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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2003)
TO THE EDITOR complish that goal. Want to volunteer, contact the local cam- paign at 342-0639, or visit www.lanecounty- fordean.com, and/orwww.deanforamerica.com Munir Katul Eugene BIKE RULES Thugs harassed me last night while riding my bike home at 3:45 am. I was pedaling at a quick pace, my head up, bike light blinking, noticing the lack of traffic activity, logically, at that time of night. I failed to stop my bike at the four-way stop intersection of 8th and Monroe. That is when the thugs pounced. Yes, our fine Eugene Police were so bored that they needed two of their shiny units to in- terrogate me, inform me of my illegal activity (gasp!), and slap me with a $140 ticket for my failure to stop on my bike. I am a female in my early 20s, and I feel like these two men in black were bullying me unreasonably. Why is it that every time I simply see an officer, I go into a cold sweat and feel sick to my stom- ach? I know I am not alone in this and that many other cyclists in town have had the same experience. The laws need to change for cyclists. Also logic, and might I say, compassion, needs to play a role in the minds of officers. I know that is a long shot though. I am thankful that I know my rights, so when I was asked to recite my Social Security and phone number, I could re- fuse. So, in conclusion, know your rights and make sure there are no cops waiting to pounce when you ride on past those stop signs. Meghan Quinn Eugene KESEY’S CASE I was happy to see the statue of Ken Kesey on the cover of EW (12/4), and even happier to see it at the head of the EW ’s Winter Reading feature. So imagine my dismay when I discovered that neither of the latest books by and about Kesey were included in the reading list. Kesey’s Jail Journal is, in my opinion, one of his (three) finest works. An illuminated manuscript, it was originally written by Kesey in 1966 while a prisoner in California’s first experimental minimum se- curity work camp, where he served six months on a marijuana charge. He reworked the journals near the end of his life, making it to date the only published work that traversed the greater part of his writing career. This hi- larious and insightful work is a testimony to what is most admirable in the indomitable na- ture that was Kesey’s. What a film this will make (if only Johnny Depp can grow a big neck)! Spit in the Ocean 7: All About Kesey is a well-crafted and very special tribute to the man. Edited and compiled by Ed McClanahan (Famous People I Have Known), the book includes a couple score classic tales about Kesey. Well-known icons like Tom Robbins, Hunter Thompson, Gus Van Zant, Robert Hunter, and others regale us in their honoring of the Kesey spirit. Of par- ticular note are the many fine pieces by local friends and acquaintances of Ken. “The White Tent” by South Eugene High School teacher Eileen Babbs is a beautiful example of the precious wealth of emotions that Kesey’s life (and death) engendered in our DECEMBER 18, 2003 5
