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COUNTING VOTES Lane County Elections has followed the mandated reform (and flawed lesser-of-evils theory) by choosing a new optical-scan vote-counting system. Presumably there is a physical record (pencil mark on paper ballot), but the virtual tally will be much easier to rig than with a punch-card system. Some questions need answers: Is the software proprietary? Will Lane County Elections have access to the code? Will audits or recounts account for ballot input and vote tally, but not the black box in between? Will anyone outside of Elections have access to the software, such as political oversight or media investigation? Or only the voting machine corporation? Will Elections allow the press to audit both the vote tally and the software data after every election? If the company that makes the machines has the sole access to the software, and since it is a constitutional requirement to hold transparent elections, is this not by definition an illegal voting system? Why not choose the system (hand-counting paper ballots) with the lowest error rate, the least risk of rigging, the most honest and transparent process, and which tabulates the votes in a few hours? Is it typical or expedient to avoid a recount or audit of vote-counting procedure, especially after an actual election, rather than merely pre-testing mock-ups? (As evidenced in the 2000 coup with the suppression of any true recount in a contested election where the spectacular and primary issue was exactly how many votes were cast in Florida.) Check out http://blackboxvoting.org Bernard Nickerson, Eugene
DAMAGED BY WAR As Veteran's day approaches I am haunted by a foreboding I just can't shake. Our soldiers in Iraq are experiencing things human beings were not meant to feel. If we learned anything from the Vietnam War, we learned that these soldiers will all return changed, and many will return psychologically and emotionally damaged. We are already hearing reports that the stateside military medical facilities are unprepared and underfunded. Will we be prepared for treating up to 150,000 returning troops suffering from post-traumatic stress? And, with the high levels of depleted uranium all over Iraq, will we be prepared to care for the myriad medical problems that will arise over the next several decades? On this Veteran's Day, write a letter to your representatives in Washington demanding that laws be passed guaranteeing that these soldiers will not be abandoned. Anyone who puts themselves in harms way to protect our freedom should never again have to struggle for basic human needs for themselves and their families: affordable housing, enough to eat, and proper health care. Every member of congress has a pension that guarantees him or her these basic needs and much more for the rest of their lives. Don't you think the men and women they send to fight should have the same consideration? If you display a sign that reads "Support Our Troops," here's something real we can accomplish. No matter what side of the Iraq War argument you are on, here is where we can unite. Carol Horne, Eugene GUNS & CASKETS Many — though maybe not all of us — know the U.S. is not in Iraq to import democracy. We should complain about our leaders acting immorally. Most do not, maybe because morality can be hard to measure. But battlefield statistics are something else. They are tangible, and so can be measured. As they mushroom, they finally may get us angry enough to act against leaders whose selfish policies bring business to munitions firms — and to casket makers. Deaths of at least 20 soldiers, as I write this, in a U.S. helicopter shot down in Iraq boosted the daily death toll of our sacrificed children into double figures. This came as U.S. deaths in the Middle East reached the greatest one-day total yet. None of the victims, you can be sure, is a son of corporate CEOs. These are young men and women from small towns, the inner cities and farms of America. Then there's that statistic given us by an administration stonewalling the 9/11 Commission as it tries to learn what happened and why it happened on that September day. In a grandstand play of "cooperation," our appointed leaders tell us they gave the commission two million (!) pages of documents. Are you impressed? Then you probably also bought the Nixon lie that 10 minutes of tape recordings in the Watergate investigation were "accidentally erased." In this case, two million pages will be of little help when they don't include the two or three crucial pages that would force even the most naive American to recognize the immoral lies and criminal behavior of the Bush administration. George Beres, Eugene
TAKING OFFENSE I'm really curious as to where Mitzi Linn (9/25) and Kai Ariel (10/30) are coming from with their anti-Ducks Illustrated stance. None of us work for UO or have any affiliation with the football team or athletic department. We don't represent some evil corporation pushing an agenda. All of us are local, hard working people, obviously passionate about sports, trying to earn a few extra bucks under trying economic times. In my case, it's to help support a family. How dare you chastise a legitimate business venture among very decent folks! If sports journalism isn't your cup of tea, don't read it! I take complete offense at your ignorance and accusation. Here's a novel idea: Try finding out the facts prior to jumping to false conclusions. My guess is you'd be the first to condemn the small minded and arrogant who follow one way of thinking. Guess what? You're no different, just more hypocritical. I'm easy to contact if you ever want to have an honest conversation. My guess is that's out of your league because the truth might get in the way of your agenda. This magazine represents open-minded thought for everyone. Try getting on board. Steve Tannen, KPNW Radio
FOOD EXPERIENCE There have only been a few times in the last year that I've read your food column with anything but disappointment. The short, uninformative blurbs you've usually run tell me little about a restaurant, other than it exists. I expect more from a food column: I want a sense of place. I want to know more about the food and its aromas, about its textures and flavor. I want to hear about the service, the wine list, and the decor. What you've denied me — and the rest of your readers — is an experience, in words. So I was pleased and surprised to find myself devouring Marina Taylor's review of Ruthie B's (10/30). Like a well-directed period piece, I could have been there with Ms. Taylor — in my A Room with a View getup, inspired by the great mood-setting photo you ran with the story — eating my scone, wishing my quiche hadn't lost its crust, gossiping about Sir so-and-so. Her weaving of the restaurant/second-hand store's history and of its future, of her meal, of the glass menagerie that made her feel "a little nervous" carried with it a musty trace of Ms. Havisham — and made me wonder about the fate of Ruthie B's building. Again, history is lost to a depressing manifestation of profit (an apartment building?). That small stretch of waterfront, although colonized by the destitute, is lovely. I drive by it every day on my way back to Eugene, after I pass the sex shop in the morning and the strip club in the afternoon, and imagine what it might have been. Now I know what it will be. But I also know what it is, at least for now. It's a place to appreciate. Thanks, Ms. Taylor. Andrea Hove, Eugene
NOT A PEACE MAKER I was surprised to see my name in the Best of Eugene (10/9) under the category of Peace Maker. It's totally inappropriate. Not because of the ways I relate as an anarchist to the state, but because of the ways I've related to the real people around me. I'm a past perpetrator of sexual assault, I've raped someone. After being called out for having done that and other related things, I used my power as a man of privilege and as a leader in the anarchist movement to deny having raped to the people around me and to myself for years. I used my power over others to reinforce politically convenient myths, like that a stranger jumping out of the bushes is the only real form of rape, and that non-verbal communication of sexual consent is simple and sufficient. I helped foster a climate in our movement that says the experiences of women are not real, especially if men didn't "intend" for them to feel hurt. That climate is just now beginning to change, it appears, and more people now believe that the anarchist movement, like probably every other group in this country, has abusive men in it. That denial is decreasing because of the hard work and risks taken by brave women challenging men in power. Many of those very women I have seriously hindered and others I've deeply hurt. I have been the opposite of a peace maker, though I may have appeared as one and gained the respect of people who don't know me. Working to shed my own denial and hurtful patterns isn't fun, but it does feel like change towards real liberation. It's not peaceful, though, and I am not a peace maker. Marshall Kirkpatrick, Eugene
MORE NAKEDNESS A little more than a week ago, I left the Bijou theater after viewing the movie Magdeline Laundry. The movie was a graphic depiction of how people and institutions demean and exploit female bodies and female sexuality for their own benefit. When I left the theater, it didn't take me but a few minutes to walk by a Weekly stand and see your version of the same exploitation. There was yet another nude woman on the cover of your magazine or your restaurant section complete with a little bit of breast, little bit of crotch, little bit of ass showing. That's three in recent history. I'm not sure what you're using as a rationalization in your mind of these three covers, but once I see at least two covers featuring similar nude males, then maybe we can talk about "the beauty of the human body" smokescreen. Charlotte Behm, Springfield
BUDGET DECISIONS I want to thank writer Bobbie Willis for her personal interest and intelligent questions in preparing her article "Farmed Forces" (10/23) about our farm and ideas of a local economy. I am particularly pleased she was willing to write about my personal spiritual/moral impetus for the work I do. I would like to add emphasis to a portion of the discussion we had on a local economy. Small local processing plants for food products are critical to a local food system, yet very expensive and time consuming to build and manage. If Greener Pastures Poultry did not exist, I would have no legal way to market the turkeys grown on my farm! So readers, please make a commitment; dedicate a portion of your food budget to locally grown, locally processed, locally available foods. Start with, say, 10 percent of what you spend. Your home will be better off for it. Paul Atkinson, Laughing Stock Farm
PROUD MOM When Barbara Bush called Democratic presidential hopefuls a "sorry lot," I wonder if she realized the irony in what she said. Let's compare George W. Bush to, for example, presidential hopeful Gen. Wesley Clark. Clark, a self-made man, graduated number one in his West Point class. He holds masters degrees in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford and was a Rhodes scholar. In his 34 years of military service, Clark was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was shot four times in one Vietnam battle. Clark's many staff and command positions included directing strategy for the Joint Chiefs. As a four-star general he commanded NATO forces where he helped save the lives of 1.5 million Albanians. He also kept Saddam Hussein in check after the first Gulf War. Clark is held in high regard by other nations. He was knighted by the British and Dutch. Even the French gave him the "Legion of Honor" medal. In 2000, Clark was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this nation's highest honor. George W. Bush attended Yale and Harvard where he held a "C" average. Bush's military service, during the height of the Vietnam war, was with the Texas Air National Guard. He was suspended from flying and was AWOL in his last year. Bush's oil business ventures were failures. Barbara Bush is entitled to her opinion. She is a proud mother. But by calling the presidential hopefuls a "sorry lot," she invites a comparison that only highlights why her son should be replaced. Leslie Weinstein, Eugene
RACIST GOVERNMENT In regard to EW's article (10/16) "Profiled" I would like to highlight the point that Attorney General John Ashcroft is in favor of racial profiling, which I feel is blatant racial discrimination. We cannot have a government that is racist because the greatest truth of America is that it is a land of many colors, races, beliefs and holds the ideal of democracy — for the people, of the people, by the people. Next November we must make a choice whether we want a government who continues to allow racist practices or shall we choose a government who will represent the people of America no matter their DNA? Gourangi Raisz, Eugene
LOCAL SOLUTION Thank you for your cover article "Know Your Food" (10/23).
You addressed many important issues related to food production Patronize the Farmer's Market if you want to buy food grown within a two-hour drive of downtown Eugene, meet and get to know the people who produce the food (they're some of the friendliest and most helpful folks around). Ask questions about the methods practiced at the farm, and eat the highest quality agricultural products anywhere. Mark Corley, Eugene
POT AS MEDICINE Regarding Michael Hinojosa's letter "Slapping Rush"(10/30)
about Limbaugh's "slap on the wrist," I, too, have Comparing David Chong's situation, a man who has virtually made a living off of drugs, in one way or another for 30 years and someone who has become dependent on painkillers due to medical problems, is just another red herring for the pro potters. THC is not a very efficient pain med. And though it is less likely to make you addicted to it than, say, Oxycodone or its time release version, Oxycontin, it still can. Especially at the high THC values that today's growers are striving for. I am a recovering addict. And a cancer survivor. During my recovery from surgery and the chemo/radiation, I used Oxicodone, as prescribed, to ease the pain and discomfort. I am not saying that any addict should use opiates, medically. It worked for me and for me to even consider using medical marijuana or street pot for my recovery was just moronic. Addiction comes in the person not the bottle, jar or bag. Rush would be where he is right now whether he used one of Chong's products or not. Colin Campbell, Eugene
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