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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2012)
LET TERS marijuana in the same category as liquor, which is where it belongs once the age old propaganda of the 1930s is removed from the picture. Really, Oregon, you should truly be ashamed. Are we just too chicken-shit to challenge the federal laws? It is when states challenge federal laws, that federal laws get changed. Drew Stimson Eugene FRIGHTENING ELECTION Many of us are elated at the victory in the election of Obama over Romney. But we need to take seriously one very frightening aspect of the results: that 50 million Americans — selfi sh and/or deluded — voted for Romney. There can be no such thing as a mandate when so many Americans allow their decisions to be dictated by the misleading advertising underwritten by corporate powers, Israel and fundamentalist Christians. Those three are the enemies of our freedoms, and we must stay alert to them and what they do. George Beres Eugene GEOENGINEERING Maybe you heard about a (second) recent experiment to fertilize ocean waters with iron compounds. The hope is that it would increase growth of plankton, which will absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), eventually die and fall to the ocean fl oor, sequestering CO2 to slow or stop global warming, putting fossilized carbon back where it came from. This time it was done by a rich man and a Canadian Indian tribe hoping to increase salmon runs to what they used to be, and was quite effective in that. Some people say it won’t be effective in reducing warming because animals that eat the plankton, and emit CO2, will also increase. Others say any increase in ocean life will mean more carbon will be deposited in waste and corpses than carbon emitted in CO2. We criticize deliberate (or deliberated upon) climate action such as the above experiments, calling it “geoengineering,” focusing on the harm it might possibly cause. Meanwhile we ignore non- deliberated action of putting ever more CO2 in the air, saying that unintentional actions of even seven billion people, increasing exponentially over thousands of years, couldn’t possibly be affecting global climate. Can both of these views be true? As with our fi nances, we emphasize “enjoy now, pay later” while more positive action is bothersome now and only benefi cial in the future. If society won’t risk doing the experiments, then individuals have to. Dan Robinson Eugene CANDOR WITH THE COPS Late into election night, friends and I went to buy champagne for a victory party. Our designated driver pulled into a handicap parking space at the St. Vincent de Paul’s on Jefferson. When police offi cers arrived, we got anxious. We gave evasive answers when asked why we were parked there, learning only later that it’s nicknamed “heroin alley.” Offi cer Robert Meador of the EPD, understandably annoyed with our prevarication, encouraged us to “be honest in the future,” because this allows offi cers to focus on the actual threats to our community. He told us that it’s his job to save lives and keep the peace, not frighten people — especially not those committed to arranging a designated driver. I appreciate his counsel, which he patiently provided after we wasted his time. Police suffer enough antagonism and deception in the line of duty. When police say, “I appreciate the honesty,” I think they genuinely do. Meador’s “honesty” model is my usual approach. Consequently, my episodes with our offi cers have been almost universally positive. It’s tough for many to imagine that the blue-suited bodies walking up to our windows are thinking, feeling people. They are. Their jobs are complicated, dangerous and often thankless. Our run-ins with Johnny Law may change when we bear in mind that most of these “cops” are like Offi cer Meador — real people trying to keep Eugene “A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors.” Steve Coatsworth Eugene Office visits starting at $99 Same Day Appointments Justin Montoya, MD 1410 Oak St, Ste 102 in the Keiper Spine building kjg7hhn7ihmf5R51118*,)"&." '#&3'##(8)' Be Comfortable Buy any pair of Keen shoes or boots Be Rewarded Choose a free pair of Keen socks for yourself Be Generous We’ll give one pair of Keen socks to a local non-profit Nov 9-25 FOLLOW YOUR FEET TO COMFORT Downtown Eugene &#SPBEXBZt 'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFFVHFOF .PO4BU4VO Downtown Corvallis 48.BEJTPOt 'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFDPSWBMMJT .PO4BU4VO GREAT ACTING Kabuki theater review: election 2012. Although the plot seemed familiar, this performance gets 50 stars for its great acting. Uncertain whether hope and change mean more of the same, 50 percent of those allowed to vote choose one or the other. Unable to do the math, 48 percent of the 99 percent vote for the candidate of the 1 percent. Having placed bets with both sides, corporate persons bank the spread. The morning after, a few Greens awake hung over and pinch themselves. Don’t miss the opening of Election 2016 when America’s great experiment in democracy continues! Benton Elliott Eugene Overcoming the Culture of Fear Speaker: Christian Science Healer, Marie Helm Sunday, Nov. 18th, 2 p.m. 1390 Pearl Street • Eugene prayerworkseugene.com A NEW FAMILY CIRCLE HEALTH & WELLNESS Specialty Classes Family Hoop Dance Classes Sundays are family fun days so come join us for a Hoop Dance class that everyone can get into. Tara will take you through basic hoop techniques that will have the whole family smiling. Sundays 10 -11 AM November 18, December 2, 9 and 16 Rates: 1 drop-in class $10 for Member, $12 for Non-Member Kids (14yrs. and younger) are free with an adult Space is limited, so make sure to sign-up in advance. Hoops are provided. EUGENE FAMILY YMCA 2055 Patterson Street, Eugene OR 97405 P 541 686 9622 W eugeneymca.org eugeneweekly.com • November 15, 2012 7
