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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2017)
LET TERS folks to plan an interfaith service. It was a slightly expanded version of the one done on 9/11, with different prayers and, some- times, different representatives. The service was at the First United Methodist Church and about 1,000 people showed up. Since the two Eugene services were very successful, Siri Kaur Khalsa and Vida Ellins got together and proposed to the Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries (TRIM) board that a 9/11-type service should be done on the 11th of each month indefinite- ly. TRIM thought it was an excellent idea but was concerned about where would the people power come to do such a service in an on-going way. Khalsa and Ellins volunteered to start the process. TRIM supported them and helped in many ways to make each service successful. Irwin Noparstak Eugene KILLING SOCRATES, AGAIN In a heavily utilitarian society, it’s not surprising the first subjects to get cut in a college budget crisis are religion and philosophy (“Philosophy is Dangerous,” Viewpoint, 4/27). It’s that flat, utilitarian society against which '60s youth rebelled. Unfortunately, after a brief moment of collective effer- vescence, most '60s youth got sucked back into the utilitarian culture of consumer capitalism during the Thatcher-Reagan era. The neofascist Donald Trump embod- ies an intensification of that era. Centrist Democrats notwithstanding, it’s an era marked by a neo-conservative establish- ment, the new religious right and “The Me Generation” culture of narcissism. Ironically, Plato founded the academy in ancient Athens with the subject of phi- losophy and the Athenian state executed his teacher, Socrates, for corrupting youth. Religion has its dark, oppressive and repressive sides personally and socially — which is one reason to study it and why Marx said the critique of religion is the beginning of all critique — but the Biblical prophets are among our first social critics, the Roman im- perium executed Jesus, and Buddha strongly criticized the Hindu caste system. So, there’s much politically and pub- licly relevant to learn from religions and philosophies — along with the psycho- logical insights of Zen, Daoism, Hebrew Bible wisdom literature and St. Augus- tine’s Confessions. Sam Porter Eugene damaging to the environment and to job growth for all Americans. In an effort to move forward on ad- dressing climate change and creating jobs in clean energy, the Oregon Legislature currently has two matching bills under consideration: SB 557 and HB 2135. These matching bills would place a much-needed price on carbon, provide as- sistance for low-income residents, create clean energy jobs and assist business. The Eugene chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) voted unanimously to endorse the passage of these bills. While CCL would prefer a simpler fee and dividend approach to pricing carbon, Oregon law prohibits the dividend portion of such an approach. In light of that, and because of the urgent need to take action on climate change as well as create jobs, we endorse these two bills. Please consider contacting your repre- sentatives to offer your personal endorse- ment for action on climate and jobs. Peter Kugler Springfield SUPPORT OREGON’S CLEAN ENERGY BILLS OREGON MARCHING BACKWARD One of the Trump Administration’s goals is to increase employment and make the U.S. energy independent. Their policy to achieve this is through the revitalization of oil, gas and coal. While these natural resources were responsible for building our modern economy, they are no longer safe or eco- nomical. These misguided policies are What is the Oregon Legislature think- ing? A tax on non-carbon producing trans- portation? Why don’t we give bikes away rather than tax them? Is the Oregon Legislature in climate change denial? We are marching back- ward. Ruth Duemler Eugene NEAR-DEATH BIKING Cyclists beware the danger at the inter- section of Blair and Seventh. My family was almost hit within the intersection on May 8, around 8:40 am. Traveling on Blair, a car in front of us had triggered the light, not my triple-tan- dem on the diamond. When we followed the car, the light turned yellow as we en- tered the intersection. Halfway through it turned red. On the far side of Seventh a cell-phone-impaired driver rolled through on the green almost T-boning my family. Cyclists all have near-death stories and many are killed. These come from our in- teraction with cars, SUVs, trucks. Those who ride with heavy loads, like children, maybe more so, because we’re slow to cross intersections and are acutely sensi- tive to the ways our children’s lives are in jeopardy. Blair is a designated bikeway with “SHARROS.” The timing of the light and all the lights along Sixth and Seventh av- enues are being set for the EmX. Keeping the EmX moving increases profitability. I get it. It may be at the cost of cyclists’ lives. Eugene will not meet its goals of the Zero Resolution or the Climate Ordinance if bicycling in Eugene is dangerous. I can’t bike in support of the Climate Ordinance if it means killing my children. The danger along Seventh and Eighth avenues needs to be fixed before a cyclist is killed. While we’re at it, make West 11th a two-way Bike Boulevard! 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