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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 2003)
TO THE EDITOR the fact that the tribes would have to use exist- ing mills and exporting systems, supporting big timber. Senator Smith says that this is an act of “good will,” and that it will help the people of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw tribes. I say it is another attempt to undermine envi- ronmental laws, public participation in public- lands management, and a chance for the big timber companies to take advantage of a tribal organization with similar destructive and capi- talistic aims. Ray Cole Eugene HEALTHY GROWTH I agree with Patrick Bronson (4/10) about the benefits of keeping our community small and the disadvantages of growth. I’m con- cerned, however, that by pointing out only the advantages of limiting growth, he ignores the other side. When we limit a city’s growth, we risk hav- ing real estate and rental prices escalate so only the very rich can live there. Would we really want to become like Santa Barbara, Santa Fe or Palo Alto? How would we feel when our own children couldn’t afford to stay and live here, or without growth, if they couldn’t find decent jobs? Limiting growth is worthwhile, but we need to carefully strike the right balance and be mindful of unintended consequences. Martin Henner Eugene CAPABLE & FAIR A recent letter criticized Munir Katul, a member of the Eugene Police Commission, for “defending militarization” and criticized the ACLU for not “yet suing the city of Eugene.” Dr. Katul is a capable and dedicated individual with a progressive outlook and reputation for fairness. He’s known to listen to both sides while generally enjoying the respect of indi- viduals from a variety of viewpoints. In order to maintain ongoing effectiveness and some- times accomplish the most good, one must be pragmatic in how decisions are formulated and communicated. I have not always agreed with the positions and organizations supported by the ACLU but believe that it is well meaning and utilizes its limited resources in an effort to protect our rights. The ACLU would be well served to have an individual of Dr. Katul’s integrity, ability and sensitivity selected for its board. Alan Cohn Eugene STRANGE VICTORY While American forces fail to find any sign of the weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that formed the pretense for our invasion, I fear that the most dangerous WMD — hatred — is growing. The R-G’s 4/30 report of escalating Iraqi civilian protests and retaliatory violence by U.S. soldiers in Fallujah is another sign of growing hatred of Americans and increasing danger to our troops in the Middle East. Since hatred is infinitely capable of turning box cut- ters (and many other tools) to the service of terror, we must also consider the possibility of increasing danger to Americans everywhere, even at home. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has decided there are insufficient funds in the Treasury to even bother to carry out an investi- gation into the most massive security failure in American history, the 9/11 attacks. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has decided there are insufficient funds in the Treasury to maintain veterans’ benefits at their current (miserably inadequate) level. I support our troops by supporting in- creases in veteran’s benefits, in contrast to the Bush Administration’s proposal to slash these benefits. I support our troops by pleading with public officials to bring them home and take a massive crash-course in learning how to use diplomacy to solve problems. Ask any kinder- garten teacher; they will be happy to explain the basic skills. Do we feel safer yet? Does anyone feel confident about the recovery of this tanking economy? Can anyone show me proof that some sort of “victory” has occurred? Dawn Lesley Eugene SYRIA NEXT? The Bush administration manufactured the war on Iraq, in part, to deflect the nation’s at- tention from its abysmal record on the domes- tic front: a troubled economy, unemployment, the dismantling of environmental protections, health care, lack of funding for education and social services, irresponsible tax cuts, attempt- ing to gut Social Security, state budget cuts — the list goes on. A widely held belief is that past campaigns will be forgotten by the time the next ones come around. I do believe we would not be in this horrendous mess today had Al Gore been permitted to take his rightful place as presi- dent. Is Syria next? If the politics of war are to be stopped, let us not forget the 2000 campaign and broken campaign promises, among them that George W. Bush would not be a nation- builder. If replacing the government in Iraq is not nation-building, I don’t know what is. Let’s make absolutely certain the 2004 elec- tion results in a president who will emphasize the importance of domestic issues along with developing and promoting foreign policies that will lessen the possibility of terrorist acts against American interests at home and abroad, instead of encouraging terrorism, as those currently in power in Washington are doing. Pauline Hutson Eugene SAVE THAT OIL While most of Baghdad was looted and burned as “coalition” troops watched, one closely guarded building remained intact: the Iraqi Oil Ministry. While hospitals and schools burned unchecked, crack firefighting crews were dispatched to put out oil well fires. Anybody still unclear about the motive for this invasion? Douglas Hintz Eugene PROTECT CREDIBILITY Nineteen Saudis bring down the WTC. We blame another Saudi for planning it, so we top- ple the government of Afghanistan. Still no bin Laden, so we topple the government of Iraq. Now, no bin Laden or Saddam. I’m kind of afraid of North Korea, so could we just demo- nize Qadafi or Castro again? Also, as the world’s policeman, we should waste no time in planting whatever evidence is necessary to jus- tify our pre-emptive attack on Iraq — our cred- ibility is at stake! Pete Raiteri Eugene MAY 8, 2003 5
