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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2011)
letters TO THE EDITOR D ONALD D EXTER J R DMD LLC well-toned musculature, quick refl exes, and a certain indefi nable competitive advantage would choose a sport of hitting and kicking another person over such fun activities as pole vaulting, basketball, or cricket. And yet, I boxed some in college, partly to honor my late father, who had been an undefeated amateur boxer in the late 1920s and taught us boys more the art of self- defense than boxing as a sport. In middle age he said that if he had it to do over, he’d take up wrestling, so much he enjoyed the combat, but knew that every time he took a blow to the head a microscopic lesion was formed on the brain, over time the lesions are cumulative, and even the greatest — Dempsey, Armstrong, Louis — took hits to the head. I recognized my coach’s name as one my father had mentioned. When I asked the coach whether he remembered him, he exclaimed, “Sid Wood is a boxing legend at UCLA! In one evening he won the Pacifi c Conference welterweight championship in his own division, then fought and won the light-heavyweight championship, and after that the heavyweight championship, three in one night!” I’ll not elaborate on the coach’s incredibility that I could be Sid’s son, who eventually concluded that he didn’t really like getting hit, even less hitting other people in the face, enjoyed more getting into track and fi eld events. Then it was a matter of personal preference, but today, at age 80, it’s more an objective wonderment at those (including good old Dad) who like to hit and kick others. Jim Wood Eugene WORD NAZIS “The Left have all of their guns pointed at each other,” Che Guevara was once quoted as saying. A great example of this would be your Nov. 10 viewpoint by Ariel Howland. Ms. Howland’s statements that Dan Savage is bigoted, racist or transphobic have no merit, especially the latter point. I would argue that not only is Dan Savage vocally pro-transsexual, but that no current media fi gure has done more to increase tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of the alphabet soup of terminologies that constitute people’s sexual orientations. By attacking him as a bigot or transphobe, she simply shows us that she is too cowardly to direct her anger at those who really deserve it! Why cannibalize your own cause, if equality truly is your cause. As Fox News shows us, anybody can have their words edited, spliced, and used against them. Fuck the word Nazis! Matt Watkins Eugene MONIKER CHOICE No doubt your political leanings on the issue are pro-choice (11/10 article, “Oregon Targeted By Abortion Foes”). I would like to suggest in pursuit of courageous reporting, that you consider using the chosen moniker of your opponents, not your chosen name. To insert “anti-choice” instead of “pro-life” amounts to name calling. Similarly, I think it disrespectful and harmful for the pro-life folks to insert “pro-death” in their publications. The issue is complex, emotional and divisive enough without resorting to straw- man slurs in our publications. No doubt the use of “pro-life” instead of “anti-choice” would take some courage in your reporting, considering your constituency of readers. But taking that courageous posture could help lift the discourse toward substance and away from stereotypes. Charles Coury Springfi eld DENTISTRY Our vision is simple – we believe in integrity above all else, and we serve those who are seeking a trusted source for their dental care Browse our website or call if you have any questions! We look forward to providing your care. 2233 W ILLAMETTE S T , B LDG B • 541-485-6644 w w w. d r d e x t e r. c o m Volunteer Opportunity City of EugeneToxics Board The City of Eugene’s Toxics Board is responsible for policy development an d oversight of the City’s Toxics Right-to-Know Program, which requires public reporting of hazardous substance use by local manufacturers. There is cur- rently a vacancy on the Toxics Board which the City needs to fill. The ap- pointee is required to be an employee or agent of a manufacturer required to report under Eugene’s Toxics Right-to-Know Program. The term for this posi- tion expires June 30, 2012. Additional information about the Toxics Board and an online application form is available at www.eugene-or.gov/bcc. To discuss the appointment process or the Toxics Board’s responsibilities, contact Jo Eppli at 541-682-7118 or joann.c.eppli@ci.eugene.or.us. NOT A LEG TRAP? A woman wrote a letter (11/13) claiming her cat was caught in a trap inside the Eugene city limits. I suggest she rethink that assertion. First of all, why would the trapper release the animal? He or she would be more likely to simply cover an illegal act. She describes the injuries as “a leg broken, fractured, splintered and punctured.” A trap might possibly fracture (break) the leg, but “splintered” and “punctured” are the keys here. I bet the cat was bitten. Dogs, coyotes, wolves, bear and cougar bite and crush (splinter) bones, and their canine teeth puncture. Late this past winter I made a walk about with my 50-pound Aussie along a stream well east of Eugene. I wasn’t paying attention to the dog when I heard him yelp. Being a little hard of hearing coupled with the noise of the stream, I could not locate Restaruant & night club P R E S E N T S y l i m a f BILL s d n SHREVE frie & SATURDAY DECEMBER rd pm 3 9 COMPILATION ALBUM FEATURING THE TOP 16 FINALISTS AVAILABLE FOR DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OWNLOAD AT NEXTBIGTHINGEUGENE.COM WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM ! t i k c o R :LOODPHWWH(XJHQH344-8600 EUGENE WEEKLY NOVEMBER 23, 2011 5
