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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2004)
ing at the event, call 434-2377 or e-mail emeraldempirehempfest@hotmail.com ALAN SIPORIN TALKS ON RACISM, HATE CRIMES Eugene author and former KLCC com- mentator Alan Siporin will read from his book Fire’s Edge, speak about hate crimes and racism, and lead a discussion about ac- tions people can take to help put an end to hate crimes and racism. The discussion, to be held at 7 pm, Thursday June 3 at Barnes and Noble, is a benefit for Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC). CALC will receive 15 per- cent of purchases made at Barnes and Noble from June 3 through June 10. The event is being organized by Back to Back, a program of CALC that tracks hate crimes and works against racism, sexism, ho- mophobia, and anti-Semitism. Siporin is an award-winning writer and former commentator and reporter for KLCC News and NPR. Fire’s Edge is a novel that probes the dark underbelly of racist and ho- mophobic hate in the Pacific Northwest, pro- viding a terrifying peek into the troubled souls of angry young skinheads, the people they prey on, and the neo-Nazi leaders who prey on these alienated youth. • It’s too little and too late, but it is good to see Gov. Ted using his bully pulpit to take stands on environmental issues such as the cleanup of the Willamette River. His latest position this week is mildly critical of the Forest Service and BLM final environ- mental impact statement on the Biscuit Fire. Kulongoski says he objects to the intrusion into roadless areas and the small num- ber of Kalmiopsis acres that will be preserved as newly desig- nated wilderness in the BLM’s Alternative 7. Good points, but if Kulongoski really wants to have an impact and be remembered, he needs to crank up the volume and intensity on critical natur- al resource and land use issues. Strong leadership and initiative from the top down in Oregon government could help reverse the trend of progressives being constantly on the defensive. • Here’s an item that came in too late for the Calendar this week: Longtime readers of EW and before that the Willamette Observer will likely remember the cartoons and illustrations of Koe Sylwester. Decades ago she had one-person art exhibits at Maude Kerns and the UO Museum of Art and her artwork even went on a two-year UO traveling exhibit. She’s back after what her husband, Steve, calls a “deep hibernation” and her new, large (20-foot-long) painting will be shown to the public for the first time this Sunday morning, June 6, at the worship services at Central Lutheran Church at 18th and Potter. The church’s choral group will be singing Shubert’s Mass in G Major, so the unveiling should be a memorable event. • We hear from friends in Europe that some U.S. citizens living abroad are so embarrassed to call themselves Americans that they are organizing a get-out-the-vote campaign among the expatriated. Many self-exiled American citizens are still eligible to vote via absentee ballot, but don’t bother. Driving the cam- paign is the idea that the upcoming U.S. presidential election is a referendum not only for the future of America, but also for the future of the world. Have friends and family living overseas? Join the campaign. Urge them to register now and vote in November. • Gas prices are high in Oregon and people are complaining, speculating about gouging and demanding congressional inves- tigations. It’s true that rising fuel prices drive up the cost of just about everything that requires fuel to process or deliver, and fuel prices are being manipulated by the industries and govern- ments who have the power to do so. But let’s not forget how much taxpayer money goes into subsidizing the U.S. oil indus- try. For comparison, a liter of gasoline in Europe now costs about one euro ($1.22). That translates to about $4.90 a gallon. We probably pay about the same, but the added cost is hidden in our taxes so we’re less inclined to demand fuel-efficient cars and public transportation. On a somewhat related note, it’s funny how we bitch about gas prices, but don’t think twice about paying a buck for a 16-ounce bottle of spring water. That’s about $8 per gallon. For water. • In case you missed it last week, Al Gore had some strong words regarding the Bush administration. In a speech May 26, Gore said, “An American policy of dominance is as repugnant to the rest of the world as the ugly dominance of the helpless, naked Iraqi prisoners has been to the American people. … Dominance is not really a strategic policy or political philosophy at all. It is a se- ductive illusion that tempts the powerful to satiate their hunger for more power still by striking a Faustian bargain. … The un- pleasant truth is that President Bush’s utter incompetence has made the world a far more dangerous place and dramatically in- creased the threat of terrorism against the United States. … We desperately need a national security team with at least minimal competence because the current team is making things worse with each passing day.” The complete text of the speech is avail- able at www.moveonpac.org/gore/ SLANT includes short opinion pieces, observations and rumor-chasing notes compiled by the EW staff. Heard any good rumors lately? Contact Ted Taylor at 484-0519, Darin J. Ward DDS PC, F.A.G.D. Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry Health Centered Dentistry 300 Country Club Rd. Ste. 290 • Eugene, OR 97401 At Health Centered Dentistry, we focus on your overall wellness. By tak- ing a holistic approach and arranging for health rather than merely treating disease, we offer an opportunity to restore your oral health to its optimum. We look at the whole picture, consider sys- temic health and underlying factors, and take steps to perfect your smile while pre- venting problems before they occur. Friendly faces welcome you in a relaxing, stress-free environment to ensure you are as comfort- able as possible. Call today and experience the benefits we offer with the extraordinary people and unique setting only Health Centered Dentistry can provide. (541) 686-2441 JUNE 3, 2004 9
