Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2015)
Wednesday, Aug. 5th thru Sun., Aug. 9th Sale starts at 10 a.m. Bring in this coupon for $5 off .... any purchase of $10 or more.* Valid August 2015 WEALTHY IN DENIAL John Kenneth Galbraith writes in his historical account Economics in Perspective about France’s physiocrats believing in the 1700s that the primary economic engine of the world was agriculture which, of course, has turned out to be a primary driver of climate- change extinction. Physiocrats were proponents of laissez faire economics and natural law taking precedence over governmental intervention, and Galbraith recounts how their efforts to avert the French Revolution through reforms was futile. In the chapter “The Merchant and the State,” government was there to do business’ bidding, not the reverse (sound familiar?). Paradoxically, a counter-revolutionary exiled to the U.S. in 1800, Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours, built a mill in Delaware and went on to create one of the largest, most toxic petro-chemical companies in the world. A proponent of nature from a land long sustained, and proudly, on organic farming, should become the planet’s toxic opponent. It is in this context that Galbraith’s words become so prophetic and prescient: The rich and privileged, when also corrupt and incompetent, do not accept rescue reform. Lack of intelligence is an undoubted bar; so are pride, righteous indignation and wounded dignity. How could anyone be led to believe that the wealthy are other than the most worthy? There is also the matter of time preference and psychological denial. Why diminish the joys, comforts and contentments of the short run by contemplations of the horrors and disasters of the even modestly longer Amazing bargains and summer close-outs with some fall merchandise already discounted! run? The reforms ... were a slight puff of wind countering a developing hurricane. Sean S. Doyle Corvallis DELIGHTFUL FRIVOLITY I also thought the knitted monster feet were cute when I fi rst noticed them [WTF?, 7/30]. But if you want to see “delightful frivolity,” the feet are only about a 10-minute walk away from the Autzen footbridge across the Willamette. Step out onto it and face west and you’ll be treated to a half-dozen beautiful, non- commercial specimens of rock-stacking art that are spontaneous, playful, intricate, impressive and downright beautiful. Some are amazingly tall, some have several branching pillars and some are tiny and adorable. It’s art for art’s sake, it changes from day to day and I love it. If you haven’t checked it out, stop squandering the opportunity. Doyle Srader Eugene *This coupon must be presented to receive discount. Coupon applies to in-stock merchandise only, including sale items. Cannot be used on special customer orders, consignment merchandise, layaway pick-ups, gift certificates, or be applied retroactively for refunds on prior purchases. Limited to one coupon per customer per day. One coupon only per transaction. Coupon expires 8/31/15. CECIL IS A DISTRACTION There is enough punishment in this world. Animal extinction will not come from those who pay $50,000 for a safari and kill one lion. Extinction will come from those businesses that keep dumping CO2 into the atmosphere. Selling fossil fuels makes billions of dollars while threatening every lion, penguin and human being with extinction. Cecil is just a distraction from that kind of real crime. Justice will come when those who commit crimes stop doing so. One American “trophy hunter” will probably never do that again. 18th & Willamette Meridian Building 541-431-3411 Shop Space Available contact Eli Howell 541-600-0081 120 Cleveland St. Unit 6 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • A UGUST 6, 2015 5
