Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2003)
I said, “Are you saying The Register-Guard won’t let me use the word menopause?” In a small, quite voice she said, “Well … yes …” Since when is a normal phase of a woman’s life considered vulgar? Linda Overstake Eugene EDITOR’S NOTE: Ms. Overstake tells us the ad did run — under the “help wanted” classification. TIME FOR DEBATE Prior to becoming a psychologist, I taught U.S. history. Now I wonder if any of my stu- dents remember what they learned about the founding of this nation. How many Americans remember specifics about our Constitution and Bill of Rights? Debates and discussions have been impor- tant in the American way of life. In the three years prior to radio and television, debates hap- pened on a local level and common people were able to participate. During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the U.S., common people were so involved he has become known as the president of the common people. Other presidents have traveled great distances to debate issues. Henry Clay, a U.S. congressman from 1811 intermittently until 1825, was known for his great debates. In state legislatures there have been many historic debates. Now we have new challenges and we should remember the Bill of Rights has served us well for many years. New legisla- tion such as the USA PATRIOT Act (UPA) is too new to have been studied and debated. Yet many people react as if there is an attack on the government if questions are asked. There should be great debates in state legisla- tures as well as at the federal level. How many citizens have read the UPA? It is time to discuss both the Bill of Rights and the UPA. These discussions should take place immediately. I do not believe these discus- sions are partisan politics. Cities, counties and some states have placed the UPA on their agendas, and many cities have now devel- oped a response to this slam-bang piece of legislation that was passed in the wake of 9/11. Hopefully, a mix of liberals and conser- vatives will come together to study the rami- fications of the UPA. There should be a great debate in Oregon now. Charlotte Higgins-Lee Eugene FOREST FOLLY Over the past week I was lucky enough to spend time in two of Oregon’s beautiful wilderness areas. The towering ancient trees are astounding to view and stand near. Swimming in the cool, clear river water is a priceless experience. I’d love to hear that the president came to Portland to present a forest plan to save what’s left of our precious old growth forests — and to possibly expand our wilderness boundaries. A plan that would protect other species would work well for me. Heck, he could even take my breath away by proposing that Mt. Hood be made a national park. Any other plan, especially one that in- creases logging, is pure folly. For a better, more beautiful world, Albert Kaufman Portland TRACK BUSH BACKERS EW correctly quoted me (8/21 news brief, “Bush’s Oregon Trip”). My only concern is that my writing that yelling at George Bush is a “waste of time” — extracted from a longer letter — could be misinterpreted to sound as though I’m protective of the larcenous ap- pointed head of state. He is deserving of all the public criticism that can be thrown at him. In so doing, we have to take care not to allow those behind the scenes — who dictate what the dunderhead does — to escape detec- tion. They are the ones who perpetuate our national folly. The same applies for some wealthy citizens (fortunately, not all of them) who prop up Bush policies by paying $2,000 each in Portland to hear him speak. We need to make note of who they are so we will be able to recognize them in our midst. They know where I stand by what I write. Were it available (maybe it is through the Elections Commission?), the list of donors — which is public record — ought to be published. It’s simply a good democratic precept of putting your name where your money is. George Beres Eugene buy sell trade TO THE EDITOR fashion that pays to be me. 131 E. 5th Ave (between Oak & Pearl) 687-2805 BUFFALOEXCHANGE . COM SEEDY BUSINESS In your Morsels section under “Banana Blowout” (7/31) you report about the fungus (it’s called black sigatoka) currently decimat- ing banana yields. Some quick Googling reveals that this is due to the insurgence of this fungus into Brazil, which is the fourth largest producer of bananas. However, it was claimed that the ba- nana “is a fruit without seeds or pollen.” I know that bananas do, in fact, contain seeds and that the flower itself contains more. I Googled for “banana seeds” and got 10 pages of hits. Perhaps the real issue is that “obtaining im- proved banana varieties takes time because the life cycle of the tree lasts longer than a year, slowing the process of evaluations, cross-pol- lenations and verification.” (www.tierramer- ica.net/2003/0223/iacentos.shtml) Just thought you’d like some feedback. Justin Gopindra Hannigan Eugene NOT IN OUR LIFETIME When I first moved to Oregon from the Midwest, I was in awe of the size of the trees in this state. After two years here, I am still awestruck by the power and the untouched natural beauty of the forests here. That is why I do not understand how the people here can, for the most part, remain silent as the Bush ad- ministration logs off the “old growth” national forests here. This loss is a tragedy for the state of Oregon and the people of this country. These national forests are our heritage and they are being threatened with little regard for life that exists within them. Like the rain- forests of South America, do we really even know what is being destroyed? This issue is more important than money; it is about our health and the health of our children. There are some groups fighting to protect these old growth forests in the courts. Cascadia Wildlands Project (www.cascwild.org) is one. Their victories have been temporary. They need more political and financial support. Forget the saving the rainforests of South America. We have our own rainforests here in Oregon that need saving. If a butterfly flap- ping its wings can influence world climate, what effect will logging off thousands of acres of 700 year old trees have? We don’t know. But there is one thing that we do know for certain, once these forests and the envi- Seven Feathers Fall Classic RODEO Saturday, September 13 at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 14 at 2 p.m. RODEO r 13 DA at N 9 C p.m E . Septembe Tickets $3 Tickets are just $6 • Kids 5 and under are FREE. Tickets on sale at the Seven Feathers Box Office. SEVEN FEATHERs Hotel & Casino Resort I-5 Exit 99 or 98 • Canyonville, OR • 1.800.548.8461 • sevenfeathers.com AUGUST 28, 2003 5
