TO THE EDITOR
culture may play well with the other
eggheads, it does not play well with the
people that the UO — athletics and aca-
demics — relies on to keep the money
coming in. In fact, you wonder why people
like Earl even choose to teach at schools
with big sports programs. I am convinced
that some people simply need to feel criti-
cal or superior or both.
We Duck fans are blessed with a sports
program that does something absolutely
incredible — it pays for itself! In fact it
does more than that. The success of the UO
athletic program brings donor money to the
academic programs. Phil and Penny Knight
are perfect examples although I bet the
good professors don’t spend a lot of time
thanking them. Bad Nike!
I know a lot of EW readers will hate to
see Earl retire almost as much as they hate
to see businesses make money or Eugene
grow. Life is tough. Go Ducks!
Randy Kolb
Eugene
THE GREAT POODLE CHASE
We just moved here at the end of June.
On the evening of July 13 we went to down-
town Eugene to a concert. Our two dogs,
Puddy and Bob, slept in the back seat of the
car, which is something they have done hun-
dreds of times with no problems. Upon
returning to the car several hours later, we
discovered our poodle, Bob, had somehow
gotten out of the car. I turned on my phone
to call 911 and discovered a message from a
nice person telling me they had our dog.
This lovely couple brought Bob to us.
He had been running down 13th Ave. in
heavy traffic with 20 people trying to
catch him. He ran all of the way to the
fairgrounds where an angel (disguised as
a security guard) cornered him. Bob pro-
ceeded to bite him several times, but the
man maintained a calm demeanor and
held Bob for this wonderful couple, who
then kept him and nursed him until they
could find us. He was pretty roughed up;
he had a fat lip and a lost tooth, but was
otherwise OK.
The couple, who worked for several
hours chasing and then taking care of our
dog, would not tell us their names. They
just kept mentioning the fairground’s secu-
rity guard and how much they appreciated
him.
I wish to thank the kind couple and
security guard for being so thoughtful and
caring. And thank you, Eugene citizens, for
trying to catch Bob and carefully veering
him away from cars. What a testament to
the type of people we have here. We thank
you from the bottom of our hearts.
Sally Storm
Eugene
STUB’S LEGACY
It is very ironic that this society impos-
es severe prison terms on a group of young
people who committed a crime for the
benefit of our environment but turns
around and honors an “eco-maniac.” A
new state park recently opened west of
Portland and was dedicated to the memory
of Loran La Sells “Stub” Stewart, whose
logging empire changed the face of the
Northwest. The idea of even acknowledg-
ing him is a slap in the face for all the gen-
erations of people who are denied the
opportunity to experience an intact forest.
There is nothing decent or honorable
about destroying an ancient eco-system,
which this man played a major role in doing
so. “Ol Stub,” in my opinion, is the true
epitome of an eco-terrorist. Stub Stewart
and his ilk, both past and present, com-
pletely wiped out over a million years of
Gaia’s loving creation for personal gain.
The magnitude of the atrocity that
Stewart and his fellow money hungry
lunatics committed against the ancient for-
est is beyond any other human disaster
since the deforestation of what is now the
Middle East 6,000 years ago. Stewart’s
horrendous acts of eco-rape will be
frowned down upon by future generations.
For Mr. Stewart, his fate is now sealed, for
he will answer to Karma. Unfortunately,
the rest of us will be paying for his crimes
for eons to come.
Wyona Wolf
Cottage Grove
MESSING WITH SALLY
When I first read Lon Miller’s letter
(7/19) to Sally Sheklow, I got my East
Coast Irish up and thought, “Hey, that
poopyhead is messing with my Sally.” My
friend, my favorite local activist, writer,
zany gardener and comic. I feel proud, pos-
sessive and protective of my locals.
Then I tried my West Coast more
enlightened response. What compassion-
ate, uniting statement could I make to con-
vince Lon M. that my way is the right
way? I veered so quickly into smug supe-
riority that I abandoned that route.
Kumbaya dammit, yes. Kumbaya nanny
nanny boo boo, no.
So I accessed my stoic Midwestern
decade. I debated freedom of expression vs.
hate speech in my ambivalent ambidextrous
Libran/Gemini bisexual/bifocaled/bicyclist
head (motto: On the other hand …).
My Minnesota self says, “Free speech,
ya, for sure, but we’re all neighbors here.
Let’s be kind. We may need each other
someday.” Count on the Minnesotans to
bring me back to bridge building.
How many other EW writers experience
the level of virulent words and accusations
that Sally Sheklow does in response her
column on lesbian life? How many other
writers have their words about their every-
day relationship with their partner twisted
into something sexual and deviant (two
separate things, much of the time)?
Let’s and thank Sally for her courage,
honesty and chutzpah. In a land where
homophobia is alive and well, she’s way
braver than she should have to be.
The worst sound in response to the let-
ter about Sally would have been the sound
of people taking one step back and leaving
her out there alone. I’m glad to see so
many responses. Let’s all take a step for-
ward and stand beside her and next to
every queer who takes unknown chances
just so we can get over our homophobia
and learn about their lives.
The day will come when it’s not even
“they.” We’ll all be good neighbors. Why not?
Thank you, Sally! You inspire me and
give me the courage to speak out. I’ve got
your back.
Lon, would you like to come over for
dinner? I make a pretty good hot dish. I’ll
get your back too. You betcha.
Ruby Colette
Eugene
AUGUST 23, 2007 7