Eugene weekly., April 12, 2007, Page 7, Image 7

TO THE EDITOR
the name of national security or empire. And
the worst criminals of all are Bush/Cheney
who order mass murder in illegal bombings,
invasions and occupations. We need peace,
not cops/robbers/rapists/wars.
Bob Saxton
Eugene
Once again I urge you to take an honest
look at this man. Don’t let the media or the
political parties tell you who has a chance to
be our president.
Tim Boyden
Eugene
A CARING PEOPLE
KUCINICH IS THE MAN
A most amazing man came to Eugene to
speak and campaign on April 2. He is Rep.
Dennis Kucinich, a presidential candidate
from Ohio. His resume includes being mayor
of Cleveland as well as being elected to six
straight terms to the House of
Representatives from Ohio. Hearing him
speak again was quite wonderful and gave
me hope for the future.
He is a charismatic speaker, extremely in-
telligent and well read, passionate and
thoughtful, a good listener; he actually an-
swered everyone’s questions openly and hon-
estly, and he has an impressive resume.
He is running a grass roots campaign
seeking small $50 donations per person so as
to not be beholden to large corporations or
special interest groups but actually represent
we the people! You remember a government
of the people, by the people and for the peo-
ple. It is still our government though it is hard
to tell to hear most politicians talk and act.
Not so with Kucinich; he obviously under-
stands the influence of big money on politi-
cians and is thus running a populist grass
roots campaign — quite refreshing. I urge all
of you to take a good look at this man and
what he stands for. His website is
www.kucinich.us
I know I am not the only one who is dis-
gusted by the amount of money needed to run
for office. Do we truly feel well represented
by electing those who can raise the most
money? Shouldn’t we instead be seeking the
smartest, best qualified person to be our pres-
ident, not the one with the biggest check-
book?
It’s been wonderful to have lived the last
10 years in this emerald valley. I’ve enjoyed
the river, Hendricks Park, the rose garden, the
university, LCC, LTD, the Hult Center, the
mountains, the coast and the Bijou, but most
importantly the people of this special place
called Eugene. The best thing about this place
is that people care — care about so many
things — about so many important things.
That’s the first thing I noticed when I arrived
here in 1997.
We need to continue to care about others
in our local community and throughout our
state. That is why I encourage everyone to
support the statewide legislation under way
in Salem to fight discrimination (Senate Bill
2) and to provide equal rights to couples
(House Bill 2007). If passed, they will keep
our community on the march towards equal-
ity and fairness through caring!
Larry Leverone
Eugene
ALTERNATIVES
TO GASOLINE:
Can They Meet
Our Demand?
Greg Bothun
PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS, UO
FRIDAY APRIL 13 11:50 AM
DOWNTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB
$3 admission • Free to City Club Members
485-7433
www.cityclubofeugene.org
TAX DAY MARCH
APRIL 14, 2007
WAR IS OBSOLETE
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich and his dedi-
cated wife, Elizabeth, were in Eugene April 2
to ask support for his presidency and for his
legislation (HR 808) for a U.S. Department
of Peace. This bill would fund a new agency
costing the equivalent of 2 percent of our mil-
itary budget to include a Peace Academy. The
peace search would be for “win-win” solu-
tions to problems now being addressed vio-
lently.
Two-thirds of the budget would be for
local opportunities such as education of our
children in nonviolence, family mediation
and prison rehabilitation. The Peace
I’D RATHER
PAY FOR
– (YOUR
– – – WISH
– – HERE)
– – –
THAN
WAR!!!
March starts at 10:30am at IRS office
(300 Country Club Rd.)
March to the Free Speech Plaza
(8th Ave. and Oak St.)
Free Shakespeare in the Park:
The 6th Annual Bard’s Birthday Benefit -
S HAKESPEARE IN THE D ARK
S UNDAY , A PRIL 29
First seating at 5:00pm, Second seating at 7:30pm
$38 per person (Drinks not included)
• Signs for your personal wish will be provided
• Info on how your tax dollars are spent
• Oreo cookie federal budget demo
• All this and ice cream, too!
For more info or shuttle needs call 338-8605
Proceeds benefit the Free Shakespeare in the
Parks’ 2007 summer production of Romeo and Juliet!
Best New Restaurant 2004
2435 Hilyard • Eugene, OR 97405 (in the Humble Bagel)
www.iraila.com • Open Wed.-Sun. @ 5pm • 541-684-8400
Organized by Oregon WAND
e-mail: oregonwand@oregonwand.org
Women, Power, Peace
Co-sponsored by: Taxes for Peace Not War, Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network,
Eugene Middle East Peace Group, Community Alliance of Lane County,
Justice Not War, Million Mom March and CODE PINK
APRIL 12, 2007 7