TO THE EDITOR
ical programs put money IN to a state’s
funds?
While those who oppose the war in Iraq
hold large demonstrations and get major air-
time on national media, the drug war gets no
or little notice. Even though our drug policies
affect every community in the nation, seri-
ously continue to erode the Constitution and
have police raiding homes in military assault
team fashion (anyone remember 5th and
Adams?) the War On (some) Drugs remains
the forgotten stepchild of politics.
Allan Erickson
Eugene
A VICIOUS CYCLE
I’m a soldier. Every day when I step out
my front door, I enter a war zone. To cross the
battlefield alive I dodge hurtling missiles of
all shapes and sizes capable of tearing me
apart. Sometimes I’m assaulted by hundreds
of missiles at a time — a day does not pass
where I’m not inches from losing my life.
I gasp through low-hanging clouds of poi-
son gas as I make my way as quickly and as
safely as I can across the battlefield. I’m
jarred by craters and a never-ending array of
obstacles blocking my path, threatening to
waylay, injure or kill me.
There are days when I feel like giving up.
When the battle seems too hopeless. When
there are too few standing by my side. When
the stress of each day’s hellish journey sets
my teeth grinding through the night and my
sleep is plagued by nightmares as a corpse is
plagued by worms.
Then I remember what I’m fighting for
and that I believe in the cause. And that I have
an obligation to do what I know is best for my
fellow citizens, my country and future gener-
ations. Though I’m not a violent person, I re-
alize sometimes you must fight for your free-
doms.
So I carry on.
The sad thing is, I never signed up for this
war. I wasn’t even drafted. All I ever wanted
to do was ride my bicycle across Eugene to
work in the morning.
Josh Schlossberg
Eugene
RAIDERS OF THE YARD
About 12 years ago, after moving into our
new home, I tried to grow roses. Well, it was
a short lived attempt. I planted them, and the
next thing I knew they were gone. Oh, not
dead. Some rose deprived person felt they
would look better in their yard. I attempted to
reclaim them. Followed a trail of dirt from
First Avenue to Whiteaker school.
Unfortunately the trail ended. So, I hope the
roses got black spot and it spread to all of
your other plants. Well, over the years I have
tried to have other yard art. Things have con-
tinued to disappear.
The final straw was Buddha from our
front porch. You know that person will have
bad karma for many lifetimes. So, to the most
recent attempt: You know who you are. Are
your hands OK? I hope it was a painful at-
tempt at thievery.
Shannon Buck
Eugene
TWO WHEELS ARE BEST
As our tragic occupation in the Middle
East rages on, what can we do here at home
that can impact it? So many of us have been
untouched by this that we don’t even think
about it on a daily basis. Well, it’s still going
on; innocent people are dying every day and
our tax dollars are funding it.
One reason for our presence there is to se-
cure oil supplies for the U.S. Therefore, one
way we can impact the situation is to lessen
our demand for oil! I live on a busy street.
There is seldom a quiet moment from the
noise of cars hurling past. This is a bike-
friendly community with plenty of local
shops that provide waterproof gear of all
types. This is the kind of city that should be
leading the way for the rest of the nation.
Why don’t we truly make an effort, make a
sacrifice ourselves and commit to the bicycle
commute! Not only will it dampen our push
for foreign oil, it will save us money as the
cost of oil nears $100 a barrel, and the exer-
cise will get our hearts pumping first thing in
the morning.
Want peace? You can start by bicycling.
Margaret Beavers
Eugene
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Thanks for publishing Robert Simms’
outstanding letter: “Politics of Poppies”
(11/15). I especially liked his line, “this war
(drug war) was never meant to be won.”
U. S. drug czar John Walters is essentially
the head cheerleader for the drug war bureau-
cracy. Like all bureaucrats, his goal is the
continuation and expansion of his bureau-
cracy. All bureaucracies want more power
and more money. The drug-war bureaucracy
is no exception.
The only way to achieve victory in the so-
called drug war is to re-legalize all of our now
illegal drugs so they can be sold in licensed,
regulated and taxed businesses.
Victory is not the goal of the drug war.
Victory in the drug war would mean that the
drug war bureaucracy is out of business.
Victory in the drug war would mean that our
robust prison building industry would come
to a screeching halt.
Victory in the drug war would mean that
thousands of so-called drug warriors would
be looking for a job or working at quickie
marts.
Kirk Muse
Mesa, Ariz.
DECEMBER 6, 2007 9