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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2007)
Oregon Festival of American Music 2007 TO THE EDITOR One of my favorite things to do every Thursday is to pick up the latest edition of the Weekly. In fact, my oldest daughter loves to go get a paper for me from the “red box.” Because of the interior content, I read the Weekly after my children (who are 8 and 5) mostly after they go to sleep. I don’t shield my children from reality; I try to put reality into an objective age-appropriate format. I was completely taken aback when I saw last week’s (7/19) cover: severed cougar heads, complete with flies. Because I have lived in Eugene for so long, shock value has little effect on me. However, my 8-year-old daughter was so dis- traught after seeing the cover she cried, nay, sobbed. Twice. I read the article and relayed it to her the best I could. To the best of my ability, I don’t participate in emotional manipulation or have materials that promote that energy in my lilfe. It’s hard enough fil- tering those things for myself, much less my children. In fact, I find emotional manipulation imma- ture, a level I thought was below the Weekly’s standards. Come on, Weekly. Step it up. If for no one else, our community’s children. Amy Sweany Eugene The comment re: Sally being “sick” does- n’t fly — the American Psychiatric Association recognized its error of classify- ing homosexuality as a mental illness and dropped it in the early 1970s. As an educator and a Christian, I hold great hope for the upcoming generations. My children (and most of their peers) have learned it is their responsibility to extend love and support to everyone, including gay peo- ple. Homosexuality is found in every species, but only our species engages in the fear and ignorance of homophobia. Regarding Mr. Miller’s parting shot about “who wears the organ during lovemaking” — sex is no bigger or smaller part of loving gay relationships than it is of straight relation- ships and being focused on this one aspect — to me — tells more about the accuser than the accused. I appreciate Mr. Miller sharing his thoughts — we need to be having this discus- sion. I appreciate Sally’s commitment to using friendly humor to “irritate” us a bit. Like oysters, maybe we’ll create pearls! In the meantime — the Golden Rule will do! Deb McGee Eugene Richard Rodgers The Sweetest Sounds August 1-11 - Eugene OFAM 2007 Title Sponsor OFAM 2007 Evening Concert Out Of My Dreams Classical Richard Rodgers Thursday, Aug 2 - 7:30p Jaqua - The Shedd Tickets: 434-7000 Oregon Festival of American Music 2007 CURIOUS COMMENT WHAT DID JESUS SAY? I feel called to respond to Lon Miller’s let- ter (7/19) re: Sally Sheklow’s “LGBTQ Quiz” article. Mr. Miller indicates that homosexuality is an “abomination,” but like many other justifi- cations of hate “supported” by the Bible, the evidence in the Bible in context tells other- wise. Two examples frequently cited; the “abomination” talked about in First Timothy 1:9-10 read in context is about condemning a practice of child sexual abuse. The Sodom and Gomorrah story (Genesis 19:1-29) is about violating the necessary social norm (pre hotels and inns) of extending welcome and protection to travelers/strangers. What did Jesus, Son of God, say about homosexuality? Nothing! How important of a “sin” can it be if it wasn’t mentioned? What Jesus did say is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No excep- tions! Well, isn’t that special, Lon? First off, Lon (Miller, 7/19,) thanks for describing the intimacy between Sally and her “wife-y” as lovemaking. (Some people would not, I’m guessing; but what a curious place for you to be nosing about.) Your question regarding the [use of an] “organ,” oddly adolescent, suggests short shrift, I think, for folks dealing with loss of use of a penis through a variety of possible conditions and accidents. (War comes to mind, as well as disease, incapacity or old age.) Does lovemak- ing suddenly require a penis? And for those relationships where there are two, is there now twice as much love? Lon’s letter tears into Sally Sheklow (the person more than her article) with a blinkered, single-minded vengefulness. My money’s on Sally — she can take care of herself. But I’d like to know: Why the spitting viciousness in that diatribe? Such reactions are generally found over turf wars in catfights. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1949 South Pacifi c August 3, 5, 8 & 10 Hult Center - Tickets: 541-682-5000 Oregon Festival of American Music 2007 Rodgers & Hart’s 1937 musical comedy Babes In Arms August 4, 9 & 11 Silva - Hult Center Tickets: 682-5000 AUGUST 2, 2007 5
