LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.Byline: The Register-Guard Reconsider killing 'Boondocks' I am very disappointed in The Register-Guard's decision to suspend "The Boondocks." The newspaper has given in to a minority group in this country that is trying to impose its views on the rest of us, and has set up a very effective communication network to accomplish this. I dislike the "Mallard Fillmore Not to be confused with Millard Fillmore. Mallard Fillmore is a comic strip written and illustrated by Bruce Tinsley. The strip follows the exploits of its title character, a politically conservative anthropomorphic green-feathered duck who works as a reporter at " strip, but I would not be so arrogant as to request that it be suspended. Instead, I just ignore it. I'm sure some people must enjoy it, and the newspaper should serve a wide spectrum of reading tastes. My sister works for the Daily Press in the Hampton Roads Hampton Roads, roadstead, 4 mi (6.4 km) long and 40 ft (12.2 m) deep, SE Va., through which the waters of the James, Nansemond, and Elizabeth rivers pass into Chesapeake Bay. area of Virginia. When they received complaints about "The Boondocks," they reacted differently. They wrote an article explaining why it was being continued. They received a surprising amount of positive feedback and very little negative response. I urge The Register-Guard to reconsider its decision. We must not let our freedoms be chipped away. Some "Boondocks" strips are not in the best taste, but those are black humor black humor, in literature, drama, and film, grotesque or morbid humor used to express the absurdity, insensitivity, paradox, and cruelty of the modern world. Ordinary characters or situations are usually exaggerated far beyond the limits of normal satire or irony. which some of us do not understand. Most of Aaron McGruder's work is wonderfully funny and comic genius Comic Genius is the world's first online stand-up comic contest that is open to all Canadians. It is sponsored by The Comedy Network and the CTV comedy, Corner Gas. It began on September 26, 2005 and ended on November 27, 2005. . The Register-Guard is not delivered in my area, and I drive into town every morning to buy a copy. "The Boondocks" is one of the things I look forward to reading each day. PAT HIGGS Sutherlin Topical comics invariably in·var·i·a·ble adj. Not changing or subject to change; constant. in·var  i·a·bil offend
It is not surprising that the "The Boondocks" is, from time to time, offensive to some among The Register-Guard's readers. Anything, such as this comic strip comic strip, combination of cartoon with a story line, laid out in a series of pictorial panels across a page and concerning a continuous character or set of characters, whose thoughts and dialogues are indicated by means of "balloons" containing written speech. , that deals with topical issues, pointing out areas of our society which are less than perfect, will inevitably offend from time to time. I am often offended by "Mallard Fillmore," for example, but read it and enjoy it for providing an alternative perspective. I hope that the newspaper will bring back "The Boondocks." It's too bad that the editors didn't begin with the Jan. 1 strip, particularly given the topic of discussion of police review at the recent City Club meeting. ELLIOT McINTIRE Eugene Junk 'Mallard Fillmore' too The Register Guard quietly deleted "The Boondocks," which was banished to the classified pages over a year ago. Well, the newspaper should do the right thing and get rid of "Mallard Fillmore." "The Boondocks" was scintillating scin·til·late v. scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing, scin·til·lates v.intr. 1. To throw off sparks; flash. 2. To sparkle or shine. See Synonyms at flash. 3. humor humor, according to ancient theory, any of four bodily fluids that determined man's health and temperament. Hippocrates postulated that an imbalance among the humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) resulted in pain and disease, and that good health was at its best, showing us a slice of urban life from which most of us here in Eugene are thoroughly insulated in·su·late tr.v. in·su·lat·ed, in·su·lat·ing, in·su·lates 1. To cause to be in a detached or isolated position. See Synonyms at isolate. 2. . "Mallard Fillmore," in contrast, is a poorly drawn caricature of a comic strip, which really just promotes a political agenda (much like ``The Gang of 9''). It is offensive and painful to look at. The Register-Guard should do us all a favor and dump the duck - and while the editors are at it, bring back "The Boondocks." JANICE SUNSERI Eugene 'Boondocks' rankles the left When The Register-Guard first placed Aaron McGruder's comic "The Boondocks" in the figurative fig·u·ra·tive adj. 1. a. Based on or making use of figures of speech; metaphorical: figurative language. b. Containing many figures of speech; ornate. 2. back of the bus, (he had dared make fun of President Bill Clinton), I was embarrassed. As the strip continued, and it became clear that McGruder was an equal-opportunity offender, I was surprised that the editors continued to hide the comic in the back of the paper with "Mallard Fillmore." It was certainly no more political than "Doonesbury," and clearly more topical than the recycled "Peanuts." (Isn't it time to let Charles Schulz Noun 1. Charles Schulz - United States cartoonist whose comic strip included the beagle Snoopy (1922-2000) Charles M. Schulz, Charles Munroe Schulz, Schulz rest in peace?) Now, the editors have decided that "The Boondocks" is just too offensive to even hide. Instead of printing it in obscurity in the back of the "newspaper bus," the editors have decided to banish ban·ish tr.v. ban·ished, ban·ish·ing, ban·ish·es 1. To force to leave a country or place by official decree; exile. 2. To drive away; expel: We banished all our doubts and fears. it entirely. Its latest offense? McGruder has once again chosen satire that offends the left. Fortunately for his readers, The Register-Guard is not the only place to read "The Boondocks." Anyone can see what they've missed by checking the Web. People can decide for themselves. As for McGruder, take heart, dear artist - the same editors who feel you are too offensive on Dec. 28 published the headline, "Poverty lessens impact of tsunamis." That the loss of untold poor people is somehow less important than a comparable loss of Americans is truly offensive. KURT YOUNG Kurt Young was the tenor vocalist with the Cathedral Quartet from 1989 through 1990. Junction City Junction City, city (1990 pop. 20,604), seat of Geary co., NE Kans., at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill rivers; inc. 1859. The rail, trade, and processing center of an agricultural and dairy area, it grew as the supply point for nearby Fort Riley, Dinner brings people together For the fourth Christmas, I've had the pleasure of serving dinner at the annual Senior Holiday Dinner held at the Eugene Hilton. Banquet manager Gerald Rice and the Hilton staff work hard every year to make this event memorable. A community effort supports the dinner, sponsored by the Human Services Commission on behalf of the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Julianne Harris served as coordinator this year, zipping around town gathering donations and community support. Ever-cheerful and dressed as a Christmas elf, Harris tied together the components of the largest dinner yet - approximately 780 dinner tickets were sold. The Hilton provides a beautiful setting and delicious turkey dinner. The sounds and spirit of Christmas resounded throughout the joined banquet rooms banquet room n. A large room, as in a restaurant, suitable for banquets. on Christmas afternoon. This year's 26th annual dinner was underwritten with the help of Comcast, States Industries and PacificSource. Many other businesses, organizations and individuals contribute as well to help make this holiday event happen each year. If you haven't family to share Christmas with next year, watch for the announcements for this event. Or, if you have a few hours to share, consider volunteering for jobs such as transporting people to and from the dinner, greeting people, serving as table hosts, helping with dinner service or entertaining. I'm so glad that this dinner is held each year. It brings together so many people and provides a special place to spend part of Christmas Day. ANNETTA FORRER Eugene Erase God from government I have heard it suggested by some of late that we strike the reference to God from our Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance, in full, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, oath that proclaims loyalty to the United States. and its national symbol. . After giving it considerable thought, I believe this would be the best thing to do. Perhaps there should be no such religious reference in a pledge meant to be made by people of all creeds, including those who may not believe in God, or even in god with a little "g." Or who maybe believe in many gods, or in Goddess, or in something else altogether. After all, isn't that what the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees, the separation of church and state
Doesn't that mean, in other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , that religious ideology really has no place within a government that was formed to equally represent and protect all of its citizens? And I don't think it should stop there, either. We should remove all such references to particular religious beliefs and gods from all official government business - everything from the Pledge of Allegiance to the Ten Commandments Ten Commandments or Decalogue [Gr.,=ten words], in the Bible, the summary of divine law given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. They have a paramount place in the ethical system in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. in courthouses to the money we do commerce with, right on down to the Declaration of Independence, which acknowledges God three times: twice in the first two sentences and once again in the closing paragraph. Now, I realize that's a lot of erasing to do - especially to a document so crucial to the very foundations of our country and its government. But, as we have seen, it's only fair, and it's undoubtedly what the founding fathers would have wanted. Right? MARC A. SIMMONS Eugene Jocelyn's work helps the needy The volunteer effort that created a rain shelter for patrons of the FOOD for Lane County dining room on Eighth Avenue was a touching story (Register-Guard, Dec. 26). It spoke to the spirit of Eugene, where the outpouring of good deeds makes this a city that stands out in America. We tip our hats to the mystery woman, Jerry Prud'homme, Jan Fillinger, Jerry's Home Improvement Center and Linda Kelley and others who made the awnings a reality. But the story could have given more credit to Tracy Jocelyn, the dining room coordinator. She does more than you can imagine to improve the lives of the homeless and needy. Jocelyn, I just learned, invited 25 people who use the dining room to have Christmas dinner Christmas dinner is the primary meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Day. It is often seen as the main event of the day for which the family all gathers and eats together. at her home. She's truly a blessing who represents the heart of Eugene. SHARANE NORRIS Eugene Park project credit to Eugene To the people of the city of Eugene, I would like to express my deepest thanks. This was a bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. Christmas because of the recent death of my 26-year-old nephew, Kirk Steller. I took a nostalgic jog around Skinner Butte Skinner Butte (also called Skinner's Butte) is a prominent hill on the north edge of downtown Eugene, Oregon, United States, near the Willamette River. Skinner Butte is a local landmark and the location of Skinner Butte Park, a municipal park. Park, where I was pleased to see the whale and futuristic sculpture my family played on almost 50 years ago. Out of humane considerations for the animals, the absence of the monkey and bear cages pleased me through the years. However, the obvious work on the area where it used to be concerned me. When I read the "What's Happening Here?" signs conveniently posted around the area, it brought tears of joy and gratitude. It is such a credit to the people who now live in Eugene that this patch of earth is being returned to its natural prairie wetland/upland state. It is also a tribute to those who have in the past lived in Eugene. I, for one, am filled with respect for those who made this decision. CHERYL BEVANS BENNETT Livermore, Calif. |
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