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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 2003)
TO THE EDITOR These efforts will go a long way in pro- viding accessible natural areas. In order to create viable habitat for herons or beavers, areas must be planted and nurtured with proper buffer zones between high-impact usage (ballfields) and more low-impact (walking, jogging) use by humans. Amazon park is over-developed in its core acreage and has become a citywide sacrifice zone for de- veloped recreation throughout the city. More centrally located areas should be developed in the future for citywide recreation. Further development in Amazon will re- quire drainage of important waters and more encroachment on natural areas. Moreover, polluted surface runoff will increase. Additional development is antithetical to the commitment to restoring Amazon Creek. Dr. Randy Webb Institute for Wildlife Protection Eugene ANSWERS NEEDED George W. Bush has misled and engaged our nation in an undeclared war of aggression against another sovereign nation. The Iraq war is escalating daily as evidenced by the call-up of reserves and National Guard. Deaths and casualties are mounting with no peaceful resolution in sight. The Senate mi- nority leader has collaborated with the oppo- sition party to deny a recorded vote on the $87 billion war package. Oregon’s Senators Smith and Wyden failed to call for a Senate quorum on this matter of grave national im- portance. The Senate acted with deliberate secrecy in passing the measure. Every voting Oregonian ought to demand an explanation from Smith and Wyden as to why they acquiesced to this procedural ma- nipulation that negates the democratic princi- ple of being present and accounted for my voting on record. Cowardly! Pat Reilly Eugene FALSE TICKETING I read your article on regulating cops (“Profiled,” 10/16). The other day a friend of mine was stopped for speeding. He was doing 45 in a 55 mph zone. The deputy pulled him out of the traffic and gave him a ticket for doing 70. He was in between two other cars. When he asked why, the deputy said “because I say so.” It’s time we all stand up and fight these over-paid and under-worked cops. Someone told me years ago that there’re three jobs you can do if you can’t find an hon- est one: car salesman, cop or work for the government Just because they claim there’s a low budget doesn’t give them the right to falsely write tickets. Les Shapiro Cheshire BUSH’S ISOLATION Bush lied, thousands died! Thousands wounded, many critically. Families mourn the thousands dead and maimed. Yet, Bush is able to isolate himself from the wreckage of life he has created around the world. How sick! How sick are the people who support the big lie! Jack Myreng, Jr. Eugene DRESSING UP I read a glowing review of Ruthie’s Tea Shop (Oct. 30). It intrigued me. A few days later I was in Springfield for a meeting, and afterwards a friend and I went to Ruthie’s for lunch. She was pleased to learn that Ruthie’s serves lunch, since the last time she was there, two years ago, they only served teas. We had a lovely time. It was truly as your reviewer described. I don’t remember if the re- view included “dress up.” We were shown racks of hats, feather boas, etc., and told to help ourselves if we wanted to dress up for lunch. I fell in love with the hat I wore during the meal, but unfortunately, it was not for sale. I am certain that your reviewer did not men- tion what I call Ruthie’s PA system: She and her staff call each other from afar by screeching out their names at the top of their lungs. I loved it! It reminded me of my childhood home! We really enjoyed Ruthie’s, and would highly recommend it. No need to wait until you’re in Springfield, it’s worth going there specially. We probably should have made a reservation, but were fortunate that they found a table for us. C. Murphy Eugene CHANGING COLORS We are informed that more people of color are imprisoned than caucasians. Mr. Pittman and Mr. Kyte (10/30) bring food for thought. Using the “per stop” formula, would the color of prison change if more caucasians were stopped? Thomas V. Aletich Springfield MUSICAL LIFT I went to a wonderful concert at the McDonald Theatre Nov. 12 with Holly Near and Chris Williamson accompanied by John Bucchino. Wow – what an amazing inspira- tional couple of sweet, beautiful, wise, rugged women. My heartfelt thanks to them. They filled my heart with a jumble of emotions, love, joy, peace, hope, strength and possibilities. I would highly recommend to those who haven’t heard their beautiful words, music and voices to definitely look them up. In these difficult and trying times we could all use a lift. “I am open and I am willing. To be hopeless would seem strange. It dishonors those who go before us. So lift me up to the light of change,” sings Holly Near. Thanks also to the McDonald Theatre. Tim Boyden Eugene SPONGE-WORTHY The media has been paying some scant at- tention to the Democratic presidential candi- dates recently. There are, as usual too many of them and they will beat each other up so badly that by the time the Democratic nominee faces Bush next November, whoever it is will be at a disadvantage. We also know the Democrats can’t possibly raise the kind of money Bush has and can’t buy the double-barrel advertising it will take to keep George in the White House. I’m so disgusted by Bush, the Democrats could nominate Sponge Bob and I’d vote for him. I used to spend a lot of time reading about the candidates. I used to study the issues. I used to believe that it was more important to elect someone who would do the right thing, regardless of their party affiliation. I did these things because I took my vote seriously. Sad to say, I think I must be in the minor- ity. In California, Arnold Schwarzenegger DECEMBER 4, 2003 5
