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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2011)
past summer I interned at an architectural fi rm where I learned that interior designers are misunderstood and not utilized to their full potential. Through my experience in the workforce and by attending local industry events, I have learned that fi rms and clients will benefi t more if HB 2491, the Commercial Interior Design Practice Act, is passed. Our job is more than applied aesthetic; we are educated professionals who can positively contribute to healthy and functional environments. We have an understanding of how to apply building and fi re code to design solutions, design for disabled populations and specify nontoxic building materials. The Interior Architecture program is consistently ranked among the top interior design programs in the United States. A Practice Act will help consumers distinguish between the various design professionals. I urge Reps. Paul Holvey and Val Hoyle to support a Practice Act for Commercial Interior Design. Emma Silverman Eugene President Obama to represent them — and their party’s philosophy — in the 2012 election. And it could well force the president to reconsider the rightward course into which he allowed himself to be maneuvered. A strong challenge might even force the president to revisit his decision to seek reelection, thus passing the Democratic mantle to someone with a better chance of winning. Keith A. Eddins Eugene FAILED ASPIRATIONS The peak oil community has become increasingly disappointed with President Obama’s lack of leadership on this imminent challenge, and his support of 3 percent GDP growth, which drives up energy demand eight-fold in 70 years. Peak oil activist Michael C. Ruppert recently endorsed Ron Paul. Perhaps he will give us a desperately needed gold standard and steady state economy and acknowledge the energy crisis the way President Carter did. On April 18, 1977, Carter said “The oil and natural gas we rely on for 75 percent of our energy are running out in spite of increased effort … During the 1950s, people used twice as much oil as during the 1940s. During the 1960s, we used twice as much as during the 1950s. And in each of those decades, more oil was consumed than in all of mankind’s previous history.” That’s a shocking statement, but all it means is that demand growth was 7 percent a year. Oil demand growth in China and the Middle East is now 9 percent a year. On July 15, 1979, President Carter remarked, “Human identity is no longer defi ned by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning … I will soon submit legislation to Congress calling for the crucial goal of 20 percent of our energy coming from solar power by the year 2000.” The year 2000 came and passed with solar at one 400th of 1 percent. Zachary Moitoza Eugene LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics and will print as many as space allows, with priority given to timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 words, keep submissions to once a month, and include your address and phone number for our fi les. Email to letters@ eugeneweekly.com fax to 484-4044, or mail to 1251 Lincoln, Eugene 97401. PRIMARY CHOICE Although I was an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy, I have reluctantly concluded that a credible challenger needs to step forward to contest the 2012 Democratic nomination. I appreciate that President Obama found himself caught in a vice created by his predecessor. Pinched between a near- cataclysmic economic meltdown and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, he inherited an economy hemorrhaging jobs and a rapidly draining treasury (exacerbated by Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy). Given such dismal realities, I did not expect miracles. But I never imagined President Obama would abandon the middle and working classes, the poor and the elderly, as he has done over the past month. He has proven too willing to compromise Democratic ideals, not to mention sound economic and fi scal policy. Disastrously, he allowed Tea Party extremists to trap him in what became a fi gurative hostage-taking on the debt ceiling. I fear that he is setting himself, and our nation, up for Bush redux come January 2013. I recognize that even a serious, progressive challenge might not prove successful. But it would allow Democratic voters to decide whether they truly want Enroll Open Now House DRINKING GOURD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ì Grades Grades K-5 K-3 Ì Classes Classes of of 15 10 students students Placement Ì Advanced WĞĂĐĞĞĚƵĐĂƟ ŽŶ dgschool.org 689-5255 2809 Shirley Eugene O P $500/MONTH E TUITION: N HOUSE Wed., Dec. 15, 6-8PM 6 SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
