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AUDITOR NEEDED I waited two weeks before writing to see if any local auditors or CPAs would comment ("Manager Against Audits" news story, 3/4). Apparently none had the guts. I am a retired CPA with four years as an internal auditor in the public sector and over 30 years as an external auditor in the private sector. City Manager Dennis Taylor is absolutely wrong. He reminds me of the bookkeeper who never took a vacation. Only when the bookkeeper didn't show up one day did an auditor realize why the bookkeeper apparently never took a vacation. The statements by Mr. Taylor — by themselves — are adequate reason to immediately hire an independent auditor. The first and only rule of an auditor is to assume everyone is guilty until proven otherwise. Hence Mr. Taylor is not qualified to audit himself. On a more practical level the responsibility of management is to never completely trust anybody. Management at all levels must have checks and balances. There is, of course, the possibility that Eugene could share an independent internal auditor with Springfield or a lot of other cities or Lane County. And finally, I would hope a local firm would step forward and offer the city a limited "internal audit" of one city department for free or substantial reduced rates. Or why not "steal" Mr. Blackmer from Portland? Frank Skipton, Springfield
UNWRITTEN POLICY A couple of days ago I went to the R-G to submit my wedding application and photo to be run in the Sunday family wedding section. I met with Managing Editor Dave Baker as he wanted to discuss with me why they could not publish the announcement. You see, we are two women that just received our "legal" marriage certificate from Multnomah County last Friday. Mr. Baker stated that even though he was in favor of publishing the announcement, the Publishing Editor Tony Baker was not. He said that since Lane County has not started offering marriage licenses and that there is an appeal process in the works at a higher court, he felt that the R-G could not approve the publication according to an unwritten policy. He stated that if Lane County decided to provide the licenses, the R-G would feel more obligated. I discussed with him that there are many things that are legal going through the courts but that hasn't stopped the R-G from publishing the news. I have lived in this area for over 35 years and thought that the R-G was a voice for all the people of this community. I guess not. Mr. Baker said that there are several people that have called to stop their subscription to the paper over the articles on the gay marriages that took place a couple of weeks ago. I said that there are many things in the paper that people don't agree with but it is a person's choice on what to read or not read. My partner, Mary Scott, and I have been together for 13 years. This is not a step we took lightly. I am very proud of the love and partnership that we have shared over the years. I am very disappointed in the R-G for not publishing the same-sex marriages in their wedding section. I feel they are not supporting the legality of our marriage right now. My hands are tied on making them publish our announcement short of taking out a paid ad. This paper is sure not a voice of all the people. Paula Guthrie, Eugene
NATHANSON DOUBLESPEAK I was surprised to hear Nancy Nathanson at a Southeast Neighbors Candidates Forum say that she supports a performance audit to uncover inefficiencies in city government. "Surprised" is putting it mildly since Nathanson voted against putting the performance auditor question on the ballot. Hiring an auditor was a major recommendation of the Charter Review Committee, but Nathanson wasn't even willing to let voters consider it. Instead, she ignored the importance of an independent auditor and made a motion in the Budget Committee to hire a contractor for a one-time audit under the supervision of the city manager. Many citizens suspect this odd motion was made simply to avoid consideration of truly independent oversight. This tactic is typical of Nathanson's equivocation — speaking for something, then voting against it or voting for a partial action that is often worse than no action. Do we want a mayor who says one thing and does another? Beth Kamhi, Eugene
LINE OF FIRE I'd just like to remind everyone that police officers are people, too. And strong ones. I'm sick of citizens treating them like ignorant donut-scarfing losers, when police officers are patrolling the streets every night keeping everyone safe, without anyone stopping to thank them. They don't get holidays off. They barely get paid enough to support a family — sometimes, they can't even do that. And just maybe if you were to be stuck in the line of fire trying to talk a homicidal ex-con out of a house, you'd like to be able to go out for a few beers after work without getting spit on, sworn at or have things thrown at your head. My father's an officer of the law, and I just hope everyone reading appreciates the job he does while the rest of the city sleeps. He protects, he serves, he gives his life for other people on a shoestring budget — and he gets slandered in the media. Hanna Olsen, Eugene
WHAT WAR? Thursday morning (3/18) I rushed eagerly to the nearest EW box. The day before the first anniversary of a war that a year ago the entire world marched in protest against, I knew the EW would have a bitingly clever, artistically poignant cover, drawing the public's attention to the anniversary and all the protest activities our many peace, anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-global multinational organizations had scheduled. Barney Fife? What did a TV character have to do with stopping Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfield? Maybe a play on the mentality of those who still thought they lived in the white bread world of the 1950s. I didn't get it, so I went to the contents page. Surely there I'd find where began the many pages of anti-war articles and the schedule of the weekend's protests activities. Nothing. I went through the entire paper. Not a single article about the war. How as that possible? I looked again. There it was. The last item of News Briefs. Justice Not War and Kucinich's friends (et al.) were going to mobilize the voter registration on Saturday. I applaud them for their practical approach. Very peaceful. Eight months away from the election, eight months to mobilize voter registration, and, apparently, the only form of protest Eugene could come up with to mark a year of a war that has killed tens of thousands and will keep killing during the next eight months and every year for years to come. I couldn't accept this. So at noon on Friday, anniversary day, I walked to both the county and federal courthouses to join the hardcore protesters I knew would be assembled there. There weren't any. I returned again at 5 pm. Still no one. What must Wayne Morse be thinking of his beloved town today? I guess Bush was right. Mission accomplished. Michael Clarke, Eugene
BLUSTERY BOYCOTT Lars Larson's recent refusal to participate with other invited talk-radio hosts at Southern Oregon University's First Amendment Forum is revealing. He said that he would not attend the forum if he was not allowed to carry a concealed weapon onto the campus. Oregon administrative rules prohibit concealed weapons on state campuses. SOU administrators refused to give in to Larson's demand and violate Oregon Law, thus, no Larson showing. Larson went on to gratuitously compare his boycott activism to the actions of historical civil rights giant Rosa Parks. Nice try, but a more accurate comparison might be Chicken Little. We know personal safety is not the issue because Larson was offered the services of an armed security guard, which he refused. Perhaps Larson's blustery boycott is a convenient distraction, masking his fear of having to debate ideas in an environment where he can't talk over, bully, ride the volume fader, break to commercial or simply hang up on callers whose views differ from his. Outside the domain of his own radio show he would be ceding the dynamic of wielding absolute control. Larson would have had a wonderful opportunity to discuss and debate his concerns about concealed weapons and public access issues relating to them if he would have simply participated in the forum. I frankly don't believe he had the guts to do so outside the fortress of his right-wing broadcasting studio. Gerry Rempel, Eugene
NOT ALL CHRISTIAN Lately I have been confused as to why so many people are in an uproar over gay marriage. Is this what it was like 100 years ago when women were fighting for the right to vote, or 50 years ago when blacks were marching for equality? Why does society fear change? And more importantly, why does society fear love, compassion and tolerance? The biggest argument I hear is that homosexuality goes against Christianity. But the last time I checked, the U.S. wasn't a one-religion country. In fact, the legality of marriage is not a Christian concept. People of all races, cultures, and religions are allowed to marry. If you're going to make it illegal for gays to marry, what's stopping you from making it illegal for atheists and Buddhists and pagans to marry? At a time when the divorce rate is more than 50 percent and love, commitment, and compassion are thoughtlessly abused by our society, I see no reason why we should vilify consenting adults who wish to legally celebrate their union. Alisha Mobley, Springfield
WRONG PRIORITIES Reading The New York Times the other day, I was disturbed to find an advertisement labeled "Dear Mister President." In this advertisement it proceeded to thank George W. himself for supporting the federal marriage amendment. How absurd. In a time when schools need improving, peace needs achieving, the unemployed need employing and the hungry need feeding, our president is instead tackling the institution of marriage. I, for one, am appalled. The institution of marriage should be allowed for all couples who are in a loving, committed relationship, those who want to spend the rest of their lives together and declare their love before God. The government should not be able to tell us who we may or may not marry. Why, in this fragile time, is our government attacking love? In this time, when innocent people are dying for unjust causes, when the hard working are set in poverty, and children are losing educational opportunities, why are we questioning the validity of love? President Bush is making gay marriage a bigger deal than it needs to be. We shouldn't even be questioning whether two people who are in love should be allowed to engage in the institution of marriage. However, it would be much appreciated if he started asking why innocent people are dying, children are starving and why some are going uneducated. So, thank you, Mr. Bush, for stepping over important issues and investing your time in something that doesn't need to be an issue at all. Kyra Rose Buckley, Sophomore, Churchill High
SUPPORTING KALI'S "Coddling Kali's," indeed (3/4 letters headline). What sort of editorial comment is that? Why was it merited? The dictionary synonyms are "pampering," "baby," "treat indulgently." Would you say we coddle local farmers — KIVA — or rather we support those businesses that make our community? Cynthia Kokis, Eugene
MORE THAN BOOKS Stephen Crawford's letter from Seattle (3/11) might win him an "A" in his economics class, but it's all wrong for Eugene. True, Internet giants do supply well-known feminist books, sometimes at cheaper prices, but where do we go for a sense of community or that studied thoroughness offered by Mother Kali's? To visit a shop run by enthusiastic specialists is to enter much more than a retail store: One enters the theme itself. A feminist bookstore offers more than books: You get real, live feminists who are glad to discuss the subject, who can introduce you to new aspects, guide your quest, listen to your needs. The same valuable interaction is found in shops selling Oriental foods, smoking gear, Christian supplies, pets, one-of-a-kind jewelry, health products, art supplies, gardening equipment, antiques, musical instruments, and on and on. In a capitalist world, offering products for sale is one way to communicate who we are, and browsing these products is one way to experience whole worlds of valuable experience. The importance of local specialty shops extends far beyond products and prices, it's about personal growth and communication, and the vital human element. It's Eugene culture, and well worth the hassle. Christopher Logan, Eugene
GENERIC PLEDGE This morning (3/24) while watching the news coverage on the "under God" issue, I was brought back startlingly to my freshman year at high school in 1954. It is one of those moments that remain in your memory like a sore tooth. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was being changed. I would no longer be able to open my mouth and expect the correct words to spill forth. Being a dutiful female of the times, I strove to excel, and learning the pledge early and perfectly was part of that excellence. When the powers that be proclaimed that we should add the "under God" phrase, I tried valiantly to relearn my pledge. I would stumble through the "under God" part, often not saying anything through a couple of beats and picking up where "indivisible" comes in. I certainly had no conscious thought that I recoiled from using the words because of religious reasons. Indeed, at that time, I was willing to accept the Christian bent of our nation. My family were all Christians, although my immediate family did not actively practice it. I just didn't like the change. The "under God" phrase got in the way of the flow. Why not say it without "under God" for the next 50 years? Surely if I could stumble through it for the last 50 years, so could the rest of you. Or, if that isn't satisfactory, why not have a generic pledge. Use that space between "one nation" and "indivisible" to insert the name of whatever deity, spiritual being or entity we desire to solicit. Or non-entity as the case may be. Seems like the point of the pledge is to affirm our support of the flag that represents our country. While I will always stand behind our flag, I don't necessarily stand behind our government's decisions at any given time. Regardless what the Supreme Court decides, I imagine I'll just continue to mumble my own quiet rebellion against our government's path. Geneva Miller, Eugene
IT'S NOT THE MONEY Rita Castillo of Springfield (letters 3/18) has decided that money is the answer as she blends the recent domestic abuse tragedy killings in Springfield with the domesticated animal problems of the valley floor. She finds the solution is more jails for everyone, both animal and human. If only there was more money. Strangely, she also cites all the money spent during the siege of the Paula Benitez killing as a disruptive cost that could have been prevented. She does not once look at the super expensive gear that failed to stop any killings, but which represents the very same funds that could have been spent to build the facilities she feels we need so very much. Diverging from the old tried and true working methods has killed many more than ever needed. As for "animal control," perhaps Rita could do some of that civic charity money raising. She can even name the fund after herself or in memory of Paula Benitez. Meanwhile the rest of us are paying the taxes that are supposed to pay for the necessary public services that we are not getting. College students sit on their asses and don't pay these funds. A lot of us are aware of this when they vote to increase our and their parents' living costs. Question: Do the local police really need to be trained in military belt-fed machineguns? Just curious about how they are going to use this military knowledge as a justified public fund expense (instructors, ammo, facility rental, officer training awards, equipment maintenance, travel). Daniel J. Moore, Springfield
IRRECONCILABLE IDEALS As a student of philosophy I have researched a wide variety of positions on the discussion of anarchy. (See "Realistic Anarchy" story, 3/11.) Over the course of my studies I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to reconcile the core ideals of a genuine environmentalist or "green" philosophy with the central elements of a true anarchist perspective. Environmental protection is best achieved through comprehensive regulation of human activity on both private and public lands. Environmentalism demands a holistic philosophy that embraces the interconnectedness and interdependence of each element and inhabitant of our world. Anarchy factions people into individual autonomous units seen as free to act in accordance with their own interests. The implication of even the most cohesive anarchist models would inevitably result in de-facto neo-Darwinism with power and material wealth further consolidated in the groups and individuals that are already wealthy and powerful. Without a public infrastructure, only individuals with large SUVs would have reliable transportation, and only the well armed would have security. The government deregulation necessary for anarchist civilization would make the enforcement of any environmental regulation a mere pipe dream. The goal of environmental protection requires social progress and not social deconstruction. John Dedrick, Eugene
RISKY SITES A new McKenzie-Willamette hospital south of the Willamette and near downtown seems a good idea, but why build it on EWEB's narrow strip of alluvial soil between the railroad tracks and the river? Day and night we hear the whistles of freight trains riding those rails. Their cargo includes some of the most noxious, explosive, flammable, poisonous, caustic brews concocted by our civilization. A train accident near the hospital involving such chemicals could cut off hospital access and put its occupants, as well as downtown, in serious danger. Flooding is a perennial possibility along riverbanks, and alluvial soil can liquify during an earthquake. If the planned RiverBend hospital is built, we could end up with two hospitals at risk when a "100-year flood" or the "great earthquake" forecast for the Oregon Coast arrives. The odds are against accident, flood or quake striking Eugene-Springfield, but why situate a hospital, desperately needed in emergencies, in a vulnerable spot when high, dry and solid ground is available? Let's make our thinking about a hospital close to downtown wise as well as wishful. Ellen Spear, Eugene
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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