LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Israeli fence will promote peace

The Jan. 21 editorial criticizing the security fence separating Israel from the West Bank failed to recognize the historical backdrop that justifies its construction and fails to appreciate the salutary effect it might have on the stalled peace process.

The construction of the security fence is Israel's reaction to more than three years of deadly attacks carried out by Palestinian terrorist groups in which more than 900 civilians, both Jews and Arabs, have been murdered and thousands more injured in Israel. These attacks began in September 2002 after Yasser Arafat rejected Israel's offer of a Palestinian state on 94 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip, with a capital in East Jerusalem.

As Dennis Ross, former Middle East adviser to the first President Bush and President Clinton, recently wrote, "those responsible for the fence are Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Their terror produced the impulse for the fence. If violence were not a threat, the fence would not be necessary."

The fence is a legitimate security measure that will help end the terror, a necessary step for resuming peace negotiations. With terror off the table as a Palestinian bargaining chip, perhaps a Palestinian leader will emerge who is willing to disarm, or at least talk about disarming, the terrorist groups. In the meantime, Israel's intention to dismantle the settlements in Gaza begins the process of removing another obstacle to peace.

CRAIG WEINERMAN

Eugene

Georgia is ahead of Oregon

In his Feb. 8 letter "Georgia aids its competition," Lee Rodrigue stated that Georgia lost 6 percent of its high-tech jobs from 2000 to 2002 and equated that job loss to poor education. Rodrigue further stated Georgia's proposal to exclude the word "evolution" from the state curriculum is another example of bad Georgia education.

I, too, am from Georgia and living in Eugene. I guess Rodrigue has been in Oregon too long and has learned to distort the facts. Georgia has actually lost 7 percent of its high-tech jobs, compared to Oregon's 11 percent high-tech job loss - according to American Electronics Association Cyberstates 2003 annual tech report. In national high-tech job rankings, Georgia actually moved up to 11th in the nation while Oregon moved down to 20th.

I know Rodrigue may not agree with removing evolution. But Rodrigue should not show poor education on an unrelated subject by putting down a state that is well ahead of Oregon. Then again, I guess that's what being an Oregonian is all about.

I can't wait to move back to Georgia where facts are the way they are, not what we hope them to be.

LEE W. GREENE

Eugene

'Pirates' theme fits Bush team

On Feb. 6, I heard U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio speak to an American government class at Lane Community College. He stated that George W. Bush has run up the largest budget deficit in our country's history and, by borrowing to finance tax cuts for the rich, his administration is "looting the treasury," adding to the worst distribution of wealth since the Great Depression. I agree with the con- gressman.

Then, while watching the film "Pirates of the Caribbean" a few days later, I heard the perfect slogan for the Bush re-election campaign in light of DeFazio's statements. Move over, "I Like Ike" and "Nixon's the One!" Make room for the slogan of the pirates of Pennsylvania Avenue, Captain Carl Rove and First Mate Bush: "Take what you can. Give nothing back."

No "parley" here, mate. I, for one, will be voting next fall for Bush to walk the plank before our treasury is completely looted and buried in debt. It's time to take back the ship of state held hostage by the corporate pirates of Pennsylvania Avenue.

KAREN D. MYERS

Eugene

Eco-friendly cars don't exist

Emily Kaufman (letters, Feb. 8) expresses the need for more fuel-efficient vehicles in our country. She seems to be under the same impression as many others - that better fuel efficiency in new vehicles is the answer to our global warming problems.

Many people don't realize that gas emissions from cars are only a small percentage of their pollution. Studies show that 56 percent of a car's overall lifetime pollution comes from its manufacture, and is produced before it even leaves the assembly plant.

We will not solve our environmental problems by creating more cars, even if they have slightly better fuel efficiency. We can effect change by re-evaluating our transportation choices. More than half of one's lifetime pollution will come from driving a personal vehicle. By reducing our own driving and instead taking mass transit, biking and walking, we can each make a positive difference in our own contributions to the pollution problem.

I do agree with Kaufman's statement that nothing will ever happen if we sit around and wait for the government to solve all our problems. By buying into the car industry's idea that "environmentally friendly" cars actually exist, we will never make a dent in the amount of pollution we each produce.

MORIAH DEMERS

Eugene

Time for kids always well spent

I appreciated Paul Neville's Feb. 8 column, "Take it from a coach: Kids' teams need help!"

I was just beginning to wonder if this was some sort of Oregon cultural phenomenon - wanting the goods or the services, but not wanting to pay for them or put in any time to support them. That applies to everything from tax increases that support our children's schools to two hours of time to support children's sports leagues.

I was very disheartened by the earlier article about the parent who championed the cause against enforced volunteer activity to support the American Youth Soccer Organization in Springfield (currently with nine volunteers struggling to meet the needs of 900 participating children). I am glad to see Neville's reminder that there are many times as a parent when the ways I give of my time won't always feel good and won't always be convenient, but it will always be worth it.

LEANN McARTHUR

Eugene

Free speech is not the issue

Guest columnist Jill Schwab calls critics of her theater troupe critics of free speech (guest viewpoint, Feb. 10). Come on, give me a break.

As a recent graduate of Churchill High School, I had to sit through numerous presentations similar to these, but this was a first for a friend of mine. I applaud the high regard for the First Amendment that he demonstrated by walking out of that divisive display. As if mindless defamation of a United States president wasn't enough, the group went on to bash Christians and Jesus himself.

I am a firm and ardent supporter of human rights, but unfortunately, this term has lost its meaning. The day has arrived when any left-wing propaganda passes for support of human rights. I guess I just don't understand how singing "Impeach Bush, my friend, Impeach Bush" to the Christian tune of "Kumbaya, My Lord" furthers any real human rights.

I find it intriguing how Schwab condemns those who oppose the First Amendment but criticizes those who do not agree with her. Isn't that what free speech is?

Above all, I do not believe that the public school system should be a political battleground. I believe that true human liberation begins with a solid education - something the students at Churchill High School who attended this presentation did not receive.

CHRIS SCHUMACHER

Eugene

Records seem to correlate

As the president's Air National Guard record appears to be graded as more or less minimal in performance, it tends to reaffirm George W. Bush's statement that "even a C student can become president."

MARTY JOHNSON

Eugene

We must abandon automobiles

The solution offered by Emily Kaufman (letters, Feb. 8) incenses me. Far too often the lukewarm idealism of hypocritical environmentalists controls the discussion of automotive pollution.

Kaufman promotes good environmental actions by refusing to buy Ford automobiles. If Ford were the only make available in today's marketplace, she'd be right. However, Ford is only one of many evils. Likewise, global warming is only one of many evils of automobile use, and fuel efficiency does nothing to increase the public good of automobiles.

Regardless of fuel efficiency, an automobile is the greatest source of pollution in a driver's consumer life. More than half its pollution comes before it has left the factory, as wastewater and air are released to refine raw materials and assemble them into a vehicle. Even while driven, problems other than tailpipe emissions arise. Particulate matter from tires kills thousands each year, asbestos wears away from brake liners, heavy metals leak from batteries, toxic fluids drain from the engine and coolant system, and more than 40,000 people die in car accidents each year.

Alternative fuels, increased fuel efficiency and other attempts to green the automobile are only diversionary tactics. These attempts are akin to using "light" cigarettes as a healthy way to continue smoking. Until we cease the use of automobiles, we will forever be looking for that quick fix. I've weaned myself away, as can others.

For more information, see www .carbusters.com.

JEFFREY STOUT

Eugene

State wages already frozen

The Register-Guard has published a couple of letters wherein the writers suggested that all state employees voluntarily forego any raises or bonuses for one year in the interest of helping the state budget.

The writers and perhaps other readers are unaware that as of Sept. 1, 2003, raises and bonuses for all state employees are frozen for two years.

JAN BRADY

Eugene