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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2014)
strong majority — we expanded it. We won by staying true to our values, like standing up for working families and making sure that women aren’t left behind. Democratic candidates for the House withstood a volley of ugly, dishonest attacks from their opponents and stayed focused on fighting for the things that matter most to Oregon families. For me, the big takeaway from last night’s [Nov. 4] results is this: Voters in these House races rejected the politics of fear and negativity. Voters said no to outlandish, often racially charged attacks, and they discarded the outright falsehoods in our opponents’ ads. But voters needed something to vote for, and I’m proud to say that House Democrats ran our campaigns on a clear vision of a future economy in which every working family has a shot at prosperity. This is what made the difference. We couldn’t have succeeded in this election without the dedication of our many volunteers, who put in countless hours knocking on doors and making phone calls in support of candidates they believe in. In the last five days alone, we knocked on more than 50,000 doors in key races to make sure that voters turned in their ballots. We’ve got a lot of work to do in the next legislative session, and we look forward to advancing an agenda that improves the lives of all Oregonians. Rep. Val Hoyle Majority leader DEFEND STUDENTS, TEACHERS All movements for fairness and justice need those leaders who are the first ones to go out front. Jesse Hagopian has been such a leader in the struggle against the overuse/misuse of high-stakes testing. He was instrumental in organizing the unanimous test boycott last year at Garfield High School in Seattle. That brave action by students, parents, teachers and community members resonated across the U.S. We have the wonderful opportunity to have Jesse Hagopian in Eugene at 7 pm Thursday, Nov. 13, at First Christian Church, 11th and Oak. Come join us in learning from Hagopian as he talks about the Seattle boycott and the many, many actions being taken across the U.S. in mobilizing to defend students, parents and teachers. Jesse Hagopian is inspirational, articulate and brave. Please consider making the most of this opportunity and please consider bringing students with you. They are the ones most directly impacted by the testing madness. Ultimately, the fight to reclaim public education is a civil rights issue that affects us all. Roscoe Caron Eugene STUPID DUI CATEGORY So everyone should “calm down” about the shameful “Best DUI Lawyer” category in the Best Of Eugene ballot? Would you say that to someone whose loved one was killed by a drunk driver? You wrote, “We were pointing out that drinking categories are among our most popular, and if you are going to drink, you need to be safe and legal.” False DUI convictions are rare. If you need a DUI lawyer, it is already too late. You have gone ahead and committed a dangerous and illegal act. And given your logic, there ought to also be a vote for “Best Date Rapist Lawyer” — because date categories are “among our most popular,” and if you are going on a date, “you need to be safe and legal.” Contrary to what you imply, drinking does not inevitably lead to drunk driving. In countries where the lawmakers have recognized the true seriousness of the offence and accordingly mandate severe penalties, the incidence of drunk driving is much lower. For instance, the Finns will drink you under the table every time, but most would never think of driving while under the influence. It goes without saying that drunk driving kills thousands of innocent people every year. This will continue until society stops treating it as a generally harmless and unavoidable side effect of having a good time. Instead of trying to defend a stupid and indefensible decision, you should have removed the category and apologized. A.P. Volkonsky Eugene CIVIL RIGHTS ATTACKED Unknown thugs spent election night making a mockery of the democratic process by smashing the countless "No Industrial Pisgah" signs along Seavey Loop, causing over $1,000 in damages and destroying the very symbol of the residents’ unity against an expansion of Springfield’s urban growth boundary that would place an industrial zone near Mount Pisgah. Red, green or blue, pro or con, this was an attack on the very foundation of American values: the right to petition the government. Preventing citizens from exercising their First Amendment rights is not a prank — in this case it might be considered a Class C felony criminal mischief in the first degree with a penalty of up to five years in state prison and fines reaching $125,000. Let’s show the world that such vandalism will never be tolerated in our community. Tax-deductible donations to pay for replacement signs can be sent to LandWatch Lane County, P.O. Box 5347, Eugene 97405 with the memo: No Industrial Pisgah. Charles Stewart Seavey Loop Road PERSONAL AGENDAS I know the election is over but I can’t help but comment on the recent letter to the editor [10/30] in which EPUD Director Penny Jordan endorsed Director Patti Chappel. I have to seriously question the credibility of any public figure who would endorse a director with Chappel’s track record. Unfortunately, I have long witnessed the unhealthy alliance that exists between Director Chappel, Jordan and Kevin Parrish that plagues the EPUD board. For example, Jordan wrote emails to other directors begging them to vote in favor Humorist, author, and NPR contributor David Sedaris returns to the Hult Center Next Thursday November 20th • 8PM Tickets start at $29 Student Tickets at $15 Hurry limited quantity. Discount available with ID (2 per ID) Hultcenter.org UO ticket office 541.682.5000 eugeneweekly.com • November 13, 2014 5
