Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2003)
TO THE EDITOR FORBIDDEN FOODS My body is coated with creamy extract of Big Mac; my throat is gently moistened with an infusion of chocolate shake; I exfoliate my feet with the tantalizing salt of Biggie Fries. May I supersize that shampoo for you? These are not the foods the cosmetic industry are using to promote their products. These are the true forbidden foods, rather than the blueberries and cream, almonds and oatmeal, and bananas and tangerines noted in Debra Merskin’s “Food Values” Viewpoint (6/12) in EW. Although Merskin’s point may be that con- sumers are falling prey to manufacturers’adver- tising techniques to the detriment of their own well-being, it is ridiculous to castigate healthy, natural foods and attribute them to the embiggening of America. Merskin would be wise to promote them as healthful alternatives to the beef and fried food industry that has con- tributed to making 60 percent of Americans overweight. Jessica Sweeney Portland IMAGINE BAGHDAD Here is a little theater game anyone can play. This July 4th, as you hear bangs and booms, imagine you are a U.S. soldier or an Iraqi citizen in Baghdad. Imagine the bangs are real gun fire and the booms are grenades or sui- cide bombers. Walking around at night adds to the game. Chris Pender Eugene CONSERVE RIVERFRONT As a UO student and frequent bike com- muter, I am quite concerned about upcoming industrialization of the beautiful riverfront bike paths near the UO. Conservation of the natural riverfront area is crucial in improving livabili- ty in east Eugene. Has the city considered the impact of converting a large area which func- tions as an alternative transportation network to a car dominated grid like the rest of town? Increased runoff, industrial accidents, and fewer reasons for people to utilize alternative transportation will result if the area is devel- oped. In the past, citizens of Eugene have rejected paving the area and it is time they do it again — especially since taxpayers would be GRAND RE-Opening footing the bill. Instead of research and development, the university should plan to quickly address the 20 contaminated sites on the Research Park land. Since 1991 the DEQ has been monitoring these sites — it’s now time to do something about them. Shame on our City Council who have voted in favor of this Riverfront Research Park urban renewal corporate giveaway and the defense-related nanotechnology complex it may impose on east Eugene. The university’s east campus low-income family housing area is also scheduled to be replaced by this intense research. Bryn Anderson Eugene INNOCENT VICTIMS Last night I attended a showing of “Regret to Inform.” While at once the film took me back years to the Vietnam War and before, it riveted me to the present. I remember being a young teen gazing with my best friend at young sailors and soldier in uni- form — fellows we thought were so handsome and brave. And now, in the newspaper, I see prac- tically children expected to perform deadly and dastardly acts as so-called adults while donning the uniform of our country. I see youth duped — forced to by circumstance, poverty, promises and propaganda to march to war. I admire Xuan and others for their courage and candid telling of the tragedy of their lives, tragedy secondary to senseless violence and destruction and their desire to rebuild Vietnam which still suffers from “The American War.” Yet, I am overcome by the hypocrisy of sup- porting that effort while our government wreaks devastation again, right now in the sup- posed aftermath of war, on yet more innocent victims, included well-intentioned troops, dec- orated in the shadow of red, white and blue. And I ask, what are we women and men of the world to do? Jennifer Gusset Eugene (541) (541) 344-0058 344-0058 Raw Crystal, Minerals, Jewelry, Gifts, and Other Unusual Things “Offering sensible strategies for investors and their families” Portfolio Repair _ Second Opinions Problem Solving _ Asset Allocation Retirement Management _ Fee Only Cascadia Investment Consultants A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR 686 - 6164 LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics and will print as many as space allows. Please limit length to 250 words, keep submissions to once a month, and include your address and phone number for our files. E-mail to editor@eugeneweekly.com (please put “letters” in the subject line), fax to 484- 4044, or mail to 1251 Lincoln, Eugene 97401. sm ou y e b o t e Dar ! 20% off entire store 60% OFF Love your body in our clothes CLEARANCE ITEMS Ooh La La, La Dee Da! Try us on. Fun, cool, funky stuff. New Location: Style at its best! 1016 Willamette 260 260 W. W. Broadway Broadway Eugene, Eugene, OR OR 97401 97401 Colors of the Heart : Original watercolors by Carol Burris La Follette G A L L E & F R A M I R Y N G (In the old harlequin bead store Artist Receptions: next to the mcdonald theater.) Friday, July 4, 2003 • 5:30 - 8:30 pm and Friday, August 1, 2003 • 5:30 - 8:30 pm 541-741-7820 410 East 11th Ave. Eugene, Or 97401 Runs through August 541 . 484 . 1420 JULY 3, 2003 7
