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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2011)
TO THE EDITOR as companions/pets for rational, socially responsible owners. At the risk of exposing another type of irrational fear, I would suggest that the roots of the pit bulls’ unfair image are not unlike those irrational fears expressed by vocal anti-gun folks. My fi rearm was designed and built to protect me and my family from those who do us bodily harm. It is only as dangerous and deadly as I cause it to be. It has no infl uence over me. It is inanimate and will not function without direct action on my part. I would challenge EW to acknowledge that, just as the pit bull is an innocent, harmless companion — unless taught and directed otherwise by its owner — the fi rearm is a harmless tool unless misused or negligently managed by its owner. Those who would ban the ownership of either promote irrational fear within our society. Stephen Roberts Eugene WE NEED EMX I hope all the good, decent people in Eugene will join me in boycotting every business with an anti-transit sign posted on West 11th. We need EmX transit in West Eugene and these clowns want to stop it. Ralph Wombat Eugene GREAT EXPECTATIONS I remember when success was beating the Beavers and the Huskies. And then success became having a winning season. And then it became going to a bowl game. Then it was winning a bowl game. Then it was getting to the Rose Bowl. Then it was fi nishing in the top 25. Then it was fi nishing in the top 10. Then it was getting to a BCS Bowl game. Now it is winning the national championship. Every time our expectations were raised there were Monday morning quarterbacks on every corner ripping Brooks or Bellotti apart for their decisions when those expectations weren’t met. I want to apologize to Chip and staff in advance for the criticism they are already getting from all those experts in our fair city who are clearly much better college football coaches than they will ever be. Kevin O’Brien Eugene LOST DOGS REDEEMED As the owner of a sweet loving pit bull I am deeply saddened when I hear stories about dogs that have killed or harmed people or other animals. These are real tragedies but the fact is any dog with the physical ability to maim or kill can be a threat — Dobermans, Rottweilers, chows are all breeds that have records similar to pit bulls when it comes to vicious attacks. But rather than refute misleading statistics about which dogs are the most violent I want to draw attention to the story of the abused and neglected pit bulls kept for dog fi ghting by former NFL player Michael Vick. Author Jim Gorant tells their amazing story in Lost Dogs; Michael Vick’s Dogs and their Tale of Rescue and Redemption. Of the 51 dogs rescued from Vick’s property 47 of them were rehabilitated. In spite of the terrible abuse they suffered, these dogs have proven themselves loving gentle companions to those who have adopted them. Their story shows this breed is capable of exhibiting excellent temperament under extreme circumstances. It also reinforces the fact that all dogs not matter what the breed, are domestic animals that rely on people to breed, raise and handle them in a responsible manner. As a human society that has domesticated the Canine, we all share the responsibility to ensure they interact with others in a safe manner no matter the breed. Claire Syrett Eugene SOME DIVERSITY W. Shane Kiser’s utopian vision (Letters, 1/6) that Eugene residents “synchronize” around “diversity” is pretty limited: “We do that on Ducks’ day or for that matter the whole year round ... If we can agree on the Ducks, then why not our celebrations and our diverse choices of worship?” Kiser should try wearing an OSU shirt in Eugene, especially in the fall, and the week before the Civil War, before thinking that this city celebrates “diversity” in all things. I will say though, that despite all the dirty looks and muttered insults I’ve received, I’ve also seen a lot of discrete smiles and “thumbs ups” from OSU alums who live here but have to hide their sports loyalties. I guess it’s news to some, but not everyone worships at the House of Knight. Chuck Kleinhans Eugene This Now tta See! o You G explore SHOP 250 FOREST CARBON SINK I cannot understand the accounting system by which burning wood is counted as a way to reduce global warming. When plants die, photosynthesis stops. When a forest is cut and the plant material is burned or decays, carbon begins to be returned to the atmosphere. Rapid deforestation has contributed to the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere over the past 200 years. It’s probably 20 to 30 percent of the human contribution to the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. When a forest is replanted after logging, CO2 removal from the atmosphere by regrowth of the forest is rapid, then eventually it is balanced by respiration, but the quantity that has been removed remains in the regrown forest, not in the atmosphere. Thus, existence of a living forest is a carbon sink. Cutting down that forest releases the stored carbon back to the atmosphere. Burning wood increases global warming by increasing the carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere. This is true whether we burn whole logs or limbs and small trees. If we didn’t remove these, they would become fertilizer and soil conditioner for the next generation of trees. If we remove them, we will have unhealthy, stunted forests, or no forests. If all you care about is where your next million dollars is coming from, you will destroy the forest. If you care where the future forests will come from, you will protect the forest. Ann Tattersall Eugene WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM it’s stylish & smart! Earth Friendly 1 Place, 3 Days Only sustainable exhibits GOOD EARTH Architectural Seminar Series Friday 7:30pm homes gardens food 2 go arts recycle living J ANUARY 21-23 FRI 5pm-9pm SAT 10am–8pm SUN 10am–5pm Fairgrounds Eugene FREE Admission canned food donations FOOD for Lane County ® ® HOME, GARDEN & LIVING 4843499J16 letters Seminars & Event Details: EugeneHomeShow.com EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 20, 2011 5
