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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2003)
coward, and would have fairly earned the re- spect of the truly brave men and women he had placed in harm’s way. But that’s not our president’s style. Norm Waddell Eugene READ THE BOOK In such times of strong national and inter- national issues, it’s sometimes hard to re- member those which are closest to home. I don’t mean state or even local politics, but something much more important to everyday living: traffic safety. Since moving to Eugene three years ago, I have become more and more appalled at my fellow citizens’ difficulty following the most basic of traffic laws. I dread four-way stops, for I never know who will think it is their right-of-way; I’m afraid for children when I see stop signs run near daycare centers. But by far, the most common violation I see is the running of traffic lights. I regularly see yellow and even red lights run with total disregard for the safety of pedestrians and fel- low drivers. Yes, it is frustrating to wait for a light at times, but that is no reason for endan- gering yourself and others. In closing, I’d like to encourage everyone to have another look at the Oregon Driver’s Manual. Remember, traffic laws aren’t created to hinder us, but instead to keep us safe. Murray Sampson Eugene NOT VIGILANTES In a recent EW (10/16), Jennifer Hess raised some valid questions about the guns and training of the Oregon Rangers Association. Since our sole purpose is to help the public and the environment, we feel it is important to be open and responsive to all valid questions and concerns. The Rangers operate as an armed security agency, though we exist solely on donations. As such, we are required by law to adhere to the Department of Public Safety and Training’s (DPSST) strict rules and regula- tions. Oregon is known in the business for hav- ing some of the most strict guidelines in the country — the DPSST website will give you the details. On top of this, all Rangers are trained in non-violent conflict resolution (verbal judo, as police call it) and have firearms training at a level that nearly doubles most police agency requirements. The reason most of the Oregon Rangers are armed while on volunteer work is truly only for our protection, though we will not hesitate to protect anyone in need. It is a dan- gerous world out there, especially when you are known to marijuana growers and meth manufacturers as someone who will not hesi- tate to report illegal activities to the proper authorities. The Oregon Rangers would never seek to put ourselves in a violent situation, but I as- sure you, we are trained to defuse situations peacefully, quickly, and with as little violence as possible. We are volunteers, EMTs, fire- fighters, animal counters, environmentalists, freedom and forest loving people — not po- lice officers or vigilantes. Andrew Jensen Public Relations Director Oregon Rangers Association J Michaels BOOKS • Art & Architecture • Photography • Literature • General Selection • Used, Rare & New bambini BUY•SELL •TRADE Extraordinary Things for Extraordinary Kids Chosen as "one of the 10 best independent book stores in the West" since 1975 HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA! 160 E. Broadway 342-2002 20% OFF SELECTED TOYS AND RAINGEAR 50% OFF OTHER SELECTED ITEMS 205 W. 5th AT CHARNELTON 485-1222 • MON-SAT 10-5:30 • SUN 11-4 DECEMBER 11, 2003 9
