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ANTI-SEMITISM Because of our appreciation of the EW, we are writing to share our concern about the anti-Semitism displayed in the "West Bank Farming" article (8/12). The font for the title looks like the type of Hebrew script used in Jewish sacred texts. It is not a popular or journalistic typeface but rather a religious one, and its use in your headline subliminally connects Judaism, the religion, with the oppression of Palestinians. Besides, since the article is about Palestinians, why wasn't an Arabic-looking font used? We know that Kate and Joe Gessert are sweet and well-meaning people. Their regular contributions to the EW have valuable information. Thank you. But there are sweet and well-meaning Americans in Israel who could write articles about the Israeli peace movement –– the committed and unflagging attempts at peace and reconciliation with the Palestinians –– and/or about the effects of the Palestinians' atrocities on Israelis. Without the balance, we are left asking: Why only the Gessert articles and emphasis? It is so easy for the left to focus on Israel negatively — when so much that is good is also going on in Israel. Where are the regular articles about Kashmir? Ireland? Afghanistan? Focusing on a vibrant, democratic, multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country over and over again — only from the point of view of some of its destructive elements — smacks of a preoccupation with "the Jewish problem." And why have the Israelis put up this wall? Philosophically, we and many, many other American Jews are against it. But we live 10,000 miles from Israel and can afford to think and feel this way. Look at Americans' reaction to 9/11 — or over-reaction. Would Eugene/Springfield put up with terrorists, suicide bombers, kids slinging not "merely" stones but deadly spiked sticks? What would we do? Sharon's reasons aside, the Israelis' reasons for the wall are not farfetched, and would most likely be less than what our own country might do in similarly threatening circumstances. EW's one-sided focus on certain aspects of Israel is redolent of 2000 years of Jew bashing. We know what the outcome of unrestrained Jew bashing can look like. And we believe that Kate and Joe, and EW's staff and readers, don't want to participate in that. Irwin Noparstak , Joan Bayliss, Eugene EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter was submitted in early September but was misfiled and just re-surfaced, along with some other letters to be typed. Our apologies for the delay.
BEFUDDLED BUSH Regarding the presidential debates, Mr. Bush did not face the reality that we are in a huge mess in Iraq. The first step is admitting you have a problem, correct? Mr. Bush was defensive, befuddled, and seemed very tired. In all, he looked defeated. Bennie Smalls, Eugene
THE HOUR HAS COME I am so tired of hearing and reading about Nader being a spoiler. How about instead of fighting each other we look at the people who voted for Bush? How about the Supreme Court decision? How about Al Gore backing down and going along with it? How about the corruption in Florida and the 50,000 people banned from voting there for erroneous reasons, most of them being black Democrats? How about the computer voting systems ripe for corruption? How about millions of dollars buying politicians to do big businesses' will? How about the electoral college negating peoples votes just because they live in the wrong color state (red or blue)? How about the winner take all system? How about third party candidates not being allowed in the debates? How about all THAT? I think there is a lot of misplaced anger here. Ralph Nader might be egotistical, but damn it, I support his right to run for public office. This is one of the greatest aspects of our country. What is really sad is that he should be the president of our country. Instead of voting for the right person, we are forced to vote for the one who isn't Bush, the Democrat. I have not decided to vote for Kerry. One thing I know for sure, I will not vote for Bush and there is a hell of a lot more work to do other than this one vote. The Hopi elders say this is not the 11th hour, this is the hour. What are you doing in it? Pamela Driscoll, Eugene
PLEASED AS PUNCH Now that I am reigning as the new 2004 Slug Queen, I just gotta say I am just so proud to be here. I am pleased as punch at my new success. Thanks to all of my screaming supporters, especially those coming from as far as The Dalles and Deadwood. More thanks to The Register-Guard for the lovely article on Saturday's (9/18) front page. What an honor and thrill. However, the R-G made a few errors. My slogan is "The Slime Shall Rise Again!" and not "The South will Slime Again," as printed. Also, it was the first runner-up who gave out the Southern Comfort as bribes. My gifts to the Old Queens were definitely more fittin' and way too numerous to record here. And to all you Old Queens, thank you for choosing little ol' me. Last but not least, major kudos to the Eugene Fire Department for their timely rescue minutes before the start of the coronation. Nine of the Regal Court and my dog King Sam got stuck on an elevator between floors for 40 minutes while en route to the competition. Was it conspiracy by a contender? Or just a lesson in mastering the slow, sluggish pace? I am so grateful to breathe our fresh air and send peaceful messages to uplift and unify our community. Long Live the Queen! Queen Scarlett O'Slimera, Eugene EDITOR'S NOTE: Queen Scarlett tells us the R-G has declined to print this letter. Also, she has since found out it was tequila, not Southern Comfort, that was being passed around.
NOW IT'S GONE There was a restaurant here that was unique in a way that fit Eugene perfectly. Every food item on the menu was under $5, organic, and blessed. The menu was small, but the food was unbelieveably tasty. The juice and kava were fresh, and I think all the food was from scratch. The atmosphere was colorful — tapestries were everywhere and there were plenty of books to read while you waited. Free live music and lectures drew a small crowd. I just found out that this business, Planet Goloka, is no more. They were located on 7th and Lincoln (one block from the WOW Hall, above High Priestess). It is unfortunate that we can no longer enjoy fresh organic and cheap meals in such a happy atmosphere. I will enjoy the memory of Planet Goloka. I only wish more people supported them while the magic was here. Risa Dotson, Eugene
KEEP DON HAMPTON! Please rally in support of Don Hampton as county commissioner of east Lane! He represents the swing vote in the commission, the difference between a balance of quality rural and urban life and the threat of big developers. It is crucial to elect an experienced and fair-minded person who puts principle, common sense and the interests of the people above politics — a good listener who wants to keep the quality of life in east Lane while supporting the efforts of small enterprise. Don Hampton is endorsed by Congressman Peter DeFazio, former Oregon State Sen. Tony Corcoran and many mayors and councilors in east Lane county. During his service as commissioner he has, among other activities: saved more than $2 million dollars in unnecessary road work, voted to restore 24/7 sheriff's patrols, voted to retain funding for rural health care clinics, and worked to speed up the permitting process. He opposes the unnecessary Coburg power plant. Don Hampton's opponent, Faye Stewart, is poised to challenge him with large sums of money at his disposal, but Stewart has no experience in government. Keep Don Hampton as county commissioner with your vote! Kathleen Epstein, Eugene
OFFENSIVE WRITING Why does the EW keep running pieces by Ben Fogelson? The content is trivial, the style offensive and they are pointless. Casting about to have some flair or substance in "Swimmin' Boys" (8/26), he resorts to "Holy shit," "damn," "fuckin'" and references to people's physical deformities ("hunchbacked, bug-eyed nurse") to spice up a pointless, boring, self-focused article. You not only waste space but look foolish choosing to print such drivel. Julie Rogers, Eugene
CITIZENS UNITE! EWEB would like to pass along a 5.4 percent increase, which we should oppose for two major reasons. The first is that according to the Sept. 17 edition of The Oregonian, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has reduced wholesale electricity rates by 7.5 percent beginning Oct. 1. Although the article explicitly says that consumers should not expect an equivalent decrease in rates, it cites Portland General Electric as only raising rates by 1 percent due to the actions of BPA. I believe that at the very least, EWEB should keep rates at status quo, and I take issue with the statement in EWEB's letter to consumers that a portion of the increase "would pay for higher wholesale energy costs from the BPA." The rate increase cited in the EWEB letter is not backed up by either The Oregonian article or the information available on the BPA website. The second reason we should object to the rate increase is due to the disproportionate impact it will have on small businesses and low-income citizens in our community. While big businesses have large financial backers to call on, and can afford to pay higher utility costs, our community-owned businesses have nowhere to turn when their utility prices rise. Everything should be done to shield small business owners from unnecessary utility rate increases. Low-income earners also face dilemmas when electricity rates rise, and fortunately, EWEB has effective programs in place that help those in need. However, I fear that by raising electric rates, fewer people will be able to pay their power bills and become dependent upon EWEB programs. Many low-income earners in our community take pride in being able to pay their bills without assistance, and everything should be done to allow them to continue to do so. Please write a letter to EWEB letting them know how you feel. T.K. Keen, Eugene EDITOR'S NOTE: EWEB tells us BPA's overall costs are increasing: "Bonneville is lowering wholesale rates by 7.5 percent, but only for a third of the power EWEB buys from BPA. For the other two-thirds of the BPA power, Bonneville is increasing wholesale costs," says Lance Robertson of EWEB.
STICKY FINGERS So the president does not need a permission slip, and he'll stick to his guns in his war. I can't help being reminded of another head of state who also did not ask for a permission slip before invading another country, claiming he was only "returning fire." He also stuck to his guns — until he shot himself, leaving his country in shambles. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeat them. Helmut Plant, Eugene
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