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GRAB THE PEWS The liberals have been beaten by the evangelical vote. It is a sobering fact that religious folks are extremely determined, sharply focused and highly organized. There is a solution: If you can't beat them, join them. Liberals, get thee to a church — regardless of your religion, lack of religion or even distaste for religion. Once in the bosom of your new fellowship, pray with Bush supporters. Everyone lace fingers, pray loudly and clearly for an end to oppressing gays and women in the name of Jesus. Pray that your new friends will find the right words to say to God on Judgment Day when He asks about Bush's death toll and your vote that condoned it. Pray for guidance on what to say when God comes reckoning for the damage to the environment. St. Peter is too sharp for rhetoric. One day, over blessed wine and crackers, the Bush crowd may ask how liberals were able to balance the budget. Liberals can ask for tips on how to mobilize record-breaking vote counts. Religious movements are constantly evolving and here's a chance to influence the coming gospel makeover. Saturate the ranks. Paint a Jesus before a Jesus paints you. After a while, assimilation will evolve and will no longer administer the oppression of women and gays. There is another alternative. Dress up like Jesus or the Virgin Mary. Stand outside any busy church. Fan your fingers out to the sky; close your eyes and silently meditate/pray for the end of organized religious oppression of gays and women. When somebody asks what you are doing, politely tell them. Michael Grossman, Eugene
NO RECONCILLIATION News flash: 51 to 49 percent is not a mandate! It means that on Nov. 2, nearly half the country did not agree with the Bush administration's goals, policies, or actions. And what we did not agree with on that day, and through the four previous years, most of us still do not agree with on Nov. 3. It's disingenuous to talk of "healing" and "reconciliation" in the context of politics, which is essentially about power. I hope that those of us who did not agree with how the Republican Party used its power in Bush's first term will dig in our heels and continue to fight in the second term. There is no "reconciliation" possible between, for example, those who think all abortion should be illegal, and those of us who believe in keeping it safe and legal, because neither side is prepared to give way on this issue. I hope that over the next four years, the 49 percent of us who did not give this administration a mandate to play God will continue to make our voices heard and to plan for 2008. Harriett Smith, Eugene
RESPECT FOR KERRY God bless, John Kerry. We are a country of "sunshine patriots," by which I mean, we love winners and hate losers. Everyone has an opinion on what Kerry did wrong but their critiques are more vanity and hubris than wisdom. Bush won because he rode the crest of a cultural movement 20 years in the making. And he still needed every emotional trick to pull it off. That is one dimension of the election Kerry could not influence no matter how much logic and reality he threw at it. They hung a scarlet letter around his neck. He could have acquiesced to it and parroted Bush. He chose a different course. The grueling campaign process can transform a person regardless of the outcome. Can anyone seriously suggest that this campaign changed Bush in any detectable way? Yet with Kerry I saw change and growth in his quest for the presidency. I respect John Kerry and see in his wife, children, and step-children an articulation of American and family values that fills me with pride. I hope that his transforming journey does not end here. John Kerry returns to the Senate with his dignity and principles intact. I look forward to him becoming a champion for the perspective and policies he so effectively presented. So begins the second act and I advise like minded citizens to roll up their sleeves and accept the challenge before us. Their time will pass and our time will come. Richard Young, Eugene
OUT OF TOUCH Well, America's Democrats had a golden opportunity and blew it by selecting an ultra-left and shameless panderer to lead their charge. They have only themselves to blame. It was they who chose Kerry in the state primaries. That they could not defeat arguably the most inept and dangerous megalomanic ever to sit in the oval office speaks volumes about the state of the left in America today. Sure, they still control our schools and much of the media, but are out of touch with mainstream voters and weren't smart enough to recognize it. As Bush and his cronies continue to lead America down the road to disaster, Democrats must shoulder much of the blame for the results. Jerry Ritter, Springfield
THE PEOPLE SPOKE Lemmings ... Jacob Swearingen, Eugene
BEING THANKFUL I have always been sad to acknowledge that too many people on Earth continually exist under the strangling intents and whims of leaders who are inept, corrupt, mean-spirited or a combination. I am sadder about this truth: Our traditionally immune American necks somehow ended up in such hands for the past four years. I am saddest about this truth: Most of the American public actually voted to keep such a grip on them for another four! I can only find solace in the words of H.L. Mencken: "In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for. As for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." Amelia Good, Corvallis
RUN FOR OFFICE Like many progressives, liberals, democrats, moms, dads, lesbians and gays, regular hard working folk, I am sad, frustrated and deflated "the day after" the 2004 election. I spent my day shocked and close to tears as Sen. Kerry gave his concession speech in Boston. However, I am heartened by many things today. Peter DeFazio will continue to serve us in the Legislature, Kitty Piercy is our new Eugene mayor, and 84 percent of Oregonians turned in a ballot. This is NOT the time to let the air out of our sails. We have worked hard for change, with volunteers lending their efforts alongside the great people of MoveOnPAC, ACT and more — we got out the vote and worked to make sure that the voices of all Oregonians and Americans were heard. The result wasn't what I wanted, but I feel way better having done my part. Stay involved! Get Involved. Run for office! Work on a local non-profit board of directors, serve on your school's parent/teacher board, learn about the issues, lend your basement, kitchen, garage, living room to volunteers and keep your voice out there. I for one am not going to take the next four years sitting down. Rather, I'm pounding the pavement and making sure that the Democratic party elects my president in 2008. Jennifer Fogerty-Gibson, Eugene
BEATS FREEZING In response to Sonny Tailor's guest commentary "Raising the Bar" (10/21): I think he is over-dramatizing. Enforceable housing standards are a good way for renters to get severe problems taken care of without involving the over-burdened court system. I spent two winters in a rental without proper heating and no insulation. We had a small natural gas heater that I would sit in front of and wrap a blanket around the heater and myself to get what little warmth was coming out of it. Believe me when I say that having a quicker way to resolve problems than waiting forever for your day in court beats freezing any time. Mr. Tailor claims that many rentals will be sold at auction for non-payment of the fines that could be imposed upon them under this new ordinance. My guess is that he is supposing that landlords will leave the leaky roof unfixed once they know this ordinance will cost them more than fixing the problem. I don't think so! Sherryl Brewer, Dexter DIVA DIVERSITY? It is hoped with the first anniversary of DIVA that it doesn't become just another lily white art organization. DIVA should be in the forefront of diversity by making sure that all branches of DIVA have representation of "minorities." I don't particularly like the word minority, maybe "multi-cultural" is a better word because America is a multi-cultural society. So far I don't see any diversity at DIVA in its administration, exhibition committee, or structure as a whole. Eugene will never be on the cultural map until these discrepancies are put to rest. Jerry Harris, Eugene sculptor
FLAWED ARGUMENT Sonny Tailor (10/21) kindly noted that the supporters of the Housing Standards Ordinance that is before the Eugene City Council are the ASUO, Eugene Citizens for Housing Standards, Associated Students of LCC, and OSPIRG. Many of these supporters are young students, like myself. We are people in the position of renting, because it's not likely as students that we could afford to own a house. Mr. Tailor is against the code, saying it won't protect renters and their rights. However, looking at the supporters mentioned above, many of whom are renters, the question then arises: Why would renters support a code that does not help them or protect them? In truth, it is not likely that renters would support a code, let alone try to push it through to be on the books, if it was harmful to them. So unless all the renters who support the proposed code are deluded or brainwashed about what the code would truly do, which is very unlikely, it would seem Mr. Tailor's foundation of argument is unfounded. Renters support this codeand the code is for them. We in good conscience cannot hold something back that will promote their rights. Litonya Bergstrom , Walton
LACK OF BOUNCE I was quite disappointed that there was no "best bouncer" section in the Best of Eugene issue (10/21). Sure, best bartender, best server, even best Yoga instructor. Yet we, the proud, the few, get no mention at all. For shame! We are an integral part to the bar industry. I hereby request that on the next go around the option be given to the people of Eugene to vote for their favorite burly barroom character. And a separate note to the patrons of the Indigo District: Should the lovely people at Eugene Weekly fulfill my request, you all had better vote for me. If I don't win, I will personally head-butt every single one of you. Jedediah Tunick, Indigo District Doorman, Eugene
OH LUSTY LIBRARY! You were certainly correct to list the Eugene Public Library as a "cool hangout" in your Best of Eugene issue. However, you said, "OK, so maybe the library isn't all that sexy." I beg to differ! This library is totally 100 percent sexy at all times. It has that sultry circling staircase, luxurious cushy seating, stained glass windows, mirrored elevators, lots of books with sexy words and pictures, computers with uncensored Internet access, a catalog system that responds to unlimited "requests," and a notably attractive staff. Last week, the Eugene Public Library even celebrated "Banned Books Week." There's people out there who would love to ban the sexy books — even burn them in big Nazi-style bonfires, but the Library provides them to you. The Eugene Public Library is a glorious bastion of sexiness. But most college kids should be able to figure that out for themselves, even if you managed to miss it all somehow. In righteous indignation, I remain. Honey Vizer, Eugene
NO WAY TO RAPTURE As a local supporter of Lesbian Jews for Jesus and Traditional Values (LJJTV), and co-chairman of the NAACP local chapter for KKK Rights (NKR), I feel that my wide-ranging views and beliefs have a great deal of validity for Eugeneans. Like many of us, I think outside "the box." Mary O'Brien apparently does not. Her column (10/7), "Nuclear Rapture," totally misses the point of Christian Zionism, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and our passionate support of Israel. People should do some research before condemning those of us who have been blessed with a God-given, spiritual guidance! I can also assure the evil person Robert Simms, Eugene
WHAT DUCKS KNOW Typically it goes without saying that college life focuses on more than parties, alcohol and "finding meaningless sex." Yet I'm responding to the 10/7 "When Booty Calls" because I can't resist such a teachable moment. First, the University Health Center has conducted student health surveys for the past 12 years, with findings on student habits from bike helmet use to drug and sex practices. From 2004, for example, we learned that by the end of freshman year, 33% of students hadn't engaged in sexual intercourse. Also from the 2004 Health Center Student Health Survey, 70% of students typically drink 4 or fewer drinks when they do go out drinking. This well regarded survey paints a far tamer picture of the "average student." Second, consider the concept of "social norms." In essence, it says that individuals will adopt practices that they perceive as the norm, even if they are actually misperceptions. For example, when a student misperceives that everyone is having sex or that everyone is drinking to excess, then their own practices tend to "live up to" the level of misperception. Articles such as "Booty," even if intended as tongue-in-cheek, adds to the subtle misperception that meaningless sex should lead to improved GPA and happiness. You don't have to be a puritan to see the red flags, when a EW writer indicates the key to paradise to is have sex with strangers after serving good alcohol. The redeeming part of the article is the reminder to use contraception, (including emergency contraception), along with protection against STD if students do choose to be sexually active. Most UO students already know that these services, along with STD screening and treatment, are available right here on campus at University Health Center. I'd like to encourage your writers to find out what most ducks already know at http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu Annie Dochnahl, Health Educator, UO Health Center
WHY THE CALAMITY? At the time of the 9-11 attacks on our country, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson declared that the pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays, lesbians, the ACLU, and the People for the American Way helped it happen because they made God mad. Now that Florida has been hit by four devastating hurricanes in a row these all-knowing men are silent, and we are left to guess at the reasons for this calamity. Is God angry again? Are Floridians being punished for the 2000 election fraud? Has perhaps the accursed Bermuda Triangle shifted westward? Or is it a master plan by disgruntled sea creatures to divert storms to our southern shores? If the latter, I would put manatees at the top of the list of those subversives; their placid demeanor doesn't fool me one bit. We patiently await the true answer from Jerry and Pat. Donald Gudehus, Retired Astronomy Professor, Eugene
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