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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2004)
TO THE EDITOR ANTI-SEMITISM Because of our appreciation of the EW, we are writing to share our concern about the anti-Semitism displayed in the “West Bank Farming” article (8/12). The font for the title looks like the type of Hebrew script used in Jewish sacred texts. It is not a popular or journalistic typeface but rather a religious one, and its use in your headline subliminally connects Judaism, the religion, with the oppression of Palestinians. Besides, since the article is about Palestinians, why wasn’t an Arabic- looking font used? We know that Kate and Joe Gessert are sweet and well-meaning people. Their reg- ular contributions to the EW have valuable information. Thank you. But there are sweet and well-meaning Americans in Israel who could write articles about the Israeli peace movement –– the committed and unflagging attempts at peace and rec- onciliation with the Palestinians –– and/or about the effects of the Palestinians’ atroc- ities on Israelis. Without the balance, we are left asking: Why only the Gessert articles and empha- sis? It is so easy for the left to focus on Israel negatively — when so much that is good is also going on in Israel. Where are the regular articles about Kashmir? Ireland? Afghanistan? Focusing on a vibrant, democratic, multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country over and over again — only from the point of view of some of its destructive elements — smacks of a preoccupation with “the Jewish problem.” And why have the Israelis put up this wall? Philosophically, we and many, many other American Jews are against it. But we live 10,000 miles from Israel and can af- ford to think and feel this way. Look at Americans’ reaction to 9/11 — or over-re- action. Would Eugene/Springfield put up with terrorists, suicide bombers, kids sling- ing not “merely” stones but deadly spiked sticks? What would we do? Sharon’s rea- sons aside, the Israelis’ reasons for the wall are not farfetched, and would most likely be less than what our own country might do in similarly threatening circumstances. EW’s one-sided focus on certain aspects of Israel is redolent of 2000 years of Jew bashing. We know what the outcome of un- restrained Jew bashing can look like. And we believe that Kate and Joe, and EW’s staff and readers, don’t want to participate in that. Irwin Noparstak Joan Bayliss Eugene EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was submitted in early September but was misfiled and just re-surfaced, along with some other letters to be typed. Our apologies for the delay. BEFUDDLED BUSH Regarding the presidential debates, Mr. Bush did not face the reality that we are in a huge mess in Iraq. The first step is admit- ting you have a problem, correct? Mr. Bush was defensive, befuddled, and seemed very tired. In all, he looked de- feated. Bennie Smalls Eugene THE HOUR HAS COME I am so tired of hearing and reading about Nader being a spoiler. How about in- stead of fighting each other we look at the people who voted for Bush? How about the Supreme Court decision? How about Al Gore backing down and going along with it? How about the corruption in Florida and the 50,000 people banned from voting there for erroneous reasons, most of them being black Democrats? How about the computer voting sys- tems ripe for corruption? How about mil- lions of dollars buying politicians to do big businesses’ will? How about the electoral college negating peoples votes just be- cause they live in the wrong color state (red or blue)? How about the winner take all system? How about third party candidates not being allowed in the debates? How about all THAT? I think there is a lot of misplaced anger here. Ralph Nader might be egotistical, but damn it, I support his right to run for public office. This is one of the greatest aspects of our country. What is really sad is that he should be the president of our country. Instead of voting for the right person, we are forced to vote for the one who isn’t Bush, the Democrat. I have not decided to vote for Kerry. One thing I know for sure, I will not vote for Bush and there is a hell of a lot more work to do other than this one vote. The Hopi elders say this is not the 11th hour, this is the hour. What are you doing in it? Pamela Driscoll Eugene PLEASED AS PUNCH Now that I am reigning as the new 2004 Slug Queen, I just gotta say I am just so proud to be here. I am pleased as punch at my new success. Thanks to all of my screaming supporters, especially those coming from as far as The Dalles and Deadwood. More thanks to The Register-Guard for the lovely article on Saturday’s (9/18) front page. What an honor and thrill. However, the R-G made a few errors. My slogan is “The Slime Shall Rise Again!” and not “The South will Slime Again,” as printed. Also, it was the first run- ner-up who gave out the Southern Comfort as bribes. My gifts to the Old Queens were defi- nitely more fittin’ and way too numerous to record here. And to all you Old Queens, thank you for choosing little ol’ me. Last but not least, major kudos to the Eugene Fire Department for their timely BY JONATHAN EVANS It Costs Too Much Measure 37 goes beyond constitutional rights. L urking on a the November ballot is another attempt to increase state expenses and hurt the quality of life for Oregon residents. If approved, Measure 37 would require the state of Oregon to “pay owners, or forego enforcement when certain land restrictions reduce property value.” Provisions in the U.S. and Oregon constitutions already safeguard citizens from un- fair governmental “taking” of private land without just compensation. Measure 37 goes far beyond these constitutional rights. It forces taxpayers to compensate landowners if any land use decision has restricted the use of property purchased by the owner, their parents, and even their grandparents. Measure 37 will be extremely costly to Oregon taxpayers. According to the secretary of state, Measure 37 will cost taxpayers up to $344 million per year in new paperwork and red tape alone. According to the state treasurer, the final costs for payment of claims to landowners “cannot be determined.” Measure 37 provides no funding mecha- nism and the only way to pay for these costs would be through cuts in local services or increased taxes. Measure 37 is poorly written. The measure provides no guidance on its implementa- tion, and it will lead to lawsuits, uncertainty and increased costs. The retroactive clauses 4 OCTOBER 7, 2004 are impossible to calculate, and unfair to the public. The courts threw out a similar idea in 2000. Voters need to do the same in November. Join the broad-based, bipartisan opposition to Measure 37. Farm Bureaus from across the state, including Lane County, oppose the measure because it will increase taxes and remove protections for prized farmland. Conservation groups oppose Measure 37 because it will increase sprawl and decrease our quality of life. Small businesses and business owners oppose Measure 37 because it will increase bureaucracy and lawsuits and make it even more difficult to obtain basic things like building permits. More bureaucracy and red tape make it harder to do business in Oregon. Neighborhood Associations oppose Measure 37 because it would undermine protections against the effects of harmful development, and would provide no compen- sation for reduced property values resulting from development. Would you want a used car lot or fast food chain next door to your home? So, who is in support of Measure 37? Large corporate landowners who stand to gain millions. In researching campaign finance reports, 1000 Friends of Oregon found that eight corporate landowners gave 72 percent, or $540,000, to support the measure. Corporate special interests should not benefit at taxpayer expense. This fall vote “no on 37” to safeguard land use planning in Oregon and preserve the quality of life that Oregonians enjoy. Jonathan Evans is a student at the UO School of Law and a member of L.A.W. Environmental Law Society
