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USE OUR HEARTS It will not be long before the IRS levies my bank account. I sadly do not voluntarily pay my federal income taxes. I am a conscientious objector to war taxation. The taxes that I do not pay, I either give to life-giving groups, or put in savings, so that interest can for a time be similarly used. Were federal income taxes truly used to meet the basic, life-giving needs of my country, I would gladly pay my share. It is a travesty that this wealthy country permits over a million people to be homeless! It is a travesty that so little of our federal income taxes are used for services for vulnerable populations, for infrastructure, public transportation, health care and shelter for all, environmental protection and education. Instead, the wealth of this country is being used to destroy. From Iraq to nuclear weapons in space, we are causing death, poverty and hatred around the world. The "war on terror" creates terror, and we as a nation are ever more vulnerable. Our precious young adults are losing their lives, their limbs, their health in wars. Our government is trillions of dollars in debt, a debt that will devastate our children and our grandchildren. My heart yearns for policies of caring and compassion. We cannot rise easily from the morass that we are in. We will have to suffer the consequences of our actions, just as innocent people in many parts of the world now suffer the consequences of our economic and military policies. But we must begin to use our hearts as we formulate and carry out foreign and domestic policies. Peg Morton, Eugene
SUPERIOR CANDIDATE Proven experience and seasoned skills over many years are qualities my family looks for in a medical doctor, electrician and in our east Lane County commissioner; that's why we will be voting for our current Commissioner Don Hampton. With more than 20 years in east/south Lane public policy — including five years as local mayor, 10 years as city councilor and one year as our independent voice for rural Lane County on the Board of Commissioners, Don Hampton has been a stabilizing and calming influence. His balance, knowledge and maturity are sorely needed qualities at the courthouse! Hampton deserves our vote because he has earned it with his vastly superior experience and record of volunteer county and regional committee service to that of his inexperienced opponent Faye Stewart II — who sadly has not devoted even one single minute of membership on any county-issue committee or task force. When Lane County is looking at millions of dollars of cuts in vital services, I like Hampton's priorities of public safety and economic development. Hampton's recent success in securing 24/7 deputy patrols and funds to prosecute 1650 felons resulted in virtually no cut (0.71 percent) to the sheriff's budget. Stewart may be a nice young man, but he should serve on city council or school board before he thinks of running our county government and its sober mix of life and death issues. Hampton is our best bet! Alice Doyle, Cottage Grove
VOTE NO ON 37 Reading the "arguments in favor" of Measure 37, one gets the impression that local governments have been inconsistent and unfair in applying land use restrictions to some landowners. Credible, yes. But let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Measure 37 is sweeping in doing away with all land use regulation including local government comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, land division ordinances and transportation ordinances. In the post-37 Oregon, nothing can prevent your neighbor from building a motorcycle park or a drug addict halfway house next to your property. What would that do for your property values? We enjoy living in Oregon because its cities have residential neighborhoods separate from commercial, institutional and industrial activities, and because our forest and farmlands are protected from incompatible development. The Voters Pamphlet (p. 103) states that currently the Oregon Constitution already requires government to pay "just compensation" when condemning or taking private property. Oregon does not need Measure 37. It would be a disaster. Karen Reid, Springfield
RURAL DOCS GET HELP Supporters of Measure 35 claim it is needed to help rural doctors. But I just found out that the Oregon Legislature passed a law last year providing funds to pay up to 80 percent of their malpractice insurance. This is an Oregon solution developed by a Republican Legislature and signed by a Democratic governor. Why do we need to amend the Constitution and pass Amendment 35 if rural doctors are already getting help? Let's give our Oregon solution a chance to work. Vote no on Constitutional Amendment 35. Kristin Barber, Springfield
THE RIGHT TO WEALTH Many people wonder about the sincerity of the Bush administration when they speak about promoting democracy abroad and how democracy in the Arab world is essential to our national security. I believe they are sincere down to the bottoms of their hearts. I also believe that when they speak of democracy, they are really speaking of capitalism and free trade. I believe that they truly think that our national security hinges on securing the rights of American corporations to do business abroad. Their heart-felt belief is that this corporate success all over the world will guarantee our way of life for decades to come. I believe that most Americans have lost sight of any separation between democracy and capitalism. And people have bought into the idea that to protect the American dream, one must defend the right of any American to amass as much wealth as is humanly possible. If this is what you believe to be the promise of America, then the Bush message is your ticket to the future — your lottery ticket that, if you play just right, can make you the next Donald Trump. I am reminded of the story in Exodus, when Moses was late returning from the mountaintop. Those who were frightened that they had been deceived began to melt down their gold and make false idols to worship. Our way of life has become the worship of these false idols of oil and wealth. And a religious zealot playing on our fears can do great harm. Carol Horne, Eugene
PARTISAN FACTION Faye Stewart's recent curious boasting (letter to Eugene Chamber 8/13) of being "an active member of Eugene's business community" along with his earlier saying he'll sell the Lane County Fairgrounds and form a radical partisan voting faction with Commissioner Anna Morrison concerns me greatly. His apparent lack of judgment and political independence are very disappointing. Stewart's acceptance of $1,700 of campaign cash from notorious Eugene developer John Musumeci who lusts after our fairgrounds is deeply distressing. When the Board of Commissioners chose former Mayor Don Hampton to fill Tom Lininger's vacated East Lane seat, they (including Commissioner Morrison) rejected Stewart as a finalist due to his obvious lack of suitable qualifications. While Hampton's political resume includes the Lane Economic Committee, Chairman of LRAPA, Coast Fork/Middle Fork and McKenzie Watershed Councils and 16 years in local elective office, Stewart's recent campaign reports read like a "who's who" of Eugene developer interests — poised to trample upon our rural Lane County's special character. As a retired dentist who had to come up the ranks in my profession with years of training, internship and hands-on experience, I am more comfortable with Hampton's 30 years of experience in East Lane classrooms and 16 years of local and county office. Those thousands of hours and hundreds of issues give Hampton the winning edge in my book. Big campaign money, high priced political consultants and saturation commercials can't compete with Hampton's record of experience and independence! Dr. Tom Creager, Cottage Grove
REJECT MEASURE 35 Did you know it is easier to check the background on a contractor remodeling your kitchen than it is to find out if your surgeon has a history of reckless or negligent behavior? If we want to improve patient safety we should crack down on reckless and negligent doctors. Measure 35 will not do anything to improve patient safety and it will hurt Oregonians. Before we amend the constitution we should try something less drastic. Voters should reject Measure 35. Cathy Fitzsimmons, Eugene
THINK OF THE DAMAGE In 1993 I lived in Colorado and worked with people who had AIDS. The first anti-gay rights amendment passed in Colorado that year: Amendment 2. Years later, it was declared unconstitutional. When Amendment 2 passed, many of the people who had AIDS at the clinic in Denver where I volunteered got sicker and died sooner than expected. That was when I first clearly saw the mind/body connection and the effect on one's health. Now, Amendment 36 in Oregon threatens to harm a lot of people in the same way. When a group of people are discriminated against in a large public way, I believe it can adversely affect their immune system. For all those people who have supported gay rights in the past but are unsure on the marriage issue, please think about the damage that will be done to many gay men and lesbians and the friends and family that love them. Boost your fellow man and woman's immune system. Vote no on 36. Diane Clancy, Eugene
CULTURAL INBREEDING With regard to the cartoon "No Exit" by Andy Singer in the 9/30 issue: The cartoon portrays a tree showing roots, trunk, limbs, and branches. The branches are all connected to each other and are encircled by a continuous branch connecting them all. It is entitled "Redneck Family Tree," obviously dredging up from the slime, the trite, derogatory stereotype that "rednecks" (that is, white, working class people) bear children by their closer relatives and are therefore genetically inferior. As a self-proclaimed "progressive" paper, I would think that you'd know better, although I know that you don't. As near as I can tell, the term progressive (what people call themselves to disassociate themselves from the left) means social liberal with a little dependence on government and victim mentality thrown in. Progressives talk about the "polarization" that goes on in this country, and at the same time are just as bigoted and prejudiced as the people they oppose. Only from the other side. Eugene itself contains a thick, ugly strain of what I would call cultural imbreeding. I don't see a great deal of difference between "fundamentalist Christians" and "fundamentalist progressives." Look within yourselves. Steve Pardo, Springfield
ALL THINGS PINK I can understand why — in this dreary season of elongated electioneering, with one's TV leaking campaign lies and outrageous claims — any citizen might be tempted to drink too much wine and think of nothing but. But since voting is a slowly approaching duty, I say, "Do your duty, citizen!" We all must think of things political and then enjoy our wine. As we daydream about "Iraqi democracy" and wish to have a little more democracy here as well, I cannot think of a more fun way to learn politics than from that Sleuth of Wine, the learned Doctor Sparks, our very own Lance. I must thank him for bringing to my attention the vast pink conspiracy: pink wine, pink slips, pink underwear, pink racists, pink roses, Chaney's pink cheeks, and all things pink. Fortunately, the florid season of pink wines has ended. The rains have arrived. There are some few shopping days left before the election, and there are so many blood red wines to buy for fall. So, Citizen X, stop whining and start dining! I intend to relish my vote for anti-Bush. It was stolen four years ago by two bad, hurricane swamp boys named Jeb and W. I intend to set up my ballot, sip a little Lance-recommended joy juice, and soberly make my mark to end the dynasty. I encourage all of you to join me. Voting is a celebration, and if you cannot do it with good humor and style, bring your ballot over to my house. I'd be glad to vote for you and your family and friends. Really Lance, all felonious thoughts aside, wine and humor are for pleasure. Your style, advice, and words are delicious. Now, as the season of pinkness fades, tell me: why are there no truly blue wines? Peter Jensen, Eugene
SUPURB ARTWORK Kudos to Sylvie Pederson for her brief, poetic description of Stephen White's light sculpture called "Drifting III" at the Mayor's Art Show (9/30). It is a superb work of art. I see it as vines growing out of waters, reaching upward with natural grace toward the roots of the Tree of Life, creating beautiful forms of enlightenment along the way. I wish the whole world could see it as a beacon for these troubled times. Jake Felsenstein, Eugene
HOW WE GOT HERE As far as I know, the authority on legitimization theory is Jurgen Habermas, and legitimization of course concerns, given a nation's basic organization, whether or not the government in power is a legitimate one. Voters, and especially American voters, have incredibly short attention spans and faulty memories, and the tendency is to respond to the most recent issues or events. 9/11 deflected general American attention colossally. These factors, among others, have caused American voters to come to accept a U.S. administration which is not legitimate at all. In 2000, ballots in the deciding state of Florida were in many cases defective, circa 19,000 ballots were just tossed out in heavily Democratic South Palm Beach County. Knowing this full well, a majority of Supreme Court justices voted to end the recount in Florida and so, without having the authority, appointed sorry Little Elmo president. Then after 9/11, many voters once furious about the 2000 election mess caved in and helped give Little Elmo an 86 to 90 percent approval rating. Kerry, perhaps because incredibly wealthy, attacks incompetent Little Elmo mainly on given issues and seems incapable of galvanizing voters. Little Elmo promotes warfare by trying to instill terrorism hysteria in the populace. In fact, the U.S. has at times engaged in terrorism, e.g., Nixon's sending the CIA into Chile to help bring down Allende and install Pinochet. On the phone, a greater Seattle friend rightly called the political situation in this country "frightening." Paul J. Green, Ph.D., Eugene
BLAME THE R'S In the 8/12 News Briefs, Rep. Phil Barnhart's opponent would have us believe that Barnhart is responsible for the problems of Oregon's schools and health care systems. In fact, the hard right wing of the Republican Party, in control of the Oregon House for the last 14 years is responsible for the mess. Barnhart has been a champion of our schools since 1994 when he was first elected to the Eugene School Board. Barnhart knows our state is moving in the wrong direction, but has been consistently outvoted in the legislature. Barnhart's right wing Republican opponent wants to run against the policies of his own party while blaming Democrat Barnhart for Republican failing. Don't let him get away with it! In a Democrat-controlled Legislature, Assistant Democratic Leader Barnhart will be an important part of the solutions we need. Jeremy Hall, Eugene
STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE I'm a person living on SSI disability. My income is $564 a month. I've reached the point where my limited income won't make it through the month anymore. Groceries, gas, electric, and medications that the insurance won't pay for anymore are bigger than my check. I'm slowly going under and I know I can't survive another four years of this. Does anyone else have the same problems? Ruth LeBrun, Eugene
NO LEADERSHIP Why would someone vote for Ralph Nader as an "alternative or protest choice" for the presidency? During the past four years, as far as I'm aware, Nader has not shown leadership or contributed to any national programs, other than, possibly, auto safety. He has no background to manage the broad range of domestic affairs of this country, nor does he have the knowledge and experience to manage foreign affairs. Nader has not demonstrated leadership qualities in any area. Of course, the Republicans, who are helping finance Nader's campaign, would love to see votes for him — that would ensure the election of the deceitful, greedy Bush administration and friends. Robert Rubinstein, Eugene
LESSONS FROM A KURD I read your paper regularly as I used to live in Oregon many years ago. I read the article by Kera Abraham on the "Window on War" (profile of Peshwaz Faizulla, 9/9) and was thankful for finally getting a different perspective on what is happening in the Middle East today. I am sick and tired of the U.S. media giants inundating us with garbage information and commercials. To most in the U.S., life has become a numbing unfulfilled daily trip to unsatisfying work to pay credit card company bills for the things we purchased that we for the most part don't even need. I for one have learned a lot from this article — that we Americans are missing the point on living a more fulfilling life. Live within your means. Do not become a "slave" to material things. Sure, the huge house on the hill looks nice and man would that be nice to have (you think?). I am losing hope for America as long as corporations have bought Washington, as long as people live in poverty amidst colossal government waste. I will as of this day, cancel my cable TV and newspaper, start to garden more, take more walks with my wife and listen to the birds and most of all slow down. I am completely satisfied with what I have and I want no more as I have all I need and then some. I do not want to create any more impact on the Earth than I already have. I see no value in that. Thank you Peshwaz Faizulla for providing a view of life here in the U.S., your observations hit to the core of all of us. Name on file.
UNDERFUNDED Head Start needs more funds. Currently in Lane County, Head Start is only serving 50 percent of those children eligible due to lack of funding. Research has shown early education programs like Head Start can prevent school failure and crime. John Kerry has a plan to save Head Start. The No Child Left Behind Act created new requirements for educators but did not give them the funding they needed to complete them. The No Child Left Behind Act was underfunded by $27 billion. John Kerry has a plan to fully fund education programs that teach kids, not just test them. After-school programs are in danger of losing funding. Kerry is a strong supporter of after school programs. I am in high school and I have witnessed how after school programs can save lives. I know two different people who were considering suicide and did not go through with it because they made friends in an after-school program. I know other students who did not drop out of high school because of an after school-program they were in. In the last three years college tuition has risen 35 percent and 220,000 people were priced out of college. Many more felt they had no hope of affording college. Kerry has a plan to bring college education to all Americans. Send me to college. Vote for Kerry. Peter Howland , Springfield
SEEING SMOKE After the attack on our country on 9/11, President Bush promised that he would make the hunt for Osama bin Laden the number one priority for his administration. We all remember the "smoke 'em out" remark, but it seems the only smoke we've seen is the one associated with mirrors. It turns out that, according to the New York Times report, "Three years after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, the Central Intelligence Agency has fewer experienced case officers assigned to its headquarters unit dealing with Osama bin Laden than it did at the time of the attacks." It also appears that the unit involved in this investigation is stretched so thin that it cannot do any meaningful work. This president must be held accountable in this election for the blatant misdirecting of our intelligence and military resources to an ill-planned war in Iraq and the deceitful misleading of the public and Congress on the rationale for a preemptive strike on a country that was not directly threatening us! His arrogance has not only sent our brave soldiers to an unnecessary war with no exit strategy in sight, but has also made us more unsafe by alienating us from the international community with which we need their cooperation to combat terrorism. Terry Solini , Corvallis
DIVIDER & UNITER President Bush's role of "divider/uniter" may painfully be what this country has needed. He has divided our country with a polarizing, black and white, "for us or against us" thinking stance that has alienated countries that, if not friendly, have at least supported us. He has divided his own party to the point where some members of the radical right faction are actively encouraging moderate Republicans to leave the party. (Bill Moyers' PBS interview 9/3). He has even increased intolerance amongst, and within, different faiths. Where he has been a uniter is in how the policies and arrogance of his administration have galvanized the Democratic Party, disappointed and angered Republican moderates to where their fear of four more years of Bush has them working to elect John Kerry for president in 2004; and moved apathetic and cynical non-voters to register to vote. I'd have preferred some other catalyst than the failings over four years of the Bush administration, like: the greatest loss of jobs since the depression era, some 1.6 million; an average rise of $3,000 in costs per family for health care in Oregon; an overwhelming budget deficit where there was surplus before Bush took office; inadequate funding for homeland security; and the instigation of a poorly planned war based on unquestioned and fabricated information, that has not made us safer, has killed thousands, and it seems has swelled the ranks of terrorists. I am grateful for the kick in the butt many of us have needed to pay attention, to get active, rather than continuing to let this kind of detrimental governance occur. Amazing that I could wind up thanking the man, who is hopefully, on his way out of office. Marilyn Marcus, Eugene
WRONG DIRECTION Measure 35 is a step in the wrong direction. When there is government controls on the price of medical care and medicine, then and only then should there be government controls on the liability of insurers and doctors in malpractice suits. Proponents of Measure 35 claim that caps on settlements will keep the cost of medical care in check. However, Measure 35 does not provide caps on what doctors can charge patients, insurance companies can charge doctors, nor guarantee that caps on settlements will result in lower medical costs. The only guarantee that is provided is that people can receive less in settlements when the doctor has been proved to be negligent. The public is angry that there has been no government controls to curb the cost of medical services and medicine. Both state and federal government have failed to put in place any government controls to protect the American consumer. For 20 years the cost of medical care and medicine has risen disproportionately to the inflation in other sectors. Nothing, not a single thing, has been done! And now, there's a measure that will protect negligent doctors from high malpractice insurance premiums, which does not guarantee lower or even stabilized medical costs to the consumer. Measure 35 fails to cap health care premiums, what doctors can charge patients, and prices on medications. Measure 35 only provides protection from high insurance rates for negligent doctors, and fails to provide little else! Don't be fooled by measure 35. Vote no! Len Goforth, Springfield
SOCIALISTS STAND The Lane County Chapter of the Socialist Party, USA, at its October meeting, declared its prime target in the upcoming political campaign to be the defeat of George W. Bush. It is the contention of the chapter that the policies and initiatives undertaken by Bush are clearly more oriented toward the doctrines of Fascism as exemplified by the regimes of Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Francisco France in the '30s and '40s. Citing as examples of the fascistic undertakings of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al., the chapter points to the preemptive war in Iraq, the denial of civil rights to "suspected" terrorists and their imprisonment without the right to counsel or without specifying the charges against them. The chapter also expressed its outrage at the strip searching of male and female prisoners without specifying that charges are being made against them. Furthermore, the Lane Socialists object to the practice by Secretary Ashcroft's Department of Justice of identifying books checked out of local libraries without the knowledge of the person who checked out the book in question. The Socialist Party is also concerned that those who are dissident about Bush's policies are being targeted as "unpatriotic" and are ridiculed for the exercise of their rights to dissent. Also targeting by the Socialists and by other progressives is the Hyde Amendment which excludes abortion from the comprehensive health care services provided to low-income people by the federal government through Medicaid, a further erosion of rights of women under the doctrine of Roe v. Wade. It is the opininon of the Lane County Chapter that if the current administration is not defeated in the upcoming election that even more repressive measures will be added into the already burgeoning impositions of the Bush administration, including the privatization of Social Security and Medicare and the further curtailment of overtime pay for the working person. Karl Sorg, Convenor
WHY STAY ALERT I have two friends in their 80s who have led good and productive lives. As their lives, like mine, gradually wind down, Bing Bingham and John Saemann refuse to let their concern for democracy to wind down. Both called me within an hour one autumn day to warn: "Be aware. Things could be afoot to take the election process completely out of the hands of the electorate. Dick Cheney and his thugs have gone too far into corruptness the past four years to willingly give up this privilege they trash before our eyes. To prevent any chance of losing the election, they might manipulate voting machines and voter lists wherever they can, or stage a terrorist attack to throw frightened Americans into a panic of unthinking support for the current power structure." While Bing's and John's mobility has slowed some, their thinking has not. If there is evidence of tampering in the Nov. 2 election, they will join me and millions in the streets demanding justice. George Beres, Eugene
GETTING LUBRICATED In response to Craig Taliafero's letter (9/16) questioning the West 11th Jiffy Lube's concern for the environment, it appears that he assumes "alternative oils" are not used/sold at this shop. In fact, your West 11th Jiffy Lube offers a full line of alternative oils (a.k.a. synthetics or synthetic blends). Moreover, 42 percent of our sales are comprised of Mobil 1 synthetic or synthetic blend oils, compared to the average of closer to 8 percent for the quick lube industry. It is our job to educate and inform customers that using synthetics provides engine wear protection allowing the engine to run more efficiently and thereby reducing emissions into the environment, improves fuel economy resulting in better gas mileage, and can extend the interval between oil changes depending upon driving conditions and manufacturer's guidelines. Extending the oil drain interval can be problematic at best. We recommend referring to your owner's manual in order to maintain warranty and the best running conditions for your car's engine. Mobil 1 exceeds industry standards and is the leading synthetic motor oil in the world. Until we see the engineering of a non-petroleum (vegetable?) based synthetic that is API certified (in order to not void manufacturer's warranties), we extend to our customers the opportunity to choose between conventional motor oil or the more environmentally friendly synthetic to keep their car running cleaner and to reduce polluting emissions. Kathy Arbuckle, owner, West 11th Jiffy Lube
SHAWN'S MY MAN Regarding the "Corporate Whores" letter (9/23), I, for one, truly will be asking myself why I wasn't as cool as Shawn Mediaclast upon my corporate judgment day. I have not met another person so supportive of truly indie ventures as Mr. Mediaclast. "Why did I write metaphor laden letters to the editor rather than venturing downtown for some real conversation? Why did I even care enough to make hipster jokes and name drop Pabst? Oh damn, I'm bleeding on my khakis." Thus will be the dying thoughts of Kris Bluth. I know no other store in this town that caters to people like me. People seeking new vinyl, needing the seventh bottle of Atomic Pink hair dye of the month, needing someone who's intellectual but not a pompous asshole to talk with. Hell, what if I just want to go somewhere to talk about robots or art or Devo? Shawn's my main man. Yeah. This is my response. I am one of those purple haired alternababes, I would also probably swill Pabst like none other if I was of legal age, but hell, at least I know where the good people are at. Ahhhh Kris, you clever son of a gun. You got us hipsters again! Caught in the act wearing Converse and shopping at the best indie record store in town. Does it really matter? Amelia Kimball, Eugene
VICE-EMPEROR DICK Dick Cheney has announced that if John Kerry wins the election in November, there will be more terrorist attacks in the U.S. We can expect a repeat of 9/11, with Georgie Porgie drooling in a Florida classroom, and Dick directing the attacks from the White House basement. This will take place immediately following the election, and we will be told the results are suspect, and because of the attacks, the transfer of power is cancelled and Dick and George will declare themselves emperor and vice-emperor. I watch the parade of anti-Bush speakers coming to Eugene and exhorting us to "be nicey-nice" and "pray for peace" and "love your enemy" and I think they are all crazy. Why should I be "nicey-nice" to the people who will take power over a nation of cowering sheep, without jobs or shelter, who try to grow vegetables in backyards and vacant lots with high nitrogen lawn fertilizer loaded with pesticides because they don't know how to grow anything to eat, while sewage runs down the streets and garbage piles up everywhere because the city does not provide services any more. This is the future when the Nazi Bush-Cheney axis either wins the election or retakes power by coup d'etat. We know their plans include turning Oregon into Haiti by logging off the forests and killing all the fish. This will be promoted as "Christianizing nature." Nature will be made safe by killing all the dangerous wild animals and putting roads everywhere. It appears our only hope is that the military will finally get fed up and turn on them rather than on us, but there is little hope of that. Those who have not been to Iraq (and some zombies who have) think Bush/Cheney are the glorious saviors, and will obey. Ann Tattersall, Eugene
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