LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Flurries don't warrant closure

I have been watching this curious phenomenon since we moved here from the Midwest many years ago.

On a recent Thursday, due to a threat of snow, schools were delayed. I did see a few snow flakes once when peering out my office window at work that day. On my way to the gym at 6 a.m. the next morning, I noted a dusting of snow on the ground. KLCC reported that school had already been canceled, even though snow was to end at 9 a.m. when my youngest was to arrive at school.

As I later crossed back over the Ferry Street Bridge at 7:30 a.m., I passed a snow plow traveling. The plow's blade was raised because there was no snow to plow.

In Ohio and Minnesota, kids knew that on snow days they would be sledding, making snow men or throwing snow balls at each other. At least the kids here had the state basketball playoffs to go to. Academics activities were canceled, but the athletic events went on.

We have shown our kids what is important. It is now late morning, the sun is shining. I think I will go play golf.

TIM STRAUB

Eugene

Probably better do as she says

Will the person who took my double-bladed Keen Kutter ax from my yard please return it?

This 84-year-old lady needs it to split wood.

WANETA RITZMAN

Eugene

School buses have snow chains 

As I look out at the rapidly melting snow on a recent morning and hear that Eugene and all the other districts canceled school today, a question popped into my head: Why have all these districts spent money on automatic chains at $2,500-plus per bus and then they can't drive with two inches of snow on the ground?

Don't cry about a shortage of money when you don't properly utilize the resources you have.

SCOTT WAMSLEY

Eugene

Climate has warmed before

It isn't queer enough that the anti-human, anti-science folks are found supporting mainstream science regarding global warming. Jeff Simmons (letters, March 10) resorted to calling another writer a dinosaur for not following the mainstream opinion by questioning the theories behind our climate change. As I learned from my liberal college professors, members of the educated class end up being the most small-minded and unravel when challenged by independent thought.

While these self-proclaimed champions of higher thought defend the mainstream, I seem to recall that nearly every scientist worthy of mention has been rejected by mainstream science of the age, only to finally rise to greatness. It is laughable that supposedly intelligent people are willing to cut off emerging ideas in order to preserve pre-conceived notions of humankind as a parasite on our Earth.

That the Earth has warmed and cooled many dozens of times over the past 4 billion years is a fact. That the Earth is now warming appears to be a fact. That humans are causing this warming is plain theory.

As time passes, new scientists will present more information that refutes human-caused warming. Despite the howls from the mainstream, knowledge will improve, minds will be changed and the Earth will cool again.

Our future generations will likely look back at the closed-minded politics of the anti-human movement, and call them the dinosaurs.

DAVID Z. POKVITIS

Springfield

City doesn't need Whole Foods

Eugene is well served by six locally owned and operated neighborhood natural foods stores and a locally based chain of supermarkets with a strong emphasis on natural foods. We have been paying taxes, supporting our schools, contributing to non-profits and working hard to earn a modest living.

We care about the community we live in. And more of the money you spend at our stores stays here. Numerous studies have shown that local businesses keep three to five times more money in the local economy. Furthermore, a town with distinctive character attracts tourists and new businesses. Most important of all, our quality of life and sense of connectedness is nurtured by the neighborly interactions we have at our local grocery store.

That feeling of community isn't found in formulaic big-box chain stores. Now Whole Foods Market, a big-box chain store seeking more profits for its shareholders, threatens our way of life and the uniqueness of the town we love. Their expected volume of sales has been estimated as equivalent to the combined sales of the Kiva, Sundance, Capella's and three Markets of Choice.

Why should our town subsidize Whole Foods Market, since it can only succeed at the expense of existing businesses? Keep our money here, keep a level playing field. Keep it local, Eugene!

GAVIN McCOMAS, Owner

Sundance Natural Foods

Eugene

U.S. doesn't banish dissenters 

If it were up to Mike Blessing Jr. (letter, March 10), he would turn this country into a place "where if you say one negative comment about the president or the government, you will be either hanged or burned at stake." Only he would exile and banish you instead, "because people who respect the values on which this country was founded do not want you here, either."

It seems to me that he does not know the "values on which this country was founded." It looks like the irony of his statement could only be lost on him.

MIKE KNEFATY

Eugene

People are giving away privacy

I am confused and troubled by those people who support President George Bush's program of warrantless spying on U.S. citizens. All of the letters I have read supporting the president's actions seem to revolve around a few simple points:

1) We're at war;

2) The government needs to monitor domestic telecommunications for our safety; and

3) Bush is a trustworthy, honorable guy.

I am confused because nobody has ever disputed points 1 and 2, and point 3 is entirely irrelevant. The question is not whether Bush is trustworthy, but whether the president should be able to disregard law, flout the power of Congress and ignore the courts.

Do the supporters of the National Security Agency spy program realize that they are setting a precedent - that they are granting all future presidents the right to spy on us without a warrant or oversight? If our next president is Hillary Clinton, or Al Sharpton, or Ralph Nader or some liberal Hollywood movie star, do you want them to have complete, unlimited access to spy on you?

You are saying that your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have no right to privacy. Is that really what your want?

REUBEN ZAHLER

Eugene

Learn about canine movie star

Disney's remake of the movie "The Shaggy Dog" recently opened in local theaters. The star of the movie is a bearded collie, a dog known for its quizzical looks and clownish antics.

It is inevitable that many movie patrons will fall in love with this dog and in some cases may wish to own one. In that case, there are some important things a potential owner must know about the breed.

Their hallmark shaggy coats require extensive weekly grooming; being herding dogs, they need regular exercise and when left alone can become bored and destructive; they must be taught not to jump up and are barkers when excited. Other than that they are wonderfully affectionate and terrific companion dogs.

Anyone wishing to own a Beardie should go to the American Kennel Club Web site (www.akc.org) to learn about the breed. Responsible breeders and most adoption agencies will screen potential owners to make sure the intended home is right for the dog.

We appreciate the management of the Cinemark Theaters in Springfield for allowing us to bring our Beardies into their lobby and set up an information booth in order to spread knowledge of the breed. We are also grateful to the theater patrons who contributed to the Bearded Collie Rescue Fund at our booth.

Remember: Make sure the dog that you buy or adopt is right for you.

MARTY JOHNSON

JOANNE JOHNSON

Eugene

Soloflex ad was in poor taste

In the March 6 issue of The Register-Guard there was an advertisement for Soloflex exercise equipment with the caption "Our competition is other pain relievers." The "other pain relievers" shown were aspirin, a syringe, a hammer and a pistol. To imply that suicide is a reliever of pain is in the worst taste imaginable.

I called the phone number in the ad and was told that Soloflex CEO Jerry Wilson is an eccentric guy who believes the ad is funny. It was implied that Soloflex employees were appalled. I was given Wilson's personal e-mail address, [e-mail], and invited to express my outrage. It has been almost a week since I did, and I have received no reply yet.

I also called The Register-Guard advertising department and received an apology for allowing the ad to run and assurances that Wilson would be contacted about it.

It is hoped that Wilson will be able to express the humorous aspects of suicide to the families of those left behind.

JACK STEVENS

Eugene