here at Lane County Jail. I have been a vegetarian for 13 years. I do not eat meat, fish or eggs. The authorities here say that unless I can prove to them that my reasons for being a vegetarian are founded in a documented religious justification and that I can prove, by their standards (providing names, addresses and phone numbers of clergy) that I am an active participating member of such an institution, then, and only then, can I have what they term a "special diet." There is no lack of scriptural evidence to support my vegetarian lifestyle, regardless of the tradition. The fact that I have to go through this inquisition to be fed properly, I feel, is a violation of my constitutional rights. Because my values are non-traditional, I have no support from the clergy available to practice my religious beliefs. I am hungry, not only for food, but for the satisfaction that comes from knowing that I live in a nation where one's beliefs and civil rights are honored to the highest degree. Christopher Dean-Hill
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