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HITTING CONCRETE Emily Willie's frustration and disgust of being "stuck in Eugene" (6/23) and the perceived snubbing of her son is palpable. However, it'd be interesting to know more about this family. Are they from somewhere else? It's taken me eight years of living and working in different countries to discover that when you are from Somewhere Else, as uncomfortable and isolating as it can be, to not fit in is part of the experience. Birds of a feather and all that. Do they hail from the East Coast? Out East it's "I heard what you said — I'll discard the part I didn't like." Out West it's "I can't believe you said that — I'll just avoid you from now on." What about her son — was he an asshole? A bore? Was his sense of humor lame? Or was he just so smart he was ripe for being cut down a la the "tall poppy syndrome"? Some people tell me it has taken them four to 17 years to feel accepted in Eugene. Others find their spot instantly. A friend told me "I have a giant acorn tree in my backyard. Every year it drops a shitload of acorns. Some hit the soil, some hit cement. The ones that hit the cement don't grow." You can hit concrete anywhere. Finding that gravely spot, in the sun, where you can take root and spread limbs, takes a quite a bit of doing. It has taken me a long time to realize that in some places you go in with light sabers swooshing, others, you have to be still, watch what moves, what gives under pressure, what rises to meet you and what doesn't. One day I'll wake up, and that stuck feeling will have dissolved. Just at the edges. Lynette Chiang, www.galfromdownunder.com
A FUN GUY AMONG US One June 14 I listened to KOPT's Nancy Stapp interview John Musumeci. And when you consider that, while the M-Man's wife is the actual station owner, he must nevertheless have some degree of influence over Nancy's livelihood, I feel she conducted herself rather admirably. Maybe she wasn't as hard-hitting as I'd have liked, but still I thought she performed better than others might have under similar circumstances. I do have to echo one complaint she expressed; or rather, I was left wondering why so many of the man's critics failed to call in and grill him. Of course, it could have been that the lines were full; nor did she choose to read e-mails aloud that day. I didn't attempt to call, but then I don't usually phone talk shows, simply because instead of a reasoned, rational exchange and examination of ideas, too often things turn to shouting, name-calling, interrupting, and wandering — or deflecting — from the main issues. Pointless, really. As for Musumeci's performance, I got the impression of a man trying to paint himself as "well-meaning but misunderstood." OK; maybe. But one thing he said did catch my attention. When asked why he goes to so much effort to make so much money, his reply was: "Because it's fun." Now it could just be me, but I find it hard to be sympathetic to a world view that justifies influencing decisions which affect literally hundreds of thousands of lives in major ways, simply because doing so gets one's ya-ya's off. Bill Smee, Springfield
ECO-TOURISM HERE Last week I attended an interesting event called FACTS (Family and Community Town Supper) sponsored by the Helios Network here in Eugene. FACTS is a series of community dinner meetings aimed at educating and discussing issues of importance to the development of this place we call home. The theme of the FACTS dinner I attended was eco-tourism. I am interested in this subject for a number of reasons. First, I represent an economic development project called Oregon Crafted that has just published a tour guide to rural artists studios. This project was a perfect fit for the fascinating people and business on hand that evening. Businesses that all focus on bringing people into the area who want to tread lightly on the planet while leaving behind revenue to enhance our economy. Mayor Kitty Piercy was there as was gubernatorial candidate Pete Sorenson, along with a host of people representing businesses and attractions that can't be found anywhere else. The Pacific Tree Climbing Institute and Lost Valley Educational Center to name just two. Sue Gorham from the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County provided a laundry list of creative, eco-friendly business ideas that had many of us scribbling down notes. I applaud the Helios Network for sponsoring such a productive event and urge the citizens of this area to look for future FACTS suppers to attend. Regardless of the topic, it will be an enriching experience. Cheryl Crumbley, Eugene
INFORMED DECISIONS? Your recent article "Incision Decisions" (6/9) was a thought-provoking and well-researched piece. I too believe that for women to feel empowered by their birth process, they must be educated about their options. Lennon Clark is quoted as saying, "Women need to take responsibility for their choices in childbirth. They need to make informed decisions." I would argue that that is true not just with birth, but with pregnancy and parenting as well. But where does a woman go get this knowledge? And where can women find a community of other pregnant women and new mamas to share their common experiences? I, along with Shea Hardy, Bess Day and a number of other dynamic women, have started a new organization called Trillium Pregnancy and Family Resources. We offer classes such as "I'm Having A Baby, Now What?", "Doula Discussion: Coping With Pain In Labor," "New Mamas' Gathering," and "Childbirth Education." Along with classes, we also sponsor walks. On Saturday mornings at 10 am in the Rose Gardens, pregnant women can meet for "Walking with Bellies." "Walking with Strollers," where mom's can come and walk with their babies, meets on Wednesdays at 10 am also in the Rose Gardens. Please join us! For questions regarding times and location of classes, call 579-0670 or e-mail trilliumresourcecenter@hotmail.com Thanks EW for making women's health a front page article. Keep it up! Iris Bicksler, Co-founder, Trillium Pregnancy and. Family Resources
IT MUST BE LARGE I have a proposal for the City Council and city staff. We all know that they will soon be offering a complex spending plan to the people which will include a new police station. We know that the people will reject that plan, leaving the police department uncomfortably cramped. So I propose that after that vote, the city take those $30 million in ill-gotten savings and build, for the people, a glorious new Citizen's Review Board Building downtown. It must be very large, of course, so that the CRB can rent out the basement and the garage to the EPD. It's the least we can do for them. Benjamin Quady, Eugene
ACT OF EXCLUSION Why is the Eugene community allowing an organization that discriminates against people with disabilities to use publicly owned facilities at the Hayward Classic June 18 and 19? I hope Eugene is not poised to repeat exclusion of those with disabilities as in 2003. Moments before the 2003 National Masters Championship race, a Corvallis runner was disqualified on Hayward Field because she runs with a cane. The rationale was that a cane is an "assist device." The runner, who participated in qualifying heats and relies on the cane to walk, challenged the decision via a USA Track and Field (USATF) grievance procedure to prove medical disability. In May 2005, USATF responded, approving the cane as a reasonable accommodation. However, the USATF letter then disqualified the runner for a new reason, that use of a cane "would pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the other competitors." The USATF resolution thus makes the situation worse. Runners who use canes must show they do not threaten the health and safety of other runners in order to participate, a task which will likely take much legal effort, if possible at all. We find the USATF decision curious for several reasons: a) that disqualification criteria changed, b) that no effort was made to accommodate the runner, such as in a separate lane, c) that the disqualification applies only to USATF sanctioned races. In their letter USATF told the runner that, "assuming you meet the eligibility requirements for competition at the Hayward Classic, you are welcome to compete without the use of a cane." This is like telling wheelchair racers they are welcome to compete if they get rid of their wheelchairs. We believe that this is a clear case of discrimination and the city of Eugene should not allow it. Patrick Magee, Community Alliance for Diversity Board, Corvallis
SHEKLOW'S UNIVERSE Something seemed to be missing in Sally Sheklow's alternate-universe fable (Living Out, 6/16), but I read it through again to be sure. Leaving aside the question of whether a mostly homosexual human race is sustainable without technological assistance (maybe their biology is different), none of the characters seem to be male. Do gay men not exist in Sheklow's universe? Kelly St. Clair, Eugene
HISTORY OF STRIFE Thanks to Francie Killian (6/16) for bringing our Whole Foods discussion to the topic of unions. I'd like to clear up her romanticized notion of Whole Foods, who she claims pays a living wage. Whole Foods, like [some of] our area grocery stores, is not a unionized store, and has a history of worker dissatisfaction. As with all businesses, it is up to the workers to unionize themselves, as documented at www.wholeworkersunite.org,a blog to help Whole Foods employees in this process fraught with stress and intimidation. Unions don't just drop in your lap! I'd love to see Ms. Killian, or any disheartened Lane County grocery store worker, contact the Oregon AFL-CIO about an appropriate union to contact for their needs. When I read about Whole Foods past intimidation of indy media over unionizing coverage, I start to wonder if we have a wolf in sheep's clothing. Jocelyn McAuley, Eugene
LUER'S IMPACT National SUV sales are down 13.5 percent in the first quarter of this year (according to research firm Ward's Automotive Reports) and sales of the biggest models have plummeted even further. The Ford Expedition down 25 percent and the Chevy Suburban, 28 percent. Meanwhile, hybrid car sales have doubled every year, and in 2004 jumped 81 percent (according to industry research firm, R.L. Polk & Co.), and carmakers plan to launch about a dozen new models during the next three years. In fact, the backorder wait on a new Toyota Prius can be up to 18 months. Lance Jacobs (6/16) doesn't believe that Jeff Luers' action affected SUV sales, but the groundswell of popular opinion about these ostentatious behemoths, the fuel they consume and the poison they spew shows that Americans are rethinking this hateful SUV fad. Jeff's action, and the actions of many others, contribute to the legitimization of questioning our over-indulgent and wasteful lifestyles. By expanding the realm of debate, acts of planetary self-defense keep the conversation going, and for that, I am grateful. Jacobs does have one thing correct: The Measure 11 sentence for murder is in fact 25 years. However, attempted aggravated murder is just 10, manslaughter I is 10, and rape I, just eight years, four months. Jeff was convicted of three arson I charges for a single crime. His sentence was inflated because of his political beliefs, therefore he is a political prisoner. I want to thank Mr. Jacobs for keeping the debate alive. Shelley Cater, Eugene
BURDEN OF PROOF In 2000, almost 70 percent of Oregon voters passed Measure 3, which restricts Oregon law enforcement's ability to gain proceeds through forfeiture cases by increasing the burden of proof. The Oregon House has passed H.B. 3457, which would effectively overturn the will of the people expressed in Measure 3. Under H.B. 3457, the burden of proof to seize property is "clear and convincing" evidence, which is much less than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" burden needed to convict a person of a crime. This change directly contradicts the will of Oregonians who said by a two-to-one margin that forfeiture should meet the higher standard. Police forfeiture — where police are the beneficiaries of the proceeds — is inherently susceptible to abuse. Making it easier for police to seize and keep citizen's property only encourages this abuse. In 2000 Oregon adopted Measure 3 by a healthy margin. In doing so, Oregon's citizens sent a clear message that unfettered police forfeitures are not favored. Under Measure 3, forfeitures could occur only after a person was convicted of a crime. Under HB 3457, a person would not need to be arrested or even charged with a crime for property to be taken and sold. Juniper Painton, Eugene
PUNATIVE FORCE Reading letters about how much punishment Jeff "Free" Luers deserves leaves me feeling frustrated and in great pain. Wanting to help create more freedom, justice and safety I request that you read a challenging book called Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn. The book is challenging in that it documents research showing that punishment and rewards don't work. They may seem to work if we only ask the question "Can I make people behave as I wish?" When we ask a second question we see that punishment and rewards NEVER work. This second question is: "What are the reasons I want the other person to have for behaving as I wish?" Punitive use of force has created a real mess. What Marshall Rosenberg has called protective use of force is the alternative when safety and corrective action is necessary. The reasons I have for not wanting people to burn others' property have nothing to do with them fearing capture and punishment. I want them to behave motivated by understanding my needs for safety and respect — and I want to honesty hear the frustration and outrage, the values and goals that led them to their tactics. There is a way to treat each other and communicate our feelings and needs. See Rosenbergs' book Nonviolent Communication. The existing problem is massive, the solutions difficult to imagine. The current justice system needlessly fills jails, is intolerable and heartbreaking. There is a more effective way. Mark Roberts, Eugene
SUPPORT OUR OWN We just got rid of a natural foods corporation from out of state when Wild Oats left Eugene because there was not a big enough space available for their envisioned operations. (Real reason?) Capella Market — staffed by Oasis and Wild Oats former employees so happy to be in their old home again now on a comfortable basis — Sundance, Friendly Market, The Kiva, The Red Barn, Market of Choice will all be hurt by the city's subsidizing of a Whole Foods big-box store in downtown Eugene. And how will our seasonal Farmers' Market, now expanded to three days, compete with the Texas corporation? Please write Mayor Piercy and our city councilors, today: Let your leaders know that Eugene supports its own, not out-of-state corporations who will siphon off the life-energy of our wonderful, healthful, small businesses. Julie Rogers, Eugene
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