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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 31, 2003)
TO THE EDITOR Bush has shown by his actions that he’s profoundly unqualified to occupy the White House. His meager vision is belligerent, nar- row-minded and divisive. Contrary to his promises, his actions will leave huge interna- tional relations, fiscal and environmental messes that all of us will have to work hard to clean up. In striking contrast, on July 20 I heard Dennis Kucinich speak. He’s one of the lesser known Democratic presidential candidates. He understands the importance of cooperat- ing with the world community to solve global problems. He understands that huge military budgets drain the funds sorely needed for do- mestic programs. He understands that we need to preserve the environment to have a sustainable base for an economy. He under- stands we need to start now to move beyond fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. He understands the need for a positive vision to rally people to create the great nation that we have the potential and the responsibility to become. He deserves your attention. Michael Wherley Eugene THOUGHT FOR FOOD With the recent bad PR swirling around FOOD for Lane County (FFLC), I feel com- pelled to personally applaud all of the dedi- cated staff and volunteers at FFLC who work really hard to feed thousands of hungry peo- ple. Sensational R-G front-page coverage of such a fine organization’s dirty laundry seems more fitting for a tabloid. That being said, let me also give my two cents: FFLC does need to trim the fat. The large corporations I have worked for in the past spend way too much money on office sup- plies, employee meals, travel, management perks, and CEO’s salaries. Could FFLC be guilty of the same? Bravo, Joachim, for start- ing the debate (sorry you had to quit your job to do it). However, slashing self-sufficiency pro- grams is a bad idea. Remember the old saying, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime”? Bravo, Caroline, for standing behind the Grassroots Garden, the Youth Farm, the Churchill Community Garden, Healthy Futures, and the Gleaning program. Food dis- tribution alone puts a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. It might help for a minute, but it ain’t gonna stop the bleeding. And if FFLC is hemorrhaging money, why not try reorganizing as a cooperative? I believe there is an abundance of wealth in our world, in our country, and even in the FFLC coffers. The money just needs to be more evenly distributed. Stephanie Songchild Springfield EDITOR’S NOTE: Ms. Songchild is a former receptionist at FFLC laid off due to budget cuts. THINK ABOUT 9/11 Occasionally, I still see a T-shirt ap- proaching that says: “9/11/2001: We will never forget.” Yes, we must remember, but more importantly think, to ask the right ques- tions about our government’s lack of re- sponse that day. To get the facts, I read the best account of OFAM 2003 August 7-16 Presenting Festival Sponsor Rita Moreno OFAM 2003 Grand Finale Concert & The Dick Hyman Jazz Orchestra Cuthbert Sat, August 16, 7:30 pm OFAM at Th e - Shedd The Hult Ticket Office: 682-5000 868 High Street - 285 Broadway 541-687-6526 - www.ofam.org OFAM 2003 August 7-16 OFAM 2003 Title Sponsor The John Pizzarelli Trio OFAM 2003 Opening Gala Concert - Hult Center Thursday, August 7, 7:30 pm - Tickets: 682-5000 JULY 31, 2003 5
