TO THE EDITOR
conservatives tend to be very concerned with
preserving family values. In many cases, how-
ever, their family values are neither humane
nor Christian. Violence toward children is ad-
vocated, quoting a passage mistranslated from
the Old Testament as, “Spare the rod and spoil
the child.” What the passage actually says in
the original Aramaic is, “Spare the rood and
spoil the child.” A rood was a shepherd’s staff
used to guide sheep in the desired direction,
not to hit them.
I have talked with many sincere people
who believe God will cause everyone who
doesn’t accept Jesus as their savior to be tor-
tured forever in hell, regardless of how good
and honorable their lives are. No mere human
being could be so evil as to torture people for-
ever for their beliefs. It would appear that,
without realizing it, these people may be wor-
shipping an evil deity, the one they call Satan.
The only God worthy of worship is one who is
kinder and more loving than you are.
Paul Spencer
Eugene
MUDDY MCKENZIE
Over the past few years, the government
has planned more than 150 old-growth timber
sales in the Pacific Northwest, on your public
lands. Incredibly, some of the most irresponsi-
ble sales are planned in the McKenzie River
watershed just east of Eugene.
People from all over the world come here
to flyfish and raft the McKenzie River, while
riverside trails are frequented by hikers and
mountain bikers. Yet most vitally, the
McKenzie River is the source of Eugene’s
drinking water.
When large trees are felled in the water-
shed, fragile root systems holding soil in place
are damaged, while heavy logging machinery
chews up the earth, resulting in a muddied-up
McKenzie. Do we want to drink bottled water
or protect our municipal water supply?
If Oregonians knew what was going on be-
hind the beauty strip, they would be appalled.
Aggressive old-growth logging in a world-
renowned recreational paradise and in a mu-
nicipal water supply just wouldn’t fly. The
McKenzie River is our lifeblood.
Please take a few minutes to write to the
U.S. Forest Service demanding they put a halt
to all old-growth logging in the McKenzie
River watershed, not to mention the rest of the
state of Oregon. Write to: Dallas Emch,
Willamette National Forest Supervisor, P.O.
Box 10607, Eugene 97440.
Josh Schlossberg
Eugene
TANTRUMING
In response to Mr. Ford’s letter (12/9)
“Where are the Democrats?”, do you really
have to be asking that question? Did every-
body already forget that John Kerry won
Oregon? It is really not in my best interest to
speak on behalf of John Kerry, but if he and his
beliefs were so important to Oregon, then how
come everyone has forgotten about him?
Maybe the next Democratic candidate will
have mercy on you all. All you ungrateful
Democrats, it is interesting how certain people
bring out certain characteristics in others. I
must say, Kerry doesn’t bring out the best in
you.
Obviously not everyone believes the same
as you do. That is why George W. Bush will
remain our president for the next four years
until the next Republican takes office. The
Republicans didn’t steal anyone’s vote. You
just can’t handle that you’re not in the major-
ity. If you think people should rebel, that
would take away even more of the freedom
and peace that you think you so desperately
deserve. How about instead of complaining
about others, you get out there and throw your
own little tantrums?
Our government is a Republican govern-
ment. It always has been and always will be. If
you don’t like it so much, move somewhere
else. We don’t need people like that in our
beautiful, free country! You should be appre-
ciative of what you and your family have here.
Yes, you have the right to vote, but fortunately,
well unfortunately for you, so do I!
Heather Humes
Eugene
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JANUARY 13, 2005 7