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! Step away
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