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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2016)
LOVE IS STRONGER I spent some time today sitting outside the Fed- eral Building in Eugene, Oregon, with a sign saying, “Keep Love Alive” in response to the unrest in Amer- ica since the election. One man will never change my values, one man will not change the love in my heart. One man will not stop me from feeling love for my fellow countrymen and women. Whether they are black or white, gay or straight, woman or man. Love is stronger than hate, and after we all take a deep breath and we begin to move forward, we will see the America that is represented by all the diverse people in this great country. It’s our strength, our bond with each other. Nothing or no one will change that. And as I sat there in my wheelchair I started to see the faces of the people driving by, and they were smiling back at me or giving me a thumbs up or beep- ing their horns. I was there when people were driving and walking across the Ferry St. Bridge on their way to the Ducks football game. But even better than that, there were the children on a school bus that drove by. The driver waved and he drove by real slow so the children could read my sign. It was in that moment that I realized just why it was important for me to be out there. It was for those children. And if I changed just one child’s heart today, that made it all worthwhile. Diane DeVillers Eugene DIANE DEVILLERS RESPONDS TO THE ELECTION be satisfied “by any means necessary.” Let’s preserve the fresh water available so there’s an abundance of it and blood spilling will not be required to pursue it. David Ivan Piccioni Eugene EXPLOITED ANIMALS Regarding Diana Huntington’s Nov. 10 letter: While it’s good that Bartels was recently shuttered “for consistent and fre- quent inhumane slaughtering practices,” the USDA’s hypocrisy is glaring, given that consistent and frequent inhumanity is the cornerstone of animal agriculture, from start to finish. Just like humans, non-human animals are sentient beings. They have emotions, display preferences, experience bonds with other animals, feel joy and feel pain. Most people are cognizant of this when observ- ing their animal companions, such as dogs, cats and rabbits. Unfortunately, these same people — frequently self-identified as “animal lovers” — deny this sentience to the animals they continue to eat, wear and otherwise exploit. Farmed animals are treated as dispos- able objects, not sentient beings. They en- dure unthinkable atrocities including being ground up alive immediately after birth (as in the case of “useless” male chicks born into the egg industry), being forcibly dragged away kicking and screaming from their mothers (as in the case of offspring born to females being used for milk pro- duction — milk intended to feed their own babies, but instead stolen for human con- sumption), tail removal, de-beaking, de- toeing, castration, etc. The vast majority live in unconsciona- bly tight confinement in miserable condi- tions until they are inhumanely shipped to slaughterhouses, where they die violent deaths, engulfed by fear. A small percentage of “animal lovers” truly aren’t aware of the abuse and brutal- ity involved in getting dairy, eggs, meat, fish, wool, leather, etc., into stores. But by now there are enough news reports and un- dercover videos out there to ensure that the majority do know that it’s a nasty, violent process, yet they ignore their direct com- plicity in it. It seems to be a case of “out of sight, out of mind.” Without the demand, there would be no production. Fortunately, more consumers than ever are acknowledging that paying someone else does not absolve themselves from being complicit in the “dirty work” of creating animal-based products. For those interested in aligning their ethics and morals with matching actions, this site is extremely helpful: howdoigov- egan.com. Barb Lomow Eugene MAKE IT PUBLIC Time for truth. If I am to accept Donald Trump as my next president, I ask as my right as a U.S. citizen and in the name of National Security for our country that the following information be made available to the public and federal authorities: 1. That President-elect Trump explain any communications that has been inferred by a Russian official to have happened with his campaign made prior to the election. 2. That President-elect Trump release to public authorities his latest personal, and any businesses that he has interest in, federal tax statements. So that in the name of National Security they can vetted or studied to determine if there is or could be any conflict of interest when dealing with domestic and international issues that the president must deal with on a daily basis. I am writing this and communicating to all I see in the hope that this request/de- mand go viral and be printed for all those to read in the hopes of reaching someone in the federal government who has the authority to ask for this information from President-elect Trump. Spread it around. Paul Fuller Elmira OVERHYPED AND FECKLESS Thank you, Chico Schwall and Jenni- fer Clark, for your spot on letters regarding “Best of Eugene.” I know I am not the only person who is seeing this annual “vote” as an over- hyped, over-voted, inner-circle feckless fancy. The addition of absurd categories such as “best divorce,” “best philosophical crisis brought on by a Hirons tchotchke” (WTF?), “best mustache” (who cares?) only proves my point. Particularly self-serving was “best new eyesore.” Come on, really? Categories like these diminish, IMO, any validity of the other meaningful ac- colades. P.S. I was shocked the McDonald Theatre Personal Accessories Home Décor Items Handbags, Duffels, Jewelry Leather Poufs, Mirrors, End Tables, Rugs Featuring Artisan-made products from Morocco & Nepal OPEN DAILY FROM NOV. 25 THROUGH NEW YEARS EVE 1850-c Oak St., Eugene • 541-554-1096/541-912-5190 MOROCCANBUZZ.COM eugeneweekly.com • November 23, 2016 5
