TO THE EDITOR
Learn to
Swing
to the public than a passionate activist like
Jeff ever could.
Brendan Avakian
Eugene
LACK OF RESPECT
Lane is offering a Swing Dance class
Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00–9:00 pm
starting June 21. Earn one college credit—
the registration number is 10845.
For more information, call 463-5545.
www.lanecc.edu
an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution
11th Annual “KLCC in Bloom” Garden Tour
Personal Palettes
A self-guided tour of eight spectacular gardens
Sunday, June 27
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$10 in advance • $13 day of tour
For ticket information
www.klcc.org
or call 463-6000
TO BENEFIT KLCC 89.7 FM
Live Music • Massage Chairs • Garden Art
Rain or Shine!
6 JUNE 10, 2004
89.7 fm
In the course of the life of the average
American, it is unlikely that he or she will
ever be required to rely upon any of our most
basic constitutional protections; the right to
be informed of the charges, the right to con-
front the accuser, that one is innocent until
proven guilty, and the right of legal represen-
tation. However, the terrible injustice re-
cently imposed upon an Oregon lawyer,
Brandon Mayfield, by our government,
should remind each of us of the critical im-
portance of these rights.
Shockingly, President Bush continues to
assert that he can deny any of these most
basic rights to any of our citizens simply by
accusing that individual of being a terrorist.
Bush’s conduct displays a total lack of re-
spect for basic human rights and worse, a
total lack of understanding of their critical
importance. This is one more reason why
Bush must be defeated. Each of us should
feel terror when the leader of our country
makes such assertions that he can deny to any
of us at any time, the very essence of our con-
stitutional rights.
Art Johnson
Eugene
GLAD REMINDER
SM
A Service of Lane Community College
With the amount of negativity being re-
ported in today’s media, I felt moved to share
a brief positive experience I recently had. I
was spending time with my 6-year-old sister
over by the UO campus when I lost my wal-
let. I was distracted. The following day I re-
ceived a phone call from Smith Family
Bookstore saying the wallet had been found
and returned by a patron. Everything was in-
tact. With all the negativity in our world I
think we need to all take time to remember
honest and loving people are still around. To
you who returned my wallet, thanks for re-
minding me of this truth.
Tamar Mali
Eugene
BEING GAY IS A CHOICE
I read “The Gene Divides” (5/20). Mr
Robinson’s argument is absurd. California
voters (half of whom are women and many
Hispanic and black), voted overwhelmingly
in favor of marriage between a man and a
woman. He is trying to deflect from himself
and homosexuality by trying to link his issue
to women and minorities.
If one is born black or female one can’t do
much about it. I have a good friend that lived
the gay lifestyle for many years and found it
unfulfilling and elected to leave it. In other
words, he used his power of choice. Mr
Robinson also has this option. As do all gays.
Some do it cold turkey, some use alternative
therapy methods, past life therapy, etc.
I do not claim to be expert in these av-
enues of therapy. I am merely pointing out
that these people have options that minorities
and women do not.
Steve Twede
Salt Lake City, Utah