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Insider
Baseball: Messin' Session: Meet Salem's Gang of 5.
Natural
Resistance: Facing the Evidence: A proposal for local policy
on scientific evidence. Part II.
Viewpoint:
Tax & Spend Liberals: It's time to re-examine this tired label.
Living Out: Spud Love: It takes times to melt into it.
Letters:
EW readers sound off.
Messin' Session
Meet Salem's
Gang of 5.
And you folks in Eugene thought the Gang of 9 was scary? Hang on
sisters and brothers, we're going for a long strange trip! We're heading into a special
session of the Oregon Legislature Friday, Feb. 8, to trim $830 million from the state's
budget. Nothing good can happen when 90 politicians gather in Salem to address a
crisis and arrive without a plan or a clue. Gov. Kitzhaber says he's done messin'
around with the Republican leadership in the Legislature: "Put up or shut up.
Get in here and do your job. Balance the budget and either cut the programs -- K
through 12, higher ed, human services, public safety -- or come up with some ongoing
revenue to save the programs."
When legislative leaders from both parties met with the Governor
in December, they couldn't agree on a starting point to talk about what level of
cuts were acceptable, or how we could pay for the programs we wanted to restore.
So each caucus was allowed to choose one member to participate in a "Gang of
4." But the House Republicans didn't trust their own co-chair of Ways and Means,
my buddy Ben Westlund, so they sent in Susan Morgan as well to make it a "Gang
of 5." Republican Sen. Len Hannon along with Rep. Kurt Schrader, and my favorite
Senator, Peter Courtney, the two Democrats, completed the team. Unfortunately Courtney,
being Irish, is not genetically programmed to do numbers and math and budgets --
he thinks "spreadsheet" is something farmers do to fertilize their crops
-- so he was there mostly to mix metaphors. He loves war analogies: "Watch out,
folks, when this war starts we're all going to be jumping into foxholes on the submarine."
The Gang of 5 worked their butts off for six weeks, but the Republicans
in the group were hampered by their caucus leaders. Half of the House Republicans
and most of the Senate Republicans want a "scorched earth" budget; they
want to cut everything: $300 million in K-12 education, huge cuts to the universities
and community colleges, healthy start programs for at-risk babies, mental health
for the poor, services to the developmentally disabled, protective services for endangered
children. These demagogues don't care -- they were elected on a "no new taxes"
mantra -- and by god they've got to live up to their word.
Since the Republicans insist on no new taxes, they're acting irresponsibly by
stealing money from every one-time source they can -- cigarette trust fund, Medicaid
money, even robbing the corpus of the Common School Fund -- so they can settle this
deal without any new revenue. Bill Sizemore has the Republicans so scared they won't
even consider delaying the next new tax break for the wealthy, Ballot Measure 88,
which increases federal tax deductions from state income tax for high end taxpayers.
They won't consider raising any "sin taxes" on tobacco, beer or wine, to
save us from having to cut funding for education, school-based health clinics, or
early intervention health programs for at-risk children. Ironically, there are enough
votes in the House and the Senate to pass the sin taxes, but Speaker Simmons and
Senate President Derfler won't let them even come to the floor for a vote! This has
provoked some interesting proposals for revenue: One would fund education by expanding
video gambling to include "line games" -- we call that Slots for Tots.
Or allow state liquor stores to sell on Sunday -- we call that Shots for Tots.
But the Gang of 5 ultimately failed, their proposal was shot down by all four
caucuses, their cut level of $481 million was too high for us and too low for the
Republicans. So politics has suddenly gotten real ugly, and I'm predicting a session
that lasts either 35 days or 35 minutes, nothing in between. Many Republicans tell
us confidentially that they would support some new taxes, but they're worried that
their party will run candidates against them in the primary. And then, to add insult
to injury, they want Democrats to provide them the votes to make the cuts. I told
my Senate Democratic colleagues that we shouldn't give the Republican leaders one
vote for the cuts; let these heartless bums own the consequences.
Don't you just love state politics? Stay tuned!
Sen. Tony Corcoran of Cottage Grove represents portions of Lane
and Douglas counties in the newly formed Senate District 4, which now includes the
UO area. He can be reached at corcoran.sen@state.or.us
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Facing the Evidence
A proposal for local
policy on scientific evidence. Part II.
Imagine you have been sued for contaminating your neighbor's well
with pesticides. You're in court, and you bring evidence to show your innocence.
For instance, there is no trace of the pesticides in your soil. Aquifer water for
wells flows toward your property from your neighbor's, not vice-versa. You
have photographs of your neighbor applying chemicals on her property. Neighbors testify
that you have often spoken of your organic garden. But the court rules in your neighbor's
favor, without even mentioning any of your evidence. You don't believe that's good
process.
Now consider that a gravel company wants to mine gravel in prime
farmland surrounded by family farms. The local county government can't permit the
mine if it will deprive surrounding farmers of water. The gravel company says
they'll maintain well water by pumping water that would flow into the mining pit
back into the surrounding ground. They also say they'll help get a replacement well
if a farmer loses water.
Imagine you're a civil engineering professor. You see the company's
water pumping plan and you realize it doesn't make sense. You send information to
the county staff, for instance: 1) The one pumping test the company did on the
proposed gravel mine site showed a lot of water flowing out -- more than the
company is estimating. 2) No pumping system like the one proposed has ever been shown
to maintain surrounding well water levels. 3) A replacement well may not be possible,
and, if it were, it would have to so far from the failed well that the farmer's costs
would significantly increase.
But the county staff tells the county commissioners that the gravel
mine won't significantly affect surrounding farmers' water or costs. The staff doesn't
ever explain why the evidence you submitted isn't more accurate than the gravel
company's. The staff doesn't describe the two sets of evidence. It's as if you never
sent in your scientific evidence.
That's not good process, but it's the process being used by Lane
County staffpersons Thom Lanfear and his supervisor Kent Howe with evidence on groundwater
loss, dust damage, flooding, and whether the site even has enough good gravel to
meet state law for a gravel mine. There should be a policy that requires county staff
to show they have understood and competently considered scientific evidence relevant
to a decision with real world consequences before they make recommendations for commissioners'
decisions. County staff shouldn't automatically accept all evidence from all professors,
self-styled scientists, or citizens as accurate or relevant. But they should
have to indicate why they think the information is or is not accurate or relevant.
Local government should not be able to simply ignore evidence. It's not good government
process.
Federal rules under the National Environmental Policy Act require federal agencies
to acknowledge and either use or explain their rejection of evidence that is submitted
by the public during a comment process on federal proposals. It's a good process,
because it means you won't be wasting your time if you spend hours reading government
and industry documents and then you carefully explain, using information and documentation,
why the government or industry is not being accurate. Your information must be taken
seriously.
We need a Lane County and Eugene City policy about response to
evidence submitted during public comment processes. The policy should require those
submitting evidence to include a clear, plain-language summary, and to provide documentation
and access to data critical to their clear argument. And the policy should require
that staff show they understood the evidence, and why they are or are not accepting
and using it. When conflicting evidence comes in, e.g., from a gravel company
and a scientist independent of gravel money, the staff should indicate why one set
of evidence and not the conflicting evidence is being relied upon.
In the coming months, I and several other scientists and advocates
of good government will be approaching your Lane County commissioners and Eugene
city councilors with a policy proposal about scientific evidence. We want to make
sure you won't be ignored when you bring good evidence -- even if it is evidence
your government would rather not face
Mary O'Brien has worked as a public interest scientist for the
past 20 years. She can be reached at mob@efn.org
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Tax & Spend
Liberals?
It's time to
re-examine this tired label.
How about those tax and spend Republicans? They lowered the taxes
for the wealthy, putting more of a tax burden on the middle class, the lifeblood
of the Republic. But then, the GOP has been practicing class warfare forever. That's
who they are, the wealthy, rich. They are getting richer. Five trillion dollars of
projected surplus for the economy has "disappeared." In the stock market
trillions more have been "lost." The money didn't disappear
or get lost. It didn't evaporate or leave the earth. It went into the pockets of
the filthy rich. How much was your tax cut?
Whatever happened to that "Contract with America"? Back
in 1994, when the Republicans gained congressional power, the first thing the GOP
did was eliminate the free school lunch program for poverty level children. That
took guts. Poverty level folks can't line congressional or executive pockets.
The Repubs came to dominate congress and the presidency crowing about the evils
of "tax and spend liberals."
The price and power of the regime now in place is complete, for
the moment. They have proven they can be bought. Abusing executive power, they have
made a blitzkrieg of demolishing governmental safeguards that were meant to protect
the people. They rule by secret meetings. Funny how Cheney met with his oil baron
buddies from Enron half a dozen times about the development of
an "energy" policy, yet didn't bother to invite dozens of other players
in the energy community.
Talk about "spend." Which party is it that is expanding government
so rapidly? The Department of Defense (DOD) was more appropriately named the Department
of War, but the post-WWII military-industrial complex changed the name to "Defense"
to keep up appearances and the military budget. They are planning a return to the
"Star Wars" mentality of the Reagan era. (In tests, they've managed to
hit a moving dummy missile as long as they know where and when it was launched, how
fast it was moving and where it was going.)
The terrible tragedy of Sept. 11 was a legitimate cause to blow
bin Laden and his crazy band of Taliban off the face of the Earth. Yes, it is good
and appropriate to lead an international coalition against terrorism. But, our commitment
to rebuild Afghanistan is relatively small, about $300 million, compared to Bush's
$38 billion for "homeland defense."
Bush has used this terrible tragedy to distract the American people
from the domestic mess the GOP has made of our country. Are you better off now than
you were a year ago? The GOP plutocracy is doing a great job of usurping democracy
with this exaggerated war on terrorism, especially since it is
not a declared war; it is a get-even police action.
Just what is it we pay the DOD, FBI, DEA and the CIA to do? It
seems the DOD can't protect us enough, so we need a new bureaucracy of "homeland
defense." The Republicans are making government bigger and much, much more expensive.
And money, Bush proposes billions upon billions for this expanded vision of Big Brother.
Where is all that money going to come from?
Why have we been spending $25 million a week flying jet fighters
around big cities when a 15-year-old kid in a tiny airplane managed to fly into a
tall building, killing only himself and his tormented soul? If it had been a terrorist
bomb, the jets couldn't have caught it in time, so much for General Electric, General
Dynamics, General Motors and all the other Generals.
"No child will be left behind" sounds pretty vacuous now. One out of
five children live in poverty. Nothing has been done, is planned
to be done, or will never be done for poverty level children by Republicans. They
don't care. The national debt, Social Security, Medicare, prescription benefits for
seniors, poverty and the homeless are no longer significant issues.
So, with the silent approval of disgusted citizens, Bush, Cheney
and their merry band of corporate thieves (Enron, Anderson and others) take our labor,
pensions, health care, lives, liberty and democracy away from us. It's quite clear
that the congressional, the executive and judicial branches of government are pretty
much owned by big money.
Don't let the Republicans continue to use the mantra "tax
and spend liberals." It's obvious that the tax and spend label
needs to be redirected to the conservatives. They have miles to go before they sleep
and eliminate corporate taxes, lower taxes on the wealthy and spend the public's
money.
Jimmy Carter of Eugene has written for National Public Radio and
The Guide, a publication of the International City Manager's Association,
and is a political commentator.
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Spud Love
It takes times to melt
into it.
I wasn't looking for love. Having a fling was fine, but nothing
long-term for me, thanks. My "Forever" relationships had always ended in
ugly scenes and late-night door slamming. Who would want that to last till the end
of time?
My real "Love Forever" came disguised as your run-of-the-mill,
crotch-throbbing attraction. We'd known each other socially for years, but no sparks.
Exactly one month before our first night together, the future love of my life
interviewed me about my trip to Gay Lobby Day on the radio show she hosted. I was
nervous, she was cool, competent, a woman in charge.
I couldn't take my eyes off those chubby little fingers diddling
the console knobs. During a break she took off her headphones. "You're shy aren't
you?" Wonga wonga!
Something got me about her seeing the tender inner self behind
my out 'n proud persona. I drove away from the radio station vowing she'd be my next
fling. Only for the sex, of course.
I invited her to stuff envelopes at the non-profit where I volunteered.
She had a meeting. I asked her if she wanted to go to the Pride rally. She was fixing
her sink. A movie? She had a dentist appointment. Finally, one night at a potluck
she announced "I've got a free pair of concert tickets, anybody want to go?"
"I will!" I was too gaga to notice her trepidation. I
tried to make a good impression in my vintage Hawaiian shirt, a poor choice for the
chilly auditorium's metal seats. I scooted my chair toward her, hoping for some body
heat. Was it my imagination, or did she scoot away? I scooted again. So did she.
During the standing ovation I sidled closer. She stepped into the aisle.
It was pouring rain when the concert let out. We had to run across
the parking lot to her truck. I hoped she'd put her warm arm around me or at least
lay one of those pudgy little paws on my thigh. I wanted to connect, win her over,
get in her pants. When a huge RV passed us I said, "Ah, that's my fantasy --
drive out to the boonies in a big camper and have loud sex."
Silence. She didn't say a word for the whole 45-minute drive home.
I made myself wait a week to call her up. "Hi, I just harvested my potatoes.
Want to come over for dinner?"
"Sure, that sounds exciting."
Potatoes? Exciting? This from the chair scooter? Maybe she finally
ran out of excuses. Maybe she had a thing for spuds. We ate our baked potatoes. She
was relaxed, warm, funny. Why hadn't I ever noticed those huge blue eyes?
"Another potato?" I asked.
After dinner, we took a walk, held hands, talked, laughed. We hugged
good-night at my gate. Full body press. The next night we went to a GALA dance. We
made out in the car and went home to my place. We shared a whole year of sleep-overs
before I started using the word "Love." Even longer before "Forever"
passed my lips. On our first six-month-a-versary, she gave me a card asking "Wanna
try for another six months?" I hit the roof.
"Quit future tripping. Don't lay any expectations on me!"
The moment I changed is hard to pinpoint. Maybe it was when my
old dog died and my sweetie stepped up to the number one loyal companion spot. Maybe
it was weathering tough times without turning on each other that let me relax into
love. Or maybe it just kept being good, so I stayed. After 14 years, even I will
admit this isn't a fling. And the love keeps unfolding -- like one of those party-favor
balls you unravel slowly so you don't miss any of the little prizes tucked between
the layers. Who wouldn't want it to last forever?
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.
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MASSIVE PUSH
After watching the President's State of the Union Address,
I was left with a feeling of sadness and depression. Once again the future is clouded
by another endless cycle of going into debt making weapons of mass destruction to
destroy those who have obtained some of our weapons of mass destruction.
Rather than add to a defense budget that is already larger than
the budgets of the next top 15 nations combined, I would like our president to embark
on a project as bold as Kennedy's moon landing project: an America that produces
all of its own energy. A massive push is all that is needed for the technology of
an inexpensive renewable energy source to become reality. All the money we send to
the Middle East for oil returns to us as weapons in the hands of those who seek to
destroy us. A new energy source would break the chains that now bind the people of
this planet to it's endless cycle of war.
Michael T. Hinojosa
Drain
FINANCING THE FIGHT
Now our health dollars are going to finance the fight between PeaceHealth and
McKenzie-Willamette hospitals, as they duke it out for the most coveted insurance
money. I believe this may take our health care dollars and fling them as far afield
as they've ever been.
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STOP THE TAX BREAKS
An open letter to city councilors and county commissioners:
Why should Eugene taxpayers want to throw more good money after
bad? I urge you to reject Hynix' request for more tax breaks. We already have given
this company roughly $46 million in tax breaks. Hynix has proven that it will not
provide secure jobs. After laying off its workers with no notice, it has reduced
the number of jobs at its factory and is asking the City Council and County Commission
to waive the requirement that tax breaks lead to creating new jobs.
It also sued the city and county to get bigger tax breaks; it violated
civil rights laws by illegally discriminating in hiring for the Eugene factory; it
violated laws protecting our water, and violated worker safety laws.
As it goes in the high-tech world, much of the technology was antiquated
before production began, and it was well known that 140 of its production tools would
be replaced soon after new construction was complete. That was two years ago. Local
pipefitters, electricians, laborers and millwrights have waited for the announcement
of this contract, and have just been rewarded with the news that Hynix plans to bring
50 workers in from Korea to do the work.
This company's failings are well documented. Its parent company
is reportedly roughly $8 billion in debt, despite repeated bailouts. It is not
a company that people of Eugene can count on for secure jobs and we should not be
giving it public handouts. Indeed, our handouts to Hynix were recognized as one of
the top 10 worst corporate handouts in 1998! Do not repeat the same mistakes.
Eugene has much reason to be concerned about the harm to our environment
and resources that a computer chip plant can bring. A financier friend of ours, based
in Asia, was astounded and appalled by the water give-away in the contract. We must
realize that Eugene and Oregon are unique in having relatively clean and abundant
water and good environmental qualities. But these resources can be easily destroyed
and wasted, and should not be squandered in giveaways to outside corporations.
If we want to support secure jobs, we should be supporting companies
with a track record of providing secure jobs. Hynix has proven that it does not provide
secure jobs. Please vote against further tax breaks for Hynix.
Evelyn & Bayard McConnaughey
Eugene
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We should feel so indignant at financing the fight greed created while
we go without health care, endure other shortages to pay exorbitant health care costs
and helplessly watch each other suffer. These hospitals are the health care industry
in our community; they are here to serve our needs yet are spending their time trying
to grab insurance dollars and I know the source of dollars for the hospitals and
the insurance companies, is ME, the consumer, the worker.
The health provision industry takes our money, buys insurance,
buys attorneys and wages war on each other. We let them but we don't have to. We
live in Oregon and we have a choice for health care that bypasses all of these people
and lets us deal directly with our care providers. Let our care providers compete
against each other for our business and everyone else can stay out of our business!
Find a copy of the petition for Health Care for All Oregon, sign it, get a summary
of the bill, look it up (www.healthcareforalloregon.org), read it and then
vote yourself some health care that won't squander your money on corporate arguments.
Jane Moodie
Eugene
PUT BRAKES ON BREAKS
Let's go easy on tax breaks! Every tax break is a tax burden for taxpayers.
I can agree that we should all participate in reviving our downtown
but I realize that the low and middle income families already pay at an unjust tax
rate in Oregon. It makes me question tax breaks for developers and corporations.
If we have tax breaks let's have them for education and health
care for our country's future.
Ruth Duemler
Eugene
GOING TO WAR
At last we hear about Clayton Lee Waagner, the man who confessed to sending fake
anthrax threats to 550 abortion clinics (R-G, 1/26). It turns out he was tried
for charges not even related to the anthrax scares!
Imagine if Waagner were of Arab decent and had made even one threat
at any American institution. The Justice Department would undoubtedly have charged
him with making terrorist threats, he would be a household name and his case would
have received daily front-page coverage, like the cases of Zacarius Moussaoi and
Richard Reid. Instead, more than two months after his arrest, the federal government
has yet to charge Waagner on the anthrax threats.
We must examine such instances of "selective justice"
in which cases are handled differently depending on the perpetrator and the cause.
Perhaps Ashcroft, well known for his anti-abortion views, wishes not to anger his
anti-choice backers. Or it could be that action comes more swiftly for those to whom
he is ideologically opposed.
Waagner signed his letters "Army of God" and is quoted
as saying that "going to war with these people is the best thing (he has) done,"
in effect declaring jihad on abortion providers. Our response to the fundamentalists
in our own midst, who resort to the same tactics for which Islamic fundamentalists
are denounced, is revealing.
It is hypocritical to expect other governments to crack down on
their fundamentalist factions if we are not willing to do the same with our own.
Char Heitman
Eugene
WORDS OF CAUTION
In all human endeavors, as we grow towards a greater and more elegant body of
knowledge, generalizations require caution. In Aria Seligmann's recent article about
health care and muscle testing (1/24), she quotes Rita Hartmann as saying, "Anything
that's good for you will strengthen your muscles. Anything that's bad for you will
have the opposite effect."
A mother seeing her child threatened or even another person's intention
towards us will make our muscles temporarily strong or weak. Does that mean that's
good? Or bad? Or that we can rely on only that for useful data?
This is one of the most widely held and hazardous concepts in the
developing health care field today. Muscle testing, or autonomic nervous system testing,
using changes in muscle spindle length, is a good and powerful tool. Much like the
computer it has greatly enlarged our insight into the workings and treatment of our
bodies.
However, Dr. Goodheart mentioned in the article, Yoshiaki Omura,
MD at the University of Tokyo, and a leader in the development and validation of
the two-digit O-ring test mentioned in the article, and many other workers in this
field, have clearly demonstrated that the shift in muscle strength represents only
a dynamic state change in the automatic nerves.
Computer digital code uses state change from 0 to 1, over and over
to run our computers and empower us to vastly expand our abilities. In the same way
the indicator of state change in muscle strength is a wonderful new tool in these
last decades. Yet, to say strong is good or weak is not begs the intricacies of filters
and feedback in our bodies and spirits. Strength measurements only indicate change
and relationship; change modified with emotion, allergy, toxin, nutrition and intent,
just to name a few.
Many people use muscle testing as a tool. Like most tools it requires
skill to use well. Diagnosis and treatment with muscle testing need careful examination
of data to be safe and useful.
Daniel Hardt ND
Eugene 0
LARGER SCIENCE
As a kinesiologist of more than 25 years practice, I was caught by your article
"Back into Balance" (1/24). I very much appreciate the application to which
Ms. Hartman has put the science of kinesiology, and have used similar techniques
in my career specialty, dance kinesiology. I did want to clarify, however, that kinesiology
is a much larger science than your article could be expected to cover, and in respect
for the kinesiologists who look upon muscle testing in much the same way the AMA
views naturopathy and acupuncture, I would like to expand your lay readers' perspective
with the following information.
Kinesiology is the study of movement in living bodies. It involves
analysis of structure, biomechanics (the physics of the body), and neuromuscular
analysis. The results of these analyses are applied to such areas as sports performance,
arterial friction, joint efficiency, physical and occupational therapy, ideokinesis,
exercise physiology, and (for those academicians willing to make the stretch) Specialized
Applied Kinesiology, which uses muscle testing as a neuromuscular indicator for holistic
diagnosis.
I personally am glad to see my field expanded into as many applications
as possible, and applaud your inclusion of the work initiated by Goodheart, Thie,
Diamond, and others. I also wanted to give voice to many of my colleagues who may
feel slighted when their branch of the discipline is not the lay public's introduction
to the field.
Leslie A. Ditson
Eugene
PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY
We were all greatly shocked, saddened, then angered by the loss of more than
3,000 innocent lives on Sept. 11. Our government has taken drastic steps to prevent
a recurrence of such tragedy.
Then, on Dec. 13, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher announced
that 100 times that many Americans die each year of diseases caused or aggravated
by obesity, a self-inflicted, totally preventable tragedy. More than 61 percent of
adults and 14 percent of children are affected. He estimated the annual cost to our
nation at $117 billion.
Yet, our government is not mobilizing the National Guard at fast
food restaurants. It is not detaining hundreds of meat and dairy distributors for
secret interrogation. It is not suggesting military tribunals for officials of the
meat and dairy industries.
Instead, Congress votes additional subsidies for meat and dairy
agribusiness. USDA dumps meat and dairy surpluses on school children. Government
medical programs treat victims of obesity at taxpayer expense, without seeking redress
from the perpetrators.
As free Americans, we don't have to suffer from our government's
myopic perspective.
At the onset of the New Year, let us resolve to replace meat, dairy,
and other fatty foods in our diet with wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Let us insist that our schools offer wholesome meals and nutrition education curricula.
Let us reclaim our health and get a new lease on life.
Fred Arbenz
Eugene
PUT DOWN THE PIPE
I want to applaud Patrick S. Charles (1/24) for his insightful explanation of
American democracy as a Keanu Reeves film. Once again EW's readership has
shown it's deep comprehension of our political system and warned us of the impending
doom that is sure to arise.
First of all Pat: Its a fantasy film, not Schindler's List!
Second: Why not make the comparison with other more noteworthy films such as Soylent
Green or Planet of the Apes (the original). Yes, it is truly frightening
to think Keanu might be the savior of our future, but Pat, wake up and smell the
reality. Oh yes, thanks for concluding with a plea to legalize hemp. Nothing says,
"Hey, here's what society needs to do to save itself!" more than the ramblings
of someone who probably should put down the pipe and take a deep inhalation of American
reality!
Jeffrey Fields
Eugene
WEAKENED GOVERNMENT
G. W. Bush stands for the archaic ideas that are leading us back to the time
when there were a few very wealthy lords and many starving peasants. However, King
George is just a figurehead for this retrograde change in society. This movement
is well organized and funded by a few of the wealthy to increase their power and
holdings.
Only a concerted effort will change the direction American society
is taking. Each of us needs to be aware of what is happening, to take actions when
possible, and to work together.
Already Bush has passed his tax cuts for the wealthy. This concentrates
money for the rich and weakens our government, impairing its ability to carry out
programs such as health care and oversight of corporations.
Big corporations were given big tax breaks and the Bush stimulus
package would cut their taxes and those of the wealthy even more. Several big corporations,
such as Enron, have avoided paying taxes for the last four out of five years, yet
the Bush energy program had at least 17 provisions that directly benefited Enron.
The current administration is helping to fleece America. What is
becoming visible from the Enron collapse is shocking, but that is only the tip of
the iceberg.
Fretting about the situation won't help. Take action. Register
to vote! And a good long-term solution is to support solar energy technologies. This
will help clean up the environment and move us towards energy independence. And when
the giant corporations get greedy and jack up the prices because there is a "shortage,"
think how good your energy independence feels.
Frank Vignola
Eugene
SAVE THE JUICE
I am writing to you as a customer and friend of the Odyssey Juice Bar. As a massage
therapist, I am always looking for businesses providing healthy alternatives to fast
food. As a person concerned with supporting local, organic products, I frequent the
Odyssey as often as possible.
Walt (Hunt), the owner, has created an affordable, yet classy establishment
providing to the whole community. Often, there are a variety of customers from teens
to seniors. Most customers that I've noticed seem to walk away satisfied with their
organic juice or hearty soup. On Friday evenings the Odyssey changes its look a bit
by bringing in DJ's with turntables and playing techno music for a few hours. This
gives those of us who love to dance, or just listen, a chance to do so outside the
typical tavern or club-type setting. It also seems to give teenagers a safe gathering
place to make new friends or just hang out with the ones that they have. But it isn't
just teens who are attracted to the Odyssey. I am 25 and have met other adults from
the community of all ages there.
In a time when we are all feeling separated from the rest of the
world, the Odyssey brings together the community and offers a welcoming, warm environment.
Nutrition and exercise are lacking in today's population and the Odyssey, with the
leadership of Walt, helps provide a lot of each.
In a time when fear is making itself more visible than ever, Walt
is giving the whole community a safe, non-judging environment to listen to music,
dance, eat or drink, and gather with each other. Where hate is unfortunately too
common place today, Walt is refreshing by providing a loving and nutritious juice
bar for the community.
Dustin Minch, LMT
Eugene
NO COMPARISON
Regarding the "Sex Education" letter (1/17): An editor was in hot coals
over "pornography" which upset you. In effort to blame the female gender
you used a woman author and shared your opinions on "rape." There's no
comparison, one's violent!
The article quotes: It's "weak" women who want and fantasize
about being raped or forcefully dominated, men don't want to dominate; it's how one's
raised.
However, you clearly wanted fire as seen in the opening and closing
paragraphs. You sicken me using "rape" as a weapon! Women "weak"?
Ha!
With education and common sense, most learn in youth not to believe
everything they read, your quotes were another's opinions and beliefs. With access
to libraries one is able to find facts (not you though). Let's clarify: Those who
are "dominated" are quite strong, not afraid of losing power or safety;
unlike a rapist (proven powerless).
Women fantasize, they are just that, fantasies! Rape is a reality
and a horrible truth. No woman wants or asks to be raped! Do you portray us weak,
fragile or unequal? Do you see a human or a whole? No man on Earth has the right
or knowledge to speak about rape (unless he has been victimized).
Vincent, your intentions were clear fire directed as us queens.
No integrity, you sadden me.
Real men don't dare, are aware, they respect and have compassion.
I hope your eyes open and gain insight.
Naomy Ford
Eugene
OTTO'S FINE PLAN
That article re: "Saving Downtown" (1/24) was very exciting. So many
wonderful ideas. Now, how do we get the City Council to consider at least one or
any of the suggestions?
The article mentioned Otto Poticha -- well, I remember way back
when the whole question of "closing" the streets downtown was being debated.
Otto and his colleagues had a fine plan that many of us thought would work so well,
but it was, sad to say, put down.
Anyway, thanks, Alan, for putting out a sane and creative view.
Lois Diller
Eugene
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