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About The North Coast times-eagle. (Wheeler, Oregon) 1971-2007 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2001)
PAGE 2 SHOP FOR AMERICA INTERVIEWS BY MICHAEL McCUSKER There is no nonsense so errant it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority through adequate governmental action. -BERTRAND RUSSELL The new patriotism calls for Americans to spend themselves into poverty to support the national economy and the War on Terrorism. The crass commercialism of Christmas has been raised to high patriotism. A public radio commen tator says this red, white and blue Christmas is more like July 4th in December. Uncle Sam is Santa Claus. The Christmas villain is not the usual Grinch or Scrooge but Osama bin Laden. The Times Eagle has interviewed a few Oregon coastal folk, asking the question: What do you think of the emphasis placed on Christmas shopping as a patriotic act? DRAWINGS BY MICHAEL MILLER (aka SASHA) JIM HANSEN Nobody can convince me that the capitalist system isn’t wonderful. Christmas shopping is a good way of letting Jesus know we love him. Jesus would really like that. MICHAEL MILLER The Japanese who bombed Pearl Harbor sixty years ago were doing their patriotic duty. The German soldiers who marched on Poland were doing their patriotic duty. The Confed erates defending slavery were doing their proud patriotic duty. The U.S. cavalry soldiers who massacred entire villages of Native Americans were doing their patriotic duty. I think God will forgive me for not doing my patriotic duty. Jesus never commanded anyone to love their nation, but he did command them to love their enemies. None of my behaviors are based upon a love for this nation, but a love for all mankind. My patriotic duty, then (to mankind) is to spend wisely: to support those companies who guard civil liberties and environmental health; to support those companies and people who do not amass vast fortunes when 32,000 children die daily from hunger. I will not shop for my country. I will be glad though to share whatever I have with those in need. KENDEMPS l‘m not spending. I don’t know where people are getting the money. We’re in a recession. I went to Fred Meyer's the other day and smelled every- thing but I couldn’t afford to buy anything. I am leaning toward shoplifting for Christmas, which I plan to do early. know the true meaning of Christmas? All it seems to mean anymore is the dread of how many months it will take to pay off the Christmas bills. JOHN LINDHOUT JENNIFER BAKKE Am I going to send money in the name of patriotism? No I am not going to. I would not purposely buy something in the name of patriotism. I might go into a store owned by a friend to help him or her out. That doesn't mean I don’t love my country. I notice people aren’t giving as much to charity this year. They’re giving to the victims of September 11, but not to the local needy. Would I buy a Christmas present to bolster the economy or because I love somebody? I'm not even going to comment on that. Basically I think it's a sign of how pampered we are that we are not asked to sacrifice anything except our civil liberties for the conflict — I refuse to call it a war. Also we seem to forget our spending equates with using up the world's resources faster. We are spending the world into Earthruptcy. CYNDYLEE LISA STOMPRUD I would rather have people addicted to impulse shopping rather than to a fanatical religion. My mother is addicted to both. People are addicts by nature. I think it’s unfortunate our capitalist society is going to support all the flag sellers in the name of patriotism instead of the people who need our support. You also see this in fashion and a lot of designers coming out with red, white and blue depict it as glamour and chic. JIM FURNISH TAYLOR DURKEE I saw a cartoon in the New Yorker of a kid sitting on Santa Claus’ lap saying “Give me everything I want or the terrorists win." I don’t think our spending should have much to do with 9/11 or the spirit of Christmas. It’s so diluted — does anybody PERIPHERAL SIMILARITY One month after September 11 Like monstrous bare bones flayed clean and waiting exposed to wind and sun, they stand or lie at ground zero — run out of time, sifted ash-gray alone Some seep striations of rust as if first bloodied before the dust flakes and corrodes membranes to a crust that peels, so insects dart and hide in the insides still fibrous. Like sculpted pewter shining, the outer skin streaks veins white in cloudy morning light revealing tendons bulged and twisted, extending fists with protruded knuckles buckled under, as if bound in spasms of bursted anger. And separate sliced feet splay out, display claws of rooted grasping, cling on to glassy mounds as if reaching for one more grip of life. They are the remains cut away, severed from natural time to leave testimony in the stumps and decay of once living trees -CLAUDIA HARPER LARRY BARROWS NORTH COAST TIMES EAGLE A JOURNAL OF ART & OPINION PUBLISHED IN ASTORIA, OREGON 757 27TH STREET 97103 MICHAEL PAUL McCUSKER EDITOR & PUBLISHER ELIZABETH A. BALDWIN Is pleased to announce the relocation of her office for the practice of law to 536 BOND STREET ASTORIA OREGON 97103 Across the street from her old office (503) 325-5137 Telephone number remains the same SIX WEEKS AFTERMATH Collateral damage was minimum: Associated Press We are children traveling from dream to nightmare watching crystal cashes explode in dragon fire, searching for a prince to save us. We are children bent to instant tears, flag-waving in the dark, singing the old chants that used to bring the magic, wanting someone to make it all go away. We are children finger-pointing at warlocks and demons, covering our eyes and ears and mouths like the perennial three monkeys, hiding from the pain, hungry for the perfect ending. We are children willing to vow blind loyalty to the one who rides the biggest horse armored and bannered in righteous indignation, the one who clamors loudest for revenge. The mirror warns, Children, don’t believe everything you read, don't believe everything promised Beware of false prophets. Grow up. -CLAUDIA HARPER
