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SO LONG, TONY I was disappointed to see that Tony Corcoran is resigning his state Senate seat, although I am pleased with his appointment to the Employment Appeals Board. His confirmation by the Senate should be a no-brainer (which, in today's political climate, may mean a one or two vote margin). As a Republican, I certainly haven't always agreed with Tony, but I've always respected his candor, his commitment and his integrity. No matter how wrong-headed I sometimes thought he was, I always knew he was doing what he thought was right and not just what was politically expedient. And no one ever had to wonder where he stood on an issue after talking to him. When he was selected to head the PERS reform committee in the Senate, my Republican friends in Salem were saying that this was either the best possible selection or the worst. While many of them feared the latter, I predicted it would be the former. I was right. Thanks to Tony, the impetus for legitimate PERS reform did not degenerate into public employee-bashing. Nor did he allow the full cost of bringing the system in compliance with fiscal realities fall entirely on new hires and future public employees. I was reluctant to write this letter because I'm sure Tony is tired of having Republicans congratulate him on the courageous and principled stand he took on this issue. But what I would like to point out is that this was not an anomaly for Tony. Throughout his years of public service — which are by no means over — he has never been afraid to stand up for what he thinks is right. Unfortunately, too many of us are willing to acknowledge this only when we agree with what someone is doing. I figure this is a good time to belatedly confess that I have admired this quality in Tony even when we disagreed. And, I'm pleased to say, I don't expect him to change. Jack Roberts, Exec. Director, Lane Metro Partnership
GUTTING PERS Most mainstream media are businesses — big businesses, even — and as such are generally opposed to organized labor and all it stands for. The thoughtful observer should keep this in mind when a prominent labor "leader" such as Tony Corcoran begins to be lionized in the press as one whom, despite a strong union background, "nobly sacrificed everything for what he believed in." One should also remember that, even though there is a hiring freeze in state government right now, Corcoran nevertheless managed to get "appointed" to a cushy state job by his PERS-gutting cohort, Ted Kulongoski, one wherein he will eventually be making more than he ever did with SEIU. Bill Smee , Eugene
READ THE DIRECTIONS In response to yet another complaint about punch cards and hanging chads in your lovely Best of Eugene issue, I'd like to say that only a careless fool would have trouble with them. Anyone who bothers to take the time to read the directions, punch out the correct chad, and check for any hanging chads, deserves to have their vote counted. Darwinism clearly weeds out the rest. Unfortunately, in this day and age, the directions could be in flashing neon lights, and most people would ignore them. People who blame a piece of stiff paper for their problems have more important issues. Dayna Terry, Eugene
CRAP SHOOT This is for the scurvy sauce who ripped off my diabetic medications from my car parked at Willamette Plaza where I work. This happened at about 6.30 am on Sept. 17. Can you believe it? Look, if I had opiates or synthetic opiates, I wouldn't leave them on the passenger seat. All those medicines will do is lower your blood sugar until you go into a diabetic coma. See ya. You are no doubt a junkie sifting through crap to be happy. Ironically, I'm for Rx for addicts and 24 hour liquor stores — all legal. Hey, idiot, you missed the Rolex and the '59 Fender Stratocaster. You can't do anything right. Greg Hume, Creswell (I hate Eugene)
ONLY KUCINICH LEFT In response to Jim Johnson's letter (9/25) criticizing Kucinich backers, I suggest that those who insist that Dean is the only candidate with a chance of beating Bush are wearing blinders. Unfortunately, since Americans love generals and he is backed by the Clintons, Clark may have a better chance. Shouldn't we instead vote for him? If Kucinich has no chance, that is because most Americans know little about him. The mass media choose to tell us about a few candidates and to ignore the others. In doing so, they think to control access to the Democratic nomination and make sure that no one who threatens their interests will be elected. Americans without cable television have been able to watch only the first of the ongoing series of debates. And it's no accident that the California gubernatorial debate received more news coverage, though most of us cannot vote in California. The missing information can be found on the Internet, where I have learned that Kucinich is a man of integrity whose record proves him unafraid to remain himself and speak his convictions in the face of a crowd of look-alike, talk-alike, and commit-to-as-little-as-possible Democratic politicians. If there were no other reason to support him in the primaries, we should do so to prevent Dean and the other front-runners from moving further to the right. Dean is correct when he says Democrats have to stand for something in order to be elected. Kucinich does. Ellen Spear, Eugene
LIB WITH IT What makes living in Eugene really enjoyable is anticipating
the letters to the editor each week in this rag. The libsympathizers
who show up there never disappointment me Take two samples in the 9/25 issue — Jim Johnson's and Bevin Gilmore's lame efforts at attacking our president's laudatory efforts to bring Pax America to the world. Johnson's is the more sophomoric of the two and can be dismissed simply by encouraging him to continue his divisiveness among the local, so-called "progressive" community. Jim is a true "right thinker," serving our great conservative movement. Gilmore's reflects a more mature example of the claptrap thinking of the 1960s. He whines about how "massive citizen support is critical" at a time when two of best conservative flacks — Solomon and Corn — are doing their best to muddy the waters. They don't provide any answers, Bevin, because that's not their function! What these two sorry losers fail to understand is that President Bush has to destroy the Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights. Historically, these two documents have only encouraged hoi polloi to think it's their country and their government. And as far as the president's "double dealing" with
Bechtel and Halliburton is concerned, that's always part of our great
American tradition. Besides, to the victor belong the spoils. So if
a few of our soldiers have to die in Iraq, their true, red-blooded American
families will be comforted knowing that their son or daughter's loss
is done at Peter Ferris, Eugene
MEMO TO THE GUARD I would like to thank Eugene Weekly's visual arts writer Sylvie Pederson for her exceptional coverage of the Mayor's Art Show and the Salon des Refusés. Her well crafted reviews were a refreshing perspective of our local visual art scene, which has been lacking for quite some time. Hopefully The Register-Guard is taking notes. Steve LaRiccia, Coordinator, Salon des Refusés, Eugene
MORE TREES, LESS BUSH While I was at the Eugene Celebration, I was approached about signing a post card. When they explained what it was about I was more then a little disturbed. They told me the Bush administration is currently working to repeal the roadless rule which would protect 60 million acres of our national forests, about half of what we have left, from new roads for logging or mining. Right now we already have some 490,000 miles of roads in our national forests and I don't feel we need any more of them. The reason this bothers me so is I, like many others, moved to Oregon for my love of nature. Everyone who loves our national forests as I do should join me in letting Sen. Wyden know just how you feel. We need to get him to take a stand and fight the repeal of the roadless rule. I plead for Oregonians to join me and help protect our national forests before they are gone. Eric Van Heuklon, Eugene
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? The greatest religion the world has ever seen is American style democracy. Not because it rules from golden clouds, with perfect masters giving out golden words of perfection, but because it does the opposite. It forces Americans to think, and to have to live with their decisions and the leaders they elect. If voters do something stupid, they get to live with their stupidity. Making us live with our decisions lets us learn and grow, mistake by mistake. This American democracy is holding an election on Nov. 2, 2004. Did you know that you can join the Democratic Party? Not just register as a Democrat, and thus vote in the primary, but become a precinct committee person, able to vote at monthly meetings and become involved in the process at whatever level you choose? They have an office at 329 W. 13th, and a website at dplc.org. Check it out. It is fine and good to be for another party, say, the Greens, but without enough support for the Democrats, the Bush disaster will continue, and that is a fact. It will take effort, money, and focus to bring this country back to valuing all of its citizens, not just the rich. Hugh Massengill, Eugene
ONLY KUCINICH, DAMMIT The corporate media giveth and the corporate media taketh away. So I ask Jim Johnson (9/25): Now that mainstream media are serving up Wesley Clark as "likely to win" should we all support him? If we allow the corporate owned media to tell us who is "electable" then we will only get candidates who meet their approval. I am saddened by the number of articles and letters that say "Dennis Kucinich is a great candidate, but he just can't be elected." It will take a lot of work to get Dennis Kucinich elected, because the corporate media will do everything they can to marginalize his campaign. I checked out Howard Dean's website before he became a mainstream media darling. What I found was the platform of a moderate Republican. Now that Dean has allowed the media to create a following (that he doesn't necessarily deserve) he has flowered up his web site to reflect that following. Kucinich, on the other hand, has consistently fought the good fight. His website www.kucinich.usis specific and detailed on the issues. You might also want to check out selectsmart.com. On this site respondents answer questions about their political beliefs and are then matched up with the candidate that best meets those views. Under this format Kucinich was the number one choice 45 percent of the time. Bush was a distant second at 15 percent and Dean at 10 percent. There were over 90,000 responses. I don't just want Bush out of office. I want all of his policies gone too. Kucinich is the candidate who will do that. If everyone who agrees with him votes for him, he can win. Thomas Rose , Cottage Grove
FREE FREE Oregon eco-defense political prisoner Jeff "Free" Luers is serving an outrageous 22 year sentence for setting fire to three SUVs to protest the destruction of the environment. He is in desperate need of funds to pay for legal fees and to cover other expenses in order to sustain and build upon the campaign for his sentence reduction. If you can afford to make a donation, please mail checks and money orders (made out to "Free Legal Defense") to Free's Defense Network, PO Box 3, Eugene 97440 or visit www.freefreenow.org to make an online credit card donation. Free also has a very impressive publication, which includes writings by and about him, his artwork, and more, that is available from Break The Chains. Call 520-5401 or e-mail breakthechains02@yahoo.com Recently, Free has been getting a lot of attention from slimy corporate newspapers. Many newspaper articles falsely refer to Free as a "terrorist" and member of the ELF, which he is not and has never claimed to be. Eugene's R-G has falsely claimed that the ELF has its roots in the Pacific Northwest, and is attributing practically every single act of property destruction — no matter how minor or random — to a conspiracy of "eco-terrorists." It's important for all people concerned about justice to refute these lies, because they are clearly being made to justify more repressive legislation, harsher punishment for activists, and to give the public the false impression that powerful corporations are the "real victims" in society. Please write to newspapers in support of Free's appeal or to highlight his case. And please do your part to expose the real criminals: those who believe power and profit is more important than a healthy environment and healthy human beings. Steven Gider, Eugene
GUN VOLS? I have recently heard about the Oregon Rangers Association (ORA) and I am writing to strongly voice my opposition to having these individuals carry weapons while performing their volunteer activities. I spend a great deal of time in the Willamette National Forest and I do not feel safer knowing that there are vigilantes or a "neighborhood woods watch" carrying guns for my protection. I think this actually reduces my safety. I applaud the intent of the Rangers to keep the woods safe. I appreciate that they are watching out for people dumping in the woods, that they help stranded individuals, repair vandalized information boxes and assist with search and rescue but, there is absolutely no situation I can think of where these individuals should brandish a side arm. As volunteers, Rangers aren't required to have any training in law enforcement, psychology or in diffusing a volatile situation. Which means they may not know how to handle a stressful encounter, and with guns on the scene the chances for a violent outcome escalate. I am alarmed that the USFS supports the activity of the ORA when they are carrying guns. Rex Holloway, a Pacific Northwest Region Forest Service spokesman was quoted by Brad Knickerbocker in an Oct. 2 Christian Science Monitor article ("Pistol Packin' Citizens Patrol Western Parks") as saying, "We rely on groups like that to do a lot of work on national forests that otherwise wouldn't get done." I do not believe that the Forest Service should rely on unpaid, uncontrolled, untrained, freelance, gun-toting individuals to keep the Willamette National Forest safe. Mr. Emch, the Willamette National Forest supervisor, should be discouraging these individuals, not relying upon them! Jennifer Hess, Eugene
MILK SUCKS With all the negativity and anger circulating in our world, I would like to make a humble suggestion to reduce the amount of violence that we, as consumers, contribute to on a daily basis. While there are many worthy causes that would do this, such as giving up beef or not purchasing products made in sweatshops, my particular problem is with the dairy industry. I have heard many a vegetarian talk of animal rights while drinking a milkshake or enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich. Do not be fooled. Dairy cows are not treated well and dairy products are not humane. I made this assumption for many years when I first became a vegetarian. The life of the average dairy cow is gruesome at best. As a brand new breastfeeding mother, I know personally that it is often uncomfortable, frustrating and sometimes painful. For these cows, there is no relief. Shortly after birthing, their babies are taken away to be caged for veal or slaughtered or sold into a life of dairy production. The lactating bovine is then hooked up and pumped rigorously, often filled with hormones that increase her milk supply so much that her udders drag the ground and make her barely able to walk. It is a life of confusion and pain, with little exercise, fresh air or love. After she has been used to the fullest, she will be dragged from her stall to the slaughterhouse. I have no desire to browbeat or cause people to feel bad about their diets. I simply ask that people educate themselves. After finding out the truth, if they still wish to eat dairy, great. Just don't eat ignorantly. Check out www.milksucks.com for more information. Adrienne Happy, Springfield
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