LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.Byline: The Register-Guard Criticism isn't censorship A response is required to George Beres' Jan. 7 letter decrying that certain community leaders spoke out against anti-Semitism in their Dec. 21 guest viewpoint. First, Beres' description of the Rev. Dan Bryant's contribution as "unwitting" is utterly patronizing, suggesting poor judgment or feeblemindedness on the part of Bryant. Apparently, Beres has never met Bryant nor heard him speak. Second, it is absurd for Beres to suggest that Bryant should refrain from contributing to civil discourse except as he would from his pulpit. Are religious leaders now denied full citizenship and a full voice in our society? Third, Beres' demonizing of the criticisms of the Pacifica Forum as an attack on free speech is a remarkable bit of spin, given that the issue is with Pacifica Forum's failures of free and fair speech and disproportionate podium time for avowed a·vow tr.v. a·vowed, a·vow·ing, a·vows 1. To acknowledge openly, boldly, and unashamedly; confess: avow guilt. See Synonyms at acknowledge. 2. To state positively. anti-Semites. Criticism isn't censorship; it's a sometimes necessary part of a healthy conversation. But Beres' last sentiment is most telling. He states that the forum has appreciation for Jewish-Americans except those who support Israeli policies that Beres doesn't like. By Beres' own words, then, the Pacifica Forum is not an unbiased forum at all, but one that picks and chooses based on whether a speaker's political views or ideology passes its litmus test litmus test n. A test for chemical acidity or basicity using litmus paper. . PETER STRATON Eugene Iraq war Iraq War: see under Persian Gulf Wars. Iraq War or Second Persian Gulf War Brief conflict in 2003 between Iraq and a combined force of troops largely from the U.S. and Great Britain; and a subsequent U.S. is killing our souls It is long past time for our troops in Iraq to come home. President Bush and his junta have had their shock and awe Shock and awe, technically known as rapid dominance, is a military doctrine based on the use of overwhelming decisive force, dominant battlefield awareness, dominant maneuvers, and spectacular displays of power to paralyze an adversary's perception of the battlefield and . What have they accomplished? They have destroyed Iraq's infrastructure and slaughtered thousands of innocent people. The only winners are the ones who profit from war. They have made a killing. The rest of us are losers. Our beloved Constitution is in tatters tat·ter 1 n. 1. A torn and hanging piece of cloth; a shred. 2. tatters Torn and ragged clothing; rags. tr. & intr.v. . America is hated throughout the world. Bush and his junta have have had their wargasm. Now it is time to withdraw. America is a democracy, and the people have spoken. We want an end to this senseless, mind-numbing tragedy. We're living with war every day and it is making us sick. It is killing our souls and stealing our humanity. It is wrecking our country and our future. VINCENT VINCENT Vital Information Necessary Centralized (movie, The Black Hole) MULIER Eugene 2006 warmest year on record Ron Richey (letters, Jan. 6) is entitled to broadcast his opinion - and expose his ignorance - about climate change, but I take exception when he cites untruths to support his opinion. First, the "hockey stick model" has long since overcome its challengers. That it represents factual climate trends is endorsed by climate scientists worldwide. Second, temperature variance among historical interglacial in·ter·gla·cial adj. Occurring between glacial epochs. n. A comparatively short period of warmth during an overall period of glaciation. periods is insignificant compared to the current warming trend. Last year (2006) was the warmest year on record - 2.2 degrees warmer than the 20th century average - and scientists predict that 2007 will be warmer yet. It's off to a good start. Third, noting that the chronology of climate models reads from right to left, we observe that rising carbon dioxide carbon dioxide, chemical compound, CO2, a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is about one and one-half times as dense as air under ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure. levels are, in fact, a precursor to rising temperatures in the historical record and not the reverse, as Richey suggests. That CO2 levels are now 380 parts per million parts per million mg/kg or ml/l; see ppm. and rising - a level not seen in 55 million years - compared to the average interglacial level of 280, is a warning signal that can't be ignored. Further, Richey's disrespect for the late Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert Irwin (February 22, 1962 – September 4, 2006), known simply as Steve Irwin and nicknamed "The Crocodile Hunter is shameful. Irwin transformed science into education like few before him. Calling his peers disparaging dis·par·age tr.v. dis·par·aged, dis·par·ag·ing, dis·par·ag·es 1. To speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle. See Synonyms at decry. 2. To reduce in esteem or rank. names was not his style. I strongly suggest that Richey read the works of Spencer Weart, Alan Thorpe and especially James Lovelock Dr. James Ephraim Lovelock, CH, CBE, FRS (born 26 July 1919) is an independent scientist, author, researcher, environmentalist, and futurologist who lives in Cornwall, in the south west of Great Britain. to become literate in the science of climate change. Maybe those of us who believe in the science are not such "climate cooks" after all. DAVID BERG David Brandt Berg (18 February, 1919 - October 1994), frequently known by the pseudonym Moses David, was the founder and leader of the religious movement formerly called Children of God, now called "The Family International". Eugene Waves and smiles brighten day Every morning as my children and I drive north along River Road to their schools in 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, , we see him waiting for the Lane Transit District A transit district or transit authority is a special-purpose district organized as either a corporation chartered by statute, or a government agency, created for the purpose of providing public transportation within a specific region. bus to pick him up at the end of his driveway. We have dubbed him "Smiley Waving Guy" because of the friendly way he greets everyone who passes by. In a world full of hate and uncertainty, it's incredibly encouraging to receive this simple, kind gesture from a stranger. I pray I beg; I request; I entreat you; - used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go s>. See also: Pray others, like us, will be inspired to pass it on. Bless him. LYN COGSWELL Junction City Could be just another slogan With the president's decision to take the war in Iraq to a new level, perhaps it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a for a progress report to see how we got from where we were to where we are. We've already had "shock and awe;" "bring 'em on;" "mission accomplished;" "as the Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down;" "makin' good progress;" "central front on the war on terror This article is about U.S. actions, and those of other states, after September 11, 2001. For other conflicts, see Terrorism. The War on Terror (also known as the War on Terrorism ;" and "we're winning." Now we have a "new way forward" (which translates to 20,000 more young Americans and billions of dollars). JIM Jim Miss Watson’s runaway slave; Huck’s traveling companion. [Am. Lit.: Huckleberry Finn] See : Escape OHMAN North Bend Why is America still in Iraq? No weapons of mass destruction Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or found in Iraq. No connection between the Sept. 11 acts of al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. Enormous loss of Iraqi lives and American honor. And now the great bogyman himself, Saddam, is dead. Why then are we still in Iraq? What are we really doing there? Bringing democracy? Protecting oil? President Bush's proposed escalation of U.S. troops for Iraq is not needed, as recent military commanders have indicated, and will only put more U.S. personnel at risk. With this action, the president is sending American men and women into a trap from which many of them will not return. It's time to stop this war, begin bringing our troops home and concentrating on the issues that will make our country, our republic and our way of life truly safe. This war in Iraq is not doing that. KEITH SWENSON Eugene End persecution of Christians The persecution of Christians is religious persecution that Christians sometimes undergo as a consequence of professing their faith, both historically and in the current era. Christians are by far the most persecuted religious group in human history. The first Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison, used a Quran during his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for the House of Representatives. That Thomas Jefferson studied the Quran to "know his enemy" seems a much more likely reason for him have had a copy. I have no problem with Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, swearing on the Quran. It is the book most sacred to him. The idea is that swearing on what is sacred will emphasize the binding nature of the oath he is taking as he assumes office. But just the fact that it was the Quran, which some interpret as teaching the annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, makes it all of America's problem. Everyone should have a right to religion, but Christians are still persecuted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Every Christian should call or write this congressman to encourage him to form a platform and open the dialogue for the same rights in those countries that severely discriminate against Christians. CAROLYN CHENEY Coos Bay Name-calling isn't helpful Although Don Richey (letters, Jan. 6) seems to be very knowledgable about everything from global warming to the price of manhole covers, he seems to have skipped the day in elementary school when we all learned not to name-call. "Neo-lib"? Youch. If Richey hates it here so much, he should move! HANNA OLSEN Eugene Commissioners bully fair board I am sorry we are losing great people whose primary focus is the Lane County fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . It is disappointing to hear that the Lane County commissioners are so narrow-minded they will not listen to the recommendations of the designated Lane County Fair The Lane County Fair is an annual celebration held in Eugene, Oregon every August featuring food, music and other entertainment. It is held at the Lane County Fairgrounds. Board. In fact, it appears if they don't like the recommendations they will just bully the board into oblivion. Commissioner Bill Dwyer said, "This is the people's fair; it doesn't belong to the fair board. They serve at the pleasure of the people." The county commissioners also serve at the pleasure of the people. Commissioners should consider the fact that they keep going to the people begging for money for legitimate needs, and they keep getting denied. They should listen to "the people." The Fair Board tried to show the commissioners a way to make some money that would be used by hundreds of members of the community - in the form of facilities for children and adult soccer enthusiasts. I understand there are a few dozen horse enthusiasts using the facility in the center of Eugene. They have hardly anywhere to actually safely ride their horses, and it sounds like the facility is losing money. Why not move the horse facility to a more rural area where the horses actually could get some exercise? Why not convert the fairgrounds building to an indoor soccer facility that would be used by hundreds of soccer players who would pay to play in such a facility? JOHANN SCHNEIDER Eugene Rein in Kulongoski's spending It has been Gov. Ted Kulongoski's day in the sun. He has "seized the opportunity" (Register-Guard, Jan. 9). The residents of Oregon can only hope the Legislature has the backbone to understand Oregon is in a financial crisis. Kulongoski's budget is a forecast for financial disaster for Oregon. It will leave this state in a financial mess, and that will be his legacy. If the Legislature goes along with the ramped-up spending Kulongoski has proposed, the citizens of the state will bear the burden of this for many years to come. TOM GRIMES Florence |
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