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PROPAGANDA Emily Keizer's shrilly response (7/21) to criticism of public relations in a recent Slant section (7/14) is a case of the guilty protesting too much. She knows PR is the basis for propaganda, yet is offended by that reality, even though there is a place for teaching the art of dissembling in the university curriculum. Her "creative psychology," as she describes it, would be a natural fit in the School of Business, where success is predicated (as in society) on making the sale, whether it is based on an accurate pitch or the lies of "spin." The problem at the UO is that PR is taught where it is out of place, the School of Journalism. Let me correct myself: the School of Journalism and Communications. Addition of that last word reveals journalism educators have decided to do some dissembling themselves. The expanded name is supposed to imply PR and advertising, which are antithetical to principles of journalism, somehow have found a home at Oregon's Allen Hall. Emily, Fox News has no journalists working for it. Some may have degrees from schools of journalism. But like the misplaced PR majors in J-schools, they never emerge as journalists, and it is a sham for their universities to suggest they do. George Beres, Eugene EDITOR'S NOTE: George Beres submitted a full-page essay on this topic that has been published in the July issue of Editor & Publisher, www.editorandpublisher.com
NASTY DEATH ROCK On July 15 our band, Necryptic, played The Hempfest at Washington-Jefferson Park. When first contacted regarding this gig, we were somewhat hesitant. Although we try not to stereotype anyone, I think it's safe to say that in general, hippies don't like death-metal. This being our main concern, we asked, "Are you sure you want a death-metal band?" We were assured that they wanted a diverse genre of musical acts and that we would indeed be welcome. We arrived early before our scheduled start time and conducted ourselves in a professional manner; doing all that was asked of us, including stopping halfway through our allotted time. According to an article in EW (7-21), we "sent some people running, and even vendors threatened to leave." Hempfest organizer Dan Koozer was quoted as saying, "Nasty stuff. Not the kind of music for a peace, love and nature type of event." Director of Entertainment Alexis Gonzalez-Arguinzoni was very cool to us and repeatedly apologized for our set being cut short (it's cool, man). He told us that he thought people would be more tolerant. We are not delusional. We do not expect the whole world to love death-metal just because we do. Our music is loud, fast, obnoxious, intense, in your face, balls-out angry kind of stuff. It is also dynamic, intricate, well structured and rehearsed. It tends to appeal most to angry youth and often times serves as an aggressive, non-violent release from the pressures of everyday life. If there were some intolerant folks who were able to relieve a little hostility and bitterness by being mad at us, then that's cool. We're glad we got a reaction. We make no apologies and are proud of what we do. Thanks to everyone who supports local music. Necryptic, Clint Corvington, Chris Donovan, Mike Francis, Russell Becraft
THE SHAFT RETURNS Déjà vu all over again? Recent reports of a secret June 1 discussion between Commissioners Anna Morrison and Faye Stewart with local Texas-based Triad Corporation employees over possible sale of our fairgrounds to McKenzie-Willametter Hospital are alarming. Remember Morrison's secret talks with Eugene Sand & Gravel's Mike Altucker in late 2001 which resulted in a notorious, widely condemned Morrison flip-flop vote to revive a mining project at Eugene's River Road/Santa Clara area? Here we go again! Without telling county board colleagues, Morrison and Stewart engaged in covert conversation over the Fairgrounds sale and a possible county takeover of McKenzie-Willamette's current hospital building. Since there's been no careful analysis performed as to costs and perhaps disastrous risks of a total or partial sale and relocation of this historic facility, enjoyed each year by over one million citizens, why are these politicians jumping the gun in schmoozing with this Texas outfit's local leadership? Why the inside track to just one potential buyer? Sound shady? With only an intermittent small deficit needed to sustain Fairgrounds operations, contrasted to far larger annual subsidies for the Hult Center and Eugene Library, the positive impact of the Lane Events Center is enormous — from County Fair to ice skating, Picc-a-Dilly Flea Market, antique shows, Kid Sports, Holiday Markets, election returns, logging conferences and hundreds of other events. While real estate speculators drool over exploiting this 55-acre, central city gem, the public is getting shafted. Shame! Fred Ward, Eugene
GLENWOOD'S FREAKY SOUL I read with eye-rolling amazement the blurb in last week's Slant (7-28), your joyful proclamation that Glenwood might finally get the development it deserves! Hooray! This "long-ignored, funky stretch" of no-man's-land might finally leap out of its backwater ways into the mainstream with just a little splash. Thank goodness the benevolent Wildish "family" (gee, how that word makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy) holds all the cards. We can rest assured they'll keep the integrity of the neighborhood in mind when they put in their condos. Flashback, EW, 4/29/04: "The Wildish family recently gave $2,000 to Republicans nationally, $5,000 for the pro-West Eugene Parkway campaign two years ago and $2,000 to the Gang of 9's attack ads against City Council progressives." When's the last time you EW'ers went to a backyard barbecue there, played hand shuffleboard at Tom's Tapper Tavern while drinking a beer AND smoking a cigarette, took a meandering stroll down the bucolic tree-lined streets, worried only about traffic from kids on their bikes, or took a little hike in the gorgeous woods there? I love to visit my Glenwood pals, step back through time to 1977 to see all the bikers, hippies, crotchedy old farts and tweekers who co-exist with relative grace. Glenwood's got freaky soul, something Eugene once had but has commodified into near non-existence. Who knew EW was pro-development? Or is it a NIMBY thing? Geez. Hands off Glenwood! Shelley Cater, Eugene
HYPOCRISY A LA MINNIS In the 2004 Voters Pamphlet, Speaker of the House Karen Minnis complained that the "activist commissioners" of Multnomah County had subverted public process by issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. She stated, "They didn't hold any public hearings. They didn't give any advance warnings. ... Their actions were arrogant and wrong." On July 21 Minnis became an "activist legislator." She sent Senate Bill 1000 to a House committee, whose chair called a work session with limited notice that was closed to the public and other legislators, thereby eliminating any testimony. The original language regarding civil unions and anti-discrimination was completely replaced with the reciprocal benefits language (which offers a very limited set of provisions), then voted on in its "gutted and stuffed" form. It was then sent to the Budget Committee where procedural methods cannot be used to go around the speaker, nor can minority reports be attached that allow debate on alternate versions. But, I guess we should have seen this coming since throughout this year the speaker has repeatedly said that SB 1000 would not see a vote in "her chamber." Not only is this a flagrant abuse of power but the speaker's words and actions reek of hypocrisy and arrogance. She can speak and vote against the bill, but as an elected representative of the citizens of Oregon she needs to put her personal opinion aside and allow the full House to have an up or down vote on Senate Bill 1000 in its original form. Tedd Childs, Eugene
HOUSTON WEEKLY What's with the huge cover photo (Chow, 7/21) of somebody's raw flesh and bones being grilled up? Is that supposed to be representative of "unique Eugene's" dietary preferences? Where are we — Houston? Carrie Packwood Freeman, Eugene
LET THEM EAT FLUORIDE Thanks, EW, for publishing well-documented concerns about how the state might bully Eugene into fluoridating our water. For low-income citizens who cannot afford bottled water or special filtration, fluoridation amounts to forced medication. The angle that fascinates me the most about fluoridation is class. Dentists are one of the richest professions in the U.S. Today they earn more than many types of physicians. Dentistry organizations could focus on real change for dental health such as better nutrition, public education, improved habits and national dental health care. Instead, it feels like this is a privileged group in a gated community that is tossing some crumbs over the fence while saying, "Let them eat fluoride!" The continent of Europe has examined fluoridation of the water supply and found it to be an unscientific violation of biomedical ethics. Only a few countries in Europe especially dominated by the U.S. such as UK and Ireland have some fluoridation of their water. We in Eugene ought to be proud that we've thumbed our noses at the idea of shoving this experiment down our throats. For now the fluoridation bill has been stopped in Salem. Let's keep it that way. To discover the role of the industrial and military establishment in pushing this gunk into the U.S. water supply read the book Fluoride Deception by journalist Christopher Bryson. Let's also replace Rep. Phil Barnhart who voted in committee to let the fluoridation bill get to the House floor in the first place. David Oaks, director, MindFreedom International, Eugene
BOTTOMING OUT I've been wanting to write in and complain about the Oregon Country Fair, and frankly, lacked the guts for fear of looking like a fussy, whiny bitch until I read Jeff Lansing's eloquent letter (7/28). I lack his eloquence but I empathize with his feeling like a discarded refugee. I am 30 and have lived in Eugene since I was 5 and for whatever reason have never solidified a gig at the Country Fair. I gained notoriety amongst a certain campsite for sneaking in for eight years straight because I wanted to stay inside and camp. I realized I hit bottom when I was 27 and security found me and ushered me out. I was so desperate to be included in the party that when they turned their backs, I snuck into the back of a vendor's van where I laid on my belly for two hours thinking, "I'm too old for this shit." Is this really worth it just to sit around and camp 14 miles away from home?" From that point on I decided that I have too much self esteem to hang out where I'm not wanted and that I would only camp if I was legit. Imagine my joy when my husband got a job with security. Normally when a person gets a job there they are given a significant other pass so that they can bring their children and spouse. I guess his crew leader owed someone a favor, and told him "Sorry, we can't get you a pass for your wife, but your 5-month-old baby can come without a pass." I guess those assholes think somehow that that made any sense whatsoever. The precious angel is only constantly attached to my breasts nursing. The fair has trumped themselves up with this newer image of being family friendly and drug free and it's a load of crap. I brought my baby out there during the day because I missed my husband. The scene I walked into was so disgusting. One guy was sloshed, reeking of alcohol and wanted to hold my baby. I said "absolutely not," so I was the big buzzkill. I let a sober girl hold the baby and quickly took her back after she stuck her filthy fingers in her mouth. Later on when I went to nuzzle up to my baby, I smelled stinky armpit on my clean girl. The final visual was when I saw this crazy hippie who lets his small children run wild bending over into his tent. I was horrified to have my daughter in this environment when I saw his pants slide down revealing his dirty pimpled ass. I guess I should be glad that they don't want me at their party. Alba Alonso Lindquist , Spewgene
UNRESOLVED ISSUES About 3,700 state workers in the Oregon University System (OUS) are being treated unfairly by the Chancellor and the administrations of the seven campuses. Contract bargaining continues in mediation sessions, and involve a handful of unresolved issues. I work at the UO, and like most Higher Education staff, I'm growing increasingly annoyed with the glaringly intentional foot-dragging by management. Chancellor Pernsteiner and the presidents of the seven campuses can settle the contract with classified workers in a day, if they will simply make up their minds to move the talks forward. A key factor in the stagnant process is that the Chancellor's Office can't seem to muster a qualified financial specialist for the sessions who can competently discuss specific calculations presented by the workers union (SEIU) negotiators. Oregon taxpayers will be impatient when they learn of the delaying tactics of OUS management as the administrative costs for the bargaining sessions (which began back in February) steadily increase! OUS management's style of negotiation not only seems unprofessional to this worker, it certainly must be frightfully embarrassing for elected officials and for citizens who pay the bills. Higher Education employees are seeking a fair and equitable contract. Is it too much to ask that selected classified workers at all campuses be paid the same wages regardless of region, especially since they are doing the same job? Another contention employees have with the chancellor and campus administrations is that an agreement on pay step increases has been reached with the other state agencies (human services, motor vehicles, forestry, etc., known as Department of Administrative Services or DAS), involving more than 18,000 state workers. Yet OUS management has determined that some education workers (Information Technology employees) will be treated differently and NOT get the same step increase as IT workers in the DAS agencies! How can this mistreatment of a particular group of workers be considered fair? Why are IT workers at universities being singled out to work for less than the same workers in other state divisions? It's time that we ask for your help to simulate progress in the Higher Education contract talks. Please call or e-mail the chancellor (George_Pernsteiner@ous.edu; phone: 503-725-5700), and UO President Dave Frohnmayer: pres@uoregon.edu; phone: 346-3036. James Jacobson, classified staff, UO, member SEIU Local 503
ABOVE THE LAW Long story short: Karl Rove reveals the identity of a CIA agent. He lies and says he didn't, but later admits that he did. A federal crime has been committed. Why would he do such a thing, let alone deny it and later say he did? My guess is, "because he can." It's one more attempt by this administration to set themselves above the law. Like Bush's insider trading violations (which were curiously never prosecuted), like Bush's incomplete military service, like lying in the State of the Union speech (he knew the yellowcake uranium story was bogus, but he used it anyway), like the torture-is-OK memos, like disappearing Jose Padilla in defiance of his Fourth Amendment rights and federal court rulings. Every time these guys get away with breaking the law and no one stops them, it strengthens their case. It's time to see some justice done. William (Chico) Schwall, Eugene
THE OUTRAGE OF IT ALL So, I'm flipping through the latest Weekly (7/21), and I come across Wadsworth's review for the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Before I can even begin to read her write-up, a line leaps out at me; "I've never seen the 1971 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder. Enough said. Fire that woman. (I rarely agreed with her assessments anyways.) Sabrina McNamara, Eugene
ARE GAYS SUPERIOR? I was very surprised that Sally Sheklow is an award-winning writer. It seems her angry column (7/21) was something she should have sat on for a while before deciding to actually send it to a public paper. Sometimes just getting out what we are angry about is better than making ourselves look like total hypocrites. Sally Sheklow sounded like a supremacist herself, spouting all of that crap about how heterosexual relationships are more prone to divorce and domestic violence than gay relationships. Denying gay marriage has caused a lack of statistical information on gay relationships. But I have lived in Eugene my whole life and was raised in a home environment that welcomes gays. I know many gay couples, men and woman, who suffered domestic violence at the hands of their lovers, and many of them were not faithful to each other. It may not be called adultery, but it goes by the same definition. Not to mention the epidemic of the "downlow" lifestyle. You can blame this on an unaccepting society, or you can call it what it is. Gay couples have every bit the obstacles and problems that heterosexual couples have in making their relationships, and future marriages work. No more and no less than any human makes it themselves. Be ready when civil union become legal. All statistics and all of your business will be even more publicly scrutinized by the nation, just like heterosexual marriage statistics have been for years. Maybe you won't feel so self righteous when you truly understand that we are all alike. Kamara S. Glenn, Eugene
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