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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2013)
LET TERS BAD AIR DAYS DOUBLE BILL FOR SPYING I support President Obama’s recently announced plan to combat climate change and advance clean energy. The plan calls for reducing carbon pollution from power plants — our largest source of pollution driving climate change — that also harms our health and economy. We are already seeing the effects of climate change: Storms are becoming more intense, heat waves more severe, drought more persistent and wildfi re more prevalent. Superstorm Sandy alone caused more than $1 billion in damages and a loss of life that cannot be quantifi ed. Rising temperatures also trigger more bad air days, which are of particular concern for the young, the elderly and those with asthma and other health issues. We can’t afford to ignore these costs any longer. Investing in renewable energy, increased effi ciency and pollution controls will create jobs and a more resilient economy. In fact, history has shown when we rein in pollution we get a big bang for our buck. Since 1970 every $1 in investment in compliance with Clean Air Act standards has produced $4 to $8 in economic benefi ts. When it comes to our climate, the costs of inaction are mounting. We owe it to our children and future generations to rise to this challenge. If not for me then for our children and grandchildren! Fred Mallery Eugene I read an article stating that the National Security Administration pays AT&T $360 plus $10 per day per taxpayer to disclose all data for the purposes of “national security.” That works out to $4,000 per taxpayer being paid to the telecom providers by our government without tax dollars. I think if the government needs this information, they should compel these carriers to provide the information without remuneration. If there is a real national security reason, these corporations should cooperate with the NSA for free, without a charge, to participate in protecting our citizens. If the government compelled these carriers to supply the information for free, without giving them a dime, I bet they would refuse to cooperate without proof that it helps save lives. As it is right now, the telecom companies are making huge profi ts not only for the services they provide us, and with our tax dollars being paid from a “secret budget” that allows for spying on every single American, while schools are being closed and fi refi ghters are being laid off (not to mention the fact that these corporations get massive government subsidies and do not pay a dime in taxes). We should all call the senators and tell them to end the practice of using our tax dollars to pay for spying on us. If they want to spy on us, they should compel the information without any of our tax dollars being used to get the information they want on us. Those people who say they don’t care if the government spies on us — do they mind the fact that they are paying their phone company for service, and then the government is using our tax dollars to pay the phone company to spy on us? We are essentially paying the phone company twice. Still don’t mind? Lonnie Clark Eugene OUR TOASTY BUN A sudden onshore fl ow, a couple of apple-crisp mornings, a fl urry of glossy back-to-school circulars and suddenly everyone is talking about our endless summer’s end. Don’t fall for Summer’s snow-job; she still has all of her teeth. Anxious Autumn and Woeful Winter, slumbering together high up in the Cascades, may swipe the occasional chill claw across the lid of our valley, but for now Dame Summer squats on the throne with her full, august weight. I believe that as our years toll higher Helios appears to chart a swifter course. But that, of course, is chicanery. Time compresses as we inch toward the edge, and the more deeply we appreciate our remaining days upon this mortal coil, the swifter their metronomic passage seems. So, chill. Drink deep those diaphanous draughts of autumn and savor their brief bursts of melancholy, and then wrap yourself anew in that toasty bun of summer and relish our succinct season of sun. Enjoy the hot dogs, Eugene, we’ll be slugging Summer’s for family, fun, & errands. through the duck soup soon enough. Dave Perham Eugene TEFLON POLICE CHIEF When will EPD Chief Pete Kerns be held accountable for the actions of those people whose actions are, at best, highly questionable and, at worst, illegal? The evidence storage area is found to have stolen goods hiding in plain sight in and around his employees’ work space. Pornography on work computers. An offi cer who has taken an oath so afraid of her alleged attacker that she is compelled to hide from him. If I were assaulted, would she hide from my attacker as well? The offi cer convicted of sexual assault and harassment was allowed to continue to work in a Eugene high school after he was investigated last fall for an improper relationship with a student. Kerns says he is “afraid there may be other victims out there.” Why has this matter not been fully investigated while the students were still in school? Will the chief of police be held accountable for these and other improper happenings that are occurring on his watch? Is he coated with Tefl on so that nothing sticks to him? Where is Jon Ruiz while all this is happening, hiding in a bathroom? James Murphy Eugene Get outstanding low prices on quality products. Take everything. Yuba Mundo & Boda Boda, Xtracycle Edgerunner & kits, Surly Big Dummy cargo bikes. Seat pads, child seats, cargo bags, electric assist motors. HOT DEAL 19 99 Support Willamette St bike access! 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