TO THE EDITOR
being or entity we desire to solicit. Or non-
entity as the case may be.
Seems like the point of the pledge is to
affirm our support of the flag that represents
our country. While I will always stand behind
our flag, I don’t necessarily stand behind our
government’s decisions at any given time.
Regardless what the Supreme Court decides, I
imagine I’ll just continue to mumble my own
quiet rebellion against our government’s path.
Geneva Miller
Eugene
IT’S NOT THE MONEY
Rita Castillo of Springfield (letters 3/18) has
decided that money is the answer as she blends
the recent domestic abuse tragedy killings in
Springfield with the domesticated animal prob-
lems of the valley floor. She finds the solution
is more jails for everyone, both animal and
human. If only there was more money.
Strangely, she also cites all the money
spent during the siege of the Paula Benitez
killing as a disruptive cost that could have
been prevented. She does not once look at the
super expensive gear that failed to stop any
killings, but which represents the very same
funds that could have been spent to build the
facilities she feels we need so very much.
Diverging from the old tried and true work-
ing methods has killed many more than ever
needed. As for “animal control,” perhaps Rita
could do some of that civic charity money
raising. She can even name the fund after her-
self or in memory of Paula Benitez.
Meanwhile the rest of us are paying the
taxes that are supposed to pay for the neces-
sary public services that we are not getting.
College students sit on their asses and don’t
pay these funds. A lot of us are aware of this
when they vote to increase our and their par-
ents’ living costs.
Question: Do the local police really need to
be trained in military belt-fed machineguns?
Just curious about how they are going to use
this military knowledge as a justified public
fund expense (instructors, ammo, facility
rental, officer training awards, equipment
maintenance, travel).
Daniel J. Moore
Springfield
IRRECONCILABLE IDEALS
As a student of philosophy I have researched
a wide variety of positions on the discussion of
anarchy. (See “Realistic Anarchy” story, 3/11.)
Over the course of my studies I have come to the
conclusion that it is impossible to reconcile the
core ideals of a genuine environmentalist or
“green” philosophy with the central elements of
a true anarchist perspective. Environmental pro-
tection is best achieved through comprehensive
regulation of human activity on both private and
public lands.
Environmentalism demands a holistic phi-
losophy that embraces the interconnectedness
and interdependence of each element and inhab-
itant of our world. Anarchy factions people into
individual autonomous units seen as free to act
in accordance with their own interests. The
implication of even the most cohesive anarchist
models would inevitably result in de-facto neo-
Darwinism with power and material wealth fur-
ther consolidated in the groups and individuals
that are already wealthy and powerful.
Without a public infrastructure, only indi-
viduals with large SUVs would have reliable
transportation, and only the well armed would
have security. The government deregulation
necessary for anarchist civilization would
make the enforcement of any environmental
regulation a mere pipe dream. The goal of
environmental protection requires social
progress and not social deconstruction.
John Dedrick
Eugene
A rich soft fabric which feels luxurious, is easy to
care for and comes in the most delicious colors!
Perfect for a trip around town…
or a trip around the world.
RISKY SITES
A new McKenzie-Willamette hospital
south of the Willamette and near downtown
seems a good idea, but why build it on
EWEB’s narrow strip of alluvial soil between
the railroad tracks and the river?
Day and night we hear the whistles of
freight trains riding those rails. Their cargo
includes some of the most noxious, explosive,
flammable, poisonous, caustic brews concoct-
ed by our civilization. A train accident near the
hospital involving such chemicals could cut off
hospital access and put its occupants, as well as
downtown, in serious danger.
Flooding is a perennial possibility along
riverbanks, and alluvial soil can liquify during
an earthquake. If the planned RiverBend hos-
pital is built, we could end up with two hospi-
tals at risk when a “100-year flood” or the
“great earthquake” forecast for the Oregon
Coast arrives.
The odds are against accident, flood or
quake striking Eugene-Springfield, but why
situate a hospital, desperately needed in emer-
gencies, in a vulnerable spot when high, dry
and solid ground is available? Let’s make our
thinking about a hospital close to downtown
wise as well as wishful.
Meridian Building
18th & Willamette
431-3411
Fifth St. Public Market
Second Level
484-3668
Taste of India
Buffet Lunch Special
$6.99 all you can eat. 7 days a week.
Sunday Dinner Buffet Special
$10.99 all you can eat (children’s prices vary).
✪ Voted Best Indian Restaurant
-Eugene Weekly Readers 1998-2000
Free soft drinks, tea, coffee.
(With lunch buffet)
Ellen Spear
Eugene
Catering available ◆ Full menu available to go
7 Days a week 11:oo-3:00 & 5:oo-10:oo
2495 Hilyard St., Eugene, OR 97405 ◆ ph & fax (541) 485-9698 ◆ ph 485-9560
http://tasteofindia.uswestdex.com
APRIL 1, 2003 7