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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 2016)
to choose a non-drug alternative, but Rep. DeFazio’s bill would make this decision more difficult, or impossible, for many Americans living at home. David Oaks Eugene PARK BLOCKS FAMILY Police in Eugene need to understand that people who are homeless often gather in the Park Blocks as “families.” Folks who are unrelated meet, gather and often move around together as what sociologists call “fictive kin.” They come together as families to provide one another with mu- tual protection and both emotional and ma- terial support. The “families” collectively also defend against attacks on or abuse of a family member. When the EPD sought to question and then arrest two young men in the Park Blocks recently, this sense of family kicked in and others in the park then also joined in their highly vocal condemnation of police actions. Past negative experiences with police by people who are homeless, some of whom were gathered in the Park Blocks that day, have led most who are homeless to see police as anything but “friends.” Police are more often than not feared and seen as the “enemy” by Eugene’s homeless population due to the treatment they have experienced. It is unfortunate all around, since many officers do not like the role into which they have been placed vis a vis people who are homeless, seeing this as not what they were trained to do and often sympathizing with those who are un- housed. Ken Neubeck Eugene BLACK LIVES MATTER The purpose of this letter is to address Black Lives Matter. I am not in fact a part of the black community, but a part of the Hispanic community, although I do sup- port it and believe more people should be aware of it. Protests that relate to Black Lives Mat- ter have been portrayed as violent out- breaks in the U.S.; consequently, these people that want to make a difference are wrongly depicted as those who want to create more problems. With the increase in police shootings and blacks being more likely to become victims of these shootings after the mur- der of Michael Brown, Americans believe the flag does not represent freedom any- more but represents the complete opposite. Therefore, more people have been sitting down or taking a knee during the national anthem. Lives are being lost and injustices keep occurring. Does the African-American population have to decrease in greater amounts for the country to realize that we have a problem? With the amount of Americans that re- spect African-Americans, there should be more who want to do the same. Not that they should disregard the national anthem but they should join the fight in aspiring to become a part of the change. As Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in this world.” Yes, all lives do matter; but Black Lives Matter, too. Alyssa Jacinto Eugene Michael J. McCourt, DPM & Sarah Rincker, DPM 1680 Chambers Street, Suite 201 • Eugene 541.683.3351 www.eugenefootandankle.com SPECIALIZING IN: *Sports Medicine *Ankle and Foot Pain *Trauma and Sprains *Ingrown Toenails *Custom Orthotics RECORD PROFITS The anti-97 ads are deceptive. The Koch brothers, Monsanto and Big Pharma are pouring cash into Oregon just to pro- tect their record profits. Fortune magazine shows Pfizer alone has stashed $74 billion offshore. Their deceptions include half-truths, lies and innuendo. One ad claims “doctors across Oregon say.” Only a few do: Actually, more than 48,000 nurses and physicians support Measure 97 because our health care system is so underfunded. Other ads outright lie by calling this a sales tax. Measure 97 taxes corporate sales above $25 million. It’s not a consumer sales tax. They misinform when they say The Portland Mercury is in opposition, be- cause the newspaper is actually in support. Then there’s the tricky graph claiming Oregon’s corporate sales tax isn’t last in the nation. On closer inspection, the light gray print shows the graph isn’t about cor- porate taxes, but about pre-profit supplies. The state has a vested interest in keep- ing businesses healthy and able to produce revenue. That’s why after a law is passed, they create exemptions. Nazia Swartz Eugene H ERE ’ S H OW P ROJECT C OUNSELING W ORKS We help resolve different points of view through mediation and open discussion between contractors & clients or just between clients. While we provide a neutral ground for conflict resolution, our services are most valuable before a project begins. A plan review will give the client focus & clear understanding of what they are getting. This will keep the project on track and may prevent costly schedule delays! Our goal is to assure clients they are getting a project as planned while keeping contractors moving forward. #MyGoodLifeGoal: a financial home I can trust In today’s world of banking, where everyone seems to be looking out for themselves, it’s empowering to know that SELCO is looking out for me. Their services are all designed with my best interests in mind. I love it when my fi nancial universe actually revolves around me. selco.org • 800-445-4483 • Branches throughout Eugene and Springfield Banking | Mortgages | Insurance | Investments | Business Lending B EFORE Y OU B UILD , G IVE U S A C ALL For a FREE, Introductory Meeting, Call 541-521-1178 Membership requirements apply. See SELCO for details. NMLS#402847 Project Counseling Services, LLC | 2361 Hilyard St., Eugene eugeneweekly.com • November 3, 2016 7
