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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2007)
BY SALLY SHEKLOW The Race is On But the air is getting dirty Our Forests, Our Economy, Our Future.... RADIO TOWN HALL CONVERSATION Be heard. August 30 th Broadcast LIVE by 1600 KOPT-AM From Harris Hall inside the Lane County Courthouse and Public Service Building at 125 East 8th Avenue Event Description: A radio town hall conversation with community members and panelist representative of different perspectives on current federal forest policy and the impact on communities within O&C counties. Event Panelists: Pete Sorenson; Lane County Commissioner, Sue Kupillas; Citizens For Sustainable Forests and Communities. Others. Event Time and Location: Radio Town Hall Conversation begins promptly at 6:30 p.m and concludes at 8pm. Broadcast live by 1600 KOPT-AM from Harris Hall inside the Lane County Courthouse and Public Service Building at 125 East 8th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon. Informal "Get Together" at the Oak Street Speakeasy located at Broadway and Oak in downtown Eugene begins right after the town hall. Event Sponsors: Lane Bus Stop (Bus Project), Eugene Weekly, & 1600 KOPT-AM . Others. 8 AUGUST 16, 2007 D a n a: Good morning, Drew. Welcome viewers. Looks like a hot one. D r e w: Hello, Dana. It sure does. We’re in for quite a contest between the ArArs and the Q&As. D a n a: Both teams are revving up for this all-star challenge. D r e w: The Radical Right ArArs may drive the same old message, but they can pile on the heat. D a n a: They do know how to terrorize the field. Then again the Queers and Allies have shown major muscle lately. The Q&A team is determined for a victory in this skirmish. D r e w: Without Lon Mabon as their lead driver, the ArArs might not look as mean and nasty, but they’re definitely going for broke. D a n a: The Q&As are in fine form to win it. They’ve got more heart and more savvy. D r e w: But the ArArs have a limitless supply of abomination and damna- tion. They even showed up at PRIDE last weekend in their Satanmobile — gotta admit those religious nuts have guts. D a n a: I’ll give ’em that. Then again, the souped-up Fairness and Equality engine has unmatched horse power and their Human Dignity fuel generates more support. D r e w: The ArArs get all the support they need from God and the churches. D a n a: The Q&As aren’t afraid of that. Besides, clergy and congregations all over Oregon are joining the Q&A pit crew. They’re big on “Do unto others,” “Love they neighbor” and “Judge not.” D r e w: That’s cheating. D a n a: That’s the Truth. D r e w: We’ll see when they wave the checkered flag in November ’08. Meanwhile we’ve got a crushing test of power and strength about to begin. D a n a: The green flag is in the air. D r e w: And they’re off! D a n a: Oh my goodness, look at all that spew coming from the ArArs. D r e w: That is ugly stuff. D a n a: And so early in the race. The ArArs can’t seem to go without their Unnatural, Abnormal and Perverse fuel additive. D r e w: This race doesn’t restrict toxic emissions. Everyone knows that. D a n a: That may be true, but children are watching. Uh oh, here comes the old No Special Rights smoke; it’s totally clouding the raceway. D r e w: The ArArs always get good traction with that Protected Status trick. But I wouldn’t have expected them to discharge their Homosexual Child Molester marbles so soon. D a na : OK, this is getting disgusting and dangerous. How can the ArArs stay on track while their minds are in the gutter? D r e w: It’s worked in the past. They get great mileage out of scare tactics. D a n a: That they do. Ya gotta hand it to the Q&As though. They’re sticking to the Basic Fairness strategy all the way. D r e w: Hard to argue against Basic Fairness, but look at the ArArs go! D a n a: As they head into the first turn, my money’s on the Q&As to take the moral high ground. D r e w: Morality is strictly ArAr territory. D a n a: I don’t think so. The Q&As won’t back down. They’re riding on strong momentum. All the Democratic presidential candidates pledging to dump Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, marriage equality upheld in Massachusetts, David Hyde Pierce coming out. D r e w: But can they defend Oregon’s nondiscrimination and domestic part- nership laws? D a n a: Remains to be seen, Drew. And that’s what it’s all about. But with so much religious and political hypocrisy coming to light these days, the Q&As have public sentiment going their way. D r e w: Got a point there. Still, the ArArs have been at it for centuries — Crusades, inquisitions, stonings — lots of success under their hood. D a n a: Sure, they’re seasoned. But the Q&As are alert and organized. Can’t catch them off guard any more. D r e w: Righteousness shall prevail. D a n a: It’s a long way to the finish line. And already we’re covered with filthy exhaust. D r e w: That dirty air does seem to be coming from the ArArs. D a n a: Sure is. You can count on the Q&As to run a clean race. D r e w: Ya got me there, pal. D a n a: Well, fans, it’s up to you. Tune in again as the big race continues. Award-winning columnist Sally Sheklow has been bringing EW readers commentary on the race for social justice in Oregon since 1999.
