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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 2006)
TO THE EDITOR fortress is not a joy, but a dread of possible deadly confrontation with a drug-crazed addict. I only hope that our leaders realize that the real war against its citizens is not thousands of miles away or crossing our borders. The war is here, innocent citizens being terrorized by unrehabilitated meth addicts re- leased time after time into the sanctity of our homes. Michael T. Hinojosa Drain KILLING CONTINUES whom claim to be pro-environment — have yet to do the same, despite assurances from their staffs that a letter has already been writ- ten, just not sent. Meanwhile, it’s been two months since that promise, and the June auc- tion date of these sales is rapidly approach- ing. Please urge supposedly “green” Wyden and DeFazio to keep their promises and send out the letters immediately! Also remind them that the only effective way to get any real protection for our public lands is to end the taxpayer subsidized corporate destruction of our forests! Contact them in Eugene: Wyden at 431- 0229; Defazio at 465-6732 Scott Humason Eugene Speaking of liberal and blue-state sup- porters seeing red — alleged Democrats DeFazio and Wyden continue to vote to fund the war and try to defend their votes as “supporting the troops.” With this UNBELIEVABLE type of skewed rea- Although it’s remarkable, I am not surprised that in a soning, we would continue to send city full of wanna-be “hip- pies” (will somebody people to kill and be killed forever. PLEASE tell these people that the funeral for the hippie was Beyond the obvious common sense factor that held in Haight-Ashbury in 1969 already), a true legend from the ‘60s sending more troops to the bloody mess in Iraq is and beyond, Johnny Winter, Damn it Lee, Johnny Winter is a true legend, and he proved it receives no mention in this as far away from any Monday night at Taboo. notion of supporting posturing rag you call a newspaper. Unbelievable. them as can be, the en- tire U.S. presence in Iraq is illegal. W. Lee Johnson Eugene If in fact we were there to take out a brutal dictator, our work there is done. Let’s face it EDITOR’S NOTE: Johnny Winter’s photo and venue listing were in our Night Life section last week. We did — there is no rebuilding going on in Iraq. It is not receive advance promotional material. in a state of civil war. The only building effort is installing 14 U.S. permanent military facil- ities. I’d love to hear DeFazio and Wyden ex- ENOUGH ENVIROS plain and justify the prison in Guantanamo Eighty percent of the American public Bay, Cuba. claim to be “environmentalists.” So why are Let’s review the big picture of why the we trembling on the brink of ecological dev- U.S. feels the need or justification to take astation? prisoners halfway across the world to a Perhaps what we need aren’t more envi- makeshift prison, declare them non-prison- ronmentalists but more involved citizens tak- ers, and hold them captive for years at a time ing active roles advocating for change. If a with no due process. tree is cut on your public lands and you qui- The U.S. is in violation of a long list of in- etly disagree from your living room couch, ternational laws, and our progressive, does anyone hear you? Democratic politicians are doing nothing Understandably, most people just want to about it. I, for one, refuse to give future votes relax after a hard day’s work. What if busi- to these alleged Democrats, who occasion- nesses donated an hour a week of their em- ally do something right, but more often fail to ployees’ time to a local nonprofit? A business represent the people on such serious matters. could repay the community for its financial Fran Gillespie support, while enhancing its public image. Eugene What if people combined some of their socializing with advocacy? At a neighbor- hood potluck, what if everyone spent 10 min- FOREST SACRIFICE utes writing a letter condemning logging in Nothing better demonstrates the need to end commercial logging on our public lands their drinking water supply? Instead of spoil- ing the party, this sort of group effort would than the U.S. Forest Service’s recent decision to open up Oregon’s last roadless forests to only strengthen the bonds between people. Of course, no one wants to be serious all clearcut logging. This sacrilege proves that unless we keep our national forests com- the time. What’s the point of living if you can’t take the time to enjoy it? But the reason pletely off limits to taxpayer-subsidized cor- we are afforded the luxuries of being able to porate extraction, the timber barons will find say what we want, hold whatever beliefs we a loophole large enough to drive their logging want, and associate with whomever we want, trucks through. is because countless people have given their Clearly none of the current protections are blood, sweat and tears — even their lives! — enough when the largest unprotected roadless to ensure that we have those liberties. area remaining in Oregon (bordering the Do we not owe the same to our children’s Kalmiopsis Wilderness in the Biscuit Fire children? Don’t they deserve the same free- area) is on the chopping block, and one of the doms and opportunities that we all too often last healthy salmon runs in the Coast Range, take for granted? Indigo Creek, is threatened with landslides If we do not act now, future generations and massive siltation. will curse our names. And would they not be Gov. Kulongoski has already sent a letter justified in doing so? to the USFS opposing these roadless area Josh Schlossberg sales (albeit without any media.) Yet Sen. Eugene Wyden and Congressman DeFazio — both of ® OREGONIZE YOUR CHECKING WITH A BUNCH OF FREE CARROTS. Check out the tasty incentives that come with our checking accounts: All include free VISA Debit Card, free Internet Banking, free Online Bill Pay, and free Identity Theft Protection for the primary account holder. Plus, if you open Interest or Premium checking, you’ll earn some nice interest on your money, and pick up some very interest-ing extras. See Credit Union for terms and restrictions. Real easy membership requirements apply. Why wait? Hop in and get Oregonized ® today. Oregonize Your Life. ® 541.687.2347 • 800.365.1111 www.OregonCommunityCU.org JUNE 8, 2006 7
