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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2007)
TO THE EDITOR The Shedd - Tickets 434-7000 - www.theshedd.org LET’S CHOOSE PEACE REMODEL FOR HALL The Student Peace Alliance is currently campaigning for the establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. In Oregon we are fortunate that our State Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden have a history of working well together. We at the Student Peace Alliance feel that Oregon has the potential for leading the nation in estab- lishing this revolutionary new dimension of government as a bipartisan movement. It is unfortunate that many of the citizens of this great nation have become disenthralled and have disempowered themselves. As citizens, we must wake up, reengage and begin to steer the ship in a new direction. The Department of Peace and Nonviolence would act as a compass to guide us. “Conflict is inevitable, combat is a choice.” This quote from Marianne Williamson reminds us that war is a choice. It may seem like an easy solu- tion. Fight them over there so they can’t come here — but when we send our soldiers over there, they are often changed by the experi- ence and bring the war home with them. One of the problems with this type of “get them over there” thinking is that we are all intercon- nected, and our technology is making it visi- ble. With the Internet and cell phones you can now see how connected we are. Let us seek new ways for resolving con- flict! Let us create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence! Please call our state senators and encourage them to support the Department of Peace legislation and intro- duce the bill into the Senate. This is Oregon’s opportunity to lead the nation. It is up to us, the citizens, to catalyze the shift. For more in- formation, please check out our website: www.peacealliance.org Paul Simon State Coordinator, Student Peace Alliance Eugene The city could help stimulate downtown development and save money on a new city hall by purchasing either the Symantec/Bon building or the Centre Court building to be remodeled and used as City Hall. The city should avoid the cost of new construction whenever possible, and not provide huge public subsidies to developers. Randy Gicker Eugene SOME CALL IT TREASON Apparently, you can provide your enemy with 380 tons of high grade plastic explo- sives, $9 billion in cash and 110,000 AK-47s and not be tried for treason — if you are the grandson of Prescot Bush, Hitler’s banker. Michael T. Hinojosa Drain The Shedd Institute The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts Music School A PARTING PINT I heard about Tommy Makem’s passing on NPR, and it brought up a memory of the first time I heard him play. He and the Clancey Brothers were playing a ’60s Easter Holiday Concert in San Francisco in honor of the Easter Uprising which gave Ireland its freedom. They played to a sold-out concert in the Masonic Lodge, and they took the audi- ence by storm with their music such as “Johnson’s Motor Car.” Tommy’s wit was also on display when he asked the audience, “What are all you nuns and priests doing in the Masonic Lodge?” Tommy also used his music to keep the issue of Ulster’s freedom before the Irish public. In large part due to his efforts, Ireland, in part at least, is getting freedom for his 4th Green Field. What more could a man ask of his life then th help free his country? We will all have a “Parting Glass” for you, Tommy, my lad! Dennis Shine Springfield COMING WARS You think the “Oil Wars” have been bad? Wait ’til we see the “Corn Wars.” In less than 30 years, minus unforeseeable catastrophic events, the world population will exceed 10 billion people. That means we’ll need a whole lot of farmland solely for biofuels pro- duction, the vast majority of which are cer- tainly going to be located in Third World na- tions where labor is cheap, human rights and environmental controls are nonexistent and Big Business makes all the rules and uses their private militias (AKA military and armed forces) to enforce them. I can almost see the headlines now: “Chinese troops advance on Kashgar region in bid to expand ethanol farms.” Private & group music lessons, classes and vacation camps for all ages, including preschool, school age, adults & seniors. Begin private lessons anytime in various styles in violin & fiddle, piano & keyboards, guitar & uku- lele, bass, electric guitar & bass, drums & percussion, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, voice & other instruments. Fall term begins Sep 10th Register: 687-6526 Shedd Presenting Sponsor The Shedd: 868 High Street (corner of High & Broadway) www.theshedd.org GEORGE ONE J S SATURdaY OCTober 6 HULT CENTER Tickets available at The Hult Center Box Office, online at www.HultCenter.org by phone at 541-682-5000, and at the EMU University Ticket Center AUGUST 16, 2007 5
