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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2004)
TO THE EDITOR desperate workers who will accept below living wage jobs with no health care benefits, and Democratic leaders don’t dare to go against that policy. Which leaves them with nothing to offer their former working-class base except fear of Republicans. That just doesn’t cut it. Lynn Porter Eugene EXPAND OUR CIRCLE I’m glad to see people upset about the media not covering the grim realities of the war. Essentially, we are talking about what most of us believe to be absolutely unneces- sary violence. Recently tens of millions of in- nocent turkeys were slaughtered after living a short, horrific life in a factory farm for our wonderful holiday. One can get all the nutri- ents needed for a healthy diet without animal products. We live in a time when plant foods are plentiful and you don’t have to worry about a tough winter killing your crop. Turkeys, like other farm animals, are sentient beings that certainly wouldn’t sacrifice their life for a mouthful of flesh. By the way, the animal food industry that is dominated by Republicans is one of the top polluters of our waterways (an- other form of violence), is subsidized with our tax dollars, and not even close to being a sus- tainable practice. It makes no sense. There will be no mention of this in the news today. Just like the occupation of Iraq, we will not see the atrocities we are supporting. Let’s expand our circle of compassion to all beings and ulti- mately live healthier, happier lives. Joshua Welch Eugene ASHAMED I am writing in agreement with Brian Peterson (11/18). How dare Oregonians, who claim to be accepting and open to everyone, ban the union between ANY two people that love each other. I may not be gay, but I have friends all over the country that are, and they are no different than heterosexual couples in love. The fact that society feels they have the right to tell others they can’t get married or be recognized because they are gay is arrogant and self righteous. Love is blind and sees no gender any more than it sees color of a per- son’s skin. I must say I am ashamed of the way Oregonians voted. Tamara Lindsey Springfield DISTORTED PICTURE Thank you for the recent article “The Real History” of Thanksgiving (11/24). It is very important we continue to learn the deeper truths behind our cultural traditions. In that light, I would like to share another dimension of Thanksgiving which I feel is greatly over- looked: On Thanksgiving Day, many Native Americans and their supporters gather at the top of Coles Hill, overlooking Plymouth Rock, for the “National Day of Mourning.” The first National Day of Mourning was held in 1970. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts invited Wampanoag leader Frank James to deliver a speech. When the text of Mr. James’ speech, a powerful state- ment of anger at the history of oppression of the Native people of America, became known before the event, the Commonwealth “disin- vited” him. That silencing of a strong and honest Native voice led to the convening of the National Day of Mourning. The historical event we know today as the First Thanksgiving was a harvest festival held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and their Native American neighbors and allies. It has ac- quired significance beyond the bare historical facts. Thanksgiving has become a much broader symbol of the entirety of the American experience. Many find this a cause for rejoicing. The dissenting view of Native Americans, who have suffered the theft of their lands and the destruction of their tradi- tional way of life at the hands of the American nation, is equally valid. To some, the First Thanksgiving presents a distorted picture of the history of relations be- tween the European colonists and their descen- dants and the Native People. The total empha- sis is placed on the respect that existed between the Wampanoags led by the sachem Massasoit and the first generation of Pilgrims in Plymouth, while the long history of subsequent violence and discrimination suffered by Native People across America is nowhere represented. (From www.pilgrimhall.org/daymourn.htm) Eden Sky Yachats WHO’S IRRELEVANT? George W. Bush read a prepared speech from the podium of the United Nations. This speech, presented to the U.N. General Assembly and the world, was mainly for the U.S. audience. A message contained within that speech prepared the citizenry of this country to allow the president to expand the congressional permission given to use the threat of force to make Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, comply with UN resolutions and co- operate with U.N. arms inspectors. Also, within that speech was the charge that if the U.N. did not act according to the EW Staff EDITORIAL Editor Ted Taylor Associate Editor Melissa Bearns Executive/Arts Editor Lois Wadsworth Contributing Editor Anita Johnson Staff Writers Alan Pittman, Kera Abraham Calendar Editor Kent Goodman Contributing Writers Brett Campbell, Rachel Foster, Jerry Harris, Kate Rogers Gessert, James Johnston, Sharleen Nelson, Mary O’Brien, Sylvie Pederson, Vanessa Salvia, Sally Sheklow, Lance Sparks, Kate Storm, Martha Ulman West Interns Alexandra Arch, Sarah Brickner, E. Anderson Cael, Christine Mathias y ART DEPARTMENT Art Director/Production Manager Kevin Dougherty Graphic Artist/Webmaster James Bateman Graphic Artist Todd Cooper Contributing Photographers Kurt Jensen, Paul Neevel ADVERTISING National Sales Manager Mark Frisbee Display Marketing Consultant Jennifer D’Angelo, Rob Weiss Advertising Traffic Coordinator Geneva Miller Classified Manager Jeffrey Stout Classified Marketing Consultant Molly Templeton BUSINESS Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Shreve Circulation Manager Deena Miller Controller Paula Hoemann Distributors Bob Becker, Peter Dilcher, Roc Dosland, Kevin Greene, Tim Risch, Pedalers Express Printing Signature Graphics HOW TO REACH US BY E-MAIL: (letters): editor@eugeneweekly.com (advertising): ads@eugeneweekly.com (classifieds): classy@eugeneweekly.com (personals): personals@eugeneweekly.com (calendar): cal@eugeneweekly.com (music/clubs/special shows): music@eugeneweekly.com (art/openings/galleries): visualarts@eugeneweekly.com (performance/theater): performance@eugeneweekly.com (literary arts/readings): books@eugeneweekly.com (movies/film screenings): movies@eugeneweekly.com (circulation): distribution@eugeneweekly.com Eugene Weekly • 1251 Lincoln Street • Eugene, OR 97401 • 541.484.0519 • fax 541-484-4044 DECEMBER 23, 2004 5
