Eugene weekly., January 18, 2018, Page 5, Image 5

Congratulations, MaryAnn!
BEFORE
UNDERMINED EFFORTS
BOUNCING TRASMISSIONS
Can I wonder who is really behind the at-
tack against Cylvia Hayes and her goals for
clean energy and protecting the ocean? How
frustrating to be so close to the governor and
the center-of-state efforts on climate change
and see only the opposite legislation!
We now have solar credits eliminated, tax
on bikes, no transit improvements, increased
emissions, high-emission VWs still on the
road and another biomass plant proposed!
Ruth Duemler
Eugene
Re: Troy Monroe in “On the Rebound”
(EW, 1/4): Is that do-rag covering a foil
hat? Just curious. Thnx.
Richard Leach
Coburg
BELIEF AND BEHAVIOR
As a nation of religious freedom, Chris-
tian sects in America may teach discrimi-
nation, and followers like former Gresham
bakery owners Melissa and Aaron Klein may
harbor belief in those teachings. Nonethe-
less, laws can prohibit hurtful actions regard-
less of individual biblical interpretation.
The Kleins did not violate the law be-
cause they believe that same-sex marriage
violates their religious beliefs, or by saying
homosexuality is an “abomination.” They
violated the law because their business
refused to sell a wedding cake.
There are many actions that we no lon-
ger sanction. Followers of Christian sects in
our historical past hanged Quakers, burned
Pagans, banned Catholics from public office
and evicted Mormons from state boundar-
ies. Some used bible interpretations to justify
owning humans, barring medical treatment
from certain races and allowing the rape of
wives.
Actions matter, and we no longer toler-
ate religious interpretation to justify harm-
ful actions, including businesses refusing
service to our neighbors.
The USA is as James Madison wrote
in 1785, “an Asylum to the persecuted and
oppressed of every Nation and Religion.”
The Kleins may believe what they want,
and generally say what they like, but they
must control their actions or risk violating
our sectarian laws.
Thanks be to the Gods.
Ed Gerdes
Eugene
AFTER
PeaceHealth patient, MaryAnn, is on the path
to a brighter future after weight loss surgery.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
More than 13,000 Lane County resi-
dents have signed petitions in support of
a ban on the aerial spraying of herbicides.
The signatures were turned in after two
years of hard work.
What could have been a simpler pro-
cess enacting a common-sense law to pro-
tect real people was made difficult by the
“corporate people” who have the money
and resources to obstruct the democratic
initiative process that serves Oregonians
so well. They continue to obstruct.
Rural families and organic farmers have
been victimized for decades. The health is-
sues suffered due to exposure from toxic
drift, along with threats to the livelihood
of those who grow our food, solely for the
convenience of the timber industry, is un-
just.
The people prevailed, and submitted
signatures that were verified. Now timber
industry advocates Stan Long and Dennis
Miller have again taken steps to keep the
initiative off the May ballot.
If the system keeps the people from
qualifying the initiative to protect their
health, safety and welfare over the inter-
ests of the timber power brokers, then we
the citizens of Lane County demand that
the Board of County Commissioners put
the Freedom from Aerial Spraying of Her-
bicides Bill of Rights and the companion
initiative for Right of Local Community
Self-Government (which also had qualify-
ing signatures submitted) on the ballot for
our vote.
With elections in May 2018, it is time
for the County Commissioners to show us
whether they represent the people or the
monied timber industry.
Bernadette Bourassa
Eugene
Love your
new life
Losing weight can help you move well,
breathe easier and reverse some health
conditions. What’s not to love?
Weight loss surgery
Nutrition counseling
Accredited for national surgical quality
peacehealth.org/weight-oregon
eugeneweekly.com • January 18, 2018
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