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nalism. And then there is the more recent incarnation of the Weekly that dedicates cover stories and numerable inside pages to fluff stories (pickleball!) and offensive stories, such as the recent feature story about a Trump-loving UFC fighter who self-identifies as a “bully” and spouts ig- norant trash about America’s winners and losers, all while claiming to do it for his “community.” The Henry Houston article about Colby Covington is the worst piece of offensive nonsense and incoherent idol worship I have ever seen printed in this paper. I hope Houston is not on the “A” list of staff writ- ers in the future; it’s impossible to know what he intended in producing this twad- dle or what you were thinking when you printed it. If you aren’t going to make the most of your public pulpit, then stick to the social calendar and don’t flaunt your jour- nalistic pretensions. Jennifer Rowan-Henry Eugene Editor’s note: If by “A” list you mean is Houston on staff, yes, he indeed flaunts his journalistic pretensions in EW each week. COVINGTON SHAMES US Henry Houston’s portrait of fighter Colby Covington (“Nerd Bashing Time,” Aug. 16) excuses his Trumpian jingoism as pro-wrestling pageantry. Houston insists that “despite his current trash talking, he’s still…{a} nice guy.” We’re supposed to accept that Coving- ton’s statements, including his dismissal of Brazilian MMA fans as “filthy animals” and his praise for Mr. Trump as a “cham- pion of the people,” are mere posturing — that “He does it for the business, so he can then give back.” A little racism and fascism is fine, be- cause Covington cares about the Thurston wrestling program. As part of the local wrestling commu- nity, I can confirm that Thurston has al- ways been a class act. The wrestlers I grew up with in Lane County were kind, decent young men who earned respect through hard work. The color of your skin or the language your family spoke was irrelevant when you stepped on the mat — only your heart and toughness mattered. That Covington became an NCAA All- American speaks to his mettle — wrestling at that level is demanding, and certainly Mr. Covington is an excellent fighter. Yet Covington’s support of Mr. Trump’s nativism, which directs violence and ha- tred against the most vulnerable among us, is not victimless grandstanding. Covington is in a position of influence and strength — and childishly beats his chest in self- celebration. He betrays the values of the sport he claims to love. We deserve a better champion — Covington shames us. Michael Copperman Eugene The Shedd Institute www.theshedd.org - 541.434.7000 Friday Aug 31 Davina & The Vagabonds Shedd Theatricals 2018 Editor’s note: Copperman, a local writer, was a three- time OSAA state finalist and wrestled for Stanford. Sep 14-30 The Shedd Community Music School Music classes & private lessons: 541.434.7015 / registrar@theshedd.net Coming up next at The Shedd… 9.14-30 THE WIZARD OF OZ 10.3 David Bromberg Quintet 10.11-14 Jazz Kings: In The Mood Glenn Miller & The Dorseys 10.17 Chico Schwall Am. Roots: Bonaparte’s Retreat 10.21 Carl Woideck Jazz Heritage: Perfectly Frank 10.22 An evening w/ Pat Metheny 10.26 Leo Kottke 10.27 Larry Fuller Trio 10.28 microphilharmonic: Brahms 11.13 Rufus Wainwright 11.15 David Grisman Dawg Trio 11.16 The Good Time Travelers 11.30-12.16 WHITE CHRISTMAS eugeneweekly.com • A ugust 30, 2018 5
