Days later, Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorenson
wrote Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. DeFazio
to keep the issue bubbling. Sorenson says, “I think that the
federal courts will strike down the ‘military detention’
component.” He refers to Hedges v. Obama, a case in the
U.S. Court of Appeals Second Circuit in New York, held
in limbo since February. A decision would deem parts of
the NDAA unconstitutional. “This case, unless mooted, is
likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court,” he says.
A Coos County vote may reject the maligned parts of
the NDAA, starting a process for Oregon to join states like
Indiana, where the full Senate passed a resolution against
them. PANDA and partners Oath Keepers and The Patriot
Coalition want opposition to be too big to ignore.
Johnson worries that we’re on a slippery slope. The
defi nition of “terrorist” is ripe for political manipulation
and indefi nitely detaining Americans is a big concern.
“One day it’s Al Qaeda. The next day it’s you,” he says.
Events are 6 pm Monday, July 15, at North Bend
Library and 6 pm Wednesday, July 17, at Springfi eld
Public Library. — Adrian Black
SHOULD BUNNIES AND
CHICKENS BE TROPHIES?
Small animals shouldn’t be given away as prizes,
according to Heather Crippen of Red Barn Rabbit Rescue
(RBRR), who has been working along with her daughter to
stop bunnies from being chased and caught at the Cottage
Grove Rodeo. RBRR has also been working on developing
an ordinance that would stop bunnies, chickens and other
small animals from being the trophies at giveaways and
contests. Crippen brought the idea before the Lane County
Animal Services Advisory Committee on July 8 and is also
considering city and statewide regulations.
The “animal scramble” scheduled to take place at
this weekend’s Cottage Grove Rodeo July 12-13 raised
controversy after Crippen and her daughter videoed the
event last year. In the past, the event had children running
after the bunnies and taking one home if they caught it.
Crippen says the event is both cruel and negligent.
This year, after months of controversy and an issue with
USDA regulations, the Cottage Grove Riding Club, which
organizes the scramble, will instead pursue chickens and
plastic eggs, and the children will be told to walk. Children
will still win rabbits. Crippen says “kudos to the riding
club” for the changes, but she adds, “I feel like it’s a step
sideways.” She wonders how organizers will keep more
than 100 children from running. She also says she doesn’t
know what effect it will have on the chickens.
Crippen says that she’s been accused of not seeing the
positive angle to the event — that kids learn to care for a
rabbit — but she says while that might be true, it would
be even more positive if kids adopted a rescue rabbit,
already spayed or neutered, and got to choose it based on
its personality. Like dogs or cats, Crippen says bunnies can
be outgoing, shy or opinionated. She says it can cost $200
to spay or neuter a bunny, which can have six to 12 kits in
a litter. The adoption fee is $50 at RBRR.
Commissioner Jay Bozievich, who serves on the animal
services committee, says he gave advice on language for an
ordinance and also suggested it be taken to the state level. He
says, “I offered to help make some calls to legislators to help.”
Summer’s for family, fun, & errands…
Take it all with you.
Yuba Mundo, Xtracycle, Surly Big Dummy
Child seats, cargo bags, electric assist.
Test Rides! Eugene Sun. Streets July 21st!
Details at facebook.com/arriving.by.bike
ÓÇäxÊ7>iÌÌiÊ-ÌÊUÊx{£°{n{°x{£ä
°qÀ°Ê££qÇ]Ê->Ì°Ê£äqÈ]Ê-Õ°Ê£Óqx
“I’ve been going to the
Oregon Country Fair
since 1982. I’m thrilled
the Fair purchased LTD
buses systemwide for
the whole community to
ride free during Fair.
It’s a great event and a
great service.”
Chris Berner
LTD Rider
Since 1982
ltd.org
541-682-6100 (voice)
7-1-1 (TTY-Oregon Relay)
eugeneweekly.com • july 11, 2013
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