Eugene weekly., October 14, 2004, Image 7

TO THE EDITOR
what they’re getting into because they
haven’t known each other for long enough,
and they think the paperwork will force them
to do so, thus taking marriage for granted.
Some of the most loving couples I know
are gay. Most of them have lived together for
more than 10 years, some more than 20,
sometimes going through hell and back. How
much more proof do you need to recognize a
true union and a real sense of respect?
Marriage is universal, and for any being in
love with each other.
Quit being so self-righteous and look in
the mirror, what happens behind the door is
NOT your business!
Alby Thoumsin
Springfield.
being a viable candidate. Kerry continues to
represent business as usual, continued eco-
nomic growth, which could mean global sui-
cide through global warming. We shouldn’t
assume he intends good things that he’s
afraid to talk about at this point. Bush, with
his excesses (who is very unlikely to win or
lose because of my one vote, or my minor
campaigning), could represent a collapse of
the capitalist system, which could yet save us.
When business-as-usual people talk about
what’s good for the economy, do they really
mean what’s good for the average person, or
for America or humanity, or just good for the
rich, the capitalist and the corporations?
Dan Robinson
Eugene
VOTING FOR DEATH
FORGETTING POLAND
In his letter to the editor, George Carlson
(9/30) informs us, vote for John Kerry is a
vote for death. I would argue that a vote for
George Bush is a proven vote for death.
Although Kerry’s ability to lead here and
abroad is unproven, Bush’s leadership is not
unknown. His ends-justifiy-the-means men-
tality has dragged our country toward a col-
lapse of morale and commerce. We cannot af-
ford to waste one more life on this adminis-
tration’s irrational agenda; nor can we afford
the necessary billions ($200 billion as of this
date) spent to keep the war in Iraq going.
With Bush we can expect more of the
same: nationalism in the guise of patriotism;
fanaticism in the guise of religious convic-
tion; and dishonestly and greed in the guise of
compassion for the Middle East.
Four years ago, I voted for Bush. After ob-
serving his reactive behavior in the wake of
9/11 and the unconscionable subterfuge of he
and his advisors, I have no qualms about
jumping off the back of the elephant.
As the bodies of our loved ones continue
to be flown home (more than 1,000 men and
women), and as countless Iraqis (more than
10,000 civilians) are killed in their homeland,
let’s be honest about which candidate favors
life over death. And let us vote for the one
man who will lead from a position of strength
and integrity: John Kerry.
Colette Jonopulos
Eugene
Of the many amusing things that transpired
on Thursday, Sept. 30, during the presidential
debate between John Kerry and George W.,
one thing stood out in particular to me. Several
times Bush chastised Kerry for forgetting to
mention Poland while discussing the countries
involved in the war in Iraq.
Obviously Bush was attempting to paint
Kerry as an insensitive diplomat, oblivious to
the risks being taken by other countries in-
volved in our war. However, in pointing out
Poland, Bush was unwittingly admitting to
his own diplomatic shortcomings.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union,
Poland has come onto the scene as the leader
of Rumsfeld’s New Europe anxious to em-
brace neo-liberal capitalism, ready to stand as
an example to other post-communist Eastern
European countries, and overwhelmingly
pro-U.S. There was hardly a question within
Poland that they would be involved in the in-
vasion of Iraq, and people from all sides of
the political landscape were eager to partici-
pate. They believed that what the U.S. was
doing was right, anticipated the windfall of
aid, rebuilding contracts, and favor that
would surely come their way, and hoped to
become the U.S.’s biggest ally in the post-so-
viet sector, the England of New Europe.
A year and a half later, and opinions in
Poland have drastically changed. The Oct. 4
issue of The Nation points out that Poland’s
goodwill has soured since the war’s begin-
ning. Poland is feeling neglected. Polish com-
panies watched as their promised contracts
went entirely to U.S. companies, the promised
aid and military investment have failed to ma-
terialize, and the Polish government is frus-
trated at not having a voice in the re-building
and governance of Iraq. Everyone from jour-
nalists to Polish officials, (again, of all politi-
cal persuasions) are now regularly speaking
out against their country’s involvement.
This is a relatively small example, but a
telling one, not only of the way the Bush admin-
istration has been treating U.S. allies and abus-
ing international goodwill, but also of the sorts
of cynical political games they are playing with
the American people in their bid for re-election.
Jack Baur
Eugene
AIDING THE COLLAPSE
I’m still looking for sufficient reasons to
vote for Kerry instead of Nader, but I’m also
getting tired of voting against someone instead
of for someone. I remember my parents talking
about this maybe 60 years ago. It seems like in
that time we could have adopted instant runoff
voting, as several other nations have done,
which would end the problem. We talked about
it a lot more around 2000, but still no action.
I much prefer to vote for what I believe in.
No, my vote for Nader is not a vote for Bush.
My second choice might be to not vote. It
strains logic to call that a vote for anyone. No,
Nader isn’t likely to win, but it’s the message
that counts most (and it feels a little safer
since the first debate).
Voters are a lot like what’s said of politi-
cians and statesmen. Some are concerned
with the next election and some with the next
generation. To me, Nader represents concern
for the (eternal) environment, a revival of
democracy by giving us real choices, and
honesty, which may be what keeps him from
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OCTOBER 14, 2004 7