TO THE EDITOR
DRUG SPEECH
I think the supreme
court decision on “Bong
Hits 4 Jesus” was swept
under the rug by saying the
issue was about students’
rights versus a principal’s
responsibility. If you listen
to the latest commercials
against people who smoke
marijuana, you will find
that they are all concerned
with speech.
“Some people are telling your kids smok-
ing marijuana makes you smarter ... ”
“While your teenager is online, she has
1,000 people in her room and some of them
are talking about marijuana.”
I believe Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion on
“Bong Hits 4 Jesus” was not sound constitu-
tional law interpretation but just the new front
in the war on people who smoke marijuana.
There is a new phrase being bandied
about: drug speech. I believe conservatives
aim to make “drug speech” a crime. As talk-
ing about murdering someone is the crime of
conspiracy, I believe conservatives want to
make “drug speech” a crime. So telling your
child you smoked pot in college would be a
crime.
If abortion is outlawed, then talking about
abortion may also be a crime.
To paraphrase:
First they took away the speech of people
who smoke marijuana, but I don’t smoke
marijuana, so I did nothing.
Then they took away the speech of women
wanting an abortion, but I am not a woman
who wants an abortion, so I did nothing.
Then they took away my speech, but I was
alone.
Chris Pender
Eugene
HEALTHY GUILLOTINES
After viewing Sicko, Mike Moore’s latest
work of humanistic genius, one thing stood
out for me. Offered as the fundamental rea-
son why France has so many social programs
that work so well for so many of its citizens
was this telling observation: “In France, the
government fears its people; in America, the
people fear their government.”
Anyone know where we can get a few used
guillotines? We don’t have to use them, mind
you. Just think of them as “inoculations.”
Seems to have worked before.
Bill Smee
Springfield
BIKIN’ FAIR POEM
BIKIN’ ROUTE 126 OUT
TO THE COUNTRY FAIR 7/16/07
Peddlin’ to the place of peace, love and a
little skin barin’
Colorful parades, new paradigms and a
whole lotta carin’ and
sharin’
While roadside treasure
starin’
I saw two hubcaps and a
blue heron
My butt was a wearin’
Several massive trucks
blew by hippie glarin’ and
a swearin’
Causin’ the wild blue
chicory to dance a jig I am
declarin’
Whilst I did the handlebar death grip
sweatin’ and a fearin’
My long beard and lovely orange safety
vest rippin’ and a tearin’
Awaiting my BIG BANG and final trip to
the bright light I was preparin’
Got me thinkin’ bout my 25 years with
Bert and me marryin’
I hummed some old tunes of Bobby Darin
All whilst ridin’ my bike out to the lovely
Oregon Country Fair, that Mecca of tie-
dye wearin’
Thank you for showin’ me THE WAY
great blue heron!
LOVE,
Tim Boyden
Eugene
DOWNTOWN NOVELTY
I have a few thoughts regarding Sam
Bond’s making it in Esquire magazine as one
of America’s Best Bars. The only one from
Oregon. People want novelty. New experi-
ences. Why don’t we fill the two downtown
holes with more of the “counter-culture” side
of Eugene? Valley River Center is not memo-
rable. Malls with fake air. Been there, seen
that. It’s anywhere U.S.A. Sustainable build-
ing, alternative energy, indoor year round
Farmer’s Market (across the street from the
library and the bus station?) would be a great
start. Let’s not forget that how we get there is
very important. The bus station is right across
the street. While we are at it, let’s expand our
bus system and have it run on biodiesel. And
yes, have GAS taxes pay for it!
“10th Street Market” with regional musi-
cians, crafters and restaurants featuring or-
ganic, local produce. Street theater, puppets,
artists. Country Fairesque. There was an arti-
cle in The Register-Guard regarding Veneta’s
possible plans to “pave this community’s
path from a timber- to tourism-based econ-
omy.” Nature trails and bike paths. Sounds
like a shift in the right direction. Let’s make
Eugene’s downtown educational, artistic,
creative and fun in a sustainable way. So peo-
ple will remember being there, like Sam
Bond’s! A destination point modeling living
with the earth, not consuming it.
Well done, Sam!
Pam Driscoll
Dexter
HUGE
SUMMER
SALE!!
2821 Oak St., Eugene • 541-434-0430 • www.knit-shop.com
“The internet says I can get
the car I want at a price I like,
but the 3 dealers I called
said it’s impossible.” That’s
why I called Oregon Roads.
Order any new or used vehicle from
the agency that delivers. Drive Oregon Roads!
6th & Jefferson, Eugene
683-CARS • 800-944-0227
richly
textured
“Bamboo”
bands by Local
designer
D Werst
115 W 6th Ave
Eugene
687.7859
Saturday, July 28th 1–5 PM Skinner Butte Park
–
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P al
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Fe
ugene
tion in E
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ople-pow
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celebra
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on
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t
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g
e
R
for p
wings
rize dra
e
(must b
presen
t to
www.eugene-or.gov/julyinmotion
Prizes
Live music
Electric Soul Improv
Mike Tracy Band
The T Club
Free Bike Safety Check
There’s more! Meet with some of our local
biking, bike racing, and walking clubs and get
informed about bicycle registration.
Cindy Ingram Booking & Promotions
JULY 26, 2007 9