LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.Byline: The Register-Guard Hybrids aren't all that green It's hybrid hokum! The lovely Toyota Prius The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation, and one of the first such vehicles to be mass-produced and marketed. The Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, and worldwide in 2001. hybrid and now the beautiful EmX bus in Eugene say it all about the city of granola eaters! The Prius is economical and the EmX is economical when rated solely on fuel consumption. Recent studies show that cars create more pollution in their manufacturing process than in the lifetime of vehicle use. The worst offenders are the gas- and battery-powered hybrids being built. Need any more be said about the EmX? GENE THOMPSON Eugene Earl Thompson (June 7 1917 - August 24 2006), nicknamed "Junior," was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants. Eugene Don't demean de·mean 1 tr.v. de·meaned, de·mean·ing, de·means To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: demeaned themselves well in class. people's jobs Suggesting that an errant er·rant adj. 1. Roving, especially in search of adventure: knights errant. 2. Straying from the proper course or standards: errant youngsters. 3. Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run employee ought to be punished by being forced to work at Wal-Mart as a greeter on the graveyard shift graveyard shift n. 1. A work shift that runs during the early morning hours, as from midnight to 8 a.m. 2. The workers on such a shift. Noun 1. was insensitive (letters, Jan. 29). Not that the fellow shouldn't be punished, but what's with the shot at innocent workers? It shouldn't need to be noted that putting down a person's job, no matter what it is, isn't cool. Most people are proud of what they do and consider their work to be honest and important. Whatever you might think of it, do not suppose that they won't be offended if you demean their jobs. How about a little respect and kindness to the folks in the trenches who are just doing the best that they can? How about bearing in mind that it's their combined service work that tends to make the rest of our lives easier, and it comes at a low cost? For that, these workers deserve appreciation, not derision. But most important, how about trying to remember that the cracks in this so-called American dream American dream also American Dream n. An American ideal of a happy and successful life to which all may aspire: of ours are wide indeed, and getting wider. Good folks fall through, all the time, because around here, life can be hard. Incidentally, I happen to know a Wal-Mart night shift greeter. You simply have no idea what hurdles she's faced and continues to face, all in exchange for the privilege of being at that door, every night, while most of the world sleeps. If you did, you'd stand in awe of her, just as I do. BERNIE McJUNKIN Eugene Tourette's is misunderstood When you think of Tourette's syndrome Tou·rette's syndrome or Tou·rette syndrome n. A severe neurological disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics, usually beginning in childhood or adolescence and often accompanied by grunts and compulsive utterances, as of , do you imagine an unruly person swearing constantly? Apparently, that's all people think of kids who have this problem, but most of what you hear about people like me is completely wrong. For instance, I've never had a swearing problem in my whole life, and I have a very severe diagnosis of this disease. Yet I've had uncontrollable motor tics motor tic Neurology A nonpurposeful repeated muscle spasm; simple MTs–SMTs are abrupt, brief, single, isolated Examples Eye blink, shoulder shrug, repetitive kicking of legs, head jerk, eye dart, nose twitch. See Torsion dystonia. since I was 5. I've finally gained control and have made a lot of new changes in myself, but it's not cool when kids in my class are making insults about it behind my back. I've heard teachers and friends make insults about Tourette's and other disorders. I've heard things like, "You swear so much it sounds like you've got Tourette's." I've also seen a Web site that mocks people with Tourette's syndrome called tourettesguy.com. It showcases a drunken man with Tourette's syndrome who swears constantly and tics in front of a camera. It's a joke to a lot of people but after how much I've been through, I just can't stand it. Certain organizations are trying to tell people about kids like me. I got recognized by the Tourette Syndrome Association The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), based in Bayside, New York, United States, is a non-profit voluntary organization and the only national health-related organization serving people with Tourette syndrome. and I've helped in an award-winning documentary called "I have Tourette's but Tourette's doesn't have me." It was a huge success and is on HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy right now, but not everyone knows. What we need to do is stop making fun of kids with Tourette's and just try to understand what it's like. RILEY WEBBER Eugene The Register-Guard welcomes letters on topics of general interest. Our length limit is 250 words; all letters are subject to condensation. Writers are limited to one letter per calendar month. Because of the volume of mail, not all letters can be printed. Letters must be signed with the writer's full name. An address and daytime telephone number are needed for verification purposes; this information will not be published or released. Mail letters to: Mailbag, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Fax: 338-2828 E-mail: rgletters@guardnet.com |
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