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IMPORTANT RESOURCE After reading the Mother Kali's articles I feel deeply sad. Through friends, and after volunteering in the store a number of times, I have heard the various stories of workers, managers, and board members alike. It is my opinion that no one in this situation is wrong — there are no villains here. I believe everyone involved with the store is doing the best they can. I also see a lot of fear, distrust, and many old wounds. I imagine that most of the people involved are feeling hurt enough that they just can't hear each other. I think what needs to happen is for everyone concerned to get together in a forum where all of the parties can really listen to each other. Not with lawyers, not with proof or documents, just people talking about what each person wants, airing the sadness and fear, and finding what everyone has in common. I think Mother Kali's is an important resource for our community and I would hate to see it end. I imagine everyone else close to the store feels the same way. G. Darjeeling, Eugene
CHEAPER'S BETTER Concerning the non-stop coverage that Mother Kali's Books continues to get I have one simple question: WHO FUCKING CARES? If the place goes out of business because of the incompetence of the people on the board or those who work there, then people, including feminists and whoever else, will find another place to get the same exact books. Maybe instead of begging for support and help they could begin to run it like an actual business and give people reasons for wanting to shop there other than "Support your local feminist bookstore." I, like most people, will shop at places that sell what I want at a competitive price. Why should I buy a book at Mother Kali's when I can get it cheaper at Smith Family Bookstore or online? Instead of being angry that someone would forgo "helping" you by shopping at your store, think of ways that you can make them want to shop there. Then again, I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears. It's much more enjoyable, I suppose, to feel like you are a victim and that if people would just be compassionate everything would work out. Stephen Crawford, Seattle
HELD HOSTAGE For almost 18 months the board of directors of Mother Kali's, and former boards, have been held hostage by staff or former staff. The IWW union protesters are not interested in negotiating. They say they want to destroy Mother Kali Bookstore as an "example" of their "power in our community." I've made the effort to learn both sides of this "story." Have you? Long live Mother Kali's! Julia Wooten, Eugene
IN HER WORDS I read the article about Mother Kali's with great interest. I have taken the liberty of writing some replacement quotes that make the article ring more true to me. Consider, for instance, the following revisions: "The store was doing well, supported by a customer and UO professor base, loyal to Tova and the staff." "She's why customers stayed with MK's," that and the outstanding collection of books she ordered. (So good that she was asked to continue that job if she were not the manager of the store.) Tova also successfully initiated the Mother Kali's 25th anniversary celebration. "Tova became the creative, energetic and inviting manager of MK's. For the staff, there was no one that could replace her in these ways." "The staff wanted Ironplow to have more training in board processes." "Tova's always had the best interest of the store and the community at heart." She's donated an enormous amount of time during her short tenure there, as well as energy and dedication. The store, and working for justice, were some of her many passions. "The stress of working with an autocratic system is intense. It's what's killing the store." "Tova does understand how things got so vitriolic." "Tova knows the big picture…and the bigger picture." Bonnie Robbins, Eugene
GO, DOUG, GO I would like to applaud Douglas Hopper, the coordinator of the 12th Annual UO Queer Film Festival. This year's festival was a huge success, showing a variety of international films and focusing on the formation of queer history and culture through film. Way to go, Doug and the UO Cultural Forum. Stacy Borke, Eugene
SAYING WHAT SHE MEANS Oh, Sally, Sally, diddley, dally. I am so glad you write for Eugene Weekly! Your December piece on sex (12/18) had me cracking up in public as my sweetie man sat beside me trying to shush my laughter. I am so sorry that I missed your January piece on abortion (1/22). You brought your abortion out of the closet with your sexuality and I appreciate your candid humor. You seem to have made your point that abortion is, and has always been, a form of birth control, a fact of life for those of us who have wombs. Some may decide that the life force should be coveted and taken to term. That is fine, however, that is not for all of us. At a time when 80 percent of counties in the U.S. lack abortion providers, we at least need a little humor to jar us out of complacency. Legality is nothing without access. You had the ability to travel back to So. California. Many women in Oregon lack the financial and support resources to travel to obtain a safe legal abortion. Good thing for services like Network for Reproductive Options to provide avenues for access! Keep up the good work, girl! Robin Irish, Eugene
MAKING A MARRIAGE? The debate over gay marriage is, on the surface, one of semantics — what does marriage mean? — but the deeper issue is who decides. The media would have us believe it's in the domain of government, and most people without thinking would seem to agree, but it's not that simple. Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman, and our prescient founders sought to limit state authority over the sacred with the First Amendment's Free Exercise and Establishment of Religion clauses. The power to marry or define marriage quite simply falls outside the limits of legitimate state authority. As a Christian, I would never even consider getting married legally. I would find a holy man (or woman) to perform the ceremony with the power vested in him by God and God alone. Couples, gay or straight, who wish to invite the government into their interpersonal relationships for tax, immigration, or other purposes, should be free to do so if they choose, but don't call it marriage. Life is confusing enough. Pete Raiteri, Eugene
WMD IN CALIFORNIA Sometimes even a child needs to remind the people that the emperor has no memory. According to our nation's "chief executive officer," our number one priority has changed. It's no longer Operation Iraqi Liberation (OIL). We are back to WMD with a twist — Weddings of Mass Destruction. To quote our president, "These weddings are being sanctioned by the judges and not the people." Didn't "W" become president by being appointed by judges? Duh! Angel Jackson, Eugene
HIDDEN FEAR I've finally figured out what frightens the right wing so much about gay marriage. Although they haven't been very articulate or logical, I believe I've discovered a way in which they believe real harm can come to them if gays are allowed to marry. If their children meet other children, in school or recreation activities, and they become friends — and then learn that their friend's parents are a gay couple, and that they're a happy, healthy, well-adjusted family, then the children will learn that their parents are full of crap and have been teaching them garbage. This is the reality that frightens them so much. But the fact of life that they ignore, is that almost all children eventually figure out that their parents are full of crap and have been teaching them garbage. So, their fears are groundless, as there is no way to avoid this. If we balance they right of gay couples to marry, versus the right of deluded people to try to pass on their delusions to their children, the right to marry is the obvious choice. Wayne Ford, Eugene
HONORING CHAVEZ Committed Partners for Youth is concerned about the R-G article written on March 2, 2004 addressing the naming of southside elementary school Cesar E. Chavez. The R-G reflected that only one board member, Mr. Pryor, is willing to support Cesar E. Chavez as the name for southside elementary. The Latino population has grown by over 200 percent this past decade and contributes millions of dollars to the community. At Committed Partners for Youth we have seen an exponential increase in the number of Latino youth and families seeking mentoring support in the last 3 years. It is time that the school district reflect the growth of our Latino community by including Cesar E. Chavez as the name for one of our elementary schools. The mission of Committed Partners for Youth is to connect youth to their community which is why we feel so strongly about this issue. The district board members have an opportunity to be role models and mentors for students by making a respectful statement about the importance and value of our community's diversity. Children in our community, especially youth at risk, need heroic role models and mentors. We live in a country where so few of society's leading decision-makers have the stature of an inspiring, brave, and charismatic leader. We have named schools in our community after people who inspire children and adults alike: Roosevelt, Churchill, Washington, Jefferson, etc. As children walk down the hallway of a school named after a hero, they are inspired towards the goal of living extraordinary lives as well. Cesar E. Chavez was such a man. He was a man who mentored adults and children. They grew to make a difference in the lives of people who live in our community. Please make a choice to inspire children in our community. Please show leadership and support the decision to name the new 4J southside elementary school after Cesar E. Chavez. Susan Walsh, Executive Director Committed Partners for Youth
PLEA FOR LATINOS It is with tremendous sadness and anguish that I write this plea to the school board. My sons were 4J graduates and one is now a teacher at one of your schools. I am in disbelief that you would even question or have hesitations of honoring your Latino students and community by naming the southside elementary school Cesar E. Chavez. For a district that gets so much mileage claiming to be culturally sensitive and inclusive, you all have a funny way of showing it. When it comes to "walk the talk," you do not deliver! Shame on you for being so disrespectful in your actions toward the Latino students and Latino community. If you truly were committed to honoring diversity, this would be a "no-brainer." I urge you to take a stand and do the right thing; show your commitment toward diversity and inclusiveness by giving the southside elementary school the honorable name of Cesar E. Chavez. Mr. Pryor, I thank you for your sensitivity, it is a shame that the other board members are hesitant to follow in your footsteps. Seems to me they are in need of some cultural sensitivity training. Veronica Arriagada, Former 4J parent
WITH REGRETS I am appalled at Edgar Peara's callous description of unborn children (2/26). At eight weeks, I clearly recognized my baby's heartbeat on the pre-abortion ultrasound. That abortion devastated my sense of self. I dropped out of college with one term to go, broke up with my boyfriend of two years, slunk out of my hometown, and began to self-destruct. I had chosen abortion with consideration of "all factors" of my life. Now, 25 weeks (six months) into a welcome pregnancy, I play with my child by tapping my belly. Baby kicks back. At five months, baby started moving as I sit still, and quieting when I become active. Intelligent responses, long before Peara's arbitrary seven-month demarcation of "thinking capacity." It would have been painful to let my first child go to adoption, but that does not compare to my remorse for killing my baby. Community support for birth mothers, had I been aware of it, would have allowed me to lead a healthy life and attain my goals. After years of pain, I began to look into myself and heal. First Way Pregnancy Support Center and Rachel's Vineyard Post-Abortion Workshops helped me integrate and understand my healing insights. I now feel misguided by my "pro-choice" ideals. I don't need statistics to back me up; my experience speaks for itself. Have YOU ever had an abortion, Mr. Peara? Don't tell me abortion doesn't hurt women. I know the truth. I wish I had learned it before. Kara Huntermoon, Eugene
DELAYED RESPONSE Many women do feel relief after abortion. This is directly attributable to the apparent resolution of the tension and anxiety felt prior to the abortion. These tensions came from obvious and insidious pressures to abort which may or may not be acknowledged by the woman. Relief is a short-lived emotion and cannot counter the damaging effect of the abortion experience, only delay it. It's the first step in employing denial. Statistics using relief as a support for the positive effects of abortion are gathered within the window of time where research shows that denial is strong and actively working. Typically, at about 7-10 years after an abortion denial and other defense mechanisms begin to weaken and crumble. Our organization for healing and recovery after abortion receives calls and e-mails daily from people seeking to confront their grief, loss, emotional numbness, anger, and isolation which subsequently permeated their lives. Those impacted by abortion cross all boundaries of age, profession, economic strata, and of faith or no faith background. Decades of silence from those wounded by abortion is in part because society constantly reinforces the belief that their feelings aren't valid. They have no voice and are forbidden to grieve, fearing judgement from both sides. The ignorance and denial of society about abortion's consequences is being confronted and dispelled by empowered post-abortive women and men who have participated in a grief and healing program. The floodgates are opening more and more each day with post-abortive women seeking hope, help, and healing. Welcome. Lori Eckstine, Cottage Grove
EMOTIONAL SUFFERING Rev. Edgar Peara (2/26) states that knowledgeable pregnant women who consider all the factors in their lives and thoughtfully decide to have an abortion feel relieved. They don't suffer emotional agonies. While this may apply to some women, it certainly does not apply to all. I am one of them. After considering all the factors in my life, I chose to have an abortion. The emotional pain I experienced afterwards was intense, arrived at on my own without influence from anti-choice folks as implied. When the Rev. Peara says "In truth a fetus is not a baby" that concerns me. It's easy to detach when one isn't pregnant. The moment I knew I was pregnant, I was carrying a baby. I am free to own that as my truth. Not all women feel that way and I respect that. Peara states that following their abortions "the uniform emotional reaction of the women was profound relief." I wonder when this response was noted. If you had spoken with me one week after my abortion I would have said I felt relief. However, if you had asked me 6 months following I would have answered "confused." One year following I would have said "grief-stricken." Today? Acceptance of the paradox within. I believe abortion needs to be safe and legal. However, I don't feel any connection to either side. I am aware, a voice not often heard. I am concerned for women like myself who have suffered silently. Women less concerned with the politics of abortion and more concerned with having a safe, neutral place to talk, share. While I applaud Peara for his desire to help women, I hope he will be open to include women like myself. There is variety under the abortion umbrella. Rather than being exclusive, let us be courageous enough to be inclusive. Vicki Grover, Corvallis
HAITI COUP The Bushies have now achieved a new regime change (Haiti). As usual, the armed rebels were financed by the CIA. They spirited the legitimate President away to Africa. These illegal Bush regime changes will continue until we have a regime change here in the USA which will stop/reverse all of these anti-democratic regime changes/occupations. The Bush action plan is now crystal-clear: Let 9/11 happen and then use it as an excuse to destroy democracies and other governments throughout the world in order to advance and consolidate US corporate dominion uber alles. In the case of Haiti the plan was starve them and then "rescue" them. Didn't work in Iraq and shouldn't work in Haiti. The CIA financed a political coup in Haiti because the neocons in DC (Bush freaks) hate any kind of a democracy that does not give special tax breaks to big corporations and billionaires. It's simply another Bush attack on the poor peoples of the world. The right wing in the USA assassinated two Kennedys and one King and one Lennon and one Malcolm X and stole the 2000 and 2002 elections and put the Bush beast in power. For the good of America and the rest of the world we need to assassinate the right wing by dumping the Bush beast into the sea of the has-beens. Bob Saxton, Eugene
PASSION FATIGUE EW readers: Do you suffer from "Passion" fatigue? Then forget Mel Gibson, and let me recommend as a brightening antidote Monty Python's best movie (in my opinion), the blasphemously hilarious Life of Brian. Its crucifixion scene will have you tapping a toe and singing right along! Douglas Leedy, Corvallis
LABELLED AS THE LOW CLASS I've been reading and hearing on the news that minorities are being targeted for various things. This is also happening with Seniors and disabled. Every time you go to ask for help they act like you have something that is catching. You're labeled as the low class of the area. I think it's about time our leaders of our own area Wake up and pay attention to what's going on. It's not our fault that we're in these categories. We're all people and should be treated that way. It seems to me that the people who work in these areas feel that they're better than we are. I hope none of them ever get in the position where they need to depend on any of these services. I'm a disabled senior and I face these problems all the time. Eugene has a very negative attitude in these areas. It's time for the people to realize this and use our vote to get rid of these officials. This covers the county commissioner, city counselors and also the higher bodies. The mayor of Eugene is leaving—this is the best thing that could happen to Eugene. The media of our area is also very negative. Maybe someday they will be in the place where they'll need help. I hope this never happens. Our president is the worst. It's time we got someone who cares about people instead of how they can better themselves. Les Swafford, Junction City
CHAVEZ SCHOOL An open letter to the school board: Local Latino students have proposed naming Eugene's new elementary school after Cesar Chavez, a Spanish speaking American leader who worked to better the lives of farm workers. This seems quite fitting since the Willamette Valley has such a strong agricultural base and Hispanic people comprise the largest minority group in the area, and in the public schools. There are those who believe this will offend community members from other ethnic backgrounds. This seems very doubtful! More likely, Black, Asian, Native and other minority Eugenians will welcome this small gesture to diversity. There are those who would rather avoid the ugly issue of racism altogether by not naming the school after any historical figure. Unless we are willing to rename existing schools such as Churchill, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Kennedy, etc., this seems an unreasonable stance. As a licensed elementary school teacher, I am proud of our schools. Every day, I see school personnel and community volunteers working to improve the educational experiences of our community's children. Our children are majoring in self-identity, with racial identity being one strand in the complex web of self-esteem development. With the name of this school, we have the opportunity to acknowledge our Hispanic students, to show that we are interested in their concerns and proud to share in celebrating their cultural heritage. What a powerful message to send to ALL students: "Bring us your good ideas and we will help make them happen!" Catherine Burke-Maher, Eugene
SCHOOL NAMING This is an open letter to the Eugene School District 4J School Board. There exists ample precedent in Eugene for naming schools after people. Henry D. Shelton- educator, Thomas Edison and Thomas Condon- scientists, Cal Young- pioneer, Colin Kelly- war hero, Winston Churchill- British Prime Minister, and several presidents: John F. Kennedy, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Roosevelt (Teddy or Franklin), and James Monroe. I am not sure of the origin of Gilham, Patterson, McCornack, Harris, Howard and Parker, but all so honored were white men, I believe. Stella Magladry, once 4J, now a private school, was named for a woman. I implore the Board to honor our growing Hispanic community by naming one new school after Cesar Chavez, a great Mexican-American. I also implore the Board to honor a woman, Bertha Holt, a white woman who rescued Korean kids. If there are future schools to be named, I suggest Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, and our own Margaret Nichols. I further suggest to the Pleasant Hill community to consider naming a school, park or the community theater after author and Prankster Emeritus, Ken Kesey. Denny Guehler, Eugene
GORE FEST Does anyone else find it a bit ironic that the very people who have been protesting violence in the media so loudly are the same people who are praising Mel Gibson's gore fest, The Passion of the Christ? From the first TV ads depicting Yeshua ben Yoseph, (yes, that was his real name, Jesus being his Latinized name just as Christos is Greek for "anointed"), being nailed to a cross through the palm of the hand, I could discern the lack of historical accuracy. Leonardo da Vinci, the first great artist to actually study human anatomy, was also the first to accurately place the nail holes above the wrist: nails through the hand would tear out under the weight of the human body, leaving the victim ignominiously face down. Additionally, the portrayal of Jews and Romans alike was tarred with the same brush. The Romans appeared uniformly brutal and violent; the Sanhedrin, devious and politically motivated; the other Jews a clamoring mob, calling for the victim's blood to be on their own hands. Gibson, like most Christians, has forgotten that Yeshua was a Jew who never renounced his heritage. Too, Hebraic law called for the execution of false Messiahs. Yeshua did not fit the criteria, (i.e., he was not of the House of David, though cuckolded Yoseph was, and Mary's pedigree cannot be found). Finally, the message of redemption in the movie was drowned in the shamelessly bloody depiction of Yeshua's last day. Isn't there enough religious strife in this world without movies like this? If Yeshua were to return to Earth today, wouldn't he be ashamed of the horrors inflicted over the past 2000 years by those who call themselves "Christians"? Would he call himself a Christian? Probably not. Pete Giberson. Eugene
MAKING AN EXAMPLE So now we have Martha Steward facing prison for her few lies. As I see it, Martha never bombed and killed children and babies with her muffins, as our infamous cruel savages in the Pentagon have done. Other lies of mammoth proportions now, and in the past, have led to genocide around the world. These satanic lies are excused and forgiven in the name of Empire and Corporate need to expand their cruel sadistic empire. Martha is being used as an example for women who get out of line. Why is Ken Lay still free? Enron stole millions of dollars from little people and their pensions. Oh — but that is part of the risks of this wonderful odorous free-market system — the freedom to exploit the poor, the environment and all who do not belong to that upper one percent of the population. SHAME. Alice Keiser Greth, Bend
LETTERS POLICY: We print as many letters as space allows. Please limit length to 250 words and submissions to once a month. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity, and must include address and phone number. E-mail to editor@eugeneweekly.com, fax to 484-4044, or mail to 1251 Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
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