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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2003)
Oregon River Sports TO THE EDITOR and 141 cities in this country have now passed resolutions against this absurdly named sabotage of our Bill of Rights. This “act” was thrown at the representatives in Congress during a time of chaos and national panic. Those who voted on it admit that they did not actually read this entire bill. What they voted “yes” for was the misused word “Patriot” which was cleverly put in the title. When the people of Alaska, a state that has a majority of Republicans, Libertarians and Independents, actually read the UPA and dis- covered the degree of sabotage to our Bill of Rights, they said, “No way!” and voted it out! I have read the actual lengthy text of the UPA. I challenge anyone to rationally and honestly show how diminishing our Bill of Rights will in fact improve our collective safety, security, em- powerment or democratic freedoms. “We the people” of Oregon need to reflect upon the implications of Jefferson’s warning for us, here and now. Our government offi- cials and elected representatives have sworn to uphold our state and federal constitutions. It is up to us to let them know that we want and demand that our constitutional rights, which are now at great risk, be restored. Demelza Costa Sweet Home THE LONGEST DAY On Venus, a day lasts longer than a year. An astronomical quirk, to be sure. An entire orbit of Venus around the sun is completed, begun again, and completed in turn almost nine more times before a single day comes to a close. Such a day has been Sept. 11th. Days and years passed before that day in accordance with the laws of planetary mo- tion. Until those planes struck those sky- scrapers — at that moment in America, all natural laws were suspended. Though the Earth has completed almost two orbits around the sun since that day, in America it remains the 11th of September. The impact of those planes still reverberates in our national consciousness, and directs our national actions. The fear born of that day was renamed fury, and by the force of our omnipotence, we’ve willed the Earth not to rotate on its axis until we’ve exacted our vengeance. And when natural laws are suspended, anyone can make anything assume any meaning. Circular logic replaces common sense. Democracy is imposed through force. Security is pursued through aggression. Peace is deemed possible only through war. Freedom is protected through curtailing civil rights. Prosperity is bought through accumu- lating debt. Truth is claimed through rhetoric. Now it is time we move on. A day must not become a lifetime. The Earth must be al- lowed to resume its usual rotation. All natural laws must be reinstated. The omnipotence that willed a planetary standstill to suit its whims must instead be a force for good. An astronomical quirk, to be sure. Todd Huffman, M.D. Eugene SLIME TIME NEARS The Society for the Legitimization of the Ubiquitous Gastropod invites all subjects and residents of this fair realm to the authentic SLUG Queen Competition and Coronation, to be held at 6 pm on the Friday of the Eugene Celebration, Sept. 19, at the Saturday Market Stage. The Society also invites anyone who feels called and/or qualified to become this year’s SLUG Queen to contact First Lady in Waiting Kim at 686-8885. It’s not too late, the application deadline is Sept. 12. Thank you so very much for your assis- tance in spreading the truth, and the slime. Slimily yours, Kim Still First Lady in Waiting GROWING CONCERN Economic growth results in more people consuming more resources and making more waste and pollution. Larger numbers of peo- ple, new houses, more cars and miles driven, and more items bought from stores are all part of economic growth. Economic growth is good for the econ- omy, but is generally bad for the environ- ment. Making cars and houses requires natu- ral resources, and results in pollution and waste. Driving cars and flying airplanes pol- lutes. The trash we make in our daily lives goes back to the land as toxins. The more of us living an affluent lifestyle, the worse for the environment. Economic growth will eventually col- lapse in on itself if we don’t learn to stop it first. There are not endless natural resources for us to exploit for our high-consumption lifestyles. The earth cannot tolerate endless waste and pollution. We cannot keep increas- ing the human-caused species extinction rate without it eventually resulting in our own ex- tinction. Either we will recognize limits to our growth and stop it, or nature will do it to us in very unpleasant ways. Vital resources of water and oil will soon become limits to our growth. If we have the foresight, we could preserve for the long-term by giving up our dependence upon growth and mega-con- sumption, stop growing in our numbers, and living more simply and cooperatively. Expect the environment to get worse as long as we support economic growth. And before long, expect the economy to erode be- cause the environment has become over-ex- ploited and trashed. Patrick Bronson Eugene FALL SALE AUGUST 31 ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6 TH We are closing out boat and accessory lines and making room for new products. Price reductions up to 50% on new boats and accessories. Up to 40% OFF Whitewater Kayaks 20% OFF Selected Touring Kayaks Lots of accessories on sale Rental boats & used equipment for sale Join us for our Autumn SEA KAYAK Demo Day Sat., Sept. 6, 11am-4pm @ Dexter Reservoir Silver Jewelry Yoga Mats Meditation Cushions Goddess Statues Ethnic decorative items Scented candles & incense Books, Cards, Tarot Journals RUBY CHASM 152 W 5th @ Charnelton EUGENE • 344-4074 We’ll have more than 60 boats available for you to try out from Necky, Eddyline, Cobra, Current Designs, Northwest Kayaks & Aqua Fusion Oregon River Sports 3400 Franklin Blvd. Eugene 541-334-0696 http://www.oregonriversports.com ■ ■ M-Sa 11-5:30 AUGUST 28, 2003 7
