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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2016)
RURAL NEEDS UNMET Our own Lane County leaders have felt caught in a fi nancial bind. This has ended up meaning that our beloved sisters and brothers who live in rural areas have not had their basic needs met. Where is protection for them? Where is 911 in an emergency? Their schools and other services are neglected. They are suffering. So what is their response? Militias are forming for their own protection. Some are rising to take over the governments of their towns and villages. There is an increase in the threat of guns and violence. We can, we must do better. Lane County, we have neglected our rural areas. Let’s reach out and truly provide for their needs, so they can live fully and with dignity. And, my friends, let’s reach out to our national government to withdraw from our endless wars and war preparations, and divert the trillions of dollars to the deep needs and struggles of our people, and of all people everywhere. Violent wars can only lead to more wars, to more pain and suffering. We can reach out to the world, the planet, our county brothers and sisters, in peace. Peg Morton Eugene EDITOR’S NOTE: Peg Morton wrote this letter before she died Dec. 19 and it was submitted by a friend. SEMI RULE OF LAW A small group of armed white Christian militiamen take over a federal building in southeast Oregon. The sheriff claims these men have intentions to overthrow the county and federal governments. These men, some of whom crossed state lines to get here, claim they have no intentions of leaving, have stocked up food and have a generator. This isn’t the fi rst time. A similar scenario occurred at the Nevada ranch of Cliven Bundy in 2014. Even though the “protestors” ignored lawful orders given to them by local and federal law enforcement offi cials and pointed their weapons at federal law enforcement offi cials, the government backed down and left them alone. As far as I know, the government has yet to collect any of the grazing fees (over $1 million) owed by the Bundy family for grazing their cattle on our public lands. If these “protesters” had been of some other religion, race or foreign nationality, would they have been dealt with the same way? Recent events would suggest otherwise. This country is governed by the rule of law, which does allow some latitude. However, if the government were to correctly recognize these people as terrorists, as their actions clearly indicate, there would be no latitude given, and law enforcement would meet the threat with overwhelming force. If these people think they are protestors and not terrorists, we should refer to them with appropriately less severe names such as Yocal Haram, Ya’ll Quada or Vanilla ISIS. Jay Schwartz Eugene HONOR HER REQUEST Peg Morton always worked for the betterment of our world, and I cannot think of a better way of honoring her memory than by doing what she requested in her letter printed Dec. 17. In it she clearly explained the need for a green, welcoming place in the city center and she asked our 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 BEST HANGOVER BREAKFAST 12 STRAIGHT YEARS! BREAKFAST ALL DAY 1689 Willamette | 541-343-1542 7am - 2pm Mon - Fri • 7am - 3pm Sat & Sun Espresso Hours 7am - 5pm Mon - Fri • 8am - 5pm Sat & Sun featuring ring see our full menu online: brailseugene.com BUBBLE TEA & BUBBLE JUICE • KALBEE TERIYAKI : CHICKEN, BEEF TOFU, PORK KIMCHEE SOUP HOT POTS • BI BIM BAP • CHAP CHAE HEALTHY HOT SOUP YUKAE JANG VEGETARIAN OPTIONS DELIV ER This is insanity and this is one reason why I am supporting Bernie Sanders. Our current government is saturated in greed and fraud and it has to stop. There are enough resources to take care of people and our needs if we get rid of the corruption. Bernie is the one to do it; he is not beholden to the rich and greedy, but only to us, the people. Ellen Furstner Marcola Y AILABLE AV AUTHENTIC KOREAN & ASIAN CUISINE • noodlebowlrestaurant.com VOTED BEST KOREAN FOOD 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 11:30AM - 9PM MONDAY - SATURDAY 860 PEARL • 686 -1114 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • JANUARY 7, 2016 5
