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