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my words poorly. Please let me say right now,
for the record: I do not consider violence or
the threat of violence to be an acceptable, or
possible, means for positive social change. I
apologize for giving the opposite impression.
However, I must go on to challenge the
large group of people in this town and else-
where who consider themselves to be paci-
fists. Many of them, like Vip and others, are
committed activists, not at all naïve, who reg-
ularly put their principles into practice by
demonstrating and advocating for change.
However, for others, it’s all too easy to swear
off violence (living in a relatively peaceful,
protected society such as ours) and then point
the finger at anarchists and radicals whose
methods of protest they find offensive. How
many of these self-proclaimed pacifists
would then turn around and call the police
without a second thought if they felt threat-
ened by a belligerent homeless person? Is
that pacifism?
The Iraq War has gone on for three years
now, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of
innocent lives. Some pacifists have doggedly
protested the war, week after week, rain or
shine — but thousands more have not. Is it
pacifism to continue to pay taxes for this
war? Many pacifists resist war taxes, but
many more don’t — ironically enough be-
cause they fear being subjected to the vio-
lence of their own government. Yet we con-
tinue to allow this government to persist in
threatening us and other people the world
over because we are too afraid to make our
voices heard. Is that pacifism?
As I said, I do not condone violence in any
form. What I do encourage is an acknowl-
edgement of both the urgency of our prob-
lems and the failure of our political system to
solve or even address these problems. In my
mind, to know about and yet fail to prevent
violence is in itself a form of violence — and
of that, none of us is innocent.
Chris Calef
Eugene
A HOLIDAY TALE
Once upon a time (back in the early
1990s) a group of elves emerged from the
woods around Fall Creek and rekindled a
community tradition. At this time of the
year and under cover of darkness, they did a
simple act. They decorated a covered
bridge. Simple and elegant, swags of fir
boughs with red ribbons graced the gabled
ends of the bridge. It was done as a gift to
the community who use the bridge daily and
those who by chance drove through on their
way to someplace else. It made folks feel
good!
After a couple of years of secret decorat-
ing, the community at large took up a dona-
tion with hopes that lights might be added to
the display. By now, the elves had bedecked
a second historic bridge in the neighbor-
hood, and the larger village over the hill was
asking those elves to decorate the largest
bridge in the area. A licensed electrical elf
donated time and materials to install service
boxes at the bridges, and even the utility
company elves supplied approved drop
lines. The gift was embraced by the commu-
nity, people smiled as they drove through
the bridges glowing warmly, and they were
joyful.
There was a rub to this tale. An ogre
lived under the bridges. After a few years
the ogre approached the elves and de-
manded that they pay homage. A permit was
6 DECEMBER 21, 2006
required and a responsible party had to be
designated. Flaggers, time lines, legal re-
quirements. No longer red ribbon, but red
tape. So be it! An elder elf stepped forward
each year and took responsibility and
signed, appeasing the ogre. A couple of
years passed, and the burden of the gift
began to tell on the elves. The community
expected the decorations and anticipated the
event. Some even became impatient.
Finally, the ogre reared its head again. This
time, in addition to the permits, insurance
was required. A million gold pieces to as-
sure that injury or damage to individuals,
personal property, vehicles, the bridges
themselves or other unknowns would be ad-
dressed. Yes, fear had slipped into the
dance. The elder elf was weary and deferred
the gift to others.
For another year or two the project con-
tinued. The ogre contacted the elf each year
and demanded the homage from someone,
anyone. The elder elf did not know who was
now responsible. No one stepped forward to
sign — and the bridges became dark again.
So, this holiday tale comes to an end.
The rekindled tradition has been extin-
guished. The covered bridges in Fall Creek
are still a beautiful part of Oregon history.
They just don’t burn as brightly at this time
of year to evoke peace, happiness, commu-
nity and good will towards each other.
Wishing all peace on earth.
Jef P. Jalof
Best Friends Farm, Fall Creek
GIVE FROM THE HEART
In the Dec. 18 Newsweek, columnist Jan
Bryant Quinn recommends that holiday char-
itable givers should know more about the
nonprofits to which they give. An online site
that rates charities recommended by Bryant
Quinn is CharityNavigator.org The good
news for those of a generous bent during the
holidays is that United Way of Lane County
(UWLC) has been awarded Charity
Navigator’s highest ranking: four stars. This
ranking reflects not only on UWLC’s top-
notch fiscal management; it also reflects on
the 40-plus regional agencies that are certi-
fied by UWLC.
If you are moved to help others less fortu-
nate this holiday season, consider doing so
through United Way. Through our county-
wide network of over 40 local agencies and
60 different programs, the hungry are fed, the
homeless are housed, children are cherished,
seniors are supported and permanent solu-
tions to critical issues are sought. And these
services are being provided across the county
from Florence to Oakridge, Springfield to
Cottage Grove, and every place in between.
For a full list of the local nonprofits cur-
rently certified by UWLC, you can visit our
website at www.unitedwaylane.org Then,
you can give from your heart trusting that
your generous spirit is playing out with the
greatest integrity in the lives of Lane
County’s many struggling individuals and
families.
Cheryl N. Crumbley
United Way Of Lane County
LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics and
will print as many as space allows, with priority given to
timely local issues. Please limit length to 250 words, keep
submissions to once a month and include your address
and phone number for our files. E-mail to
editor@eugeneweekly.com (please put “letters” in the
subject line), fax to 484-4044 or mail to 1251 Lincoln,
Eugene 97401.