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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2003)
GLOBAL EMPIRE OR GLOBAL PARLIAMENT? Global democracy should be more than a slogan, says Richard Falk, a world- renowned international law scholar and human rights ad- vocate who will speak about the U.S.-led “War on Terror” in a free lecture at 7:30 pm Thursday, Nov. 20 at the UO School of Law, room 175. A professor of international law at Princeton, author of numerous books, and frequent contributor to The Nation, Falk has been at the forefront of the debate concerning the U.S. response to terrorism. Falk believes Americans who oppose the Bush administration’s international policies must do more than complain or succumb to the “global war machine” of the U.S. Falk acknowledges that the “Bush admin- istration’s enthusiasm for undermining inter- national law and institutions is deeply dis- turbing.” However, he says, “Unless a counter-movement articulates an alternative approach to global security that captures the popular imagination, the dismal prospects are for perpetual war in quest of global empire.” Falk offers one such counter approach: a citizen-elected global parliament, modeled on the European Parliament. “What I am sug- gesting is not a pipedream nor a grandiose scheme for world government,” he says, “but a new institution established initially by pro- gressive democratic countries that would be willing to act as pioneers.” “Once in place,” Falk says, “a global par- liament would over time grow in influence and stature.” For more information, see www.morsechair.uoregon.edu or call 346-3700. POSITIVE RESPONSES TO BUSH POLICIES? Progressive Responses, an arm of Community Alliance of Lane County, will hold the first in a series of forums on positive responses to post-9/11 Bush tactics at 7 pm Tuesday, Nov. 18 at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St. Entitled “Two Years After Sept. 11, are We More Secure: Alternative Policies That Can Create Security And Justice,” the presen- tation includes participants who will “first state the problem the U.S. has had since 9/11 as a disastrous situation under Bush and then focus on positive alternatives,” says Progressive Responses member and UO po- litical science professor Dan Goldrich. “We’re reacting and responding to a situa- tion where there is gathering despair about the dominant strategy but not much sustained discussion of positive alternatives,” he says, adding the discussion will be “beyond the sound bites that have occurred through Democratic so-called ‘debates.’” The evening will be moderated by Oregon senator and former Springfield Mayor Bill Morrisette and will include three presenters: UO’s Linda Kintz will summarize how the Bush administration has taken the U.S. on a disastrous course through its “preventive war” policy; Goldrich will discuss how to move out of the Iraqi quagmire and avoid fu- ture quagmires through internationalization of both the peacekeeping and rebuilding ef- fort in Iraq; and Dan Carol will discuss how the U.S. can meet security, economic devel- opment and job needs through an alternative, sound energy policy. — Aria Seligmann EUGENE SOUNDS NOW BROADCASTING ON-LINE The Lane Independent Living Alliance (LILA) has announced that Eugene Sounds (ES), an Internet streamed radio service, which the blind, seniors and others with disabilities can hear with the latest news from EW, the R-G and other media, is finally up and running. Log on via www.omnimedianetworks.org/ Due to limited private funding, LILA took longer than expected to gather the resources and equipment needed to implement the pro- gram, but the tiny recording studio is finally broadcasting, although there are not enough readers to air the news daily. The LILA web- site, still under construction, will offer links to the ES stream at Live365.com. Project coordinator Mary Dole, who is blind, is still encouraging volunteers to share their favorite periodicals or books with ES. AARON DURLAND, BRANDI CRYE & NAT The Lane Computer Recycling Project, a non-profit corpora- tion, seeks dona- tions of Pentium- class computers to be refurbished and given away to low- income Lane County residents. “We’ve given out 40 computers this year so far,” says LCRP’s Brandi Crye. “Our goal for the year is 50.” LCRP was founded in December 2001 by Crye, who serves as sec- retary, along with Aaron Durland, president, and resident “technomancer” Nat (who goes by one name only, and is too camera-shy to be pictured). All three grew up in Eugene. “We average 40 to 50 hours per week between the three of us,” Durland notes. A techie since the early ’80s, Nat began refurbishing computers as volunteer “lending librarian” for Oregon Public Networking. There he trained OPN volunteers Crye and Durland. “I was terrified of computers,” Crye admits. “Now I’m studying for a degree in computer science.” When pilferage became a problem at OPN, the trio departed to continue the good work on their own. “I filed with the state,” Durland says. “It was a lengthy process — we paid a $500 fee.” For information on how to donate or receive a computer, visit LCRP online at http://lcrp.home.comcast.net 8 NOVEMBER 13, 2003 They are especially looking for someone avail- able to read the Sunday edition of the R-G For more information, call 607-7020, see the EW story in the Sept. 11 archives, or stop into LILA, located in the Atrium building at 10th and Olive. — Karman Ratliff ‘WOMEN IN PRISON’ TOPIC OF SYMPOSIUM Those interested in reforming the criminal justice system may want to mark their calen- dars now for a symposium entitled “Women in Prison” from 10:30 am to 5 pm on Friday, Nov. 21. in Rm. 110 of the Law Center. The event is co-sponsored by The Portia Project, a nonprofit corporation formed to assist women who are incarcerated in Oregon, and the UO Women’s Law Forum. Eight law students will discuss topics ranging from “Childhood Sexual Abuse and Female Criminality” to “Jail Alternatives for Women.” The keynote speaker will be Joan Palmateer, newly appointed administrator of all Oregon prisons. The program, which is free and open to the public, will close with a panel of three defense attorneys, who will discuss sentencing guidelines, the treatment of women who kill their abusers, and a vari- ety of other topics. A reception follows. MOTHER KALI’S DISHING IT OUT There are many ways to support local inde- pendent bookstores, but here’s a new one: Have an indie book store serve you dinner. Board members at Mother Kali’s Books will be dishing it out Friday, Nov. 14, at Keystone Café. The restaurant is donating space, cooks and food to host a benefit for the struggling store, which has been a fixture for the feminist community in Eugene for more than 20 years. Mother Kali’s financial difficulties came to the community’s eye this summer when board members invited the public to discuss the store’s precarious future, as well as its value to Eugene as a feminist resource. There was hope among the board, staff, and public that the UO book rush would help allay some of the monetary burdens that threaten to over- come Mother Kali’s. “The fall book sale did not meet our finan- cial expectations,” says Tracy Scharn, board/staff liaison for the store, “the store is, very seriously, struggling financially.” Mother Kali’s is looking into different busi- ness plans to try and keep the store afloat — Internet sales, sharing space with another business, introducing a coffee shop within the store. Of the upcoming benefit, Scharn says, “Essentially this is for the basic ex- penses for the store … the store really needs people’s support right now.” Scharn is hoping that the benefit will bring Mother Kali’s needed attention. “We want people to remember the store is still here and we need the community’s support to survive,” she says. Seating times for the benefit at the Keystone are at 6 and 8 pm. Those attending can expect vegan, vegetarian, and meat op- tions, as well as dessert donated by The Sweet Life Patisserie. Diners are welcome to bring their own beer and wine. Suggested do- nations are $7 and up. For reservations, call 343-4864. — Celene Carillo TAYLOR, NEVILLE TALK ABOUT LETTERS EW Editor Ted Taylor and R-G Associate Editor Paul Neville will be sharing the spot- light talking about letters to the editor at City Club’s lunch meeting at 11:50 am Friday, Nov. 14. This week City Club will meet at the Wild Duck Music Hall, 169 W. 6th Ave. and the program will be taped and broadcast at 6:30 pm Monday, Nov. 17 on KLCC-FM. The two editors will be talking about how many letters they get, which ones get printed, and what the letters say about our community. Then in a follow-up event, letter writers from the past month are invited to gather with Taylor and Neville from 5 to 6 pm Tuesday at Café Paradiso for a “letter writers slam” organized by Don Kahle of the Comic News. Letter writers will have an opportunity to read their letters aloud (with feeling) and field questions. For more information, visit www.CityClubofEugene.org YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GETS NEW NON-PROFIT Having worked in Eugene’s social service field for 10 years now, local youth activist, advocate and educator Tonia Valadez is firing
